United Workers Party (UWP) leader Edison James has accused the government of Dominica of provoking the people of the country by not providing the necessary finance to undertake electoral reform, including the provision of ID cards for general elections.
“I looked at the estimates of expenditure and revenue, and there is no provision there for allocating money for the ID cards, and the re-registration. I am saying that that is provocation by (Prime Minister) Roosevelt Skerrit. That is provocation of the people by Roosevelt Skerrit,” James said ahead of Tuesday’s presentation of the national budget.
Speaking on Monday night at a so-called People’s Budget event on the Roseau Bayfront, the UWP leader sought to rally into action, critics of the prime minister grouped under the banner of “patriots”.
James called for a pool of people to step up to manifest in a practical way through possible protest action, opposition to the Skerrit-led administration.
“We should have a pool of people, who are prepared to be the change warriors in this country, so that when action is called and action is to be taken to express our disgust, that you have at least a pool of people there who will ensure that there is a presence in the action that we must take,” the UWP leader said.
He urged the Dominica Police Force not to act against people in the country who exercise their constitutional rights to demonstrate against an administration they allege is corrupt.
“They are provoking the people because they believe that they have the police behind them, and if the people decide to rise up, the police will shoot them down in the streets of Roseau,” former prime minister James speculated.
“I am saying to the brothers and sisters, the police of this country, that they must make it absolutely clear to the authorities that they will not shoot down their brothers in the streets in order to continue to facilitate them in their nonsense,” the UWP leader said.
“Austrie getting fat on your VAT (value added tax),” James said, reeling out the names of ministers in what he described as a bloated cabinet of 16 ministers drawing inflated salaries of more than nine thousand dollars monthly, in contrast to average working people said to be feeling the real impact of poverty in Dominica.
He was not alone in calling for protest action against the current administration.
Hotelier and activist Athie Martin, a former minister of agriculture, urged truckers contracted to the Melville Hall to Pond Case road project complaining about late payments, to bring traffic to a halt in the capital.
Using the song “If I were a hammer”, Martin spelt out what various groups dissatisfied with the way the country is being governed should do to show that dissatisfaction in concrete ways.
“If I were a trucker, I would have brought my truck into town and blocked the roads entirely – if I were truckers, I would have stopped the country with my equipment until people started listening and make Gaddakhan (road project contractor) and whoever owed me, pay me, if I were a trucker,” Martin asserted.
He also called on farmers to act to protect their interests, suggesting that Dominican farmers should take a leaf from the page of French farmers who determinedly “stop Paris” to force the government of France to listen to them.
“We are at the point that unless people are prepared to stand up and do something for their country, you will lose your country,” the outspoken Martin said.
I’d like to find out more? I’d like to find out some additional information.
I want to ask Mr. James one question. Where and when did the people of Dominica give you a mandate or gave you any indication that you should press for Voter ID Cards or for Electoral reform? When you were in the drivers seat you did not see the need for that. You won your seat in 2009 without that and again you won your seat in the by-election. Hon James what is this bru-ha-ha all about. Our electoral system has worked very well. Your party got into government through that same system and it has worked for you just as well. Sir you would do much better if you would spend your time offering solutions and alternatives to the government and people of Dominica for our collective advancement. Your political conduct and your party brainless strategy did not, does not and will not impress the intellegent people of this country. With that you will never get into government again.
eddo for pm all the way
I wonder how many people of D A is provoked by that, put that to a vote and see how many people give a darn.
Nine thousand Dollars a month for a Minister of government in Dominica? escuse me , did i read that???
wait when they lose again migration straight
I thought James cared but by planning what I read
Mr. James and Martin is trying to have bloodshed
in DA to take innocent peoples live. Mr. James
wiat on the Lord, if he wants you to be PM again
he will grant it to you but if you are coming with dangerous ideas think again. God loves his
children
it is hard all over the world ,its rough we no that ,lets stop blaming one another and see wat can be done,all that hatred is not good.lets hope for something good people ,ant stop critising.
