The next session of Parliament will be held in April, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has confirmed. This is expected to be the third time that Parliament meets for the year.
On Monday, the second meeting of the first session of the eighth parliament convened, with the passing of two pieces of legislation – the Treasury Bill, which will “modernise” financial transactions, and a bill to improve efficiency at the court, through use of technology.
The United Workers Party (UWP) continued its boycott of the Parliament on Monday; but Skerrit says the work of parliament will continue.
“We are not the ones who are preventing them from coming. They have taken a deliberate decision on their part not to come to the Parliament. Clearly, it was a badly advised decision on their part,” Skerrit said.
– DNO Correspondent
The aim of the Prime Minister is plain to see.I am surprised that in the sittings of parliament,the unemployment issue,the drug issue,the crime issue,the farmers plight,the drought issue, the National Trail issue,the failing educationsystem issue,the displaced farmers issue, among others are not discussed, but rather the objective is to have by-elections in 3 constituencies.
We don’t seem to be living in a democracy,but if by any stretch of the imagination we are,then the opposition has a right to protest.This is in the constitution,and the opposition can therefore say what they are doing is constitution.
MAN, DEM A CAL PARLIAMENT SITTINGS OFTEN EH?
SKERRO WANT FUR CALL THREE BAD BI – ELECTION DA QUICK.
“CLEARLY, IT WAS A GOOD MOVE FOR THOSE BLOKES NOT TO
ATTEND THOSE MEETINGS.”
WA HAPPEN? ME HOPE STOCK FARM HAS PLENTY OF PLACE FUR AWE.
To the individual who chose to disguise under the name ‘PARLE-MENT’ to speak half-thruths, particularly on the National Trail Project I wish to ask you this question: Isn’t Mr Wiltshire and WEF part of the Steering Committee for the implementation of the trail? Why do they choose not to participate? Is it because they aren’t in direct control of the money? If they claim to be solely interedted in seeing through the success of the initiatve and are not JUST THE AVERAGE GREEDY’SELFISH INDIVIDUALS LOOKING TO MAKE A QUICK BUCK’ they would have willingly provided their input. The fact is that the WEF’s proposal to SOLELY develop and manage the project was rejected by the EU and NOT the government of Dominica. Since the EU is the one providing the funding then they have the right to decide who they give their monies to and they ofcourse were inclined to provide funding for the project given that the Regional Council of Martinique was willing to poarticipate in developng the project along with the Forestry Division in Dominica.If WEF could had raised the money by themselves or it was coming from the tax payers of Dominica and was not given to them to manage then I could agree with them in their stance.
The fact is that notwithstanding all of ths the government DID invite WEF to partake on the Steering Committee of the trlail where all important decisions regarding its construction are taken. WEF has largely decided to abstain from this responsibilty. Therefore it can safely be concluded that any probllems or failures related to the trail should also be attributed to WEF not playing its meaningful role on the Committee. Too often people tend to give the impression that they are interested in nation bulding when all they are interested in is self-agradisement and personal gain.
Important issues are discussed only in Parliament in Dominica? ” De Judicial System” feels sorry for Hector John who thinks independently? Those very same people who belittled John and his colleagues, exposed them as evil-minded with lack of foresight to support a party of their choice are feeling disgusted that they are boycotting parliament.
It is the right of the individuals to peacefully protest against any illegal or fraudulent acts. The constitution allows for persons or a party to challenge any election results through the court process, or through any other actions that are within the law. They are simply exercising their rights according to the laws of the land. If they deem that there were breaches of the laws, don’t they have the right to file petitions so the court can make its judgments?
Most of you can’t deal with the question whether there were any breaches of the law and what law was breached that enabled irregularities. People are wrong to think that development ideas and strategies and ways to put those into practice are designed by parliamentary sessions. Certainly not in Dominica’s case. The Waitikubuli Ecological Foundation (WEF) members were not in parliament, when for a number of years they initiated, promoted, and raised millions for that vital project. Questions poised about development issues and secret deals that the people should know about are not answered in our parliament. Information is kept close to the chest of those men of power. Only after a time when TORY jump out that people do get to know. Ensuring that the principles of democracy and the letters of the law are upheld must be foremost.
Obama went to many US States to bring the message and explain to the people about the Health Care Reform policy and it was fruitful. Everyone’s rights must be respected not just those of a few. Until that happens, expect those vague, purely partisan comments on that matter.
The UWP members were elected to serve their constituencies– they should do just that. Stop being petty and carry on the work of the people.
cant wait for the by-election, am coming Down to lend my sorport to the DLP.
The people voted for parliamentarians and not for boycotters. I agree with the Prime Minister 100%. If you want to get paid, you must do the job. No excuses again.
I think it’s a shame that dominicans cannot get together to advance the needs of the people. We cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good.The opposition needs to get back in parliament and do the people’s business.We cannot always win , and when we lose, we should lose gracefully and not take our ball and go home.
The Prime Minister needs to stop being so petty. Why is he calling Parliament so often? Let things take their course and give the opposition their time to work out their business.The people have a right to act if they think their democracy is under threat. Just because some of us do not see this threat does not mean we have to look down on them. We have to remember that the same people who others thought were trouble makers before, actually paved the way to a better life for all of us. Moses was a trouble maker to some of the jews- because they held statuses in Egypt. Jesus was a troublemaker to some- again they were in thh good books of the Romans and the Romans thought that the King would take over (remember Herod killing all the baby boys?). But Jesus died for our sins.
