Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said that Dominica has made significant strides in a number of areas and now ranks among the top in the region in various categories used to judge development, progress, happiness and standard of living by global organizations.
While delivering his annual Independence address to the nation this morning at the Independence Parade of Uniformed Groups he urged Dominicans to be unrelenting in the pursuit of prosperity and progress to continue to build the nation.
“Fellow citizens, while we take many of our attributes and achievements today for granted we cannot and will not be satisfied until Dominica becomes known far and wide as a God-fearing, peaceful country with confident and contented people, where citizens show respect for each other and for the rule of law. A country acclaimed by the financial community as a bastion of democracy, good governance and respect for human rights. A country that cares for its children by providing the best education possible, thus increasing the chances for living useful and productive lives. A country where every individual is provided with the opportunity to pursue the career of his choice because he has been equipped with the knowledge, skills and access to the requisite financial resources to do so,” stated Skerrit.
He continued, “A country where every family member has a decent home to which they can return after a hard day at work or at school. A country where every able bodied man and woman is committed to make Dominica a better place. Dominica must be a country where all vulnerable groups are supported and protected. A country that must be a world leader in renewable energy practices, particularly geothermal energy. A leading destination for ecotourism and for excellence in the delivery of tourism and hospitality services. An innovator for attracting new entrepreneurs in agriculture, including the youth. A country that places great emphasis on developing its human resources and a country that stretches out a hand of friendship to all countries and to all peoples.”
He went on to state that the tasks that he had set the Dominican people are already unfolding despite challenges, but called on Dominicans to find within them the grit that nation building takes and pledged that the country will continue on this path to sustainable development.
The Prime Minister further advised that it was critical for peace and tranquility to remain staples of the Dominican society for the furtherance of national development. He said that it is important that the negative effects of crime do not hinder the progress that Dominica has already made, pointing to some of the legislative and administrative decisions that the Government has taken in ensuring that the crime problem is kept in check.
Meantime, thirteen Dominicans and the Seventh-day Adventist Church were recognized and awards conferred upon them at this morning’s ceremony. The awardees and their corresponding awards are as follows:
Sisserou Award of Honor
John Fabien
Dr Damien Dublin
East Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Meritorious Service Award
Arthur Massicott Sr.
Michael Murphy
Marvlyn Birmingham
Rev. St Clair Mitchel
Oliver Sanderson
Services Medal of Honor
Bingworth Casimir
Antoine Raffoul
Lullalyn ‘Lyn’ Edwards
Loverty Greenaway
Long Service Award
Vyleen Hazel
Glenford Andrew
I R.M.S meant slide the country into a slippery slope,so i’m asking all the people of Waitukubuli to forgive me,that’s why i extended the olive branch.But i must also let u all know that the olive branch is dry and almost rotted so it cannot be trusted to hold on to.We had visitors and our brothers and sisters living in the diaspora are here with us,so i had to find some good and nice words to speak.We all know that talk is cheap and as a man sow shall he reap,so i’m scared my back is against the wall.Please forget the past and hold on to the olive branch even if it’s dry and and almost rotten.god is good all the time,all the time god is good!Till next year at the same time.
Do u mean slides Mr.Skerrit?Show which of the islands we are doing better than economically and in development of people including jobs?If we are on par with these other islands,why do Dominicans go to Guadeloupe,Martinique,Antigua,Anguilla,BVI,St.Martin/St.Marteen St.Kitts and all the other islands seeking employment,MRI scans,to connect for international flights when travelling to metropolitan countries?Why can’t Red Jet not land here and is able to land and take off on other islands?Do any of the above mentioned islanders come to seek employment here?
Splendid independence speech Mr. Prime Minister Skerrit. Fear not you have my support and that of many other Dominicans 18 to 3! Let stay focus on the task at hand; Nation Building! Opposition (UWP) you must follow!
