UWP dissatisfied with DLP government conduct post-Maria

Baptiste was recently elected president of the UWP

The United Workers Party (UWP) has expressed dissatisfaction with the way the DLP government has been conducting the affairs of the country after Hurricane Maria.

The UWP held a prayer breakfast for party members, members of the media and others, on Thursday morning at the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) Building in Roseau at which the party stated its position on the matter.

 “Unfortunately we are not happy with the way the Labour Party administration has been conducting itself with respect to Post-Maria recovery and therefore, we’ll address some of the issues today,” UWP Senator and president of the party, Isaac Baptiste said while delivering some remarks.

He said the UWP is dissatisfied with the lack of transparency in governance in the country which, in his opinion, had worsened after Hurricane Maria. “The level of consultation is very much unacceptable,” he stated.

He criticized the government for its “lack of vision” for not anticipating the possible disasters associated with a major storm and as a result, not preparing the country for that. He made particular reference to the problem of looting.

Baptiste also questioned the criteria and approach used by the government in the distribution of resources in its possession.

“That is, fairness and equity in the distribution of the resources that have been allocated and given to the government Dominica by the international community, Dominicans overseas; that every Dominican ensure that they have a fair share of what is given to them, paying attention first to the most needy and the deprived in our society,” he declared.

He pointed out that a UWP administration would ensure that the duty free concession would not have to be revisited every three months, but that it would have been extended to the end of the year in the first instance.

 “We would ensure that the basic building materials required for roof reconstruction and refurbishment of homes are put under price control,” he insisted.

Another area of concern for the UWP according to Baptiste, is the lack of monitoring for construction activities taking place in the country.  He called on the government to make sure that the persons who have the technical training to do so, are sent out into the districts to monitor construction.

“This is what the United Workers Party is asking for,” Baptiste exclaimed.

Pointing to the damaging impact that the lack of electricity is having on the rural economy, the UWP senator acknowledged that Domlec is doing its best but maintained that the government should provide the necessary  assistance and intervention to ensure that the process moves much faster.

The UWP president asserted that during the 4 and a half years the UWP was in office [1995-2000],  the party demonstrated that it has the capacity to develop Dominica – to recognize the priorities, particularly in the area of economic development and job creation.

Recognizing that “in any small society, Dominica being no exception, we may not be able to have an equal access,” Baptiste contended that reasonable access to state media “must be one thing that we are given and the United Workers Party will demand it.”

For Isaac Baptiste and the UWP, Electoral Reform remains very much on the agenda for the next general election.

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58 Comments

  1. Chess game
    May 20, 2018

    Surprise. .surprise, and I’m here thinking they’re happy with Dlp performance. Oh well :-D

  2. Lol
    May 18, 2018

    Well if what Mr Baptiste say is true well the Goverment is doing pretty good. That’s all the UWP can come up with that is wrong with the Giverment.

  3. Man bites dogs
    May 18, 2018

    Wait a minute ,Who the hell is Isaac BAPTISTE,and the crap he is on about, this guy is an embarrassment to Dominica and that comic book storyline part, another thing just asking where so-called workers idiots party, get their good looking people from? I also know a guy called monster Frankenstein, on workers party books.

    • Ibo France
      May 18, 2018

      Unadulterated gibberish! Do you even understand your own absurd comments? You certainly need a brain transplant. Go make history.

      • Man bites dogs
        May 21, 2018

        @ Ibo France, mama man or woman which ever you are, Why don’t you take over from Linton and let us see how much stupid and ugly Gorilla looking you are, come on give us a laugh.

    • meka
      May 21, 2018

      Man bite DOGS the question you should ask is who are you ? No one gives a **** about what you have to say are you a politician? are you on stage? are you in the lime light? then shut the hell up!

    • Rock
      May 22, 2018

      That’s dorty dog bitter damn boo hoe u doe have work to do in the NEP. . Man go bite them old dogs in roseau sacray voharss…

  4. May 18, 2018

    Breaking news!! What a shocker.

  5. New Leader required now
    May 18, 2018

    The leadership needs an overhaul and the strategy is flawed. Sadly the UWP are just reactive and complaining all too often without working hard to win hearts and minds. UWP Leaders do not have the charisma or tact to beat Skerro. Change of approach is a must.

  6. New Leader required
    May 18, 2018

    The leadership needs an overhaul and the strategy is flawed. Sadly the UWP are just reactive and complaining all too often without working hard to win hearts and minds. UWP Leaders do not have the charisma or tact to beat Skerro. Change of approach is a must.

