The Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA) and the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) condemn any illegal actions associated with the protest that took place in Salisbury on Thursday, June 11, 2015.
Disruptive actions, such as roadblocks, pose a serious challenge to the economic activity of the country. The major highways, particularly the E.O. Leblanc Highway, serve as the main conduit for conducting business and for commuting to and from work and school for a large segment of our population.
The roads affected by the protest action are directly linked to the capital Roseau and interrupted services resulting from roadblocks undermine commerce. The trickle-down effects are far reaching and can impact air and sea access, access to medical care, and access to emergency services, among other important sectors.
Tourism is one of the main drivers of Dominica’s economy. The image we present, to visitors already on island and to those considering a stay here, has to be the best of who we are as a nation. Instances of unrest cause panic among our guests, and are major deterrents for foreigners who plan to visit Dominica in the near future.
The parties involved should consider the damage done to our many industries, which provide employment to our citizens. Further, the image of an “unsafe and unstable Dominica” can drive away foreign investment, much needed for the nation’s economic development.
We urge all Dominicans to act in a manner that demonstrates calm and mutual respect, and to respect the laws of the nation in the pursuit of their goals. Moreover, we urge the parties directly involved, the Government, our farmers, and the community of Salisbury, to refrain from violent or disruptive actions and to seek peaceful alternatives to resolve the matters driving these actions.
The DHTA and DAIC are willing and ready to serve in any appropriate capacity to facilitate amicable resolutions to these conflicts and to maintain order and peace to Dominica.
The wages of sin is death. Remember that, all you people who took free flights to Dominica last December and went down back home to vote and put your own families in bondage.
Fire will burn you,for you will try to run but won’t be able to hide.
Please DHTA/DAIC this terrible event could have been nipped in the bud if on the 11th May 2015 at 8am the
political directorate had been more mature and responsible and accede to the Salisbury residents request for a hearing.It would have been more constructive to call for an inquiry into this tragic episode so that we could all learn from the mistakes made and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
In my opinion if you are so concerned about this poor image of dominica such a call would be more constructive and help portray this “nature Isle” as a place where organisations such as yours are fair balanced and principled.
Of course blocking the public high way is illegal but so is pissing in the street of Roseau but apartheid in SAfrica was legal! The DLP blocked the boulevard when they had their election campaign and inconvenienced a lot of people. Was that legal?
In any case, whoever wrote that ambiguous letter on behalf of the DHTA and the DAIC, now you know what if feels like when your livelihood is threatened because a public road is blocked, makes no difference whether is is through government neglect of maintenance or barricading it to draw attention to the farmers’ plight. Doctrine of necessity anyone??
The Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association is an affront for corruption and injustice. I heard nothing from them on a myriad of issues affecting the country such as; rampant child abuse, cold-blooded killers walking free and a lax judicial system, not to mention, an ineffective Roseau City Council. All these issues affect our tourism product. The Tourism Association is nothing more than the Roseau Bourgeoisie class protecting their selfish interest as usual. The Salisbury people need to continue fighting for justice.
It’s unfortunate that farmers had to stage protest action so that their voices could be heard. This is a prime example of our priorities being in the wrong place. This road has been deplorable for decades. Why would you not want to build infrastructure so that citizens can remain independent and create their own livelihoods?
hypocrite, greedy and selfish group of people! Only care about themselves but then again that the nom in Dominica right now!
The DAIC of today is not like the one of the past whose members were genuinely interested in the economic development of Dominica, especially Roseau where the majority of the businesses were located. These people would approach government with problem solving matters , Roseau was good things were moving but times changed people died, and some migrated and those that stayed lacked vision to continue what their parents started,businesses failed and so those who got what their parents had even though they went to school had to lean on others for help. You see the DAIC and DHTA is just the same they lean on govt to line their pockets cause they have no vision. They are like children who copy on another child, and then the child erases the answer and put the correct one only to find their answer was wrong. So you see DAIC you have it all wrong. When you stand for the people you will be making more money. Think about that. If we do not work we cannot shop.
as long as the leader of Isis is the party president it will never have peace. ..arrest them all
One man took on his own to write this statement. The same people who told us agriculture is a has been industry while they glad the country with imported junk food.
Where were their voices when Charless Saverin ca for the boycotting of Breeze Mart.
Karma don’t like ugly.
What a load of hypocritical craP!
I did not hear the DHTA or the DAIC ” condemn the illegal actions” of the electoral commission or the ILLEGAL Labour Party government we have in this country.
dhta &; daic can go to hell. its not our damn business weather u make money or not
So why one man controlling two main organisations?
that is the whole idea behind the protest to cause maximum disruption its is only then you get results . the world over its the same in the UK when transport for London stages a protest the whole country is brought to its knees traffic and commerce bear the brunt but by god the are listened too so in Dominica it should be no different in 1979 the disruption lasted 48 days i was seven years old and have a vague memory of events ask the president about the effect ask Patrick john about the effect of the protest
Where are these guys when their voices are really needed.The economy is not about merchants selling fry chicken,imported processed foods, cars,parts. The farmers should be the most vibrant part of the economy.
