The Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation and Kalinago Upliftment launched Component 3 of the Green Climate Fund-Enhanced Direct Access (GCF-EDA) Project on Wednesday, with a call for proposals for community and adaptation Projects. The call for proposals is under Output 3: Community Resilience to Climate Impacts is Enhanced through Tangible Adaptation Benefits, which will be implemented in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP).
                                                                                
The GCF-EDA project is being implemented in the Eastern Caribbean countries of Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and Dominica. Projects promoting resilience to droughts, floods and hurricanes will be funded up to USD$250,000, and a small preparation grant of maximum USD$5,000 will be granted to successful applicants to develop a full proposal. Minister of Environment, Rural Modernisation and Kalinago Upliftment, Cozier Frederick, spoke to the media on Wednesday.

​Frederick announced that grants will be provided to community organisations. The grant targets the strengthening of existing communal and public building structures and could include activities related to: Water Management Use and Efficiency.

​Minister of Environment, Rural Modernisation and Kalinago Upliftment, Cozier Frederick.

Kommité pou Etid Kwéyòl (KEK) expresses condolences to the family of Dr. Violet Cuffy, who died at her residence in England earlier this week, and who was a senior Lecturer at the University of Bedfordshire.
 
Chairman of KEK, Raymond Lawrence, described Dr Cuffy as someone with a deep passion for Dominica’s Culture and Tourism. Lawrence spoke to Q95 news on Wednesday.

Lawrence went on to explain the vision and objectives of Dr Cuffy for Dominica’s Culture.

​Chairman of KEK, Raymond Lawrence.

Attorney Cara Shillingford has revealed the legal technicalities with which governments have had to grapple in order tomitigate against infringement of Human Rights, to protect the economy and the general population, from the disastrous effects of the Covid -29 virus. Shillingford describes the legal amendments made to these rights as unique, given the current reality of the pandemic. She advises however that Dominica’s government does not adopt harsher legislation which forces any section of the population to get vaccinated against Covid forcefully.

Attorney Cara Shillingford.

​In light of the economic devastation of the Covid Pandemic, seasoned digital educator Dr Simone Mathieu says now is the time to develop innovative business ideas and operations, in order to generate income. Dr Mathieu added that entrepreneurs must begin to shelf their dependence on government to provide opportunities for them, as the government ‘in large measure’ has not been forthcoming in that regard.

​Seasoned digital educator, Dr. Simone Mathieu.

Owner of Jaydee's Natural, Jodie Dublin Dangleben is urging people to be cognizant of what they use on their skin.She says hence her reason for getting trained in organic formulation, to offer something clean and beneficial to the skin.

​Dangleben said she recently noticed an increase in clientele from women and men suffering with cancers, as well as those with various scalp and skin conditions.

​She added that she is extremely happy with what has been established at Jaydee's Naturals in 2021.

​Owner of Jaydee's Natural, Jodie Dublin Dangleben.

​DPSU Chairman Steve Joseph contends that the time has come to once again get very serious about advancing Agriculture and Manufacturing Industries in Dominica, and get these sectors to contribute to revenue and employment in a more meaningful manner, as in the past. Dominica has been stuck in the ‘Primary level of Production and Agriculture Services for the past 17 years. Joseph warns that this neglect by leaders and citizens to advance real engines of growth of a country, will translate into a ‘rude awakening’ of severe poverty on the island.

​DPSU Chairman Steve Joseph.

Microbiologist & DFP Leader Bernard Hurtault insists that Dominicans have given Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, too much ‘headroom’ to manipulate the Electoral process in Dominica. Hurtault champions Dominicans to begin having the tough conversion of Electoral Reform and see that the recommendations already published by credible sources, are implemented by the Electoral Commission.

Microbiologist & DFP Leader Bernard Hurtault.

“Government’s recent announcement of the introduction of income tax concessions relative to specific areas of insurance, emphasizes the importance of, and the need for adequate levels of insurance coverage for the people of Dominica.”
 
This is the view of leading insurance company, Sagicor, which is stating that the decision to introduce these concessions speaks to the immense and critical benefits of being adequately insured, particularly as it relates to property, and health.
 
On the list of its reduction in duties and taxes, the Government has stipulated that a maximum tax deduction of EC$8,000 on premiums paid to insure homes would be granted from the income year 2022, with a health insurance deduction also being offered to individuals and families, relative to premiums paid for the respective income year. This means that for their tax fillings for income year 2022, individuals will be required to submit fillings of premiums paid in order to benefit from the concessions.

Education Minister Octavia Alfred says in the new year, work should begin on 6 new schools, andshe applauded the government of the People's Republic of China who will be supporting the projects to the tune of a reported US$30Million.

She says she is proud to announce that several positions for Government Secondary Schools with effect from September 1,2021 were created despite challenging times.

Education Minister Octavia Alfred.

Economist Kent Vital, speaking on a special edition of Global View On Q on Sunday stated that the Agricultural sector has been struggling for some time, but despite the odds, we need to rise to the occasion. Mr Vital shared some of his professional views on the year gone by, and gave some projections for the year 2022, based on current trends. He said though he doesn’t see much change happening, it is up to every one of us to rise to the challenges ahead.

​Economist, Kent Vital.