​Leader of the Dominica Freedom Party Kent vital questions the approach taken by the DLP administration in their selection of their new candidates.
 
Mr. Vital says that there should have been an honest conversation between the prime minister and his people and sees this as some sort of betrayal to his team.
 
Vital also questions the emotional orientation of the members of the candidates who were replaced, some of which were not aware of any decisions being taken.
 
He says this approach is one of betrayal.

​Leader of the Dominica Freedom Party, Kent vital

​The Dominica Public Service Union is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, and General Secretary of the DPSU, Thomas Letang, says the executive is currently engaged in organizing the series of activities which will be celebrated by all members, from April to December 2019.
 
Letang told Q95 news on Thursday, activities will be centered around certain ideas, emphasizing that the executive will incorporate training of members, embarking upon a vigorous membership drive, reviewing the Union’s strategic plan, and on enhancing efforts to improve the working conditions of its members.

General Secretary of the DPSU, Thomas Letang

​President of the Dominica Calypso Association, Davidson Observer Victor, has dubbed this year’s calypso season, as one of the best.
 
Ten Calypsonians will be fighting for the title of Calypso Monarch 2019. Defending Calypso Monarch, Darryl Bobb promises fans he will bring his best to the fore, on the night of the Calypso Finals, on 2nd March 2019.

President of the Dominica Calypso Association, Davidson Observer Victor

​UWP Leader Lennox Linton says his party condemns the attack on Anika Charles, the former DLP candidate for the Marigot Constituency. He made that statement at a press conference on Thursday. Less than twenty-four (24) hours after being announced as a candidate at the DLP’s recent Delegate’s Conference held in Londonderry, Charles withdrew from the political race due to what Prime Minister Skerrit described as a “salacious, vicious and downright nasty campaign” which was launched against her immediately after her endorsement.
 
While addressing the media at the said press conference on Thursday, Linton said, “This young lady is my family. We emphasize with her; we stand with her. We condemn the attacks on her which only surfaced because she answered the call to public service”.
 
He declared, “We are very disappointed with the speed with which she was thrown under the bus by the labour party at the same time that the labour party leader was pledging to stand by another female labour party candidate about whom certain allegations and suggestions of unsuitability were also making the rounds. The discrimination in a matter involving someone from Marigot is glaring and we cannot but take note. This is not good for Dominica. Marigot lives matter too, change is a must, it is not an option”.
 
The UWP leader also distanced the party from the attacks made on the former DLP candidate, stating that his party “had absolutely nothing” to do with it. He said, “The Prime Minister knows for example, that it was members from his Dominica Labour Party in Marigot who launched a campaign against his chosen candidate for the Marigot constituency prior to his announcement on February 17, 2019”. Linton stated that the Prime Minister knows the controversial voice note had nothing to do with the UWP. “Yet, he maliciously put the blame on us for the unfortunate situation that affected Anika Charles and her family over the past week”.
 
Meanwhile, UWP President, Senator Isaac Baptiste stressed that his party respects the dignity of all, and rejects all forms of character assassination, especially by politicians and their political operatives, regardless of which party they represent.

​The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) did not object, to
murder accused, Trevor Joel Abraham having been granted bail by the high court in the sum of EC$150,000.00.  
 
As part of his bail conditions, Abraham has to reside in Savanne Paille and report to the Portsmouth Police Station every Monday, Wednesday & Friday. He is prohibited from leaving the State and from interfering with or having any contacts with witnesses associated with this case.
 
In March 2018 the magistrate’s court freed Abraham and slammed the prosecution for failing to comply with an order of disclosure. Abraham was accused of murdering Hubert Wright, 53, of Grand Bay.
 
Wright’s partly decomposing body was found in a shallow grave in Savanne Paille on November 8, 2016 around 6:30 pm.
 
The matter appeared numerous times before the court, but prosecutors asked several times for adjournments, saying they were waiting for forensic evidence from Jamaica.
 
In February, a final adjournment date was given for March 1st, but the prosecution was unable to provide the evidence from Jamaica. However, two months after he was freed, Abraham was rearrested after the prosecution reinstated the charge.

​Almost 400 residents of Bagatelle/ Fond St Jean and Fab now have an alternate water supply for in times of natural disasters.
Wednesday witnessed the alternate water, harvesting and storage project which includes three 1,000 gallon water tanks.
It is funded by the Japan Caribbean Climate Change project and implemented by the United Nations Development Program and Local Government Department.
Dr Kenneth Darroux says this project cost roughly about $62,000

​Dr Kenneth Darroux
Meanwhile, the Minister for Climate Resilience and Disaster Management Joseph Isaac says the project activities included the construction of a small intake of 2 springs into a distribution line to three 1,000 gallon tanks and then to the community.

​Minister for Climate Resilience and Disaster Management Joseph Isaac
Chairperson of the Bagetelle Village Council Angela Martin says this water harvesting project will not only serve the village when the main water system is compromised, but  also support small sustainable agricultural projects in the vicinity.

​Chairperson of the Bagetelle Village Council Angela Martin.

​The Ministry of Agriculture Food & Fisheries, in collaboration with International partners concluded a 3 day meeting on Wednesday which discussed plans for Dominica to hold a Global Resilient Centre for Agriculture.
International Specialist in Water and Oil Management at the Inter-American Institution for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Dr Chaney St Martin says he was thankful for the opportunity to be involved in the process.
The workshop also consisted of presentations from the Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN, and the Climate Resilience Execution Agency of Dominica (CREAD.

​International Specialist in water and soil management at IICA Dr Chaney St Martin

The Junior Calypso Monarch is set to take place this Friday at the Windsor Park Forecourt from 6pm.
Nine competitors will battle for the title.
Shervin Dominique of the Leo Club of Dominica says the club is happy to bring the show back after a one year absence.

Shervin Dominique of the Leo Club of Dominica.

Executive Vice President of the Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association Kevin A. Francis says the DHTA believes that community tourism is a key component in Dominica's product.
He was speaking at the launch of the community tourism enhancement competition held on Tuesday.
Francis says he doesn't think one truly appreciates the level of collaboration happening for the event, calling it a multi-sectoral and multi- entity collaboration.

Francis says this initiative is not just about increasing the aesthetics of any individual community, noting there are components of health and safety and tourism, and also the training of persons thereby increasing the capacity aspect.

Executive VP of the DHTA Kevin A. Francis.

Catholic Priest Father Branker John,  a former Dominica Calypso King is calling for Dominicans to revert to the traditional celebration of Dominica's carnival.
He says the principle of what Dominica's celebrations represent is no longer portrayed to its full extent.
He was speaking to a group of young Catholics at the inaugural Divine Dwivay organized by the Diocese and Youth commission under the topic "Fete, Feast, Fast, Carnival & Faith."

​Father Branker John.