President of the United Workers Party (UWP) Isaac Baptiste has said although Dominica faces many challenges after Maria and despite differences, one must recognize the work of the government.
He was addressing a Praise and Thanksgiving function organized by the party on the 1st Anniversary of Hurricane Maria held at the Prevo Cinemall on Tuesday.
According to him, Dominican who experienced Hurricane Maria and are alive should and must be thankful to God and be proud that they are survivors.
“There are many challenges and there is much more to be done but we must recognize the work of the government in that regard,” he said. “We in Dominica must show appreciation, notwithstanding our disagreement to the government of Dominica for its effort towards working to resolve and alleviate the conditions in Dominica Post-Hurricane Maria.”
Baptiste also stated that the work of various MPs across the island must be recognized.
“We must also recognize and appreciate the work of the various parliamentary representatives, whether they be on the government’s side and that of the opposition. There is work to be done but they did their share,” he stated.
He mentioned also that in the various constituencies and particularly the constituency of Castle Bruce, La Plaine, Riviere Cyrique, Grand Fond, among other constituencies a number of individuals immediately after Hurricane Maria came out to assist with chainsaws and backhoe to help clear the roads.
“We must thank them for that,” he stated.
Baptiste also said that citizens must recognize the hard work of the utility companies particularly the Dominica Electricity Services Ltd (DOMLEC) and The Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWASCO) for their efforts in ensuring that the basic utility services are restored.
He said although every part of the country isn’t fully energized one must recognize the work done in difficult circumstances to have the utility services re-established.
Baptiste also thanked the international donors, governments and others who provided assistance to Dominica during the period of need and those who continue to do so, “more particularly those who are now providing assistance with respect to housing repair and reconstruction.”
Meantime, he pointed out that to-date the government of Dominica provided much assistance for housing repairs, however he said, “we must take note of the manner and mismanagement of the distribution of such assistance.”
All you can act stupid we. Isaac share my sentiments exactly. give the govt kudos because we came a long way in a short time in certain instances. That does not take away the fact that the govt doing a lot of nonsense and they mismanage other areas or are not accountable enough. Isaac is a mature politician and others should take note. He will appeal to the undecided and the intelligent voters while the others will stay with the groupies and brainwashed on both sides. No govt is all bad and Isaac knows that! I still want Skerrit to step aside though, its enough from one Party and the way he is bungling he should move.
As for Tony and the Kairi FM crew they are just having fun at the expense of Linton and his gang because as Sparrow said “they cannot take a joke
As for me I find the political situation in Dominica most interesting in an amusing sort of way. I certainly holds my interest. With five political parties and some anti government political pressure groups and gangs it should be a good setting for both fiction and non fiction .
The PM and his DLP are relishing the political challenges now and at election time . THEIR GOAL is 20 to 0.
They see themselves as political champs like Mia of Barbados, setting a new record to replace the record of E O LeBlanc 10 to 1 over the DFP. Political history in the making.
Good for you,you attended St.Mary’s but I only reached std.3 in primary.I am not wise, educational speaking.I am like the man In Christ’s parable, who built his house on the “Rock” which is the Lord of glory.
I would really like to meet you in heaven.Amen?
Tks to Baptiste he said the truth and it will set you free. He recognized the work that was done and I saw it too.
Joseph John,
Please watch your tongue.It was not just a wise man who said
“Give to Caesar the things that a Caesar’s,and to God the things that are God’s.”Matthew 22:21
It was the King of kings, and the Lord of Lords who made this statement.Again be careful,because the time is coming when these knees of yours will bow before Him.so,be ready
J- John Charles. Thanks for the warning and the word of advise. But maybe my religious teachers at St Mary’s were wrong I was made to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was the wisest being who ever existed , I cant quote the bible like you I am not wise like you. Correct me if I am wrong I believe that Jusus is God…..God the father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He is a forgiving Father and friend who will never betray anyone. Oh I am ready for him right now, any time any day or night. I know he will forgive me for boasting…… but I kneel, bend down and bow before him almost every day in warship and adoration.
