Insisting that “enough is enough” a group of individuals representing political parties, the private sector, religious and civil society organizations, have joined forces to commence planned actions to bring about the desired results for good and accountable governance.
Speaking during a press conference held on March 28 2022, Chairman of the National Joint Action Movement (NJAM) Kent Vital, said the event was the beginning of a series of engagements that will be held by the group who have dubbed themselves “We The People”, during the upcoming weeks starting today, Mar 29.
According to Vital, the country has been corruptly governed for the past two decades, therefore, effective immediately, “We The People ” are launching a sustainable campaign to mobilize the population until they achieve the desired results.
Highlighting some of the injustices that he says the Dominican people have had to endure since the Roosevelt Skerrit-led administration took office in 2000, Vital declared that the most recent “shenanigan” which involved the signing of diplomatic relations between Dominica and Syria, must be the last.
As such, the group has made five demands which include the termination of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, as well as an improved process for the approval of the establishment of diplomatic relations which includes the debating of all future diplomatic relations in Parliament.
Third on the agenda of demands, is the long-awaited electoral report from Sir Denis Byron.
“If it is to be credible, this report cannot vary considerably from what was recommended through the joint OAS, Commonwealth, CARICOM report on electoral reforms that was commissioned by the same government, but was not implemented ahead of the 2019 elections, simply because it would not have given them the advantage that they wanted,” the chairman of NJAM said.
“So now, we demand that Sir Byron’s report be shared with the public as soon as it is finalized and made available to the government. This is to allow the people to have sufficient time to determine how reasonable this report is. We demand that there be no mad rush to parliament with any electoral reforms that are corrupt,” he added.
Given the economic situation which Dominica is faced with, We The People are demanding that all Citizenship By Investment (CBI) monies that have allegedly been placed illegally outside of Dominica, be returned to Dominica.
The team is also calling on the President of Dominica to launch a commission of inquiry into the missing CBI funds or the whereabouts of the funds which they believe have been placed illegally in foreign accounts.
Their fifth and final demand is that the government consider the upcoming challenges which the country may face concerning the impact of the Russian war on Ukraine, and provide adequate support to the people to prevent “undue damage” to the economy and to safeguard the well being of the people.
“This could start with the government reducing or at least capping, its take on taxes on fuel which is a significant part of the price of fuel,” Vital said. “This will be of real benefit to the people and the government should be in a position to do so by using CBI funds that have already been approved by Dominica and deposited in foreign accounts.”
Leader of the parliamentary opposition, Lennox Linton, holds the view that over the years the people have been reluctant to exercise their authority over those who are in power.
“What has happened, especially in the last 22 years of our journey as an independent nation, is that the power of the people transferred to the government to run the affairs of state, has been abused, misused against the best interests of the people,” he said.
Linton, “fed up” with the lack of change in Dominica’s electoral process as well as what he says is the dreadful practice of selling the citizenship of Dominica and keeping those billions under foreign control or the private friends of those who have been entrusted with the power to run the affairs of Dominica, called for collective action from the citizens.
The Opposition Leader stressed that the change which many long for will not happen if the people who are in control of the government responsible for that “horrendous practice” do not accept their responsibility over that government.
“And so, as we’ve said, it is not enough for us to sit by and watch it happen. No country around the world thrives or develops or gets to where it wants to go without active participation of its citizens. Its citizens cannot sit by and watch a government do what it wants against the best wishes and intentions of the people and expect that it is going to go anywhere,” Linton stated. “And that is why we are pleased today to be standing with other organizations responsible for the development of the country. It’s not only about political parties; it’s not only about those who will end up in government.”
According to the UWP leader, one single organization – the civil society, private sector, church-based organization, or a political party – acting on their own, is not going to save Dominica as this can only be achieved by all individuals working together.
Earl Bruno, The Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM)’s representative at the press conference declared that by “binding our hearts and hands together,” Dominican citizens can move mountains and stressed that now is the opportune time for the people to recognize the need to restore democratic rights and principles and bring back “morals, ethics and dignity” to Dominica.
“Now is the time to make that necessary sacrifice to save your country,” Bruno stated. “We are calling on you the people of Dominica to take a page from Ukraine and to stand for your country, stand for Dominica. Let’s all do it together… Now is the time for the people of Dominica, from all walks of life, from all political spectrums, to come together and join the movement of ‘We the People’ to rescue Dominica and to protect our integrity, to protect our morals and to protect our constitution.”
