Newly-elected Deputy Chairman of a “fine-tuned” National Joint Action Movement (NJAM) Severin McKenzie, said at the group’s public launch recently that it is not a political organisation.
Speaking during NJAM’s official launch on January 1, 2021, Mckenzie stressed that part of the reason for the birthing of the organization was the need for a paradigm shift from the political party culture in Dominica, which he says is “destroying the moral fabric of the nation, a vestige of our colonial past.”
“It would be a good challenge to seek an alternative method of governance, instead of this calculated mechanism of divisiveness that we inherited, where they claim we must have government and opposition and they have to be fighting each other,” he stated. “NJAM will not shy away from confronting political issues.”
He said another reason for the establishment of NJAM was to allow the young people to hope that the nature island still has a chance of creating the enabling environment for citizens to prosper.
“Whereas we recognize the political divide and the consequences that it is having on the development of the country. We recognize that one of Dominicans main problems is economics, and the inability of an increasing percentage of Dominicans to survive without degrading themselves to mendicancy syndrome,” Mckenzie stated.
“We witness a high level of political intolerance in Dominica today where many dissents, citizens have retreated into silence, a torturing silence that results into severe stress. We are experiencing a situation where persons are afraid to speak in fear of the abuse being reported to either side of the political tribes. And then they become subjects of ridicule, and in some cases, subjects of character assassination,” he added.
According to the deputy chairman, NJAM intends to create an avenue where Dominican citizens can regain their voice to communicate freely without any fear of being reported to the “powers that be” and that they are not deprived of their rights to employment opportunities, to housing, the benefits of the state or the necessities that they have a right to.
He says the organisation will be action-oriented, which will depend heavily on collaboration from the “few of us who are bold enough today to take that quantum leap forward.”
Newly-elected Secretary of NJAM lawyer John Elue Charles also attributes the formation of the group which comprises individuals who reside in and outside of Dominica, to the occurrence of certain national events that resulted in “economic, social and political turmoil on island.”
He is of the view that such actions placed the health education, business and economic future of many Dominicans at risk.
He says NJAM intends to become the leading voice in Dominica for the advancement and promotion of the country’s interests in pursuit of the development objectives of the state.
“The group seeks to operate as a unified national voice. We are concerned about the fragmentation and the division within our society for one reason or another and is seeking to address the burning issues and to hold our elected representatives accountable for the management of the state resources with a view of promoting and sustainable development, good governance, and thereby seeking to prevent the erosion of our electoral and constitutional democracy,” Charles declared.
According to Charles, NJAM which was established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and associated bylaws, will focus strongly on the development of individuals, in particular the youth, and will be action-oriented, interfacing with the key institutions of the state and the functionaries as well as major civic institutions, to include faith-based organisations.
The group also intends to engage in activities that will seek to ensure that the government of Dominica implements good public debt management policies, develops, applies and adheres to fiscally responsible policies and enacts good modern laws, including modern electoral laws, according to Charles.
Another of the movement’s aims is to ensure that the government and the citizens develop a better understanding of the principles of electoral and constitutional democracy, including the rule of law and some of the democratic principles that are reflected in the constitution of Dominica.
NJAM’s plans also include the development of the environment, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism sectors, and to research and address the economic empowerment of citizens and generally the safety of workers and human resource development, with a special emphasis on the development of skills and the movement of community nationals within the OECS and within CARICOM, Charles highlighted.
The new and first substantive executive of NJAM comprises Chairperson: Economist Kent Vital, Deputy Chairperson: Architect Severin McKenzie, Secretary: Lawyer John Elue Charles, Treasurer: Engineer Anthony E. Le Blanc, and Public Relations Officer: Small Business Owner and Social and Community Activist, Loftus Durand.
Four other executive members were elected as follows: Regional Consultant on Education Innovations, Project Management and Strategic Planning – David Edwards, Small Business Owner – Paula Celestine; Former Superintendent of Police – Nicholas George, and Contractor and Social Activist – Earl Bruno.
Mr.Eagle,this bunch of failed,disgruntled and greedy politicians CANNOT remove DLP by the ballot.If they try an overthrow we LABOURITES have a master plan,that we are ready to put into action.After hurricaneMaria these traitors disappeared from Dominica and,left the island for Labourites to rebuild,and they did so successfully.The PRODIGAL SONS want to live off the blood,sweat and tears of Labourites.
