ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has reiterated his government’s commitment to increase the minimum wage and lower the cost of living within the next three months as his new 15-member Cabinet officially began work on Tuesday.
Skerrit, who led his Dominica Labour Party (DLP) to a convincing 18-3 victory in the December 18 general elections, has also pledged to attract foreign investment with improved air access and hotel facilities as part of the 100 day plan announced during the election campaign.
“That 100 day plan was not pie in the sky nor was it an election gimmick. It shall be pursued and brought into effect within the next 90 days. That, ladies and gentlemen, you can take to the bank,” Skerrit said.
The Prime Minister had promised that his new administration would increase the minimum wage to EC$1,000 (US$370), create 100 new positions for nurses and 150 jobs for teachers as well as reduce port charges by 20 per cent.
Skerrit, who retained the Finance portfolio and added Foreign Affairs and Information Technology, said his new team was ready to take Dominica to the next level of development with an improved road network which would include the completion of the west coast highway from the capital to the second town of Portsmouth, and another leading to the country’s main airport at Melville Hall.
The Prime Minister said ongoing improvements at the Melville Hall Airport were key to his government’s development thrust and he looked forward to making the island the preferred Caribbean destination for visitors and investors.
He told the swearing in ceremony that he wanted “visitors, investors and especially returning nationals be able to bypass the gateways and fly direct from Europe and the United States to Dominica.
“I take this opportunity to invite everyone to visit Dominica in a matter of two weeks for the inaugural night landing where we will formally open the commonwealth of Dominica to 24 hour air access.”
Skerrit also announced plans for a five star hotel and state of the art marina which he said would attract ‘thousands of stay over visitors,” and said his government would also work assiduously to elevate Dominica to the status of test cricket host within the next five years.
“I want to see test cricket in Dominica and I want to see West Indies take on the top playing nations of the world. As a matter of fact we shall host two one day internationals between West Indies and South African in May of 2010,” he reminded.
The Dominican leader said he also plans for a closer working relationship with the private sector so as to improve efficiency and the delivery of services to Dominicans.
“We shall start first with government and introduce the necessary initiatives and strategies to make government work better for the people it serves. We shall embrace the private sector to ensure that Product Dominica is more reliable, more convenient and more accessible,” Skerrit said.
Tags: Election 2009
Well Mr. Skerrit i hope is not hot air you blowing and all of the university graduates you and your government EXPLOIT are going to get paid for the education that they have invested so much into.
Its very nice 2 no u are doing so well mr P-M, may our good lord continue u 2 bless u with more knowledge. I am praying 4 u day and night.. Keep up the good work and Dominica 2 the next level. WHO JAH BLESS- NO ONE CURSE.
where did they get this quto from “I take this opportunity to invite everyone to visit Dominica in a matter of two weeks for the inaugural night landing where we will formally open the commonwealth of Dominica to 24 hour air access.” bull$hit
when are they going to open the airport now since the president of dominica is dead!
Night landing at Melville Hall. Boy I wonder who would take that chance. Everytime I come in on American Eagle during the day everybody on the plane is always quiet and then gives a collective sigh of relief when the wheel touches ground. Landing during the day is risky enough. As much as I hate Puerto Rico I will opt to overnight there and fly home in broad day light. Hope Skerrit will be on the first plane at the inaugural night landing.
Prophet x2, Since …have a monopoly on inter-island air transport, all soucouyant close up shop…I dunno where they working now…rumour has it a few in de public service…de rest who knows? maybe they in de diaspora…LOL
I hope they update the Melville Hall Fire station to the me code needed for night landing. No airline will fly in there at night unless this is update. Stop fooling the people.
take it to the bank. sounds like george bush senior saying read my lips no new taxes and what did he do in the end raise taxes.well if the pm is so confident in his 100 day plan he should show us that he can finish all the projects that are far from being completed namely the new bridge and road to rose street ,the laudat road,the louisville road and back road.i bet it will take more than 50 days to complete those.i fed up of politicians.all of them are the same lies and illusions.
well its good to hear that after all those years night landing becoming a reality on our island, once upon a time people used to say is only soucouyant that could land here in the night.
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Irie, you’re killing me man lol .. what happened to all those soucouyant anyway
What governement runs a 5-star hotel. Try the Hilton’s in Trinidad and Barbados both started by their governements to jump start their sectors. We have tried many times to wait for others to do it for us. Threw 22M down the drain with Grace Tsung. Let the governement get it done then slowly divest their interest like in NCB and Domlec. Will you buy? I will. We are either serious about tourism or we are not.
I pray God that these ventures be realized and that all Dominica will be able to work for the common good of all. God continue to have mercy on the negative folks on this forum because the majority of Dominican appreciate your goodness adn kindness.
May God bless Dominica. I am coming home for good. I think our country needs all of us to move to the next level. Mr. Pm, do your best. and God will do the rest..Your people are still praying for you and the country.I hope those wicked journalist will give you a break.
I love my country, but boy those mountains scary enough by day, is true they majestic but boy on those little liat especially with a tail wind the landing can be real crucial…I wonder how a night landing would feel…boy every time I landing at Melville Hall, although I know the drill, that approach through the mountains still making me hold my breath. I gues at night you wont see all the pied Fig and pied Coco…so ca zyeye pasa weh cheh pakay faire mal….
well its good to hear that after all those years night landing becoming a reality on our island, once upon a time people used to say is only soucouyant that could land here in the night.
It has been a feature of underdeveloped countries for their governments to be over-extended and by that I mean with the advent of a weak private sector and a conservative bourgeois governments tend to feel the need to engage into enterprises which will have a negative effect in the long run.
While a government -run 5 star hotel (never heard of such) and a marina sounds very appetizing it will only complicate and weaken the government’s management capabilities. Development driven by private sector growth is what will irreversibly raised the living standards for all of us.
WHAT KIND OF MAMAGUY
YOU SAY TWO WEEKS I HOPE THE AIRPORT WILL BE DONE BY THEN BUT KNOWING …ITS A TRICK SCAM AND A LIE.
Promises we can take to the bank. Towards a brighter future….. to the next level.
FORWARD WE GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!