I praise and thank him for his many blessings and favours and for the many times he saved me from under the bus.
It is commendable that an opposition politician can recognise the efforts and achievements of the current government. It is true, there are many good things to be identified as far as post Maria goes. It shows Mr. Baptiste’s maturity and forthrightness. It doesn’t take away from the Opposition – it in fact adds. After all the job is country, not party. Great job!
jha guide the labour party is going to win in big victory. take this fram the wise
If you want to give Skerrit a vote of confidence you guys lost my vote. What is wrong with all you??? This might very well lost you the next election. Baptiste, you need to resign with immediate effect!!
DLP toujour ka twavay. Good job PM. You have made us proud,you have rallied the world to our aid. GOD BLESS DOMINICA GOD BLESS DLP.
Isaac Baptist thought he was the president of the DLP man? Sir, with all due respect to you and the desire of the UWP to unite the country, this is politics and good politics is getting your base fired up and not the base of your opponent. Seems to me you pour cold water on your base and fired up the base of your opponent. Not too good politics, ask Trump.
HE USED his diplomatic passport to try and crash (MOP) a Heads of Government Conference in Guyana. Action that can be described as terrorism. HE DID NOT CARE that his action could put security and protocol staff at risk……
My question is …..Can that be statesmanship or good leadership ?
Once again I am lost. The leader of the opposition hope to table a vote of no confidence in the PM (not in the government, interesting) But and this is a big but the President of the UWP , in a very statesmanship manner gave Skeritt a 100% vote of confidence in a give “jack his jacket” way. a wise man one said ” give to Ceasar the things that are Ceasar’s and to God the things that are God’s” in other words always be fair and reasonable.
This is just like the confusion I had when a member of the UWP crossed the flour he was labled as a turn coat like a Lord Haw Haw, But when Dr Christian, a doctor and a veteran military officer, who should be very familiar with loyalty, and the deputy leader of the DFP switch his alliance to the UWP , he was celebrated as a hero, a Winston Churchill. Is that double standard or conflict of interest ?
Again the leader of the opposition was on CNN condemning the CBI and the issuing of diplomatic passports, but he use his diplomatic passport
Baptiste this is an honest comment but in this savage environment be prepared to hear your voice clip on the animal show from now till the next election.
In the real world your comment would be considered political maturity to recognize the positive actions of your opponents but in the tribal world Dominica has found itself it is next to political suicide to give the guys in the animal kingdom ammunition to kill you.
Take my advise, never compliment Labour Party for anything that they do, it will become their anthem.
Anyway thanks for your honesty and political maturity, I sincerely hope that your tribe will not react not react as the other tribe.
Ok, this is Hurricane Skerrit. I thank UWP for all the thumbs down they gave me. I got it and accept it. Let me now join Skerrit and the DLP and say Skerrit working. I am not leaving a bird in the hand for one I have not seen. So from now on I am now on board with Skerrit and therefore I now change my name to ‘PEACE AFTER The STORM’. I take back everything I said. Skerrit was all about fixing DA after Maria and therefore hired a specialist from Barbados that was good enough to help him. Skerrit tried his best to keep Ross in Dominica but according to Reggie Austrie, it was UWP that sent letters of discouragement to Ross. In fact as a result of their depature Ross will contribute $25 million dollars into our economy for the next 20 years, as long as Skerrit is PM and NO, DOMINICA did not get punished by the USA it was Antigua. So DLP supporters I expect all thumbs up from you and all thumbs down from uwp supporters that drowned me with thumbs down earlier. Skerrit working boy
I was planning on voting UWP this time around because as far as my eyes can see Skerrit failed BIG time. However Isaac Baptist has proved me wrong and if he as president of UWP can wants to recognize the work of Skerrit, then politically speaking he is telling supporters of Skerrit that they should continue to support him for the little he has done. It’s because of this foolish statement I will abstain from the next election because Baptist has all but given supporters of the DLP to give Skerrit another chance. Thanks for the many thumbs down but I speak my heart and to hell with Dominica politics. If Baptist wanted to give credit to Skerrit he should have waited for when UWP forms the government and use that occasion to unite the people. An opposition should highlight the failure of their opponent and let Tony, Christian, the blind bat on kairie to defend and highlight their achievement. Skerrit will NEVER highlight success of UWP. He does not even think there should be opposition
Nice try, but truthfully speaking, anybody with even half a brain can see through your reverse psychology ploy!
