​The program of activities for this year’s Dominica Festival of Arts (DOMFESTA) has officially been launched, and is scheduled to run from 30th April until 1st June.
 
Chief Cultural Officer Raymond Lawrence says we need to continue using opportunities like DOMFESTA to help energize, revitalize and rebuild the culture of the country.
 
Lawrence says we can all help to rebuild the country and its culture in our own individualistic way, as we each play our part in the grander scheme of things.
 
He said, “… and as we launch our program of activities for this year’s DOMFESTA, let us let the focus of the events be that of trying harder to work closer together as a people and a nation.”
 
He says it is equality important to embrace a Godly reverence in our culture and in rebuilding, as we strive for a more positive Dominica.

​Lawrence says a host of activities will be taking place during the celebrations.

​Chief Cultural Officer, Raymond Lawrence

The opinion of the Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority, Benoit Bardouille appears to be that the 2018/2019 Cruise Ship season is a major success.
 
He contends that taking into consideration the severity of the damage caused by Hurricane Maria, that is a remarkable foot.
 
Bardouille says hard work has paid off, and that they have received over one hundred and seventy-eight (178) cruise ship calls, most of which are expressing positive feedback.

​Bardouille says there have been discussions with the cruise lines and they too find it remarkable.

Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Air and Seaport Authority, Benoit Bardouille

Police are investigating a shooting death which occurred at about 10:30 am today Wednesday April 17, at Fond Cole.
 
The incident occurred at a business place at Fond Cole. Akhenaten Mohamed male adult of Kings Hill received multiple gun-shot wounds from a pistol fired by a male individual. Mohamed was transported to the A&E Department of the PMH where he was examined. Investigations are ongoing

​Former Agriculture Minister Atherton Martin is questioning Health Minister Dr Kenneth Darroux ’s reasons for staying silent for years while in office, until now that he is on his way out of office. Martin says it may be too little too late, as the damage is already done.
 
Martin was addressing the recent statement made by the outgoing Minister of Health Dr. Kenneth Darroux, to the effect that “now that he is leaving office, he is free to speak his mind”.
 
Martin criticized that statement, saying that he finds it astounding that while he was in office for so many years asHealth Minister, Dr Darroux appears to be conveying the impression that he was unable to speak on his own accord, but may have submitted to someone else’s instructions like a child.

​He questions the mental disposition and submissive approach taken by Dr Darroux, and wonders whether he was possibly in fear of losing his position as a government minister.

​Former Agriculture Minister, Agronomist and Social Activist, Atherton Martin.

Prominent Farmer and outspoken member of Dominica’s Electoral Commission, Hillary Shillingford expresses his disappointment with the current Minister of Agriculture, Reginald Austrie.
 
Shillingford says Austrie had given a guarantee that the Agricultural Sector will become balanced. However, at a recent meeting, Austrie stated that agricultural necessitates will not go into the wrong hands.
 
Shillingford says it all seems to be mere words, and that he disappointed in Austrie.

​Prominent Farmer and Member of the Electoral Commission, Hillary Shillingford……..

Manager of DEXIA, Gregoire Thomas stated that as regards exports, the company realizes there are some backwards steps to take. Mr Thomas spoke to Q95 FM earlier today.
​

Mr. Thomas also stated DEXIA welcomes private sector inputs in the development of the export sector.

He believes DEXIA is an important component of the economic development structure that we require for Dominica.
 
He further stated, to be able to move Dominica to higher levels, institutions such as DEXIA is critical.

Manager of DEXIA, Gregoire Thomas.

Drug Prevention Officer Malcolm St. Rose is advocating for a drug and Alcohol center to be one of the top priorities in their agenda.
 
St. Rose says in order to obtain resilient families and strong communities we have to address the issue of drug addiction.
 
He made these statements at the national consultation hosted by the Ministry of Ecclesiastical affairs on Wednesday.
 
He notes that there is serious sociological issue of blatant disregard for law and order as well as self-respect within society, and that a rehab center is ideal at this time.
 
He says this is one of the visions of the Drug prevention unit. He does however understand that such projects cannot be built overnight, but there are steps that can be taken, and alternatives that can be applied right now in the interim period.

​Drug Prevention Officer, Malcolm St. Rose.

​General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union Thomas Letang has told public officers to use May 1st - 'May Day' - to continue their solidarity movement, with a premature solidarity fee.

General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union, Thomas Letang

UK Based Charity Dominica Secondary Schools Support Association (DSSSA), donates 7 laptops to St Martin Secondary School Students (SMSS). This will better equip them to write this year’s CESC Exams.
 
During the handing over Ceremony on the school compound on Wednesday April 17, SMSS Principal, Mrs. Christian said the school is grateful for this donation which will significantly assist its computer labs, where at least one of its laptops was significantly damaged as a result of Hurricane Maria in 2017.
 
School Counsellor Thomas Holmes, who was instrumental in creating the link between the SMSS and the DSSSA, noted that following discussions with Mrs Christian, the possibility of accessing new laptops for the school was explored. Within days of Holmes contacting the DSSSA, the organization responded by donating the laptops which are necessary for the upcoming exams, many of which are to be done online.
 
The DSSSA was established after Dominicans based in the UK recognized the needs of secondary school students back home, according to a representative. Milner Francis handed over the laptops on behalf of the DSSSA.
 
Francis is the owner of Premier Computing in Dominica. He reminded the students that education is the key to their future.He said, “DASSSA raises funds through various initiatives such as walks and other fundraising events, to provide this support.” He called on other organizations or persons who wish to come on board to assist he DSSSA, to do so.

Crime Stoppers Dominica is urging the general public not to hold back on reporting detailed information that can aid in solving crime on island.
 
Program Assistant at Crime Stoppers Dominica Diana Pascal offers some tips, saying while the public is responding and submitting tips, critical information to help advance investigations, is sometimes that is  lacking.

She says community education sessions are being planned.

​Program Assistant at Crime Stoppers Dominica Diana Pascal.