“Significant strides…”, 35% plus unemployment and chinese workers taking all the major construction jobs. Do we not have construction workers here? not to mention 40% plus in poverty. Where’s the protection of our citizenry? Do you people who comment on here care for your country men or just your immediate acquaintances and political gains. take a look at the demographics, they tell the real story of Dominica. But moreover who puts a school teacher with no experience in administration or finance to control the finances and livelihood of a nation?
NO GOVERMENT IN THE WORLD CAN EMPLOY ALL OF ITS COUNTRY CITIZENS
My words are clear, there are jobs and we are asking that those jobs be given to Dominicans not imported workers. At the end of it all we tax payers are going to pay for this and the money which is been spent is going back to china. Government implements large scale projects to stimulate it’s economy and put money in the hands of it’s citizenry. take a good long look at what’s happening in Dominica. More importantly they want a graduate in every household yet they refuse to past the laws to recognize professions here, there are only two professions recognized by law in Dominica, which are Lawyer and Medical Doctor. So before your quick step to bash someone go find out the truth. I am not here to fight anyone but enlighten about the reality of our situation. study the demographics on your country, inquiry about the census, it was done for reasons you know. You would not question where i got the percentages but you speak about governments ability in providing employment, this is a small economy things like that affects us all, playing politics only destroys we as a people.
Seems like someone was reading my comments on dno, because the same things i have been advocating i now seeing in the pm speech as tools for our development. So much for all the thumbs down…
lol
Forward ever backward never. Happy Independence DA.
Mr Skerrit with no RED CLINIC the poor and indigent are dying now Sir.
“Rule of Law” are you kidding me or did I miss out something. Mr Pm I think you should go back to your caricom coleagues and find out where we rank in all catigories.
You are right by saying domincans have a house to go back to after a hard days work, well the thing is, you gave some of them houses but no jobs, now they have to scrunt to find something to do since they cannot eat the house so saying a hard day work, you are so right, but i think a job would be better since they can try to build a house if they have a job. Come on Dominicans, would’nt you all prefer to be eating a good meal everyday than to have a house given to you, just to find out the people you gave it to you is on TV reproaching you (leave me in my 2×4). The government is making a fool out of the poor, needy and elderlies in our country, look at channel 7 and you all will see what I am talking about. That is an embarassment, shamful and if any of our pastors who are members of the ruling party had a concience, they would let our PM know this is not biblical and should not be done. But then again this is the tricks of Dictators who want people to feel sorry for others and they are using the poor and needy to do so. This is also a form of campagning so people do not forget. I mean come on people, is that how we want Dominica to be. Judith Pestina siad “Some Dominicans are becoming Dependent on Government”, she is absolutly right, what is going to happen when the govenment cannot give a house or a few peices of plywood or other form of handouts. Well what will happen is the people will suffer since they have become so dependent that they can’t even help themselves.
I am not into politics, I am just looking out for Dominica and Dominicans.
VERY WELL WRITTEN AND EXECUTED…
you have written some things that could be given a look over,but when you say dictator,you are way out of line,this an elected government not a revolution,one i do not know that if you are aware that DNO also has a facebook page,which means that the shit that you all write goes worldwide,that is if DNO do censor some of the rubbish you all write,i am praying they do for dominicas sake,people got to watch what they write man.
We the people of the Dominica can be so negative and unappreciated.Take a look at the little that’s been done and be grateful, instead of being negative.Give things for the small development I hope you people know that DNO comments a being read by the rest of the world.Soon the words we speak will come back and hunt Dominica.YOU GUYS A TOO POLITICAL.
Please don’t quote Judith Pestina because what the needy in Dominica in regards to housing and medicine for the sick and shut in is nothing compaired to the hundrend of thousands she owes goverment for her business.
I am so glad that those who had nothing are able to get the assistance and education they need to improve their lives.
If the the government only gave to those who already have then the old status quo would remain.
This Hon. Roosevelt Skerritt administration is ensuring that we will never go back to the old classism ways of our past.