Co-founder of Civic Vibes and social activist, Loftus Durand noted that Dominica and Dominicans have been at this “crossroad for much too long,” which he says has led to the nation’s peril and expressed solidarity with the calls made to join forces to “rescue our country Dominica.”
Chairman of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) Johnson Boston, another member of the “We The People” panel at the press conference, cautioned Dominicans here and abroad that their responsibility to ensure that the country is governed in the right direction and that the government governs, for “We The People,” irrespective of one’s politics, should not be ignored.
“Let us take the bull by the horn and save our country from where it is and put it in the right direction,” Boston urged. “Let us not remain absent and later on for us to say if I had known, I would have done something. We are not spectators in our own development; we are participants and therefore, it’s not for us to say who is doing this while we stand aside and look. We have to be part of the process.”
@Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque, thanks for bringing sense to the silly assertions of Bozo, the clown. I’m not even going to respond to the nonsense he posted because none of it makes sense except my age.
@Francisco, there’s lots of misleading people like you standing from afar just like Ugly Lenny, shouting out loud crap and lies about the greatest prime minister Skerrit, Dominican has ever had dont you agree?????
Wow! Kent cut his hair Cica better be careful he might get deputy Leader with the locks out. He had to cut his hair to be a UWP
Mr.DS,Jonathan Y St.Jean was born in March 1952.What is his age in 2022?He left Dominica more than 40 years ago with a degree in agriculture.Based on his date of birth we know he spent all his young and fruitful years working in and for a foreign country.We also know he has not contributed to the development of Dominica.That is why he and others like him are called prodigal sons.
Clown, how can you determine that someone has not contributed anything to Dominica simply because they left a long time ago?
Don’t you know that most of us who left Dominica, long ago are major contributors of money to our family living in Dominica?
Over the years, I am sure I may have contributed more financially into the country than people born there and never left. Clown there are people born in Dominica, die, never found employment, ever receive a pay cheque!
Some were fortunate that when the Banana industry was alive they made a living in that industry, however; many died broke never owning anything of significance.
Personally, I have people in Dominica I been supporting for years, old and young!
The last I did in 2020 is build a house for my sister, whom died last December after a bout with COVID-19, the house is now locked up standing there; so the money which bought materials, in Dominica, and pay to build it how you called that?
Contribution into the country…
Dominicans love their labor party. I have 1 thing to say. When all the damage is done I hope we remember that slerit didn’t and couldn’t do all this on his own. The blame lies on all of us for allowing such travesties to go unpunished. Democracy has died here. We must prepare to accept that and much worse Is to come.
Frank, nothing but puffs of souf keep coming from your leaders ballot box. I have enough of this mal vant you hear. It stinks. Let our people have some fresh air. Time for a spring clean.
Many times we here the term “enough is enough” in translation, or by definition simply means; no more will be tolerated!
That terminology I heard way back when I was a kid used by my grandmother, who was born January 1st 1890 and departed this life in 1990 at an age of 103 years old.
So, that a repetitive, in Dominica, however; the claims that a situation or thing will no longer be tolerated, will forever be an obstacle as long as nothing is done to cause the obstacle to be removed or cases to exist!
In Dominica, people cry everyday about living conditions, unemployment, police brutality, murder, and the poverty which overwhelms the nation; nevertheless, after of no more will be tolerated, no actions are taken to rid the nation of whatever will not be tolerated anymore.
We have a corrupted government in power; if that is one of the concerns, and there is no longer tolerance to this corruption; rather than just talk actions must be taken.
There should be no question in the mind of Dominicans, that the corrupted government; and my I say government Roosevelt Skerrit is Dominica’s, problem; and the only way to get rid of Roosevelt is either by a full blown insurrection, or a simple none violent general strike!
Usually a general strike in industrial places is a strike of workers in all or most industries; nevertheless, in Dominica, it should involved every civil servant, every grocery shops, the essential services such as hospitals, should remain open.
Once the strike commences, it should continue until Roosevelt and all his puppets in government resign with him; even Charles Savarin should go along with Roosevelt regime!
And by the way, Savarin knows plenty about General Strike; he was the organizer, instigator, and agitator of the 1979 general strike which lasted forty (40) days, and forty (40) nights in which he overthrew the late Patrick John; who was Prime Minister, and leader of his his own labor party.
