The government of Dominica is to receive grant aid of US$1,658,000, courtesy of the government of Japan, for the procurement of disaster reduction equipment.
The equipment, which is said to be of high quality, will be utilized to make Dominica a more resilient country in the field of disaster reduction.
A signing ceremony for the grant was signed at the Ministery of Finance Conference Room on Friday morning.
Deputy Head of Mission and Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan, based in Trinidad, Masatoshi Sato said the grand aid program represents the realization of Japanese support promised by Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzō Abe.
“The first Japan/CARICOM summit held in July 2014 the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzō Abe announced the country’s policy pillars, which included providing support for CARICOM countries in the area of disaster risk reduction,” he said. “This grand aid program represents the realization of the Japanese support promised by Prime Minister Abe at a summit meeting which was also attended by the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica. It is our hope that this grant aid program will not only significantly reduce the disaster damages in the Commonwealth of Dominica in the future but will also support the Commonwealth of Dominica in adapting itself to climate change.”
He stated he strongly believes that the provision of Japanese reduction equipment through the grant aid program will not only enhance relations between Japan and Dominica but, “will also deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations.”
Minister for Justice, Immigration and National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore said it is the government’s intention is to rebuild a more robust physical infrastructure following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika.
“We are currently in an effort to rebuild Dominica,” he noted. “Our intention, therefore, is to build a more robust physical infrastructure ensuring that what we do now if going to be much better…What we intend to do therefore is to turn the challenges brought about by Tropical Storm Erika into opportunities.”
The Minister revealed that a team from Japan will visit Dominica “in due time” as it relates to other projects involving the installation of early flood warning systems in a number of communities, namely the Roseau Valley, Paradise Valley, lower Bath Estate, among other areas.
It is said that the warning system was impacted by the December 24th 2013 trough, which caused tremendous flooding in the areas mentioned and the recent devastation by Erika on August 27th completely destroyed the warning system.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Francine Baron said Japan’s official development assistant to Dominica has been great and has consisted primarily of Technical Corporation, including technical training in Japan and the dispatch of experts through the JICA program and also grant aid, “ which includes grass assistance for the grassroots human security projects for fisheries and industrial products.”
Baron stated further that through JICA the government of Japan has extended several technical corporation training opportunities to Dominica.
“In areas as diverse as administration, public utilities, transportation, agriculture, tourism, trade and commerce, human resource development, health and medical care, fisheries, communications and broadcasting,” she explained
Dominica established diplomatic relations with Japan in 1978.
Some do not trust Japan.
Others do not trust Dominica to use the money for its intended purpose.
Why is it when somebody reaches out to do a good turn there are always those who either accuse them outright of having an ulterior motive or imply there must be catch in what they are doing
Why would anybody slander their own government’s ministers by even hinting that such a generous and important gift might be used for some other purpose
It is obvious Japan sees Dominica is worth helping. They believe in the future of the beautiful nature island. Personally, I do not think they will be disappointed.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
A very great Thank You to the Government and People of Japan. Your Gift is truly appreciated and we welcome it. It shows us that our friends do have total confidence in the way the Prime Minister and his Government is running our country,
I can see why we would have all these negative postings; it is hard for the UWP in spite of their best efforts to destabilize our country and her government; right thinking Dominicans and our International Friends do not, can not and will not take the UWP as a serious party much less an alternative to this Labour Party Government. UWP has showed us that they not care for the country or her people. it they did we would know it and see it. What we see is a destructive group of individuals desperate for power.
So I really want them to continue what they are doing; it will solidify the fact no right thinking Dominicans will ever vote them in with a majority that would enable them to form the Government of Dominica ever again.
Some of us cannot manage the budget of our kitchens but we want to manage the money donated to Dominica. We want to stop foreign assistance. Where is the love. Thank you Japan. And let us pray that the blessings keep coming. If the blessings stop some of us will have nothing to talk about.
Under this regime, no amount of money given to this “gov-we-ment” will benefit the needy in Dominica. Cause the more they get, the less we see.
Thank you government of Japan. Your help, as a friend, is greatly appreciated.
There is a God who knows, sees and hears all things. One day He will reward all those who genuinely helped Dominica. I have always said, this is why God is so merciful and forgiving. He will find a way for the good of heart who help others in times of need.
Holy Scripture – Tell the rich in this present age to do good so as to amass spiritual wealth
This is what our God tells us through his disciples. Always help others, those in need, in whatever manner.
Not referring to Japan, it is a government’s duty to help its people who are in need of and to feed the hungry.
When next some of you criticize the PM about giving money to the needy, remember it. Some of you who say you go by the Bible and know the Bible should know that and never make such an ungodly statement. It offends God. What is stated, good or bad is all in the mind. It projects your kindness of heart or lack of it.