Did you all know that MLKJr was thought of as a trouble maker by some blacks who were comfortable with their status among the whites? Today we all enjoy the US. Let us not be so blind that we allow party to come between us. We all need to sit back and look at things differently. Maybe the people do have a point, maybe they see something that we do not see.
The PM is using parliament to meet his objectives on purpose. This frequent calling is UNHEARD of in our country. Let us hope that this will not be his downfall.
Man (whoever u are), tell your UWP to go to parliament and stop blaming the Prime Minister for UWP dilemma. Call a spade a spade!!! Its time we stop being hypocritical and be truthful.
I do agree with you. I wonder what positive effect they gain by boycotting.
God is in control..
It is a badly advised decision PM to hastily arrange three sittings of parliament within so short a time. The intention is plain to see. Nothing substantial are being discussed in those sessions like election reforms or strategies to boost the struggling economy. Parliamentarians have not used the sessions to talk of ways of easing the plight of the farmers in this drought period. Nor have they looked at innovative ways to increase the numbers of stay over visitors or taken steps to revisit the manufacturing sector that is facing serious problems.
See what has happened to the Waitikubuli National Trail. Total chaos and the project faces many difficulties. Govt opted to sideline WEF, a local NGO, who initiated the project and raised millions to get the project off the ground. Instead Govt invited a French company to partner with our Forestry Division to develop that important National Project which could boost the stay-over aspect of our Eco-tourism thrust, while bringing in monies to the rural communities. But that was done to ice people like Bernard Wiltshire. This Dominican patriot is demonized, chastised and called all sorts of degrading names. Bernard has been vindicated. Wickedness done to your own people PM is coming back to haunt you. Neither the actions of the NAO nor the Steering committee or the PMU, all responsible in one way or another for the development of the project, have made things better. It is evident, given the present status of the project, that those persons and/or institutions have disappointed the people of Dominica and have failed.miserably in implementing that project. The evil that one does will live with him or her.
What significant issues have been discussed in those two sittings of parliament as a matter of priority to improve the standard of living in Dominica by the creation of national wealth? Instead the country’s natural resources are given to foreign concerns to make money, while people remain dependent on handouts and begging. People can see real signs of desperation and fear of the consequences of the court’s decision regarding the petitions filed to challenge the 2009 elections that were filled with irregularities. Parliament should not be hastily convened just to deal a death blow to your political opponents and by so doing avoid serious discussions on pertinent issues of development that need to be dealt with. Time will tell.
Well said but in order get these concerns you have address, the three UWP elected candidates should be setting their advocating on the people who elected them behalf.
It is crazy to expect sympathy when they are been irresponsible in the behavior. This is too childish.
to “PARLE-MENT” – So why dont the opposition go to parliament to discuss those “significant” issues that u speak of????This is their opportunity!!! this is their forum!!!! They just acting like little boys, bellyaching and throwing tantrums because they dont get want they want…Geez!!!
I feel for the Salisbury Hector guy…I think Ron and Eddy using this as a deliberate strategy to keep that young aspiring politician from being the next leader of the opposition. Ron is deadbeat and people dont want Eddoe because he is such an arrogant, haughty fella who failed to bring the party to victory anyway…So that leaves the Hector guy.But over Eddoe dead body eh…
All u fire all u selves.So either all u go to Parliament and salvage what all u can or shut up and lick all u wounds quietly
And FIRE whoever giving all u political advice like that!
It is clear that you have not been following parliamentary sessions in Dominica for the past 10 years. This is why you are making these laughable statements. Carry on man. That is Dominica and Dominicans for you.
Dominicans are we ready for a dictatorship government? The international community will not put up with such a threat in this part of the world .
Act now before we all face the punisments.
SKERRIT , “CLEARLY, MY INTENTION IS TO GRAB THE THREE REMAINING SEATS, SO
I AM CALLING PARLIAMENT MEETINGS BLACK IS WHITE IF THOSE UWP BLOKES DO NOT
SHOW UP” .
we need an international airport sir when will you address this to you cabient thank you!!
Tiyani Behanzin for Roseau Central !!!
Yeah! Tiyani for Salibury!!
Go for it Prime Minister. the UWp has the power – the people’s power in their hands right now to stop a one party pariament – Three elected seats plus four nominated can give a significant alternative voice. They however has chosen to complain and lament while allowing Mr. skerrit to move ahead unchecked. mr. Skerrit you also have the people’s vote (18 seats) behind you. Go for the throat as political blood is everywhere.
Simpletons they are inthier political naivity
where are the Eugenia”s and the Mike’s in the debating and parliament out of the world – contest and use ot expressions to blow one’s mind away? Days gone by when Mike was the lone opposition leader – he was like an austrailian cirket team – giving licks and pressure to those around him. They all met to discuss and deleberate of issues relevant to nation building and caribbean unity. All politicians should practice and practice speaking with verve and gusto in and out of parliament. Its of paramount importance for parlaimentarians to be upto date with nation and international issues hence coming -“good” on debate days. If such practices are maintained – the political landscape will become another schoool away from school for the youths of this nation. I think politicans and would be ploiticians should throughly study the philosophers and gurus in the modern and post modern world. Congrates to those who prepare themselve to optimum level and for those who take fiery and grippin debates as a joke – get on board. Everybody got to come good and impress the masses. Peace
Ps: to all those in the political arena- please dont spare the effort to read constantly and be up to date with issues pertinent to you all careeer. Also read the great political speeeches of the political greats in this part of the hemisphere! Never be to busy to read and study and perfect you all art!
If these three blind mice do not attend the third session of Parliament, then, Skerrit should call a bye-election in the three constituences that they each represent. Power, not by might.