Happy 33 years of independence dominica,The speech MR PM give this morning was are great one.god bless our country,Lets all come together to build doninica,And special thank to DBS RADIO.Prime minister skerrit is doing his best,Stop the name calling,leave in peace my people.
It’s a shame , I mean not one police SKERRIT Govt gave a long service award? Not even one of his BODYGUARD deserve this it ashame and they still there saying this and that. Not a nurse or even a Fireman or woman. Shame .
Did u hear yourself? How long is the Bodyguard in service. Before u make statements get facts. To receive long service award, one has to be at work for a number of years. The bodyguards are relatively very young persons. Are there nurses who fall in that category. To my minds most of the nurses here now are relatively young nurses as well.
That’s good for them. They are too political.His flies.
are you aware that there is a process by which people are nominated for those awards?for months prior to the independence celebrations there were notices in the newspapers inviting nominations of recipients . if you know of any nurse or policeman deserving of an award then you should have nominated them.we fail to make use of institutions or options available to us then we rant and rave foolishly.
Congrats to the home land on her thirty third year as a nation.God bless our PM that he may continue to work towards the betterment of Dominica and all Dominicans.Some of us continue playing politics year round we don’t relent for one moment but the pm has shown over and over that he is the adult in the house and keep on extending the olive branch.
We made significant strides Mr Skeritt in our first 26 years of independece. However, in the last 7 years, you destroyed all of that and all you have left us with is a country whose image you destroyed; a poor , broke, and crime invaded country; a country where rule of law has been flushed; a currupt and devided country and so much more.
If our ranking is so high amongst caribbean islands, then why so many of our people leave our country everyday to go and see misery in other caribbean islands? Whats wrong with our people?
For the first time in our 33rd year of independence the fate of our Prime Minister is now in the hands of a judge who after three weeks is still trying to determine the legitimacy of our PM. You call this stries sir?
A visionary has to stand above the fray, above the ranker, above the contention, and amore so above divisivenes. the Prime Minister is the leader of the entire country, and the office is the marketing end of the people of Dominica. In this public report, Dominicans at home and abroad, must feel a sense of pride and must also be hopeful that their country’s economic report is filled with optimism so that those friendly coutries can be inclined to make large capital investments, as they underscore it’s political climate. As Dominicans, we should all take pride in nation building, so that our children can continue to build on the foundations set forth by their parents.
THE EVIDENCE IS THERE FOR ALL TO SEE.
I CAN SEE IT, YOU CAN SEE IT AND SO CAN THEY AND THAT’S WHAT EATING THEM Q-BLIND RATS.
Why is it the Pastor Daniel always come against the enemy? why did he not pray for the opposition ? Can he tell us who the enemy is? and why does he not pray for all of Dominica. stups all you just follow fashion what all you know about Bishop, just now all you will have Pope.
You want to know who the enemy is – The common enemy. The enemy of our soul who came to steal, kill and destroy. He uses us mortal human beings who are open to him to go on his track of destruction. Daily we mustcome againt the enemy. Read your bible and you understand that we akll have one common enemy. When pastor Daniel speaks for all those in authority – It includes the opposition.
To be honest under the Skerrit administration,we are getting impoverished by the minute.How can a corrupt illegal government do anything good and in the interest of its citizens.
WAIT WAIT WAIT!!!1
DID HE SAY “THE RULE OF LAW?”
HAHAHAHAHAHA OHHH ‘CHOKE,’ (WATER PLEASE)
HAHAHAHAHAH HAAAAAAA HHAHAHAAHAHA
Dominca ranks among the top in the region in various categories used to judge development, progress, happiness and standard of living by global organizations?
Which wiretap transcript bears this tale Mr PM? I applaud your speech writer but its Dominicas birthday. Do not tell lies on global organizations
Happy Independence Dominica.
Question: What about the North East and its culture being recognize??