The farmers need to have their businesses working.
what about the wanton sale of our passports. Right on line for everyone to see a Iranian base company is lying about investments in Dominica that is blatantly dishonest.
A Jamaican artist and his team were totally mis treated where is a statement from the DHTA. The Aussies were robbed no statemention from these brown nose passport selling people.
DHDA and DAIC I stayed in D.A. for 10yrs. worse things happeneed in D.A. I never heard your voices You guys are loyal to Skerrit not to DOMINICA. you guys have been bought like all other agencies in D.A. Shame on you all.
hahhaahahhahahaahhaahhahahaah such comedy in the nature isle is sure to attract more tourists;
The parties involved should consider the damage done to our many industries, which provide employment to our citizens. Further, the image of an “unsafe and unstable Dominica” can drive away foreign investment, much needed for the nation’s economic development.
Are u for real? What damage was done.go ask the president how much damage he did in 1979.the whole island was closed down.no school .all school close .no stores open/ nada .ask the president .he knows how to get it done .i think the Salisbury people shoul talk to the president so he can tell them how best to protest. .hedid not strike .went to school every day .and remember that was not the first one that savarin did .any one remember Daniel who worked at DBS.there was a strike for him too because he got fired.i didn’t get paid for that strike and after that I say I not striking when the now president call any strike again
DAIC and DHTA, you people are, as far as I can see you people only concern about your money and care less about the struggling people, demonstration do take place on street/roads, not in houses, motels, hotels ect, all over the world when people demonstrate they do take to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the government, police, etc, people have to express their constitutional rights, read The Human Rights Code, the people’s rights are being violated, people cannot be punished or threatened with punishment for exercising their rights in a peaceful demonstration, the videos
pictures a here the police officer provoked the people with the chain saw what about that all this happened because of the government not listening to the people’s plea to repair the roads leading to their place of employment which is a violation under The Human Rights Guidelines/Codes. Police officers in Dominica
need to familiar…
DHTA and DAIC, what about the use of expired tear gas? What about the indiscriminate use of said tear gas,including on residential streets and farms? What about the firing of live ammo among people?what about the elderly lady whose house was shot with live bullets no less than 17 times by the police?
All you damned hyprocrite! No wonder Skerrit and his cabal are increasingly becoming emboldened to act undemocratically and with no accountability. Why don’t you two speak about the lack of accountability re the Economic Citizenship Programme? Why don’t you comment on the failure of the Government to deliver on major projects despite repeated promises and new timelines for commencement?
WOW DHTA/DAIC I am amazed at your rapid response to the protest action of the people whilst you all took a week to respond to the incident which directly relates to you as it relates to the attack on the Australian. You all could not come and condemn the inaction of the police in providing security for the visitors but you have to show your political face trying to condemn the people for standing for their rights and their livelihood. I am certain if for 15 years access into Dominica was an issue you would protest, but because is people from Salisbury all you have an issue with that.
Your statement is nonsensical and utterly biased, Is not you all alone to make a living everyone have to do just that make a living in the country, so if you are preventing me from so doing don’t expect me to stay quiet.
I tell you DHTA/ DAIC just lost all respect from me, seriously?!? they have nothing to say about everything else…days before they say anything about the crickets hurt last week and they want to say something now. GO FIX THE ROADS SO WE CAN FEED OUR OWN.
It’s funny how the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association and the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce had nothing to say when the Australians were attacked, yet they can talk about protest actions in Salisbury.
Road Blocking are normal in Demonstration when people cannot take anymore the go to extremes to make their statements. It could have been worse. All the “Roman soldiers” and their chief are doing is flexing there muscles to intimidate and scare away people but there the coward ones.
Some of the Roman Soldiers and there chiefs may have been to young to know about the resolve of the Dominican People in pass years.
When Dominicans Have had enough they have Had enough and this it according to Dominicans at home and abroad. Cant they see that. The Roman Soldiers will have to kill every Dominican to Survive that that is impossible.
Blocking the road is “ILLIGAL” there is absolutely no justification for such behavior, why can’t they stand on the road side with their signs, or walk through the streets of Roseau. Anyone caught, should be arrested, I support the police 100%.
What they cannot take? They are too fortunate and lack appreciation. Ungrateful people who also lack patience.
All the so called drivers mentioned are already being driven away by poor management of our economy. People want to be heard and understood so any protest must be far reaching. The attention brought to our shores may just be what we need to be driven in the right direction
Brethen, you can’t try like …. to get people out of their jobs and not be able to feed their families and expect peace. I do like the choice of words though. “illegal actions associated” – that include using expired tear gas?
Send the statement to Charles Saverin, Lennox Lawrence, Father Thomas
Please!!!!!!!!!