The swearing-in of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica following the Monday, December 8, 2014 General Elections is to take place on Saturday, December 13, 2014.
His Excellency, the President of Dominica, Charles A Savarin D.A.H. will administer the Oath of Office to the members of Cabinet at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium from 5:00pm.
Prime Minister of Dominica the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit and Mrs. Skerrit, Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Alix Boyd-Knights, representatives of the diplomatic and consular corps, local and foreign dignitaries and government officials are expected to attend the ceremony.
Members of the general public are also invited to witness the swearing-in of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Prime Minister Skerrit was sworn-in at a brief ceremony on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at the Dominica State House.
Mr.Skerit, I hope you full fill the premises to the Dominican people, we expect all these projects should be done in this term, you addressed to us the funds are already secured.we are looking forward the international airport, new hospital, and transform the capital these are our first priority for this term.
I would like to congratulate the DLP on its victory at the recently held House of Assembly General Election. I believe the Cabinet of Ministers should be at least 10 but not more than 12, and there should be allowances for an additional 3 Parliamentary Secretaries. The following are my suggestions for ministerial positions as I believe the set-up of ministries must be aligned to plans and programmes outlined in election manifestos:
1. Economic Development, Economic Planning, Finance, Job Creation, International Financial Services, and, Special/ Capital Development Projects (Including Citizenship by Investment Programme/ Economic Citizenship Programme, International airport development, Portsmouth marina development)
2. Trade, Manufacturing, Enterprise Development, Creative Industries, Foreign Affairs, and, Diaspora Affairs
3. Agriculture and Fisheries
4. National Security, Public Safety, Boarder Control, Immigration, Labour, Government Information Services, Governance, and, Public Service,
5. Tourism, Heritage Development, and, Island Culture
6. Education, Sports, and, Youth Affairs
7. Health, Wellness, and, Gender Affairs
8. Infrastructure Development, Public Works, Transportation Services, Air and Sea Ports, and, Sustainable Housing Development
9. Social Services, Social Transformation, Local Government, Community Development, Constituency Empowerment, and, the Kalinago Territory
10. Sustainable Development, the Environment, Water Resources Management, Land Resources Management, Climate Change, Energy, Technology, and, Information and Communication Technology
11. Attorney General’s Chambers, and, Legal Affairs
Congratulations also to the UWP for their credible performance at the polls. I expect them to perform as the shadow government and as such should establish a shadow Cabinet which should ideally consist of 10 to 12 ministries.
During this new term all Parliamentarians should be held accountable for their performance in Public Office, and in upholding the ethics of the office, being accountable, transparent, just, equitable, unbiased, and yet, fearless and stern in the execution of their duties and responsibilities as public officials.
I also hope both government and opposition, in representing the interests of the people consider the following election issues :
a. Employment creation
b. Crime and Violence
c. Housing
d. The Economy
e. Leadership
f. Roads
g. Cost of Living
h. The Agricultural Industry
i. Youth
j. Other infrastructure
k. Water
l. Electricity
m. Corruption in Public Office
Some other key decisions that must be championed in the new term are:
1. Installation of a Parliamentary Ombudsman/ Public Advocate
2. Electoral Reform – Sanitizing/ Cleaning/ Updating the Electoral List, Setting a single date every five years for General Elections, example, the date for Universal Adult Suffrage , Campaign Finance Reform, Voter Identification Cards, Review Qualification for Candidates for the House of Assembly General Election, Setting term limits for the Office of Prime Minister (at least 3 terms/ 15 years), equal access to the media, especially the Government operated media(NOTE: While it can be argued that 2 terms is enough for a head of Government, I believe Dominica must benchmark the number of years a person should be allowed to hold the office of Prime Minister on the Dame Mary Eugenia Charles era in Government, when she served three (3) consecutive terms- 1980 to 1985, 1985 to 1990, and, 1990 – 1995 before retiring from active politics)
3. Referendum on the Constitution/ Constitutional Reform
Finally Parliamentarians must attend meetings of the House of Parliament since this is the forum where they can more effectively address the needs of their constituents, present Private Members Bills for the consideration of Parliament, and generally speak on behalf of the people… I look forward to healthy debating in this new term, real debate and high level of decorum by every one who will be in the 8th Parliament of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
May God bless each and every one of you during your term of office.
PM done sworn in already wee papa. The rest which are dispensable follows later
BREAKING news, according to Skypo UWP has won the 2014 election after a national recount. The UWP acheived major upsets in Cottage, V/Case, P/Mouth, and Roseau South, final result UWP 20 DLP 1. The DLP were barely able to hold on to the G/Bay seat by 5 votes. Check Skypo.com for full details. Meanwhile Skeritt and his cabal are applying to the chinese for political Asylum. The Chinese have advise them to gather in the Windsor Park Statium on Saturday December 13th for possible airlift to Taiwan.
Why at the stadium? Couldn’t this be done at the Conference Room of the State House? What’s the point in having all these rooms at the newly constructed State House?
James 5:12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear–not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. NIV
Labour KA twavay! Where all those chatter boxes who thought it was LENNOX that would have been there tomorrow. Well dream on!
i think some other means should be used to swear in or i should say affirm. God command that we should not swear let our no be no and our yes be yes but yet as a christian community we use the holy bible to swear in leaders oh my Gosh! this has been over looked over the years do something!!
The corruption and dictatorship moves on,the laughing cabinet.God guide the poor through the next five years of more poverty.
Not Ivor because there is a court injunction.
Why was the PM sworn in Tuesday and not the rest of his cabinet I guess he will say it’s for security to protect the people from themselves.. what a scrap, how can any one lead if they keep looking over their shoulders every move they make.
Anytime freedom is legislated, true liberation cannot be achieved. Do you really believe Nelson Mandela was always revered for the leader he was because he employed only the political process? Then think again about your freedom and remember Patrick John.
Dominican must wake up and decide their future for themselves and not let foreigners who can get cheap stuff on the several flee markets in the US.
You mean that same old speaker box for another five years. I can take Skeritt for another five years, but not that old speaker. Mr. Prosper, we need a better calypso.
NO more than 10 ministers please. And, please do not make Ambrose a Senator or Minister. Enough of him and further Joshua put him out of his misery for you so DO NOT reintroduce him. Change Will Continue To Come!
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
Mr. Skerrit you have won by the hook & the crook but the UWP will be watching you and your cabinet of ministers like hawks. the struggle is not over even you Mr. Prime Minister must embrace change because it is the aspiration of the Dominican people. remember that we are not going to sleep we are watching .
No hope for DA.
Congratulations Mr.Prime Minister.Keep the faith be firm be fair.May God continue to guide and protect you.