  7. Boss
    May 17, 2018

    With all you dominican talks a sounnami to come and take us all. Go and call for repentance. All of u just in politics. Where development going to bring us all? Cloth food and shelter anen sick the lord all thid have to distroy in not me thst says it, is the lord it soon com.

  8. Massacre
    May 17, 2018

    I am also dissatisfied with the aftermath of hurricane Skerrit after blowing nasty winds for the past 18 years, leaving Dominica in a state of disrepute. But soon his wind will go around to blow him down just like the former P.m in Malaysia is facing demise today. The end of DLP rope is near.
    UWP has shown on many occasions that they have they brains and expertise to take Dominica to the next level of development and prosperity. I feel very hopeful now with UWP , they are growing in strength everyday.

  9. Me-Aloe
    May 17, 2018

    Instead of complaining, don’t you think it’s about time the UWP start taking action to prove they are the better of the two parties?

    • crossing floor
      May 17, 2018

      what kind of action? you mean fix roads and so?

    • Papa
      May 17, 2018

      Yes I concur. They should try a different approach. This approach that they’re now using has been used tirelessly and yet to no avail has it been proven effective. If they really care for the people, they should win the hearts of the people with positivity. Start projects, improve villages, help people. And for the love of everything good. Stop complaining

    • Roseau Girl
      May 18, 2018

      Me-Aloe, I cant conceive nothing to be worse than this incompetent group leading our Nation. The UWP has proven in the past that their governance had surpassed this Government who has been in the reign for 18 years. If you are too young, go to your archives and compare the achievements of the UWP for 4 1/2 years to that of the Labour party for 18 years. We need Change desperately in this beautiful land of ours.

      • Da Girl
        May 22, 2018

        Were you living under a rock for those 4 1/2 years???You forgot we had to go under some strict austerity measures because of the condition in which that bunch of nincompoops left our country? Poor Charlo had to take all the blows because he was the one who had to serve that bitter pill and he paid for it with his life. You must be mad. The day we go back under that party is the day we finish. So if you all want to get rid of skerro come with a fresh party, fresh minds, fresh and fruitful ideas etc. Not that ‘malecdiccion’ called UWP, and definitely not under the leadership of lennox linton.

    • Massacre
      May 18, 2018

      Your comment makes no sense because UWP is not the party in power but yet they
      Have proven their abilities time and time again . Come next election UWP will form the next government

      • Da Girl
        May 22, 2018

        Dream on. Sure, proven their abilities is displaying new levels of hypocrisy and demonstrated incompetence. After Maria all of them went under rocks to hide. Lennox as a leader say ‘boy we finish’, instead of saying have faith and hope that we can come back from this in quick time. Now they seeing work being done, things happening, businesses re-opening they opening their mouth like they were so involved in the recovery. They were nowhere to be found then so they can go right back and lose themselves again!!!

    • JJj
      May 18, 2018

      When you say they are better what do you mean? Because they were there and trust me they aren’t better

    • Jeff
      May 19, 2018

      Some Dominicans just talking ****. Free yourselves from mental slavery, this Island is in a rot

  10. My bad
    May 17, 2018

    We want through hurricane David and though it could be argued that Maria was far worse in terms of destruction of buildings, yet the impact of David was far worse and here is why I say so. During David we depended almost 100% on bananas, cocoa, coconuts, citrus and our farms and all of them were thrown down and our future looked Blake. But because we all had a little something saved somewhere, we were able to go to the bank take loans or withdraw to build back and believe me, we we’re ready for the next hurricane season because most of us built stronger houses without having to depend on government. By the time Maria came we we’re not selling bananas, coconuts, cocoa or anything because hurricane Skerrit had already destroyed everything. In fact we depended 100% on sale of passport which both Skerrit and his agents said we’re not touched by Maria. The difference is, we were made poor before Maria so we are more vulnerable now than during David. Now we all must depend on government

    • My bad
      May 17, 2018

      During David the then government could concentrate on building back government properties like roads, schools, hospitals, etc while we built back our homes, recultivated our farms with some help from government for fertilizer. I remember getting a check for $17,000 as a freedomite for crop damage. Today is laborites that getting $10,000 for no damage while real farmers who are not supporting them not getting anything. So because Skerrit agrees that he took everything from us and left us poor to the point that two weeks before the next hurricane season, 70% of us still have blue taps on and our government is begging individuals to make their homes available for shelter. That’s the reality of where Skerrit put Dominica today. So to score political point he announced his mansion is available for shelter this year but his mansion can’t shelter all VielleCase people let alone his constituency or Dominica. But he has no need for his house because his family safe in NY. See how we stay

