DLP Government hires US-based firm at EC$280,000 “for strategic media relations & communication

​DLP Government has also entered into an agreement with a US-based firm for a sum of EC$280,000, for purposes of strategic media relations & communications. That agreement with Mercury Public Affairs LLC, based in New York, was not made public by the government of Dominica. However, according to the documents which the firm is obligated to file under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 in the US, that agreement became effective as of 5th February 2017, and will remain in effect until 30th April 2017, and shall thereafter, continue on a month to month basis.
 
Government may have agreed to make an initial payment of US$35,000, which includes a US$5,000 advance payment for travel expenses, upon execution of the agreement, and Mercury is to provide strategic communication and media relations consulting to Dominica. The agreement was signed by Secretary to the Cabinet, Steve Ferrol, on the behalf of Dominica.
 
On its website, Mercury Public Affairs LLC described itself as “a high-stakes public strategy firm. We provide results for the world’s most successful companies, leading advocacy groups, governments, political parties, NGOs, and prominent public and political figures”.
 
The website also said the company has 17 offices worldwide, 300 clients and 133 experts. Mercury did almost US$5.4-million in the lobbying business last year, according to the US-based Center for Responsive Politics.
 
However, Many Dominicans believe that money would have been better spent on existing felt needs in Dominica.