Dominica’s development gains over the years have been “impressive” in spite of the many challenges faced.
Minister for Planning, Economic Development, Climate Resilience, Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy, His Excellency Dr. Vince Henderson made that statement during Dominica’s Review of Sustainable Development Goals held recently.
“As a small island state our development gains over the years have been impressive in spite of the many challenges,” he said. “We are building forward stronger and building a more inclusive and an equal society.”
He said Dominica is on the path to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Henderson explained that although Dominica’s resilience agenda and vision are fully aligned with the SDGs, “we recognize that the SDGs necessitate much more than that.”
“As a global community, we must recognize that small island states did more to move a pace to 2030, but we can only do so with the partnership and commitment of this community, otherwise we will be traveling a long and lonely road to 2030,” he remarked.
Dr. Henderson continued, “Our drive and ambitions are crystal clear, but our realities on the ground risk obscuring that reality.”
Furthermore, he stated that like many other states the inherent vulnerabilities are exacerbated by limited fiscal space compounded by impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr. Henderson went on to say that in a hostile global economic financial system where the Gross Development Product (GDP) per capita is used as a metric of development, its continued use of the condition for developing countries to access official development assistance and concessional financing, “inhibits our ability to address our vulnerabilities and development needs in a sustained way.”
He pointed out that the importation of fossil fuels deepens the economic vulnerability of small island developing states, “and we have identified the transition to renewable energy as a key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience to economic and climate shocks.”
Dr. Henderson indicated that in Dominica the development of geothermal energy is at an advanced stage and expects to commission the first 10-megawatt geothermal power plant by the end of 2024.
“We are also pursuing the production of green hydrogen utilizing our abundant geothermal resources for the development of an eco-industrial park,” he revealed. “This will undoubtedly expand our economy, create more opportunities for our people and contribute to the SDGs.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Henderson explained that achieving the SDGs in Dominica as well as the country’s 20 resilience targets requires adequate and sustained levels of resources.
“We are firm in our view that now is the time to translate conversations into deliberate actions and for this, we need your support,” he noted. “We are here to work collectively through bilateral and multilateral agreements, to mobilize much-needed resources and access grants and concessions financing.”
He continued, “We want to work collectively with our partners to better understand and implement new and innovative forms of financing to advance our development including a focus on non-traditional donors and new and emerging financial instruments such as blue and green bonds and blending financing.”
Let’s start with some accounting of how much moneys were expensed in Laudat at the Geothermal stie. Explain to we the taxpayers, the anticipated completion date, what phase the project is in and project delivery state, to include scope of work and ongoing progress. Explain to us the importance of “Micro Solar Panels,” like they have in the Bahamas and the percentage of our electricity that is generated by non-renewable energy sources. Are we at 30% yet as this number seems to be the industry benchmark? I rest my case, Vince as I await your response.
Henderson, boy you are crazy, or even a bigger liar than your puppet master Roosevelt Skerrit!
Let me inform you boy; the majority of your followers; or shall I say supporters of the color red, all do not have a computer nor cell phone; so when you write these nonsense on DNO believing that only semi-illiterate red devils are reading that mess, you are only beating your drums and dancing to your stupid bush music!
Most of us reading DNO everyday are much more intelligent than you; so that crap leaves no apparent impression on us!
And so I would like to asks you what do you term “development gains;” what sort of development gains are you talking about?
Are you mad or something; where have you been; the days you spent in New York staved, not getting paid for months by Roosevelt Skerrit; alone should tell you if there were any development gain in Dominica under Skerrit; you would not be in New York for months without getting a salary,out of the mouth of the beast came the…
Yes, Henderson, out of your very mouth came the truth when you complained that you had not receive a salary for months in succession from Roosevelt Skerrit!
If there was so much progress in the country via development gains, you would not be there for some time living on a hungry staved belly; playing ambassador and perhaps accepting handouts from some good Samaritan to be fed!
Once you started taking Roosevelt removed you to a demoted diminished, position and installed the fat tub of lard that Castle Bruce woman, who he said signed agreement with Putin Russia.
