Cabinet of ministers to be sworn in on Monday

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit

The swearing- in of ministers and parliamentary secretaries of the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica following the December 18th 2009 General Elections will take place on Monday, January 4th 2010.

The Administration of the Oath of Office will be administered by the President of Dominica, His Excellency, Dr. Nicholas Liverpool, D.A.H., O.C.C.

The magnificent Windsor Park Stadium will be the venue for the most keenly anticipated event of the New Year. The ceremony will begin at 4:00 pm.

Recently sworn in Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Alix Boyd Knights, representatives of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps as well as scores of local and foreign dignitaries will be attendance at what is expected to be a glittering occasion.

Members of the general public are also invited to witness the swearing-in of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Monday January 4, 2010 will be declared a public holiday by His Excellency the President. (GIS press release)

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

59 Comments

  1. CamBoypho
    February 15, 2011

    I would like to know where did you get this?

  2. August 11, 2010

    What good luck!

  3. Workers.
    January 22, 2010

    I THINK WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE POLE. LET PLAY B Y THE RULE AND SEE IF DOMINICANS REALLY LIKE THAT PM, CAUSE HONESTLY I DONT THINK THEY DO.

  4. RACHEL GEORGE
    January 6, 2010

    WHEN I GET AGE IS LABOUR POWER ALL THE WAY.HAVE YOU HEARD OF A LITTLE BOY HIS NAME IS CORDELLE… HE SAYS THAT SKEERIT IS A GOOD MAN HE WILL TAKE DOMINICA TO THE NEXT LEVEL.AND WE GROW UP HE SAYS HE WANT TO BE A POLITITION THISD LITTLE BOY ….

  5. Divina
    January 4, 2010

    anyhoo, who’s playing after the ceremony?

  6. welcome
    December 30, 2009

    People The president is a Skerrit implant-

  7. zengleden
    December 30, 2009

    Holiday to pray and enjoy the year. whatever it brings enjoy! Al will be well as usual and everyone will have a nice time. happy holiday. Only in Dominica folks can use God’s name across the border for anything and with anything!

  8. December 30, 2009

    All you dominicans not easy nuh,all you doh tired cry for nothing?who bit all you all you crying soo?The time will come when all dat will stop,skerro ur in charge do ur ting.

  9. Power to the People
    December 30, 2009

    Who blue vex, get lost. Monday 4th January will be a holiday. We the people deserve it.

  10. December 30, 2009

    DIASPORAN you all must really think before you make comments because its not only Dominicans reading this comments. There were no illegal voters, and if you were in Dominica to vote it wasn’t through Labour. You voted for de opposition and it was a losing vote
    because you would not write what you wrote there. You did not vote labour so you don’t deserve the the holiday.
    You all must remember that every polling station is filled with party agents, everybody that comes to the polling station could be honestly identified by an agent, so there was no one who voted illegally.
    Get out of the hate, it is still in the season of loving.
    If you are not contended with the govenment sorry but you have to accept it and live with it for the next 5 years.
    Humble yourself

  11. cubbie
    December 30, 2009

    Dominicans needs to think wiser that the way they do. I followed the campaign season and with all that took place I waited a the president to make a comment and he fail to do so. Now he have declared a hloiday to signin ministers to a ministry.wat is goin on in this country. Wats really goin on

  12. December 30, 2009

    Lionpaw at list you have some common scene,its been happening ever since DFP,WORKERS…….so why because DLP called it its an issue? People stop de politicing and lets move on!!!!!

  13. December 30, 2009

    Hello Soufriere Consistuency and the other folks

    Why all the hate. Look at how the Christmas and New Year Holidays fell. Do you know that after New Years that there is always Merchant Holiday – All the Merchant/commercial places closed down. The Government offfices and other offices always open. Boxing Day fell on a Saturday. So actually there was not a real holiday since both Christmas and New Years fell on a Friday (FYI those 2 days (Christmas and New Years) always every year fall on the same day). So a holiday on Monday would just cover the 2 days holiday that was not for some persons – remember boxing day was on Saturday and also the Merchant holiday would be on Saturday as well. So putting commonsence together – Saturdays are both 1/2 days for most comercial places (with the exception of a few Supermarkets HHV, Asta). Remember office persons don’t actually work on a Saturday. In some other Islands when the holiday falls on a Saturday as this was the case this year, the holiday was given on the following Monday. So the Monday Public Holiday will actually take into account the 2 1/2 Saturdays and the Monday – Friday staff will enjoy the christmas “Boxing Day” holiday which was celebrated on Saturday (Usually they are home on Saturday). So this is a plus for the Saturday Comercial Employees who work Saturdays every week unlike their counterpart the office staff.

