​Former CDB official, McDonald Thomas believes the principle of participatory governance and people being involved in the development of their country is something that needs strengthening, as there has been an apparent deviation from that principle over the years.
 
He is also of the belief that new mechanisms should be developed to engage individuals. Thomas shared his opinion on Q95 FM’s ‘Global View on Q’ on Tuesday night.

​Thomas also addressed presumed tension between the local council and the parliamentary representatives. He claims there has been the development of a parallel system over the years in which the council assumes limited functions, while more pressing, developmental decisions reside in the parliamentary representative.
 
And In response to a statement pertaining to the dominance of technology, Thomas asserted the use of technology to connect with the governed, provides an opportunity to broaden participation and widen people’s involvement in the process.

Former CDB Official, McDonald Thomas

​St Luke School Teacher Kathy Richards is raising awareness of the environment, & the importance of preserving it for future generations.
 
Richards reinforced in an interview on Q95fm radio on Thursday, that the environment plays a serious role in our livelihoods, and we need to focus on its preservation.
 
She was speaking about the proliferation of wildlife that exists in Dominica, and the consequences of littering on our ecotourist wildlife.
 
She says one Juicebox or one plastic bag adds up and has a domino effect on the environment. With this in mind she said this type of information is what she and others are teaching to the youth.

​Ms Richards also advised of the introduction of an online newsletter which has the capability of reaching all levels of society, and especially the youth who are more millennial.
 
She says although there have been a few minor challenges, June 30th is the scheduled date for launching the first publication.

​Teacher from St. Luke School Kathy Richards

​Former Acting Commissioner of Cooperatives and current chairman of the Morne Jaune, Riviere-Cyrique Village Council and Chairman of the South Eastern Association of Village Councils, Washburn Cuffy said after 40 years of independence, we need to look at the constitution to see to what extend it can be revised, and modernized to make things better for everyone.
 
He added; the constitutional reform process must make allowance for the inclusion of Local Government including Community Assemblies, City Councils, Urban Councils, Village councils, and District Councils as prominent provisions in the constitution.
 
Cuffy also said the question of the harmonious relationship between politicians and village council representatives cannot be over emphasized. He made these remarks as a panelist on the Q95fm Radio program, ‘The Global View on Q’, with host Sheridan Gregoire on Tuesday night.

​Cuffy claims politicians are not involving the council to discuss issues and calls for confidence to be built in the citizenry of village councils. 

Chairman of the South Eastern Association of Village Councils, Washburn Cuffy

Former Government Minister for Education, Sports and Youth, Ron Green stated on Q95fm radio on Tuesday evening, that the community development approach to local government adopted in 1974 is deemed by other countries to be very useful.
 
He says local government is therefore something we should not allow to languish, but should be strengthened and enshrined in our constitution. 

​Green stated that we need to build on the foundation we have as meagre as it is and move forward. He also encouraged communities to take pride in their village councils.

Former Government Minister for Education, Sports and Youth, Ron Green

​It is time for coaches to be paid their due diligence says UWP Team Dominica. These sentiments came from Mike Wallace, political assistant to MP for the Roseau South constituency, Joshua Francis. Wallace says it is time that coaches in Dominica are paid their deserving dues.
 
Wallace who was speaking in a special interview with Q95fm Radio this week said Joshua Francis makes it very clear that when UWP Team Dominica forms the ruling government, adequate amounts of funds will be put at the disposal of the sports division to pay coaches in Dominica.

Political Assistant to Roseau South Constituency MP Mike Wallace

Minister for Commerce, Enterprise & Small Business Development Roselyn Paul says the empowerment of people to make a difference in their lives, and by extension their community and country, requires all hands and minds at work. She made that statement while addressing farmers at the launch of a rural business enterprise in Grand Fond on Wednesday.

Minister for Commerce, Enterprise & Small Business Development Roselyn Paul

​Director of ACE Engineering Limited and President of the Builders & Contractors Association of Dominica (BCAD), Mr. Anthony Leblanc, shared some of the concerns of BCAD, on electoral reforms.
 
One of these issues is the issuance of voter ID cards. He says a major part of cleansing the Voters List is Issuing ID cards.
 
He says ID cards provide a way of verification that completely coincides with the governing legislation.
 
Leblanc was a guest on the weekly program “governance and the economy” on Q95fm Radio, hosted by Atherton Martin, when he made these statements.

​He says from reviews given by persons in the legal fraternity there are certain technicalities that persons need to be aware of within the electoral voting process.
 
He says that some of the focus points of the group is to ensure that persons whose names are on the list, are supposed to be there.

​Director of ACE Engineering Limited and president of the Builders and Contractors Association of Dominica (BCAD), Mr. Anthony Leblanc.

Dominica joins the rest the world in celebrating World Blood Donor Day tomorrow Friday June 14, to thank voluntary blood donors for the life giving gift of blood, and to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure access to safe blood by individuals and communities. This year’s theme is “Safe Blood for All”
 
Blood is an important resource for planned treatments and urgent interventions. It can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer with a higher quality of life, and also supports complex medical and surgical procedures.
 
Blood is also vital for treating the wounded during emergencies of all kinds (natural disasters, accidents etc.) and has an essential, life-saving role in maternal and perinatal care. A blood service that gives patients access to safe blood in sufficient quantity, is a key component of an effective health system.
 
Blood Donation at the PMH
 

• On average 1,200 donors per year give blood.
• More men have given blood than women.
• 35-55 years is the age group most likely to have given blood

 
In observance of World Blood donor day, the Princess Margaret Hospital Laboratory Blood Bank will conduct a blood donor drive and open day at the Public Service Union Building from 9:00am to 2:00pm. The Laboratory Blood Bank Princess Margaret Hospital, says a huge thank you to all the wonderful blood donors around Dominica – “you are our heroes.”
 
World Blood Donor Day was established in 2005. It is jointly coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) and the International Federation of Blood Donor Organisations (IFODS).

​Dominica is currently pursuing a 'Blue Economic Agenda'.
PS in the Ministry of Public Works, Water Resource Management and Ports Denise Edwards says this involves generating economic activity using the ocean's resources.
She says the seas and oceans are acknowledged as major contributors to the World Economy.

Edwards says the Dominica Maritime status will be audited under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Audit Scheme from August 31- September 9, 2019.
This she says is a mandatory audit to determine the extent of implementation by the IMO mandatory instruments in Dominica.

PS in the Ministry of Public Works, Water Resource Management and Ports Denise Edwards