Boy UWPites ignorant eh! If you ALL have nothing good to say; why can’t YOU ALL shut ALL YOU
Who is going to watch the money to make sure it does not come up missing? and is it to purchase some whales?
why why why?
I can tell them what to do with it. Put towards a new hospital and hospital supplies. A sick person should not have to go by Bullseye pharmacy to buy medicine and bring back hospital because hospital don’t have.
ignorance… it clearly states that the grant is to purchase equipment.
Thanks but I don’t think the people of Dominica will ever see that money . Unfortunately there’s no one in Dominica that can follow the money bc the PM control all department of Dominica.
kiki, Is fools like you that keeping back the country.
Kid On The Block, Face The Facts you know so much about Jesus you forgot the Bible say you should not call your brother fools? woman you are such a HYPOCRITE
why are you so ignorant… just spreading nonsensical lies! a grant to purchase equipment is a grant to purchase equipment.
does progress bother you? you’re the type of person that has kept this country backward!
Instead of giving the monies, the Japanese Government should provide the equipment, equivalent to, install with assistance of local labour, and teach appropriate bodies how to operate such equipment when they leave.
This way the people of Dominica can ‘see’ for themselves what is being done.
its a good idea… at least you’re not being critical without ideas.
Listen here I need to write to certain governments telling them don’t send any more disaster relief fund for Dominica… I went to Da and all that money they give skerrit what he do with it??? People don’t have place to live skerrit put some in school and guest house skerrit not paying so they have to ask people to leave de place,,,,i am really really pissed off man,,,the people suffering and he taking de money for relief,,what the hell you doing with it?? where de money going?? de man have Dominicans like tehbeh..he digging out their eyes but they tooo stupid n blind to see what going on……people stop send money for this government cause no accountability is given ,,,,,Erica victims suffering after al that money they send??? where de damn money going shocks mannnn I vexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you Japan, seriously. But are we really independent, seriously?
Thanks Me,
We are dependent not independent, what a disaster en
That’s what am talking about, process continues………….. God Blessings
Thanks to the Gov’t and people of Japan.
Lately I’ve been seeing quite a few Ministers in gov’t that never ran elections…this isn’t to say that they can’t perform well at the Job…just an observation. I really don’t know the protocol to these things.
It is always wise to inquire rather than and prior to criticizing. This is the stance which sensible and understanding people take.
Blessings!!!
No wonder she is smiling. That is better than a U.S.$.10,000 phony check from My Trade House Dominica in Malaysia.
Who is going to monitor that money?
Is the Director of Audit on standby?
This is the lazy government doing what they do best. Sit there, do nothing, and wait for handouts. International red clinic. I hope these funds will be used for their intended proposes and won’t be manipulated by the alpha and omega lord Skeritt into doing what he think is best which is usually what’s wrong. While international assistance is welcomed, I wish we were more self-sustaining. But no!!! The worthless bunch in power seems to be quite contented with pulling up in their bird’s nest with their beaks wide open waiting for their international mothers to feed them worms.
Sperm whales will become the new passport deals like they were in the pass ask Athie Lloydie etc
You fool why you doh come and do better that always critizing every god dam thing.
Floridian diaspora … you are not lazy. What have you workaholic done for your country????? where is your worm directed?? You do not have to pass thru the “lazy Government” but what have you done lately???? criticising and parlering????? Jalouing???? Hating?????? envying????? Not sleeping and looking to see what negative you can come up with????? Have mercy on them.
I wish to thank the Japanese not only for the donation but for making the delivery in Dominica and publicly. We all saw a picture of the same lady receiving on behalf of charitable organizations, a donation of US $10,000 on foreign soil approximately a year ago, and to this day no one has been able to tell Dominicans which organization received the money.
First the good news and thanks. Then the bad news, criticisms and insults. Not so good nationals.
When will those of you, live and let live and cease bringing up stale news which do nothing good and is not constructive?
Stale news and insults eh, Mr. Lennox Linton is a senior citizen, every week, Laborites remind us that he is a bully and was expelled from school when he was in form three. Face the facts, please read the face book page of Delvin Castro and tell us whose picture is big and broad in red and followed by pictures of Mr. Linton.
So something happened over a year ago and it’s “stale news” but to this day over 15 years ago, UWP was accused of corruption and it is still the main reason why you guys keep voting these wicked people in office. Stale news? How convenient it is to sit in ignorance each day and beg for crumbs from massa table. Smh. This is beyond ridiculous right now.
This amount was only announced because it is coming from Japan and they know japanese government is very transparent and will follow up. Because of that it is announced BEFORE it is received, I wonder what amount was received and pocketed by those BIG RATS in the house?
How much have we received altogether?
Thank you Japan but as long as this wicked administration remains in power I can guarantee you no equipment will be able to shield us from destruction.
ありがとう
Is better they just give us the equipment because when you give them check sometimes you never know what they do with it.
I agree they should have given us the equipment instead.