    So take note and try to be objective when analysing situation and don’t think negative because you did not support the Labour Party.

    On another note we will all converge on the Windsor Park Stadium to witness the swearing in of our Ministers / Parliamentary Represntative for the next 5 years. See u there and you cannot be late. No excuse or rush from work to the function.

    Almighty Father Bless the Commonwealth of Dominica. Mckain asked his supporters and he also congratulated President Elect Barak Obama. Now it is our turn to do likewise and ask the Father to Bless the Commonwealth of Dominica.

    Till the next time five years from now. Drop the Baton UWP DFP and other opposition forces and lets us march together to develop this lovely land of ours. Daddy Chess – Foward We Go…..

    Forward March!

  14. bright eyes
    December 30, 2009

    we need to stop all that hating and move forward.god is the one who know and he see every thing why do we want to take control of his work.DOMINICA IS A BLESSED PLACE AND IT GOING TO BE THAT WAY FROM NOW TILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL. WHY DO WE GO TO CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY AND STILL WISH BAD FOR A COUNTRY LOOK ON NEW YEARS DAY WE PRAISING GOD AND NEXT DAY WE BRINGIND DOWN OUR COUNTRY SO PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR P PRIME Minister AND FOR OUR COUNTRY WHILE WE PRAYING ON NEW YEARS DAY.

  15. labour
    December 30, 2009

    do ur thing bro.skerro i was waiting for that holiday

  16. medler
    December 30, 2009

    US holidays!

    New Years Day — January 1
    MLK Jr Day — 3rd Monday in January
    Groundhog Day — February 2
    Valentines Day — February 14
    Presidents Day* — 3rd Monday in February
    St. Patricks Day — March 17
    April Fools Day — April 1
    Earth Day — April 22
    Cinco de Mayo — May 5
    Mothers Day — 2nd Sunday in May
    Memorial Day — Last Monday in May
    Flag Day — June 14
    Fathers Day — 3rd Sunday in June
    Independence Day — July 4
    Labor Day — 1st Monday in September
    Columbus Day — 2nd Monday in October
    Halloween — October 31
    Veterans Day — November 11
    Thanksgiving — 4th Thursday in November
    Christmas — December 25
    New Years Eve — December 31
    Good Friday — 2 days before Easter
    Easter Sunday — March or April

    Ofcourse there are days set aside for bad weather also.

  17. shelli
    December 30, 2009

    Let us stop the pretence here and appreciate how Dominica and we Dominicans operate.

    It is traditional whenever a Political Party wins an election to have the following day declared a public holiday. No harm in that. Any other political party that would have won would have done the same especially if Labour was beaten handsomely!

    We would recall that the PM had already stated that he would have consulted with the DAIC/Private Sector for a holiday after the DLP won the last election on Friday 18th December 2009 to stop the further disruption of businesses seeking to improve their year end financial results through increased selling activities around Christmas.

    It was because of the demands of the DFP to call the elections within 48 hours regardless of whether it was during the Christmas season and the DFP were even prepared Skerrit went along with the wishes and demands of the DFP, dissolved parliament and called general elections that were overseen by two groups of regional and international observer missions and whipped them soundly to sleep with a 18 to 3 victory.

    From all reports including the Observer missions the elections were conducted with a high degree of fairness. Now there is a need to celebrate right here but with some caution.

    The tactics of canvassing supporters is a matter that needs to be addressed via legislation to at least give appearance of a level playing field or the necessary tools for all parties to compete on an equal footing such as media access, etc and to ultimately give every political party a fair chance at celebrating a victory as well whenever the masses so desires.

    Thus in the coming months we as a Country must address a number of fundamental issues that makes our democracy less than perfect.

    1. We must come to the realization by now that the ballot paper and pencil method challenges a reasonable number of our citizens and that adversely impacts candidate’s final scores and political party’s chances of securing majority seats to form a legitimate administration to govern. The adoption of electronic voting as an option should be evaluated and a decision taken for its pilot testing firstly in village council elections within the next three years and based on feedback for full adoption at the next general elections in 2015 with a clean voters list as well. Results would be a lot quicker and auditors would be on hand to verify the authenticity of the results.

    2. With electronic voting as a favorable prospect the question of voting by overseas Dominicans will naturally come into play. There should be no need for any political party to pay for their members to come down to Dominica to vote. Voting would be supervised by a body of high repute individuals and organizations out of Dominica on behalf of the Electoral Office of Dominica.

    3. The media in Dominica must now see themselves as responsible to disseminate all political communication and let the Dominican People decide for themselves what they want for the betterment of Dominica. Of course the Dominican media should have worldwide reach.