I see Gloria Shillingforf well dress up in cultural wear. But i must ask the question where is the Marigot and Wesley aspect of our culture featured???
Remember we do not speak patois or creole!! So where is our heritage and our peice of culture to be incorporated during independence?
I AM DOMINICA
Why don’t you try to appreciate your culture and make the effort to learn creole? What happen Marigot want the majority to learn to speak korkoy as the cultural language? Oh lard me kant tek it no more! Get serious whomever you are and stop trying to politicize our culture.
I am from Porssie and I had the same questions. What about the Cocoy and the Afou awi heritage. This is shameful. When the UWP was in power the Afou awi heritage had been given it’s due recognition. One may say it’s because Mr James was in power but be that as it may the recognition of that part of DOMINICA’S culture cannot be totally ignored.
The people of the of the north should play a leading role in trying to keep this part of our culture alive.
BEWARE MR.JAMES AND THE REST OF THE UWP PARTY,PLEASE CHECK THAT OLIVE BRANCH FOR THORNS,WE ALL KNOW HOW BEAUTIFUL A ROSE IS. HOW CAN THE UWP ACCEPT AN OLIVE BRANCH WHEN YOU ARE IN OFFICE ILLEGITIMATELY.YOU MUST FIRST RESIGN, THEN YOUR OLIVE BRANCH MAYBE CONSIDERED.
I am also warning,they and their operatives will have a field day if the UWP accepts this joke.The UWP will be at the mercy of those hosting the Animal Programme.Ask Mr John,Dr Secverin,Mr Alleyne, etc.
YOU KNOW! I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING.
I SMELL SOMETHING FISHY
I SMELL ANOTHER CLEVER STRATEGEM
I SMELL ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT MIND MANIPULATION
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH SAYS RECONCILIATION INVOLVES CORRECTING THE WRONGS COMMITTED
MR. SKERRIT! FIRST COME CLEAN WITH THE PEOPLE, THEN RECONCILIATION CAN BE CONSIDERED
Stuuuuuuupes Everything is politics. For Heavens sake stop and be patriotic and comment objectively without putting politics etc.
I would like to hear the list of areas of develoment. In 11 years all we can brag about is a stadium and a west coast road rehab? Evidence will support that the work of the freedom and uwp administration did in 5 years is far more than this 12 years of dlp.
I assume you have on wooden glasses. You just can’t see or you are downright wicked
there is so much other development. scholarships to students, building houses , improvement to the airport. but i dont blame YOU!! u just blind to all of these.. one more thing is to be done to ur eyes… i think skerrit needs to grant u a trip to cuba! check ur eyes out! full of cataracts of negativity
With a name like that I was expecting you to be a DLP suppporter.You turn out to be bluelol! My suggestion you change ur name to a NE name commonly found inthat region LMAO
Same thing every year, but we keep getting poorer.
Oh Boy!! Oh Boy! oh Boy!! What a piece of oppression according to Oliver Samuels. Mediocrity a it’s best and worst!! Dominica went back 33 years in terms of development of the people, never have we seen such ignorance, and civic illiteracy in Dominica. In the 60s and 70s Dominicans were much more advanced in their thinking, their pride for country, their self sufficiency, their dignity as a country.
We of that epoch have all migrated to Canada,The USA England France even to our sister islands.Some of us( stayed behind) upon reaching our 60’s no fat bank accounts,pension nearing with little chance of surviving decently.Some have shifted their alliances to the infiltratd DLP to secure our daily bread.
I do agree (as the novel colony earth) described the earth being more advance many yrs ago and mankind have retrogress over the last millienums.The same can be said for DA.When I was growing up and in my more mature yrs we were more educated less studiated.Less qulified opportunists flip flipers/flip floppers.Man and woman bouncing around from party to party as if they were caca rubber balls. I have found out we have a bunch of balls less men here.