      • May 18, 2018

        Stop with your politics. The damage done by David was nowhere close to what Maria did so stop with your stupid Nancy stories. The government was brokes, after David it could not help one Dominican to rebuild it had to depend donated plywood and galvanize. The government at the time of david was in total confusion. What government buildings were repaired in a timely fashion? The freedom party that came into office a year after David still had the job of struggling to repair roads and government buildings. Government could not even afford to remove a school bus that was damaged in the gardens, over the years it became a tourist attraction and a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

  11. Roy Williams
    May 17, 2018

    It is about time the top brass of the UWP come to the realization that Skeritt must win the general elections at all cost. Should he and his party loose the general elections, he will not only be investigated for corruption nationally, but internationally. The day he is no longer the Prime Minister of Dominica, the FBI, Scotland Yard, will definitely want to speak to him.

    • Galileo
      May 17, 2018

      Your arguements are flawed as they are not based on any hard facts. None of the agencies you mention need Mr Skerrit to be out of office to investigate him. For all we know investigations into the guy’s activities may be on the way by one or several of those. Just want to remind all those who are enjoying the fruits of iniquity these things end in brutal fashion. Malaysia is now testament to that.

    • Tom Brown
      May 18, 2018

      Like ETB. you should be in jail all now so

  12. KID ON THE BLOCK
    May 17, 2018

    A pal rep once said they side tract him. So I’m going to side track a little.
    One would realize the issue pertaining to the LaPlaine Village Council, looks like Matt is Judge and Jury on the matter. The question I’d like to ask Matt. The meeting you Matt attended in LaPlaine on Tuesday evening was it a Village Council Meeting or a JASON FONTAINE Political meeting? Who initiated the Meeting? As far as was reported, only three persons, Jason, Sussane, and Bateau ran the show. What became of the other five(5) persons that formed the Council? Did they have any knowledge of that meeting?
    Is Ron Green part of the Council?
    Finn you too seat your butt in Washington playing your dirty nasty politics, accusing the Peter of things you don’t even know of. LaPlaine you say you so dearly love; What have you done for this community. Have you contributed anything for the betterment of the village? You were so disrespectful in the manner you addressed Peter. Who the hell you think you are?

  13. It's my damn business
    May 17, 2018

    Before I comment on the subject matter let me first address a far more important issue. Mr. Skerrit please find that kid on the block and give him a job please. I am tired of this kid talking crap simply because he is on the block doing nothing, unless he is paid by tax payers to do just what he is doing. I hope this kid is not a fake police inspector, or a fake Christian or a first lady that is boured staying in a condo in the US or elsewhere . But whoever it is, they need to find meaningful work to do to help Dominica in this crisis.
    To the subject matter now: I am in support of the statement made by the UWP, though I believe the bad conduct of Skerrit’ goes way before Maria. I agree Maria dealt a very bad blow to Dominica but let’s face it, if things were better pre Maria we would be in a better position today. Things were screwed up longtime before Maria and it was just a matter of time. Skerrit has this country in a mess as he destroyed all we had, to promote Red clinic

    • JJj
      May 18, 2018

      Just asking a simple question does the US provides for the unemployed and their families there are Dominicans living in the US collecting food stamps and a cheque every week in St Thomas they even trade in their food stamps for money to pay a car

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      May 18, 2018

      That’s you ALL type. Once it’s not you ALL(UWP) way, then it’s no way.
      Mind your damn business and get a life. What did Skerrit destroyed of yours when you had nothing to begin with? Go get work to do. Lazy good for nothing. You talking about Red Clinic and you are the first to be at the door before it opens.

      • May 18, 2018

        The cap it u so wear it proudly.feanyie-lazy boy

      • Neville
        May 21, 2018

        Poor little beggar!