@Francisco, there’s lots of misleading people like you standing from afar just like Ugly Lenny, shouting out loud crap and lies about the greatest prime minister Skerrit, Dominican has ever had dont you agree?????
Time to roll! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
We will remain focused until the mission is accomplished. Remember the 47 day strike? All my Ukrainian Booziis are ready just in case they take light. Tee-way-yoe Souplay!
Usual suspects. Same old BS. All bluster and no bite. Do these guys actually have real jobs to go to? You can tell that they were just waiting for Covid restrictions to be lifted in order to do what they do best (causing chaos). Ugly Lenny should realise by now that if he cannot win an election he can never become PM. His little Minions must be frustrated that they will forever remain in opposition as long as they keep following the loser. Skerrit should use some of that CBI money to expand Stockfarm prison to create more room for these insurrectionists.
You seem to have a problem when confronted with the truth so you withhold comments that point to your partiality in publishing what is obvious. I truly think that you are biased. Even Stevie Wonder can see it.
Not publishing my comments when I speak about it, doesn’t deter me from expressing this conviction that I hold. If I realise that you are fair, I will have no problem stating this.
ADMIN: “You seeem to have a problem when confronted with the truth…”
At this point we can make that same accusation about yourself. You have repeatedly expressed the sentiment that you effectively will not change your mind regardless of what we do once we do not gratify your views – we are not convinced you will even then.
You currently have the most approved comments on the forum (with over 5,600 approved comments) yet are quick to accuse us of bias when your comment is not published due to not meeting our comment policy.
We will remind you that the very first line of our comment policy states “We will delete comments that: ….are defamatory or harassing or include ad hominem attacks.”
We have responded in good faith to the majority of your questions and comments (and will do so where necessary) but we will also delete comments that devolve into harassment, ad hominem attacks or defamation because you did not favour the response you received.
The rules apply to everyone on this forum, including ourselves and including you Ibo. Also as a practical matter, we do not have the time to spend responding to each and everyone of your comments particularly your harassing statements or leading questions.
Link to our full comment policy: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/policies/#comment-policy
Definition of harassment:https://www.thefreedictionary.com/harassment
Definition of defamatory: https://www.thefreedictionary.com/defamatory
Definition of ad hominem: https://www.thefreedictionary.com/ad+hominem
Well said DNO let him have it this guy Ibo, is a spoilt little brat cry cry baby!!!
ADMIN: In fairness, we do not support your attack on Ibo but as individuals who hold opposing political views you both regularly exchange your fair share of barbs so we will allow you at least this comment.
We also want to make the point that we have deleted many of your comments as well that have violated our comment policy. We make the effort to apply the same standard to everyone regardless of their political views.
@DNO, point taken I have no arguement with your rules, but I hate snakes they are wicked and ugly.
DNO, I call it precisely how I see it. I truly think that your editors are biased. I am undeterred by your scurrilous attacks.
You will do the country much better if you investigate and bring to the fore the unaccounted CBI billions; the exact time for tax payers to be the relieved from the $74k monthly rent; starting date for geothermal energy; the precise date for the handing over of the new airport: etc.
I am not your adversary. I only point out your failings. Your news site just regurgitate verbatim whatever Skerrit and his pliable servants choose to put to bend the bend of the ignorant and the unsuspecting.
ADMIN: We call it as we see it as well.
We did not attack you nor is our factual description of your commenting behaviour in anyway scurrilous.
Definition of scurrilous from Meriam Webster: using or given to coarse language
b: vulgar and evil
2: containing obscenities, abuse, or slander
We believe rampant bias is a problem in our country. However, everyone has some level of bias that includes us, you and man bite dogs – but we also do not favour either of your political perspectives.
We believe that the best way to help our country is to move away from bias by objectively (as possible) reporting the news and by providing a free and open forum where everyone can engage in civil discourse about the news topics that have been raised.
I do not know why this Labour party government does not have a military arm.Every country except Dominica has laws against terrorists.
Clown you are right, Dominica has no laws against terrorists. That is why our government signed an agreement with the murderous regime in Syria. I mean, who in their right mind would do such a thing. Surely only a madman bro.
