The Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA) applauds the Government’s indication that it will tackle poor environmental practices, as expressed in recent comments by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit at a press conference on the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program. The Prime Minister stated firmly his intention to reform waste disposal and
The Prime Minister stated firmly his intention to reform waste disposal and littering, and also called for vigilance with environmental practices including the elimination of Styrofoam containers and plastic bags, and additional penalties for poor garbage disposal by residents and business.
“The DHTA is in full support of all initiatives that move the destination closer to a zero-tolerance approach regarding poor environmental practices,” says Stephanie Astaphan, DHTA Executive Vice President. “We further encourage recycling, composting and other environmentally conscious waste management practices. The cleanliness of the country, and the capital city Roseau in particular, is essential to Dominica’s tourism product integrity.”
“The Prime Minister’s suggestions to strengthen the enforcement of best practices are a step in the right direction toward a clean and green nature island,” says Gregor Nassief, DHTA President. “Key areas of implementation suggested by the Prime Minister, including the placement of wardens and the establishment of a night court, will receive the full cooperation of the Association. We look forward to concrete actions in the very near future”.
DHTA embraces the Government’s commitment in this regard and urges the administration to consider a more comprehensive approach to the issue of littering. The Association believes that waste management reform must include attention to other systemic pollution issues including electronic and industrial waste management, and abandonment and dumping of vehicles and parts, which pose vector management risks. There is also the issue of human and animal waste being carelessly disposed in our rivers and marine eco systems, posing significant health risks.
The Government’s indication to tackle these issues is welcomed by the DHTA and will further the national agenda of proving Dominica as the premier eco-tourism destination and the Nature Island of the Caribbean.
why allu doh go posse and try that. posse is the most filthy place in dominica… the amount of plastic bottle, styrofoam and rubbish along the seashore, it is alarming… if allu want to police garbage disposal start in portsmouth, the tourist village of dominica
That DHTA just a mouthpiece for Ministry of Tourism and Skerrit pretending everyhting is rosy but it is not. Town still like a dungheap, smelling after human waste all over the place. Fix that and then come and talk.
So what is the DHTA doing except their a..kissing words program. They should do something. It is action time. They can start by working with hospitality stake holders on waste disposal and recycling.
Banning desposables without substitute is stupid. When you ban all this material what are you going to put or use in their place.
What we need are waste disposal and recycling projects. There are many governments and international organization willing to help with technical assistance.
They would be willing to develop these programs. We just have to ask.
What is DHTA? A Cheer Leader for Skerrit? So many issues to comment on, this is what DHTA choose. Why won’t DHTA applaud Skerrit for purchasing DCP or for the Baroness sending Dominicans to suck salt.
I hope the Pm is serious when he made thAT STATEMENT . Dominica is like talk shop . To much talk and no action. Dominica have a Litter laws to protect the evviornment or surrounding why is the police not enforcing the laws . I need th Police commissioner and the minsiter responsibkle responsible to give us the citizen answers. Only is this country laws are pass and it is just no enforce. WHy ? Something is radically wrong with our system or the eople resposible to police tyhe system. We need proactive government to take serious action .
You cannot fine home owners for putting their garbage out and then no truck comes to collect for 2 weeks. This is happening all over. You have to leave the garbage out because you never know when they might collect. So first of all get a proper collection system in place to show you mean business, THEN fine the violations. Many people support the ban of styrofoam and plastic bags, it has been done all over why not in the Nature Island?
I do not believe that DHTA’s pronouncements are reflective of the private sector’s take on the PM’s intention to consider banning the importation of Styrofoam products into Dominica. You see, it is not the private sector who litters Roseau. I see countless paper cups and blow mould bottles littering the streets too. So, do we also support banning plastic bottles and paper cups? Dominica has to meet and plan a refuse disposal system which works. Stray dogs and rodents help distribute garbage all over the city; improper garbage disposal by homes and businesses creates eye-sores; opened trucks collecting garbage for transportation to landfills contribute to littering; the garbage collection system has failed; inadequate garbage collection bins for public use continues unabated; these are just some of the challenges we MUST address before talking about imposing a ban on certain products. The solid waste corp is not funded adequately, though the 1.5% surcharge imposed on imorts…
that DHTA again! before the PM say something they jump to support blindly – remember one member distancing themselves from a recent pronouncement like all you doesn’t learn. it will involve a lot more than just banning items – if such would be the case just ban everything because I see fridge, stove, car , bottle, plate, garcon only name being dumped all over the place – so ban for ban just ban everything!! what a Dominica .
Vegnag…….Your ending with “what a Dominica” is pretty apt, but let us not condemn the whole nation for the stupidity of a few. Trying to seduce the PM with flattery is just one way by which the DHTA are hiding their incompetence. They and the Tourist Board demonstrate a behavioral partan with words and not action. The PM should not even have to talk on this. He should be being brieft on action taken by the Local governments and those BOARDS. These doing nothing organizations are not worth their existence.
Why does the PM have to do everything?
haha, it even have boat by de road to throw
I applaud that too but hope it is not just words but action because so far this cruise season I regrettably don’t see anything done to clean the town and its smell or tackle the paro problem. We shall see. If it is real we should see the number of cruise ship arrivals increase next year but if not…….? The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Talk about kissing rears, they have not done anything yet u can at least wait for results.