THE FEAR OF THE ALMIGHTY IS CLEAN, ENDURING FOR EVER….PSALMS 19..V.9
IS OUR NATION CLEAN?
CAN WE SAY THAT OUR LEADERS ARE CLEAN?
GARBAGE BINS?
FERTILISER MISTERY?
CONSPIRACY AGAINST AGRICULTURE?
PRIVATEERING IN GOVERNMENT?
WOMANISING IN PUBLIC OFFICE?
ATTEMPTED MURDER OF FORMER MAGISTRATE?
COVER UPS?
LAYOU FIASCO?
ELECTION REFORM?
BIAS SPEAKER OF HOUSE?
VICTIMISATION LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTER…….
PROSTITUTION?
INCREASE DERELICT POPULATION?
INCREASE PRISON POPULATION?
GOOD EDUCATION AND HEALTH ARE OF THE PAST?
WAITIKUBULI IS LOOKING GOOD BUT VISIT THE BACK ALLEYS AND SAY WHAT YOU SEE
PROSPERITY IS FOR ALL NOT SOME.
STILL LIVING IN HOPE FOR THIS NATION
DNO why not publish the PM’s address in its entirity?
BISHOP DANIEL Y DIDNT Y PRAY 4 D OPPOSITION. I WOULD LIKE 2 BELIEVE IT WAS A MISHAP.UNFORTUNATE EH
Hmmn….i wonder why.
Maybe it is because there is none. There seats are always empty.
The seat in your head is empty,and you do not even know.Your fool!
Dominica has come a long way, but has an even longer ways to go.
That won’t detour the nation though!
The rhetoric is good, but God-fearing,what is meant by that. I would have preferred God loving.
The Bible commands us to “Fear God”. Fear here means to respect or reverend God not be afraid of him. I hope this makes things a little clearer. Happy Independence!!!
WE AINT NO GOD FEARING PEOPLE ANYMORE
MONEY AND WHATEVER MEANS TO GET IT IS THE NEW GOD
I listened to the Hon Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit address to the Nation this morning and felt that there is allot of hope for Dominica and her residents.
The Hon. Prime Minister in his speech said that he is extending an Olive Branch to the opposition so that they can work together to put Dominica first. This to me is even better than when Bob Marley join the hands of Edward Seaga and Michael Manley on that famous day trying to unit Jamaicans during a huge political divide.
I was also encouraged when the Prime Minister acknowledged the Leader of the Opposition Hon. Hector John this morning. It gives me hope the maybe; just maybe the leader of the opposition is willing to move things forward.
God bless Dominica and all our leaders.
Happy Independence D.A.
This survey was done of Caricom member states. The full result of the survey is below.
Car Ant Ang Bar Dom Gre Guy Jam Slu Svg Kitts T&T Sur
Good job 14% 19% 6% 20% 8% 2% 10% 4% 20% 39% 6% 20% 24%
Only fair 33% 28% 33% 40% 42% 25% 34% 40% 39% 29% 35% 35% 42%
Poor job 39% 40% 51% 18% 39% 71% 47% 47% 32% 26% 49% 25% 31%
Don’t know 14% 13% 11% 22% 10% 2% 9% 9 9% 6% 10% 20% 3%
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Car Ant Ang Bar Dom Gre Guy Jam Slu Svg Kitts T&T Sur
Good job 14% 19% 6% 20% 8% 2% 10% 4% 20% 39% 6% 20% 24%
Only fair 33% 28% 33% 40% 42% 25% 34% 40% 39% 29% 35% 35% 42%
Poor job 39% 40% 51% 18% 39% 71% 47% 47% 32% 26% 49% 25% 31%
Don’t know 14% 13% 11% 22% 10% 2% 9% 9 9% 6% 10% 20% 3%
Dominica is 8%, 42%, 39% and 10% for the following categories Good Job, Only Fair Job, Poor Job and Don’t Know. This was re the performance of the respective governments
I LIKE WHEN YOU GUYS PRESENT FACTS OVER RHETORIC
GOOD JOB 100%
When a man is noted for speaking untruths,can he be trusted?
