On Monday, October 8, 2019, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit received the Letters of Credence of the new UNDP Representative for Barbados and the OECS, Magdy Martinez Soliman. Martinez was accompanied by the new Head of UNDP’s Office in Dominica, Luis Francisco Thais.
Dominica hosts the single-largest programme of UNDP in the Eastern Caribbean, focused on the blue economy, resilience-building, climate action and the ongoing recovery of health, education and housing infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017. UNDP’s programmes have been supported by China, India, the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union, in addition to Denmark, Romania, New Zealand and Japan.
Prime Minister Skerrit emphasized during the courtesy call the long-standing relationship between Dominica and UNDP, going back to 2002 when the United Nations Development Programme helped the country in finding policy options within the stringent conditions of the then structural adjustment. Fast forward, UNDP was the first responder of the UN after Hurricane Maria hit in 2017, and has been one of the prime recovery partners of Dominica, on the road to becoming the first climate-resilient nation on the planet.
The Prime Minister encouraged UNDP senior officials to provide technical assistance on housing, undertake a review of public expenditure containment and continue supporting the recovery of educational infrastructure, notably Salisbury and the Dominica State College. The Government and UNDP have been in promising conversations with diplomatic representatives of the People’s Republic of China in this regard.
Following the private audience, the Prime Minister presided over a meeting of his Cabinet with the UNDP Representatives, which was then handed over for the Foreign Minister, the Hon. Francine Baron, to Chair. Cabinet Ministers debated several projects with the international guests including PAYS (the Portsmouth Association of Yachting Services) – which receives UNDP support – Kalinago community assistance and, economic management of public revenue and recovery.
Martinez Soliman had met earlier in the morning with the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Lennox Linton, at the House of Assembly, and will have encounters throughout his mission with the Resident Judge of the High Court and the Ambassadors of Cuba and Venezuela. Bilateral meetings are also scheduled with the Minister for Planning and Economic Development; the Minister of Education and Human Resource Development; the Minister for Environment, Climate Resilience, Disaster Management and Urban Renewal; the Minister for Kalinago Affairs and the Minister for Justice, Immigration and National Security.
Soliman will leave the country after having visited the Kalinago territory and met the Kalinago Council. The UNDP Head hosted a press conference for main media representatives and a discussion with local Civil Society Organisations, including the Dominican Association for Persons with Disabilities and the National Youth Council of Dominica, among others.
Tell Mr. Skerrit, Phillip Timothy said to give us our money and give us electoral reform or we will make it rain.
I hope he asked Skerrit what he did with our $1.2 billion dollars that missing
Linton and his bunch iof UWP LAZY IDOTS should tell SOLIMAN,do not help DOMINICA,because SKERRIT committting CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY..After the next election we are going to CHARGE LINTON and others for CONSPIRING WITH OTHERS BOTH HERE AND ABROAD TO OVERTHROW,THE LAWFULLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA.We will also file a COMPLAINT to HOMELAND SECURITY against GABRIEL CHRISTIAN.
President Trump is that you? you’re a little far from Twitter.
Dr. Lennox LInton?Salisbury state college?
I hope that right can be done my country. For too long things have been all talk, no action. Money wasted on bribery and corruption.
When is INTERPOL and the FBI going to make a visit to yours truly the PM and self appointed minister of finance and put him under a bright light and ask him questions about the missing money?
FBI already knows whats going on PLUS ,, THEY just waiting for the right time oh and including the MI6 in UK.. don’t ever think for one second this Island is not under high Surveillance.. (all the intelligence agencies know). Dominica is a small place n people doens’t really open their minds to certain things so if they hear about MI6 and FBI coming for man here that seems like a movie or some fake stuff
but for real if ever you interfere with the international players yes, you are indeed going to be under watch people dont even know how bad them guys want to crack D/CA PM like a Can of worms and turn him into a snitch
cause he does know alot ..
DNO, since when this honourable DOCTORATE YOU BESTOWED on Lennox Linton was achieved/attained?
Is it a doctorate in ARROGANCE and IGNORANCE or being a NOVICE?
(…..”Honourable leader of the Opposition, Dr. Lennox Linton,..”…..wow….
ADMIN: It was an error in the press release it has been corrected.
I don’t think Lennox would accept a doctorate that he did not work hard for as compared to those who accept Doctorates without putting the hard work and burning the midnight oil. This is where ARROGANCE and IGNORANCE truly lies.