    With these three points Dominica’s Democracy will be taken to the next level where we can stand shoulder to shoulder with the International Community and earn their respect and recognition as a highly functioning Democracy.

    It is my hope that five years from now we will be celebrating a new milestone in the way our democracy is administered and look forward for yet another Labour Party Victory if the masses see it by their majority/collective wisdom.

    Then at that time we will challenge ourselves to consider the concept of proportional representation for Senators and have two independent chambers of parliament in the house of assembly for better checks and balances in our governance.

    Hold on people … I am saying that we can consider this point post 2015 ok .. the one relating to Senators . Thanks.

  18. dominican ambassador....
    December 30, 2009

    Still closed mined !!!! grow up people! THE PRESIDENT IS WHO IS DECLARING IT .. SO ENJOY IT OR STAY HOME AND BE MISERABLE!!1

  19. stupesssss
    December 30, 2009

    give me a break,like Dominicans so dislike holidays.Who do think we are fooling?You go to thier offices and they are always on holiday from 8-4.Why critisize the PM for giving a holiday that has always be given after election.stupesssss

  20. Thoughtful
    December 30, 2009

    Great.

    We look forward to the new team and hope that they work hard to develop our nation or else in the next five years they gone.

    I don’t know why people are making such a big deal about the holiday; who who declared it or the rationale behind its declaration. One public holiday won’t make Dominica worst off or better off than it already is.

    What I find interesting is that many Dominicans, at home and abroad, are ready to jump and celebrate American holidays. For example I always receive tons on e-mails on Thanksgiving Day wishing me “Happy Thanksgiving.” Many of these e-mails are from friends who are not even living in the US. I always respond politely by saying I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving Day as it is an American holiday and I am not an American.

    However whenever we try to do something on our own soil, everybody has problems with it. Its baffling.

  21. HAHAHAH
    December 30, 2009

    but LAPLAINE you come out, since when you know president can declare nothing you doh know the man just doing what skerro tell him to do so what is the fuss about nah all what people doh buy monday they will buy tuesday the PM is am economist he have it all figured out

  22. listener
    December 30, 2009

    By the way, The Primeminister directs the President to declare a holiday. Not the President’s doing.

    • Cyrique
      December 12, 2014

      Who cares? Once we get it!!

  23. December 30, 2009

    @JBC: So even if Clear Harbour doh have a holiday, what dat have to do with us nuh? You CHOSE to go and work there. And what you mean, in the U.S. they don’t celebrate their holidays? I glad for you. Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day. President’s Day, George Washington’s Birthday…not even talking about when they have ‘snow days’. Those ppl have even more holidays than we do.

  24. listener
    December 30, 2009

    did the primeminister not anounce that austerity measures may have to be taken,why then a holiday for an occasion starting at 4pm?. This is an excuse not to keep promisses made to the nation, such as higher pay etc. Watch OUT. Look Out. Listen and learn. MORE TO COME

  25. Arjay
    December 30, 2009

    Just what the country needs! Another holiday. Since we have been doing such a great job in getting infrastructure funding, concessionary loans and grants from our comrades, why don’t we just go on one long holiday? Work is just a four letter word.

  26. December 30, 2009

    I will be there to witness the swearing in of my government…great gesture PM

  27. Soufriere Constituency
    December 30, 2009

    Skerro a holiday for what!!! Prince Skerro You realy think you in fairy tale land and is a fairy tale island you running. So what is the fan fare about. Why shut down an entire country for an event at
    4 pm . OOpss I forget Dominica’s President Chavez has to be present. Lets see how long acting President L will await for Chavez on Monday and the Plastic Police men I wanna see if you all goin to allow Dominca’s President Mr Chavez to take away ur guns like last time and allow only his guards to be fully armed. Alas poor Dominica No fret the same way God delivered the Egyptians from pharoah God will deliver us from Chavez and Skerro .

  28. Soufriere Constituency
    December 30, 2009

    Skerro a holiday for what!!! Prince Skerro You realy think you in fairy tale land and is a fairy tale island you running. So what is the fan fare about. Why shut down an entire country for an event at
    4 pm . OOpss I forget …Alas poor Dominica No fret the same way God delivered the Egyptians from pharoah God will deliver us from Chavez and Skerro .