Wilfred, who in your own mind has or will take you seriously? I read this outdated script of yours which honestly said absolutely nothing of engagement, enlightenment to focus on the ongoing “Nonsensical ignoramus” which makes absolutely no meaningful thoughts nor is there any vision nor meaningful messages to our suffering people of Dominica under this Blind incompetent, immature Skerritt as Prime Minister, referred to as “Pappyshow” who Lacks Visionary and obviously blind and out of “meaningful development thoughts”,towards
the well needed, focussed. To abuse this Fake Red Clinic to buy the loyalty of our people, families, youths and the young suffering in need of the resources that their FAMILIES and Children will be well taken care of. We Welcome our Distinguished Experienced, Committed “Leader of the Opposition”, “HON. LINTON”.
Failed PRIME MINISTER “SCARE-IT” must get the HELL OUT of our GOVERNMENT ASAP. We Welcome as PRIME MINISTER our trusted UWP Leader, HON…
Which country that JACKA lawyer referring to as our country?It cannot be the country Labour built after Maria.It cannot the country that Ugly Lenny told the UN do not help. Traitors.
They did not want to build it,now they want to save something they did not even help to build.Dominica nice,hundreds of people with $250,000 and $300,000 houses.Chase those crazy traitors out of town.
You know the only party in history that had a military arm was the NSDAP in Hitlers Germany almost 90 years ago and the Russian Communist Party in the fifties and sixties. There are some other religious dictatorships, namely Iran, that have a regular army as well as the revolutionary guards who are de facto an internal army for the ruling religious elite.
Now, that’s what you want? I conclude in telling you, that you are a terrorist. Not only a clown but also a terrorist. You ought to be careful that your views don’t come to the attention of the US government and there law enforcement agency FBI. They will soon give you a few ‘lessons’ in how to treat proper terrorists. You are a clown for true just like your PM.
One significant issue which was not addressed by “enough is enough” is Skerritt vacating the $64,000 per month house bill he put on Dominican taxpayers during COVID-19. Skerritt promised that he would leave the expensive house in Morne Daniel and move into one which he was going to build in two years time. That time is at hand and the Treasury should no more pay for Skerritt and his family’s lavish lifestyle. Keep your eyes on the ball “we the people” and make him keep his word to the taxpayers of Dominca. I agree also with all the other objectives put forth.
Zor took say mem smh. My vote stay in my pocket. I vote for JESUS
Apparently, Mr. Linton and his group have learnt nothing after all this time. You are tired of the same old practices of the government but you preach the same old stories over and over that have gotten you no where. What are you offering to the people that will help them see a change? What policies are you preparing to make those changes a reality? What have you actually done as an opposition to actually address the needs and concerns of the people? What have you presented that is not different from what you have proposed before? For once, give the people something to hope for.
It’s a good move in the right direction that these organizations have seen it fit to come together to fight this scourge that for the last twenty two consecutive years have been destroying the social, moral and political fabric of Dominica.
What would further strengthen this patriotic movement is for the media, the entire business sector and the clergy to join this progressive movement. Changes don’t come willingly nor easily when a corrupt regime and selfish individuals are n power. They tend to hold on steadfastly at all cost to their ill-gotten gains.
Skerrit is going to fight ferociously like a tiger which is under attack, protecting her cubs. This is going to be a battle of attrition between good and evil. The good news is, no matter how long it takes, good always triumphs over evil. Mr. Skerrit your days are numbered.
UNITY is strength. United We Stand, Divided We Fall.
These guys remind me of circus clowns. The hair on their head turning grey and none has a good hair cut. The one whose hair was all corn rows, he cut his hair and now looks like monstabe. As for that Bruno, the last pet dog we had at home when we were little kids, his name was Bruno. As for Durand, well, he is no Tim Durand.
Bruno makes a deeply offensive statement comparing Dominica to Ukraine. Who in their right mind would support these self-serving idiots?
As I have always said before, they need to go and live in North Korea and they will find out what freedom is. Kim Jong Un would take very good care of them. We would not hear the end of these ugly idiots. They all look like masqueraders. As for Bruno, just looking at him I can deduce that he is an uneducated n……. These ugly guys are doing a disservice to their country.
Well, because Bruno spoke some crap, does not mean the other people involved are idiots you know.
This is why I keep saying most Dominicans don’t think before they talk!
This man might have heard Ukraine mentioned in some social media, and without knowing what he is talking about mentioned Ukraine, not knowing that the people of that country are literally fighting for the very life’s fighting the dictator Putin whose military, one of the strongest and most vicious in the world, bombing and killing innocent women and children as the day passes.