Since you used tax payers money to go to school in New York, I expected you to be able to define development gain, but not even that you know how to do, you all are the same ignorant, spewing fart, hoping the nonsensical garbage you spewed will keep Roosevelt in power forever; hoping all of you louse and parasite will live off him forever too.
He is using you for one term, and then kick you to the curb!
I think that Dr Henderson must be living on cloud Cuckoo land.
Since the premiership of Mr E O Leblanc, successive governments have almost all rolled back our sustainable development ability. It has been increasingly more difficult to make a living in Dominica. Some like the late Patrick John and the present Mr R Skerrit, have seen many Dominicans migrate to Canada, USA and UK to make their standard of living better.
The rate of death from stress elated diseases like cancer, diabetes and hypertension has increased in Dominica. These are just the external signs of how much more difficult it has been to live in Dominica.
One simple question, Vince, “what is Dominica’s national debt now compared to when you and your pals took control of the reigns of power in the country”. I’m awaiting your answer.
Good question, Mr. St Jean. I am politely requesting that DNO, and other local media entities make a genuine effort to procure this information.
How much of Dominica’s revenue is being used to service the ballooning national debt? If the status quo remains the same, generations of Dominicans, yet unborn, will be saddled with this colossal debt burden. It will become an albatross around their necks.
It’s not right for our children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren to pay for the excesses and gross incompetence of this present autocracy. Collectively, we should make every effort to change this present trajectory.
when every civil society organisation has to headed by a labour party candidate, even in the constituencies where MP’s are democratically elected there are caretakers, does this amount to inclusivity? as someone with a phd in law, vince understanding of inclusion, seems to be skewed.
Impressive gains has he seen the state of the sidewalks and roads in Roseau?
Stupes
“dem fellas bright! bright! bright! but dey can’t run the country right” You see those Dr Dr Dr’s, we put in charge of running the affairs of our country, is to the determent of our sustainable development; a lot of nice fancy words “much-a-do about nothing. This modern day system of COLONIZATION and SLAVERY is what will plunder the universe into chaos and anarchy not the persons we love to demonize as less educated; Dr you are yet to highlight the “impressive development gains” wey happen all you thing everybody foolish and dotish in Dominica.
The TRUTH is that most Dominicans are not benefiting from all these ‘impressive developments’ and ‘bountiful projects’ that Roosevelt and his surrogates keep on touting about.
These amazing developments by the government have decimated the once thriving Middle Class, and brought untold hardships and abject poverty on the vast majority of citizens.
“Our drive and ambitions are crystal clear, but our realities on the ground risk obscuring that reality”
This is a clear indictment that in Dominica there truly exists parallel and alternate realities. We hear you Vince.
What unadulterated, nonsensical and incomprehensible waffle Vince. No, I must admit I have difficulty to read through this jargon and by the way, are you still our ambassador to the US and if you are why you not resident there. No clarity at all, is all a mixed up muddle. You think you escaped the sphere Roosevelt then. No that man have you firmly in his clutches
This guy is a big big joke, one thing the people of Grand bay is not like the people of St Joe . You did nothing for your people is for the people of Grand bay you will do things . Your trick you and skerrit you wanted to pull it back fired in you all faces right now you all can not stick each other . Vince kamar is capital B you went and lie about the Salisbury people and that have to hunt you , don’t mess with a praying people. You left your high life and your girlfriends in New York New Jersey believing it was a bed of roses in Dominica deal with your bed of thorns . What you did to St Joe by not doing nothing not even the Carhome road you fight to get for them, you can not do it in Grand Bay . Man you are a liar.
Grandbay people not like St Joe people. But they voted him in. In what area nuh they not like St Joe people?