Mr.Eagle, these bunch of disgruntled,greedy UWP rejects will NEVER fool Dominicans.Just imagine Earl BABIE DOLL Bruno is a member of NJAM.When we were rebuilding Dominica after Maria,where was NJAM?Now Dominica is moving on,the PRODIGALS are talking.This political party should be designated a TERRORIST organization.I have never heard them talk about the $250,000 and $300,000 houses and apartments given to thousands of Dominicans free.
Fine looking people who are very much concerned about the situation their country is in, and has been in since this GOOD FOR NOTHING labor party took over. I wish the well. We want them to unite and stay the course. Because we poor Dominicans are longing for a change. I should add also, that there should be a fundraising drive to support this movement with a goal of $50, 000,000.00 and subsequent financial support. We have to “TREAT” ourselves.
Garçan doh come half@$$ if allyou coming to challenge the current political concepts at Dominica, just say so nuh and just do it cause it’s well worth the efforts,,,
What RastarMarn finds a little odd is how similar allyou organization Name is to that political wing currently established at Trinidad,,,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Joint_Action_Committee
If allyou claim to be for the people why don’t allyou make allyou MOU and Letters of organization open to the public to prove your stance of transparency nuh,,,
One thing is: RastarMarn thinks All Lawyers’ first allegiance is to the Bar for which they are associated with or to, so to be headed by One is a little skeptical to begin with,,,
Good move though lets see how this turns out but first, lets see that MOU allyou talking about,,,
Alex Bruno was not unvited?
Every thing Alex Bruno touches turns to coal dust. Mr. Bruno is not interested in social nor political activism. He is completely obsessed with political power. Keep Alex Bruno light years away from NJAM.
If you all were iliterate as I am..u should have known politics means to be concern…a word is not a word but what it means….be concern.. politics means to be concern…are you concern?
McKenzie and his lot really taking Dominicans for fools. He put together a bunch of failed politicians, disgruntled business men and a mixed bag of agitators all usual suspects aimed at sowing social discord and bringing down the democratically elected government and halting the progress of this country for their own selfish means. Yet he’s trying to convince Dominicans that his group is non-political. He should continue saying this to himself. Maybe one day he might actually believe it. If McKenzie really interested in the betterment of Dominicans, he can start by reopening his toilet paper business (which has been dormant for the past four years since hurricane Maria) and provide some employment for Dominicans.
All wannabe / failed politicians . However DLP isnt doing anything for Dominicans
why not invite the youth to become more interested in these “organizations” . Its also interesting to that with all these “scholarships” given by the DLP and not 1 of these students looking for a degree in political science ???
Are you one like Crazy Coconut who got $500 000 from the corrupt leader and has not repaid a cent? Did that seal your complete loyalty to him?
You come across as being very myopic, ignorant and intellectually challenged.
He/she is totally unhinged.
What progress in this country are you referring to? Insanity!
F#1- Dominica is the least developed of all its OECS counterparts
Fact#2- Corruption is more rampant in Dominica than anywhere in the Eastern Caribbean
Fact#3- Dominica has the highest percentage of citizens living in destitution
Fact#4- Dominica’s national debt is among the highest in the world per capita
Fact#5- The country can’t even host any international cricket, athlectic , night football tournament nor developmental training due to lack of facilities.
Fact#6- Unemployment in Dominica is the highest ever.
Fact#7- 98% of public servants live from pay cheque to pay cheque ( hand to mouth)
Life in Dominica is a living nightmare. Wages, standard of living, rule of law. happiness, healthy lifestyle sadly lacking.
Poverty, deprivation, dispossession, hunger, suffering, police brutality, victimization, injustice, depression, hopelessness all on a high.
The members of the executive committee, of NJAM MUST be highly commended. They aren’t doing this for money nor praise nor any personal gain but for the good they can do for their country.
The regime’s best spin doctors and most loyal diehards will spin this apolitical group as if it’s affiliated to the opposition. Nothing is further from the truth. These people see themselves as civic minded citizens who feel obligated to come forward and save their country from the jaws of a dictator.
All members of the excutive live fairly quiet and comfortable lives. They could have sat back and allow their country to continue to disintigrate into ruins Bravo to them.
Papa Met, look UWP rejects and operative. Musper same S… different day! Don’t worry that’s another brand of the wackiest boys club.
Are these the disgruntled members of the UWP, Freedom and Labor parties? (So called Left Wing or Breakaways) I bet you there is a party in the works.