eddision i would love to ask u one question, what are u thinking are u better than our P M, then my answer is, hell no, what are u affraid off, u think u will be prime minister in dominica any more, is thats what u think, am telling telling u the almighty God bless us with this man skerrit, whether u and your crews love it or not, he is there to stay, u can claime what ever u want, workers will never win election any more , and u know why?ITS BECAUSE u all just love to go on radio and brage u all mouth, but still our p m is stonger than all this, God is on his side, ans we the population are with him, just watch and see,
but eddison , what u want again, why cant u leave roosevelt in peace, what the hell happen to u, dont u think u are old enougth to go and rest your self, and ask God to to forgive u for all your wrong doings?? DONT U THINK THATS BETTER?. why the united workers party, love to just talk shit from since election starts , every day like this without no rest , skerrit skerrit skerrit , u all dosent be tired, dont u all know workers will never win elections in dominica, any more? U ALL FORGET THIS, a set of useless loosers like u all , will never take dominica money any more,
well well well..Mr. Met Yo is back.
Now see again…in any civilized country with smart people, NO ONE would be opposed to cleaning up the mess in an electoral system.
But again, we are dealing with wicked Dominicans. They can identify all that is “wrong” with everything else except the politicians who have become their gods.
A bunch of idiots, talking crap, have no idea what they speaking of. No education. Not informed on the topics they choose to take on.
But what can I say, freedom of speech? lmao
Anyways, I agree with Eddo its action time. I tired tell them fellas how to plan de ting. It’s simple. Not much man power needed!
I went home after several years away and was shocked by what is going on in Dominica. Many unemployed Dominicans are excited about their new roads, They are blinded by stupidity. I agree with Athie. It is time to standup. I drove from Portsmouth to Scottshead and saw only chinese workers maintaining the roads, while Dominicans sitting by the roadside without a job. Dominica is in desperate need of help and the people do not see it. I will be writing a brief piece to DNO about how I felt about my recent visit and I hope it gets published.
the playing flied should be leveled ,the voters ID card will be for all who prefers a free and fare election,i live in a democracy so i will like to see labour , UWP ,freedom ,pappy, to play by the rules ,and the best way to go to the ballot in 2015 is with the VOTERS ID CARDS ,if this is not done i will not be voting the government must put things in place, the last election i voted labour and if i must labour again the government must play by the rule in 2015
Only one acronym can describe this, LOPS.
Point taken but
Is this the government in waiting commentary, critic and recommendations for the budget????
To the Brothers and Sisters who are fighting to keep our beautiful land out of the hands of the corrupt evil doers remember
Some times you got to be a rebel, even though you are doing righteous works, like in the days of old brother Moses was never weak, he stood before Pharaoh and demand, set my people Free, and remember when when Jesus rioted in the temple and chased the vendors to the street, they too were doing righteous works.
Quoting the bible does not help. This is not about righteousness and oppression. This is just a case of desperately wanting power AT ALL Cost.
I give up on Dumbincans. They like it so. When will they wake up and realise that they are giving away their country to foreigners and rogues in High Office.
UWP is Dominica America Republican Party. They are crying for ID Cards to stop Oboma. Every bdy in Dominica knows every body in their small villages. Who need ID cards to tell me who live in Grand Bay, Marigot, Vieille Case etc..The election clerks know the people who come to vote and where they all live in the village.
Will you please respect the Constitution.. Go and read.
You forgot how many people that came from the U S , ST Martin, Antigua,Guadeloupe, etc etc, people we never knew that came specifically to vote for the Labour Party that is why we have an unbalanced parliament.
did you forget bringing home dcans to vote didnt begin with this party,do your home work..uninformed
uwp did the same
Unwanted Wicked People (UWP)
people’s parliament ahahahahahaha but we dont want ambrose encore
I say get rid of all political parties… none is better than the other at the end of the day… they get richer we get poorer…
Here is the answer at: http://non-partypolitalsystem.blogspot.ca/2008/04/intransigence-of-small-island-politics.html.
I support GOM 100%..
NO VOTER ID, no taking part in election. The government has had more than sufficient time to get things going on the Voter ID Thing.
NO ELECTION ! nO ELECTION ! NO ELECTION!
No voter I D card or no Election, simply cause Skerro to stay more secure in his nest without worrying about anything; not even the people of this country. you must not forget long ago we were warned no law no constitution can prevent him.