I remember in the 80s and 90s Dominica was one of the leading small developing state in the Eastern Caribbean, we was the envy of all. Now look at us, we becomes the promising leading eastern Caribbean in the region, promise that never start and don’t have an end. We was above Saint Vincent and the Grenadines! Now look at that country now, it’s is said to be one of the leading developing Caribbean countries in
the region , there yearly budget is almost 2B Dollars a year, you can click on these site below they are proof to what am saying, check them, visit there website and search some the project am listing here
1. Marriott Hotel
2. Sandals beach hotel
3. Holidays-in hotel
4. New port that will cost almost 1B dollars
http://www.stvincenttimes.com
Minister Henderson is claiming that Dominicans have been living in utopia under the Roosevelt’s regime.
Roosevelt said that Dominica is so safe that you don’t have to close your doors and windows when you leave your homes for long periods of time.
Of the two pathological LIARS, who would win this Lying competition? In my estimation it’s a draw. Both men are evenly bad.
Truth is illusive with this present administration. The lies that come from every member of the cabal are unrivaled. Everything Minister Henderson accredited to the brilliant performance of the worst performing government in the English speaking Caribbean is manifestly false.
This is a country of LOWEST with everything positive. LOWEST wages, LOWEST employment opportunities, LOWEST infrastructural development, LOWEST transparency, LOWEST productivity.
All honest resident Dominicans know that this presentation of Mr. Henderson is riddled with fairtales. Yet, as usual, DNO offers itself as a vehicle to disseminate the government’s falsehoods and disinformation verbatim.
Just a question DNO. There is no need to be irate. Do you not bat for the incumbent administration? If so, you are in good form.
ADMIN: While we will admit the story could always be more developed, it is still clear you do not support the principles of free speech in practice. You seem to practice “it is good for me but not for thee”.
You are unable to accept that we do not support or agree with everything that we publish – in contrast, you seem to struggle to tolerate anything that you do not agree with.
We must practice a tolerance for virtually all views to be accountable to those principles. We believe we demonstrate our commitment to such principles whenever we publish comments such as yours that stubbornly attempts to paint us in a bad light simply because we do not pander to your views.
Our hope is that in publishing different views (such as your comments, the opposition’s releases or even Henderson’s statements) that people will be able to compare and contrast and ultimately judge the truth for themselves.
We believe the government needs to be held accountable on principle for whatever wrong they have done in order to work towards the ideal of a more just society. However, if only people of your biased and intolerant mindset takeover (regardless of political party) then we will continue to struggle to meet that goal.
You claim we slander you whenever we directly describe your comment behaviour but you insist on making disingenuously self-assured claims about our activities or motives and often resort to bullying and harassment when we respond.
We are not referring to one or two obscure instances, your double standard over your nearly 6,300 approved comments is very clear.
As you often put it: the truth stings.
Not bad, DNO! Not a bad response to Ibo France. You are probably now at your wits end with his/her intolerance, hostility, negativity, and unsubstantiated hogwash. Tell me though, how does his concoctions and rants get through with such ease yet, that of others, highly critical of the UWP, struggle to get through?
BTW, you wrote: “You seem to struggle to tolerate anything that you do not agree with.” Well, this is classic opposition behaviour, no? Have a look…UWP, Q95,etc.
ADMIN: We are accused by supporters of both the opposition and the government of not publishing their comments due to bias when we are just doing our best to follow our commenting guidelines.
This behaviour is not limited to UWP, Labour, APP, Freedom or any one group or party. What is concerning to us is that we see this type of intolerance and bias from all sides while each respective side believes the other is to blame and when they tire of blaming each other they sometimes blame DNO.
“We are building forward stronger and building a more inclusive and an equal society”…
One really has to admire the “impressive” imaginations of our politicians. A wise person once said to the effect that when a strong imagination becomes productive and by means of an adequate technique realizes it works for its own sake, its products are works of Art. And, I’m impressed to sing, Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world; Red and Yellow, Black and White, all are precious in his sight……
Ever so often this clown reappears on the scene, spews generals rhetoric and then finishes with singing praises for one of Dominicas expensive white elephants: the geothermal plant. Skerrit will thank him and of he goes back to New York. No doubt at expense of taxpayers money.
Is he the newly elected Parliament Rep. for New York because he spends at least 330 days per year there? Maybe I’m mistaken.