  29. Soufriere Constituency
    December 30, 2009

    LABOUR TO THE BONE Stop the blasphemy there is only one king of kings and that is JESUS. Oh my what is wrong with you all think before u speak

  30. Soufriere Constituency
    December 30, 2009

    XTE well well u speaking from experience man. Thanks for telling me what you doing. Next time you reach work late I will tell ur supervisor /boss why?? LOL

  31. wooti possi
    December 30, 2009

    LAPLAINE DONT BE AN IDIOT.HAVEN’T YOU SEEN THE PRESIDENT …SKERRIT INSTRUCTED HIM AND HE HAS TO FOLLOW….DUH!!!!!

  32. Point of Order
    December 30, 2009

    Labour to the Bone; Let me sound a word of caution to you. I noticed you referred to Mr. Skerrit as “King of Kings” of Dominica. For the good of our land and your soul, please refrain from ascribing the title of King of Kings to a mortal man. God is a jealous God and his Glory he will give to none else. Sounding the praise of your leader is quite in order but let us be God-fearing people like we sing in our national anthem and be responsible in our speech.

    Jesus Chirst is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; that means then, that Mr. Skerrit must submit to the authority and power of the Supremacy and authority of Jesus Christ. Mr. Skerrit’s position was ordained of God. God “allowed” him to reign for a season. He is “subject” to God. Your responsibility and mine is to pray for him not exhalt him in that position. Please render to God the things that are God’s and to Ceaasar, the things that are Ceasar! Election is over, assuming we got carried away in the hype and frenzy of campaign, let us be right thinking Dominicans, the world is looking and listening to us. Let us not invoke the wrath of God on this beautiful Isle of Beauty… God bless you!

  33. Jerksss
    December 30, 2009

    Hey people’s Is not the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit that declare its a Public Holiday on Monday. Its the President His Excellency Dr. Nicholas J. O. Liverpool, DAH, OCC….Got that?…Stop trying to make a Big thing out of something thats as simple as ‘ Monday January 4 2010 is declared as a Public Holiday in the Commonwealth od Dominica….Got that again?…Okay Great…

  34. EXCITED
    December 30, 2009

    I will not be there to enjoy it ,but am popoo reddddddddddddddddddddd labourrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr all the way till i die , wish the hon pm all the best in this coming new year and may god continue to bless him and our nature isle .and hon pm always remember who jah bless no man curse and no weapon formed agaist u shall prosper .

  35. LABOUR TO THE BONE
    December 30, 2009

    Yes , I will be there for sure in my blazing red, we worked hard during the campaign and we deserve our holiday. No one can tell you anything you are in charge, the king of kings of our country so you can call it when you fell like. Long Leave our King Skerrit.

  36. XTE
    December 30, 2009

    GO and Work D cane plantations on that day if you all please. If many of you had a life you would find something to ajust and do that needs to get done but not because of being so busy @ work. Some people just vex they will not be able to hear matt in the morning on dat day and not because they don’t have work to go.

    When most of you complaining here are at work it’s like you all are on holiday anyway. Stop making everything an issue. You all don’t have genuine interest in productivity or you would not be spending so much time posting comments on DNO during working hours, getting work late daily because you stay back listening to matt in the morning and having an hour and a half lunch “hour”. No! It’s jus to complain or rather because your mouths just can’t stop running.

    When it’s a public holiday and my office is closed then it’s home work day. I take care of my home business and chores. Try It!

  37. Junior Henandez
    December 30, 2009

    JBC I doh understand you, That is clear Habour business? A holiday is a holiday? This is Dominica holiday declared by the PM of the country, honor that. When we were campaigning where were you blueites? This is Labour time reward for our hard work.
    Go Mr Pm , do your thing. They still in St Kitts nor?
    God bless Mr Skerrit and the new Cabinet.

  38. Party Animal
    December 30, 2009

    Gimme mo FETE SKERRO!!!

  39. La Plaine
    December 30, 2009

    HELLO………………………. IS NOT SKERRIT THAT DECLARED MONDAY A HOLIDAY……..READ IT…………..

    Monday January 4, 2010 will be declared a Public Holiday by His Excellency the President. (GIS press release)…….HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT!

  40. December 30, 2009

    TO CONCERNED CITIZEN: Maybe YOU lazy, not me. Even if I didn’t vote for the party in power, as far as I’m concerned if de PM wants to give a holiday, more power to him. When I’m at work, I work 100% and when I’m on holiday I relax 100%. So just RELAX yourself. You sound uptight. You probably need a good @#$%.