Is Eddo and Athie planning a coup? If they are, Who are their backers? Is it the CIA or the British. Mr James must think before he make such remarks in public unless he has the assurance of the big powers that he will not be jailed for his actions (if he succeed). My suggestion to Mr James is that he should only try to get in power via the ballot box. the chaos happening in places like Libya and Syria is not a good example that Mr James would want to import into our peaceful and democratic way of life.
If your way of life is so democratic, why is your god afraid of election reform?
I guess if there was voter ID he would find it difficult to steal the country again.
Are you even aware that what the Lybians fought against – was embraced by YOUR PRESENT GOVERNMENT.
You are being misled deary – according to my mother.
I support the call for electoral reform…
I also believe that the opposition parties should not participate in an election without the necessary reform.
LET SKERRIT GO WITH THE 21 Constituencies…
However the protest of the parties should be taken to the international arens…North, South, East and West.
Youk them fellas foolish?They will never give up the salary the few of them getting every month for doing nothing.The same nonesense every time,now the UWP turn into Patriots,where is the “strong” party they once were.Could not even get 200 people last night to listen to their magee.
See what they have in mind and talking about stopping the country These Guys love Da Give us a good message election pass UNITE
DNO show us pictures of the massive crowd please!
Help us to create jobs for our youths. Teach the children love not war. Are we true patriots?
Because of how small minded the citizens of Dominica are…Investors will keep on bypassing them to enter islands like St.Kitts, Antigua, St.Lucia to name a few as these islands and their citizens are more active and place interest of their island at heart
Dominican rather sit back hoping something will fall from the Sky..tells you alot about a mindset of Dominicans…sadly many are weak and lack vision to know when something is wrong..
Why would a Investor even attempt to come around a place with that negative mindset towards upward developments.
Why should the current administration implement elections reform when they are the beneficiaries of non-reform? The thousands who came down and vote will not be able to obtain a voter ID card.
Eddo and Athie, I dont want war in my country all we need is love, communicate and talk to each other when things go wrong. If we are true patriots and we love Dominica war is not the ANSWERE thankyou.
But you allow other COUNTRIES to go to war so you can benifit from their demise how shamefull.
Different day-same foolishness.
I thought it was a people budget discussion last nite wee. never thought it was to call people to demonstrate.
What is wrong with Eddison, Athie, Lennox and the others nuh.
the thing is people like you are causing everything to go wrong.
same ole rhetoric from failed experimentors
yet another big turnout of no body
who writing spaggs speech for him to respond to the pm what a mess ! await nervousness and u know when its not you that write stuff like dat the whole world know lol !!!!
proper pronounciation proper sunject word ahreement dictum unfamilar language economic jargon lol ebeh look roro
Skerro played Spaggs played a masterful stroke of chest. You say you big, Workers don’t want to eat their vomit and remove you for fear of offending the people of Salisbury? You are the PM in waiting. Well prove yourself Spagss.
Oh, my God Spaggs has already finished his presentation. It took 40 minutes to respond to a budget that took 2 hours and 20 minutes. A presentation that was laced with inconsistencies upon inconsistencies. I suspected some of his own people may have fallen asleep. What a PM in waiting. Spaggs and workers, wake up and smell the coffee.
eddie you are not representing me, you are from the old school that why you are just inefective.
Dominicans are not Known to be a clever and smart Citizens….they talk way to much…
thats why nothing shines in Dominica
Pretty much a confused and dazed Society
Considered a Headless Nation..what a Joke..haha
what a big show of no body. Clearly the dominican people are not prepared to follow us at all ? We need to re-strategise get new people involved.
The opposition leader seemed very very weak and confused. The talk show approach is not as effective as it ought to be; some people are lsitening but the issues are not reaching the desired masses. The media isnt professional and training is needed. i think a training module at the DSC is to be followed by all and syndry; from top to botttom. Too many lournalist are really not qualified in this field and some semblance of humility is necessary. Am not hopeful at all but the struggle needs to continue……
Two words: SICK PEOPLE!!!!!!
These are very disheartening and irresponsible comments coming from men who are supposed to be leaders of this country. Is that the best you can do Eddison James? Is that the best you can do Athie Martin? Have you guys allow your dislike for Prime Minister Skerrit to drive you insane? smh …
I am calling on all Dominicans to reject this way of thinking and to make it clear to Eddison and Athie that we will not allow the streets of Roseau to become a battlefield. We will not sacrifice our lives and the lives of those we love just to get Eddison back in power. Eddison has done lost his mind! Truly scary
And we will not allow you greedy evil people to sell our country for 30 pieces of chinese silver.