He does not know that parts of Ukraine historical cities are all reduced to rubble!
How can that be compared to Dominica?
Who should support Roosevelt Skerrit who established diplomatic relationship with Syria?
A set of losers who going and follow them nuh? You people are no example for people to follow you all. Wheel and come again.
If I were you ugly, insignificant guys, I would pull the bull by his penis and not his horns. You making hay while the sun shines, you making a mountain out of a molehill. It will not work. Skerrit has proved it over and over, that it does not work. Case in point – the Grandbay by-election. The people trashed handbag and voted in Vince Henderson. What I would like Skerrit to do is to run again in Vielle Case at the next general election and prove it again to you bastards. Don’t hang up your ties and dress shirts just yet, Skerrit. Give dem some more blows and show de nation your appreciation. Dominica is progressing and doing well. Put all the Chief Ministers, the Premiers, and the Prime Ministers together, you have done far better than all of them in terms of developing and moving Dominica forward. These guys are just amoebas and paramecia looking to put their hands on the CBI money to pay their debts. They look like hungry lions, and emaciated like their erstwhile friend, Ron…
This is a very clear call for natural Dominicans to take a stance against the atrocities committed by the current Regime, we all know that the madness has gone too far as over the years we’ve seen the blunders spill over into international embarrassment and of course the apparent gluttony on display by those who benefit directly from the pipe of Goodwill connected to the CBI passport sales.
Note also that there is a serious risk to the continuation of the CBI in it’s current form, this could spell dire days of suffering for the Dominican people. Shall we wait until the last passport is sold or the EU removes travel privileges for Dominicans before we the people command that this Government does the right thing?
The country has been severely politically polarized for too long and this is a call to Nationalism in order to save The Republic.
Let us take the bull by the horn and save our country from where it is and put it in the right direction! I agree 110%, Mr. Boston. Almost 20 years of this madness, of this corruption, of this wrong accounting, of these unfair election, of these wrongful persecution of opposition supporters, of this narcissistic behaviour… It has to stop and it has to stop right NOW!
” We the people” whom are we the people? ugly Lenny, Kent Vital, lighting up time 7pm tonight Durand, Bruno, and Boston what a lot calamity not one of these can cook a pot of soup,these comidians are a waste of time and so are their supporters on Q95 bowling and screaming about the prime minister, and the police that alone indicated to me PM Dr Skerrit and his administrations doing a dam good job for our Dominica, Dominica Labour party is blessed ugly Lenny, is a born loser keep him and his suck suckers out of Dominica’s CBI monies that is what they after.
It’s time to stand up for your country sir..
be a soldie. Join the forces to stop the ills and corrupted acts of this regime, led by Roosvelt Skerrit.
Good move, “We the People”
Not one of them look like or close to Maurice Bishop. They look like ghetto castaways and bums. Just look at the expressions on their face. It is a sad commentary. I don’t think they would look debonair in a dress tie and dress shirt. Put these suckers in office, they would have depleted the CBI cash tin.
You may well all be right, but you are arrogant to assume you are the people to ‘mobilize’ Dominicans. This is a parliamentary democracy. Change must come through the ballot box and last time I checked, you were all way off. Focus on doing better next time, focus on grass roots issues, and focus on getting yourselves elected, and then deal with all the corruption. This is absolutely not the correct way to go about things and people who may sympathize or even support you will be rapidly turned off by this display of arrogance.
These guys are hungry lions. They all look like Frankenstein riding on horseback. They trying to make Syria a circus show and have nothing to show for it except IBO France, Francisco, Jeys Fluid, Jonathan and company. With Lennox, the leopard or the cheater has never changed its colour and its looks. With Boston Johnson, he does not remind me of Johnson baby powder. They are all wash outs.
Change doesn’t always come through the ballot box. A corrupt electoral system prevents that from happening. Case in point: Belarus has the most unpopular president
at this point in time in power. He won the most recent election by 90+% of the votes. Corruption does that as in Dominica.
Your view is simplistic and highly flawed. With Bashar al-Assad as his bosom friend, where do you think the Despot of Roseau learnt his mastery of winning corrupt elections?
Because you know very well that the UWP wash outs cannot win by the ballot box. They have tried over and over but to no avail. Now, they want to resort to violence and anarchy. You all are useless vagabonds