  14. The accursed thing
    May 17, 2018

    When the government of Dominica does something is not DLP that did it because funds were not given to the DLP but to the government of Dominica. The DLP is the government in office but no one gave to the cause of the DLP. That’s the stupid thing Dominicans have not understood so when they give hungry people a pound of rice that I worked hard to send to the people of Da, they make people feel is they that did it but that’s wrong. As an individual my family and I sent 5 barrels to Dominica after Maria but we couldn’t even send to our people because the government said everything had to be sent to them in a container and nothing could be addressed to anyone. So to take the food and distribute to supporters of DLP and say it is from Blackmoore or Skerrit or DLP is so wrong. As a supporter of the UWP I wish I could send things to them for distribution but we all know the dirty politics of Skerrit so for the sake of our country we, all of us uwp, Dlp DFPsent things to the government

    • May 18, 2018

      Who tell u to do dat.I send my barrel to my people..No way would i send anything for Skerro.
      U should be wiser.Sa ki sot kinouna yo

  15. Floridan Diaspora
    May 17, 2018

    You don’t have to look too far to know how evil this phantom government have been doing. The macoushwi bridge that fell apart since Erika 3 years ago and the layou road near the bridge that fell around that same time are yet to be properly addressed. These are proper yard stocks to mess their progress. Like someone correctly stated the other side of the layou bridge need to collapse for those ever red baboons from the north to have no access to Roseau. Let them swim from north to south like fish in the ocean, then let me hear if they will still be there saying labor ka travay

  16. Lenpro
    May 17, 2018

    My friend you guys at the UWP need more than prayer. Although prayer is always good, prayer and faith goes together. And Faith without action is dead. Isaac, you said it right recently that you need boots on the ground. Focus on the vulnerable constituencies. The Roseau Valley, Roseau Central and Grand Fond are up for grabs. That is if the Leader of the party is ready to roll up his sleeves go out to meet people. to win the next general election

  17. Ibo France
    May 17, 2018

    Good governance and a vibrant economy are two major keys for any country to prosper. The economy must be able to accommodate most job seekers and entrepreneurs. The majority of the citizens should be comfortable and satisfied with how the government does business, fairness must be the operative word. In Dominica, the economy is barely alive, which gives rise to towering unemployment, which leads to appalling poverty, which ends in excruciating misery. It’s mind boggling that a sizeable number of the citizenry still defends this nefarious ruling regime. This governing party is the distributor of pain, shame, sorrows and heartbreak.

    • Dumb
      May 17, 2018

      You must be living in France DONKEY

      • Ibo France
        May 18, 2018

        You have the appropriate name for that asinine comment can only come from a crab-like, brainless person such as you. I don’t expect you to refute what I wrote for you don’t have the mental capacity to do so. So resort to your dumb comments for that who you truly are, DUMB as dumbbells.

  18. As I see it
    May 17, 2018

    IAs for me I am no damn UWP, DLP , DFP or any items. I am a damn Dominican that is very upset with the state of Dominica and what what Skerrit and his friends have done to Dominica. I want to describe this stupid country as a zoo but but that will not even make sense because I have been to some zoos and that are very attractive and clean. The best I can describe what Skerrit has done to Dominica is a Pig penn, because that’s what the country looks like, no matter what part of Dominica you go to. Reading this article from the UWP, even gets me angrier because they making it look like a problem that was brought on us by Maria, whereas the whole country sank in that mess the very year Skerrit was elected Pm in 2005. All the man has done is patch things and lie to the people. Maria was in 2017 but what about Erika that was in 2015, which damaged three bridges on the west coast and the man has not repaired once? We have been driving in river like in the 60’s trying to cross macousrie

  19. dee
    May 17, 2018

    What allu going to do with allu dissatisfaction then?
    talk talk talk when allu have no real solutions .

    • Channel 1
      May 17, 2018

      @dee – You are a bona fide joker. Keep on pretending that you have not heard the numerous solutions that the UWP has been presenting over and over and over and over on various platforms.

      “There is none so blind as those who WILL NOT see”.

  20. May 17, 2018

    No shelters, people still under tapaulin and couple weeks before the season starts, while Skerrit dem playing politics with material, who can satisfy with that?????
    Oh yes, we will all go by Skerrit :lol: :lol:

  21. Après Bondie, C'est La Ter
    May 17, 2018

    We need the Freedom party from the days of Mamo to return. UWP needs to join forces with Freedom party or freedom party needs to rise up. Time for some change in dominica. The current situation with economy , argriculture and healthcare is poor!

    • Silver fox
      May 17, 2018

      Is it that bad?way way way you people really desperate Mr Skerrit, has you guys on the Run :oops:

    • Ending Corruption totally
      May 18, 2018

      We need the Freedom party from the days of Mamo to return. Mamo, Maynard Labard ,Armantrading et Al are long gone never to return.The cabal of the 80’s The ayatollah flipped like the TV show flip this house so has Skerrit, Joseph Issac, Baron etc Add urs readers lol We have a new Cabal of the 2000’s. The Cabal of the 90’s was like a pre mature ejaculation.( the Lady told UWP no more wasting my time. It’s over call it a day. Or to use Joshua Francis’s term Coshonie. coitus dat! remember UWP is coming???? LMAO not even political Viagra can help lol
      A more drastic approach is needed to resolve our terrible political economic and social issues her on the Commonwealth of DA. These guys have to be handled in a very special way. Indeed as he said DA is too free.