The Majority of the Citizens on that island, arent serious about anything, they live their lives whatever comes and goes pretty much..
Thats why they Rated the Poorest amongst the Eastern Caribbean.
In this World you have all types of Countries, Cultures, Races and Religions..
Dominica is just one of those Islands which is Blessed with tremendous Resources of Wealth, But The Facts are Majority of its Citizens are Naive and Highly Ignorant to the Core..
So thats how it is…change could come maybe 50 Years down the line, but at Present nothing will change..
Majority of the Citizens in that island still adore and look up to their Churches for Guidance Rather than they being Spiritual..
So the call for boots and folks to get active will NEVER HAPPEN not until 50 years later..
Sorry Guys facts are hard things to deal with..
Dominicans at Present arent up and ready for a change Period!
You call promoting bloodshed in the streets as ‘beng progressive’ or ‘change??? Well,if by not heading to this call the average Domncan s labelled as being stupd and backward, then so be it!!! You go it alone (or take Eddo and Athie with you), but be prepared to pay the consequencies because the MAJORITY of us Dominicans you refer to as idiots WILL surely know how to deal with the likes of you!!!!!!!
You sir/madam are a liar, no where has anyone called for blood shed. It is you who is calling for blood shed to keep your evil and corrupt government sucking the life out of our country.
outlooker i don’t know if you read news but dominica has never been rated the poorest country in the caribbean.i am a very proud dominican.do your research instead of wasting time writing nonesense and eddison that’s not the way to rally the populace around you
Eddison James: I have a passport, a social security card and a driver’s license. There is NO WAY that I am paying for or supporting any National ID card! Use what we already have or forget about it.
@ Hear Ye: You are so far removed from reality and facts. It is the government who wants a national ID card. The opposition want a voters ID card, these are 2 different things
The call is for voter ID not national, educate yourself before making heated statements.
Voter ID cards are a way of suppressing people’s democratic right to vote.
Hmmmmm Dominicans allu cannot say u all were not warned. Who cannot hear will feel. I am again saying take heed. My ppl wake up and see what’s happening to you and our country. Its sad
@ Linda, you are so right. We need to take heed least we allow ourselves to be misguided by men with their own devious agenda parading around under the umbrella of “patriotism”. We need to take heed otherwise, they will incite riots and strive in our country. If we do not send a clear message to Eddison, Athie and company that we will not be pawns in their power games, we will all feel it. They cannot win by ballot so they want to win by battle!! It is indeed sad.
Reader what is your point? are you saying we should just let these evil vampires suck our blood and say nothing, look around just because you see a few trinkets that the foreign powers like chinese are giving you think life sweet what will you say the day that they come for their pay back, your children will be asking why didn’t anyone see this comming.
Mr. James, Mr. James, violence is not going to take us any where in this world. it will cause us more pain and hardship. In this hard times, Mr. James don’t you think it would be nice to tell us the people what plans you have for us to curb the hard times that is going to get worse, and how you can make life easier for us when the next election comes, so we the patriots you want to join you, can help to vote the present government out?
Mr James nor any other opposition person has called for violence.
I would argue that it is you who have violence in your mind, every Dominican has a right to peaceful protest. No one but uou has use the word violence.
Eddie has no plan for Dominica, he just want to be PM again – my any means necessary! He wants to return Dominica to the dark days when the treasury was empty, and the country was going backwards in a hurry. Remember that… that why they only last one term, because they were killing our beloved Nature Isle. We cannot the corrupt and incompetent UWP back in office ever again!
when is ellection vote me so i can do everyting, when we vote politions they ask us to come out to do what you should do . all you getting paid to sit in d house you all making tooback and then want us to come and represent our self .as a young man u and your party aiding all what u all trying to tell me thats wrong.why are we still so angry about lost off power after so long . what happen to constructively prepareing for the next election and telling us about ur links and bridges built with prospective funding agencies and country’s u are linked to that during a return to power would make life easier for dominicans . u guys need to make a different between the way me as a support approach issues of the day and u the politions present the issue .
i am not a uwp fan but some of the things them man saying is true the salary of ministers is high while some people can’t even get a thousand dollar for there salary
You must ask them what is Hector Salary, and what is he doing to receive such income from us the tax payers!!!