    (I dare DNO to print this)

  41. LionPaw
    December 30, 2009

    I don’t see the problem with the holiday. From since I can remember the incoming PM always call a holiday to celebrate the victory. DFP did it all three times. UWP did it. And even the DLP/DFP coalition did it in 2000. It’s usually the day after elections. Since elections was on a Friday he probably could have done it the Monday after elections but we were at the height of the Christmas shopping season(final week). Then that would have been hurtful to local business. And that was in fact his stated reasoning for deferring it to January

  42. Soufriere Constituency
    December 30, 2009

    Skerro a holiday for what!!! Prince Skerro You realy think you in fairy tale land and is a fairy tale island you running. So what is the fan fare about. Why shut down an entire country for an event at
    4 pm . OOpss I forget Dominica’s President Chavez has to be present. Lets see how long acting President L will await for Chavez on Monday and the Plastic Police men I wanna see if you all goin to allow Dominca’s President Mr Chavez to take away ur guns like last time and allow only his guards to be fully armed. Alas poor Dominica No fret the same way God delivered the Egyptians from pharoah God will deliver us from Chavez and Skerro .

  43. December 30, 2009

    Well there is 2 speed in Dominica SLOW and STOP soooooooooooooo Why not make it everyday a holiday. It will not be a HOLIDAY at CLEAR HARBOR because it is run by Americans they are not in the Dominica thing. Fete, Fete FETE and 1 day HOLIDAYS.

    Where as what people need is proper Annual holidays which they should take within that year not 6years worth in one go.

  44. DIASPORAN
    December 30, 2009

    THAT’S NOT FAIR SKERRIT –NOW YOU HAVE YOUR PARTY WE THE IMPORTED VOTERS CAN’T COME DOWN TO ENJOY THE VICTORY. SEND US THE CHATTERED FLIGHT , THE TICKETS, THE FERRY LIKE YOU DID. DIASPORANS AND ILEGAL VOTERS HAVE TO ENJOY IT TOO EH EH.

  45. Wonder
    December 30, 2009

    Well is good time dominicans like so take what all you get. Why complain? STUPES

  46. power
    December 30, 2009

    go mr. PM do your thing doh worry with the haters… we need to celebrate our victory. Its our time. We rule…others follow. All the haters one thing.. Skero working hard he have right to give us a holiday to celebrate our victory… stop being so jealous.

    LOVE YOU PM BABAY YOUR MY BOO

  47. soufriere constituency
    December 30, 2009

    yes i skerro u not easy u mean to tell me u not feeling sorry for the public purse? more holidays again? i feeling sorry for the businessmen in this country. magwe sa skerro.

  48. janet4rosa
    December 30, 2009

    we could have not without a holiday. Too many holidays

  49. lovely dominica
    December 30, 2009

    Theres a time for everthing under the heavens – its labour time so why not celebrate. Whilst the PM was working hard for his people, he was criticized. He has allowed us a day to reflect and celebrate, we still criticize. Cant please everyone. Do your thing Bro.Skerro.

  50. jah bless
    December 30, 2009

    i hope the airport minster and the finance minster can put together the wesley international airport plans and open the new airport at melvile hall i hope it is a New Year for all.

  51. Labour
    December 30, 2009

    I have a better idea, let the entire week be all holidays!

    Labour!

    Our PM is very productive so he will make up for the impact!

    Please tell me when the red clinic is re-opening cause I need some cash.

    Laaaaabboouur!

  52. An Observer
    December 30, 2009

    If the ceremony is at 4pm why not make it a half-day? Already all shops close from Thursday….what we going to eat?…………………..II suppose that’s the election “victory” holiday.

  53. Labour Supporter
    December 30, 2009

    Mr. PM…

    I voted for you and the DLP, but honestly, we could do without the Holiday on Monday. The country is so underproductive already…you as Finance Minister should know the impact on Revenue that this other holiday is going to have on the country. The swearing ceremony is till 4pm….why the holiday? I am disappointed in you this time…but i will still vote you again if election was 2morrow again..

  54. Concerned Citizen
    December 30, 2009

    We have way too many holidays in this small developing country. This just helps to make us more lazy than we already are. I see no reason for a holiday. It seems the whole country is on a holiday anyways.

  55. December 30, 2009

    I urge all to wear their colours , bring a flag with you . come green , red , orange , blue and yellow .

  56. HAHAHAH
    December 30, 2009

    YOU AND ALL OTHERS JUNIOR, I AM SURE YOUR SISTER FROM MAHAUT WILL OUTDO YOU, LABORITES TAKE ALL YOU FOOT IS ALL YOU TIME

  57. HAHAHAH
    December 30, 2009

    GO SKERRO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLIDAY FRIDAY, HOLIDAY SATURDAY, HOLIDAY MONDAY WOW GO SKERRO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NUFF HOLIDAYS MORE SEWO WOW OUR VOTES AT WORK OR ON HOLIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  58. Junior Henandez
    December 30, 2009

    I will be there in RED. God bless you PM

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available