  22. marie-claire R Skerrit
    May 17, 2018

    Very true. Striker laws need to be place. You can’t have a PM running a country when there is a president. This is super backwards

  23. KID ON THE BLOCK
    May 17, 2018

    Garcon go and get work for you all to do?
    What exactly has UWP DONE TO HELP PEOPLE after Maria?
    Spectators are the best players.

    • Floridan Diaspora
      May 17, 2018

      @fool on the block, actually spectators become the best players. Lionel messI was a spectator at one stage of his life. He observed from the sidelines before becoming one of the all time greats himself. The same can be said of Michael Jordan, and other various super stars, they crawled before they walked. In the mean time honorable Linton and team Dominica are keeping a watchful eye on those labor vacabonds and their wayward spending and are taking notes on how to make dominica great again by not making the same stupid mistakes this lazy government are repeatedly making

    • The accursed thing
      May 17, 2018

      @ kid on the block, when will you grow up to become an adult and find work to do instead of just staying on the block, doing nothing? Be honest with yourself and tell me what exactly has the DLP done? Please understand when I say DLP I am not referring to the government because to the best of my knowledge NO country, No financial institution including the World Bank has given NOTHING to the DLP or UWP. They gave to the GOVERNMENT of Dominica to be distributed to ALL the people of Dominica. No one gave to the opposition and therefore to ask what has uwp done is just flat out stupid, foolish and misleading! In fact for the record, I think it was the government of New Zealand that gave funding to a UWP project in the Goodwill area are few years ago, and the government of Dominica stopped it because they felt nothing should be given to the UWP since they are not the government. If anything, the ONLY thing DLP has done is, they allegedly paid Joseph Isaac to cross. That’s it small kid

      • KID ON THE BLOCK
        May 17, 2018

        I’ll grow up when I see YOU UWP SPECTATORS start to play physically and positively. Words are cheap. You all have no solution to any problem.
        Didn’t you hear what Issac said. UWP is not a good party.
        How can you have a Leader, all he believes in is TRIBAL POLITICS.
        His motto is, Hate, Jealousy and to destroy and prey on his poor supporters for money to pay for his lying tongue.

      • Ibo France
        May 17, 2018

        Sound argument that cannot be refuted. The way the system is designed only the government has unlimited access to the resources of the State. The government is also the sole recipient of donations and contributions from foreign governments and agencies. The opposition parties are not so fortunate. The biggest problem is that the line between government and party is blurred in Dominica. Government should look out for every man, woman and child and not just for party supporters. What has the PM done personally for Dominicans? How much money has the DLP, as a political entity, contributed to the country? Nada! This farcical argument that UWP has not made any contribution of money or materials to the country is just that, FARCICAL. DLP also has not contributed one cent from its coffers. The Accursed One, you are perfectly correct.

    • Convince me
      May 18, 2018

      Kid on the block, do you find you are making sense? You “orderin” UWP to do something? You sem to be very narrow minded. That is Skerrit’z admin job. He is running the Govt. I dont underdtand what you think the Govt is there for. UWP is just the pposition. Skerrit is the one receiving the financial assistance on behalf of D/ca. Smh.

      • KID ON THE BLOCK
        May 21, 2018

        BS!. So UWP JUST THERE TO CRITICIZE and do nothing in the development of the country?

  24. DeEyesHaveIt
    May 17, 2018

    Countinue beating that dear horse still….. Meanwhile I am disappointed in the lack of direction and leadership in the UWP. What policies has your party come up with to treat with the issues of climate resilience? What have you done in your capacity as the Loyal Opposition to educate the populace about your plans and initiatives should we elect you to serve? Oh right I get it electorial reform riggghhht… Clean voter list you say Just out of curiosity how many challenges has your party been forced to make in the High Court of person’s either voting where they are not supposed to or voting on dead persons names? How many? Clean the list you say provide the cases then why are some people so gullible to follow them fellas and their foolishness eh? Stupes Next!!!

    • Convince me
      May 18, 2018

      Do you think you know what you saying? I am i great doubt. We need constructive criticism.

      • Man bites dogs
        May 21, 2018

        Convince me, What are you on about, and who let you out? Anyway matron will be picking you up back to your holiday home till you get better Ok !! Wish you well.

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