Hate a dog but say the dentures are white. Give Jack his jacket and Mary her Lipstick. Stop the hatred, Envy, Jealousy and all the negativity. Leave out the politics and respect persons. That all Ihave to say. Sorry and be patriotic.
May God give the PM and the others strength and courage to continue a great job. Thank you Lord and Father for all the positives in our Land and for your protection and all the little things we can say thanks everyday, considering what is happenning worldwhile. We are blessed in DA and we say thank you. we stand in the gap for the naysayers since we so not want to be an ungrateful people as you do not like ungratefulness. Again we praise and thank you for who you are. Father look upon those who recognise your mercy and grace on our land.
@??????????… Speak for yourself, if u get something it is only right to say thanks
Somebody on medical marijuana!
all those things he talk about is no were to be found and no where to be seen in dominica mr. PM you just blowing hot air you can fool some people some times but you cannnot fool all the people all the time so just stop telling lies please,please,please
The info on DNO is incomplete and dose not give true reflection of the P.M. speech. Read the entire article.
Happy Independence Day Dominica Land of beauty. PM Skeritt you are doing an excellent job in improveing Dominica, may God bless you and all the people.
keep your blessings, or better yet give it to ur PM
WELL DONE, Mr. PM. YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB SO FAR. TOGETHER, WE WILL ACHIEVE. THE PROGRESS WE MAKE IS NOT ALWAYS HOW RICH WE ARE. THANK YOU, SIR!
Until then, let the Government of the Day govern. For the complainers- Dominica is a land of Resources which is Wealth become Entrepreneurs, use your God given skills and talents; pay your taxes which increases the wealth of the country/island. Dominicans Do your part and stop the Blame Game!
Congratulations on 33 years of Independence; let’s all -Dominicans near g and far- do our part in keeping it this way.
Without Freedom all the Wealth in the world will mean nothing.
Did i read something about the ‘Rule of Law”? Wow! No Law no Constitution? We rank among the top in the region re development? This message is for the misinformed. Those who live in Timboktu.. A farce. Fact is after 33 years we are a poorer nation,we have worsened our dependency syndrome,we have careless,reckless and corrupt government leadership,and we are now the poorest country in the Caribbean.TAKE THIS TO THE BANK!
funny thing about people who make everything political is tht they use empty claims in the place of facts. its indipendents enjoy it. just one day see the 10 stars,the colours red,green and yellow, and not just red and blue. tomorrow we have all the time to go back to the usual BS so just enjoy today.
@nyo. Go to School!
to be honest stop saying dominica poor because in dominica u can get all the natural things u want.yes i agree we need jobs but when come to saying this country is poor thats not true, .only lazy pple that would say tht.check haiti u can compare that with dominica? and pple losing their jobs everyday worldwide.so not dominica alone tht don’t have jobs
Man if you living on Mars,can you please shup the hell up, and let Dominicans voice their sufferings!
WELL WELL WELL! YOU RED GUYS ARE FINALLY COMING FROM THE CLOUDS!
I THOUGHT SKERRIT WAS THE WONDER WORKER
I THOUGHT HE WALKED ON WATER AND DIVIDED BREAD AND FISH
I GUESS HE’S HUMAN AFTER ALL!
ON WHAT BASIS DO YOU MAKE SUCH A STATEMENT, PLEASE RE SEND WITH FIGURES AND SOURCE OF INFORMATION. STUPES.
“God-fearing” what does that mean? do we have to fear god, did he ask us to fear him, could someone explain what that means and why we have to fear GOD.
I don’t think the fear here means to be afraid of God. It means to have reverence for God i.e an attitude of profound respect. The term “God-fearing” is used a lot in Christianity.
True you’re not a christian man…lol. God-fearing doesn’t mean you have to be afraid of God. Read your bible man.