$9,500 a month for Ministers of Government is joke, there are persons with less responsibilities as Ministers that draws over $14k monthly.
Half of Ministers salaries goes back to their constituents in sponsorships.. Who does UWP parliametarians sponsor? only Court cases to over throw Roosevelt Skerrit!!
That is so true; & what about those of us who hold degrees and can’t get good jobs while people are busy playing party politics and many incompetent folks sit in high positions?
shame on the leaders of this nation!
Me losing my life for all you??? And 5 years afta dat is another election and all u out again!!!!
Come out straight and tell me afta deadly protest by citizens no more elections for another 50 years.
Marteh must come out straight and tell us if he is still a hotelier or if is true he sell most of his cottages on timeshare for life
Oh please, give me a break!!!!!! Why do these Unwanted Wicked People always tring to stir up trouble and unrest in the country???? What is this nonsense about police shooting people?? no police is gonna shoot anyone guys, BUT you better be sure that if you do anything to disturb the peace and tranqulity of this beautiful country for selfish political motives YOU GUYS WILL BE MADE TO PAY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW!!!!!
I will contend that it is only the supporters of the government who are advocating violence. And as for stirring up trouble, it is our right to protest wrong doing of your government, we will not allow you evil people to take us into a police state.
the Law is for all what goes up must come down.
Adults need to grow up wii
i find that name to close to mouth of the south wii pal… u can try… The Youth’s Mouth instead
Is that for real?
Is that how things are in Dominica that the citizens are under threat of being shot down if they protest?
Is that how dire the political situation is in Dominica.
Is it just Roosevelt Skerritt or Prime Minister, or the Honorable Roosevelt Skerritt?
Words spoken or not spoken say alot about a man!
You really wondering about that??? Get a grip on reality and don’t allow these over zealous fools to influence your independent thinking. You are obviously out of touch with Dominica. Take a trip home and see for yourself.
Obviously SARCASM wasn’t taught in school!
I took a trip home recently and I saw….and I am an independent thinker…Dominica is in trouble in its current state..
I wonder if Eddo win the next election if he will still call for a complete re-registration?
Athie and Edison should be arrested and charged for inciting riots and trying to destabilize the country. These two has beens are becoming desperate.
your damfull u will be arestted befor eddo and athie.when rain falls it don”t only falls on one man houes.
you will be arrested for not using the dictionary to learn to spell
damfull u will be arestted befor eddo and athi,when it”s rain it don”t fall on one man houes.
Athie Martin and Edison James have no children living in DOMINICA eh so what they care.LOSS OF POWER SYNDROME,ALAS THEY WILL BRAY TILL GOD READY TO TAKE OUT SKERRIT THERE.ALL BOOTS ON THE GROUND EH TRUST ME.
Sorry but last time I checked we still have some sort of democracy and again the only people talking about riots are you lot, what we have is a right to say that things are wrong and all your braying will not stop us.
Where is this level of hate and anger coming from….
“They are provoking the people because they believe that they have the police behind them, and if the people decide to rise up, the police will shoot them down in the streets of Roseau,” former prime minister James speculated.
“I am saying to the brothers and sisters, the police of this country, that they must make it absolutely clear to the authorities that they will not shoot down their brothers in the streets in order to continue to facilitate them in their nonsense,” the UWP leader said.
And here the Alliance Lefist….
Hotelier and activist Athie Martin, a former minister of agriculture, urged truckers contracted to the Melville Hall to Pond Case road project complaining about late payments, to bring traffic to a halt in the capital.
Arthie, why not tell the truckers to take Gaddakhan to court…block Gaddakhan access to work or to his home…but why would you want to shut down Roseau for Gaddakhan not paying truckers…why would you allow truckers to shut down Roseau and cause pain and sufferin to the sick who may need urgent medical care
And you sick evil anger filled people with so much hate to the citizens of Dominica…Call yourselves patriot…magyasah
Why are you trying to rationalize the thinking of a mad man? That is a Sisyphan task!