Skeritt and opposition forces can never, NEVER never ever “highlight the success of UWP” because the UWP has zero Zilt achievements. I cannot name one , can you? If Baptiste, the President cpould name one instant of UWP success don’t you think he would highlight it in his presentation. He did not have a single word of praise for Linton or the UWP. Baptiste was just facing the reality truth and freeing himself of stress. As a wise man once said the truth shall set you free.
If Skerrit wanted to get rid of Linton and he gang he would already. They have many instances of misbehavior since election which would support censure and expulsion from the House. But the P M is giving them space to shoot themselves in the foot and enough rope to hang themselves. The UWP is on a path to self -distruction. The UWP are good at pelting lemons and limes the DLP best is at making lemonade and squash. THE uwp attacks are like raindrops of a dasheen leaf or a ducks back.
As for Tony and t
if they bash them all you take offence. now he is complimenting them it is still offensive to you all. the govt did do something even if it wasnt adequate.
cudos to you mr isaac. not because you are not in sync with someone you cant recognise the good in them
I think giving praise sometimes to the government is good politics. The government cannot always be wrong afterall…even me get fed up with all the UWP negativity. So for me this is welcomed.
Well said mr Baptiste, at list you spoke the truth once. It was in your heart so you spoke it out.
Honestly as the opposition, I wouldn’t make no comments on what the dlp is or isn’t doing. Just talk about what you doing and what you are planning to do, is that hard for these jokers to understand?
Wait…. Did Lennox know that Baptist was going to make those comments? How can Baptist give the government so much praise under Lennox’s watch? I think he will be reprimanded.
Patna you still saying skerit doing well ,after all man ,,I wonder if mister is not singing for his superj
Is because of FOOLISH statements like this that caused UWP to be in opposition today and struggling to get back in power after 4.5 yrs of so much work and real progress. To hear the president of the UWP come and talk that foolishness is hogwash! The job of the opposition is NOT to highlight the work of Skerrit but rather, to highlight what they have FAILED to do. Let the government highlight what they have done man. The government does not highlight what they have failed to do so why highlight what you think they have done? Gason since all you were kicked out in 2000, you guys are yet to learn political strategy. During the 4.5 reign of the UWP, they literally turned Dominica around with work and progress done all over Dominica like building 2 schools, cutting and build the Warner road, joining La Plaine and Grandbay, buying land, relocating the St. Andrews high school in preparation for an international airport and many more. Yet the then DLP and DFP chose to highlight corruption
Stop slamming skerrit, blame the LABOR party as a whole, skerrit is just one man. LABOR PARTY that have the country so it’s supporters are more guilty than Skerrit himself
What’s wrong with Baptist? What work has Skerrit done since Maria? Gason we were hit with a massive storm and friendly governments, world bank, friendly governments opened their purses to us. They don’t work through the opposition and therefore they could only work through the government, just as they worked with the government of OJ after David destroyed us. Mr. Baptist here are some of the things the government did since Maria, and you need to tell us if they deserve credit or to be voted out: 1. Days after Maria Skerrit appointed Barbadian economist Avinash Persaud, as his special economic advisorhttps://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/china-promises-to-repair-west-coast-road-to-assist-in-relocation-after-erika/, which leads us to:
2. The divorce of Ross University. I state clearly that Skerrit FORCED Ross out of Dominica
3. As a result we lost over $25 million dollars annually and 300 jobs
4. Dominica got punished by the USA. All these and more since Maria
Now THAT… is good politics .. maybe they are learning something after all