Prime Minister of Dominica the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit has called on young people to show love, admiration and respect to senior citizens.
Prime Minister Skerrit made the call while addressing a National Rally and Health Fair for senior citizens at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium on Sunday, September 28, 2014. The National Rally and Health Fair was part of the Month of Elderly 2014 observed under the theme; “Ageing with Dignity – A Nation’s Hope and Pride.”
Prime Minister Skerrit stated that there is an opportunity for young people to change their attitudes and
treatment of senior citizens.
“I find it very, very difficult to comprehend and to accept that you have children living next door to their parents and not even going there to say good morning; good afternoon; how are you; do you need help; have you eaten today? Some of them have even taken their parents wealth and riches and resources and using it and not caring for our senior citizens. It cannot be right, it cannot be right and we have a responsibility to speak about it and to seek to change it,” Prime Minister Skerrit stated.
Prime Minister Skerrit2
Prime Minister Skerrit pledged Government’s commitment for the continued support to the Dominica Council On Ageing and to senior citizens in the country. He further committed to continue social programmes geared towards senior citizens in the country.
“I will say to you as the Prime Minister of this country that this Government, which I have the honour to lead, will never, ever turn its back on the senior citizens of this country. I will ensure that we will continue with the programmes but also increase the programmes for the senior citizens… I want to say to you the senior citizens that this country owes all what it has achieved to your hard work. You
built the roads; you built the schools, you educated our children; you provided health care to us under trying and difficult circumstances, very difficult circumstances for very little pay. What we have today it is all because of what you have done for us in this country and we have a responsibility to recognize that,” Prime Minister Skerrit stated.
The Dominica Labour Party Administration has over the years invested heavily in social programmes
aimed at improving the lives of senior citizens in Dominica. One such initiative is the Yes We Care
Programme which has provided daily, hands on care to seniors and physically challenged people in
Dominica.
Senior Citizens at National Rally and Health fair In the 2014/2015 National Budget Address, Prime Minister Skerrit announced relief for pensioners and people of pensionable age who do not have a pension. This measure includes that “that effective 3 October 1, 2014 all persons 70 years and older, with no known source of income, or whose income is less than $200 a month, shall be entitled to a Cost of Living Grant of $200 a month. This initiative shall continue until such time as a more permanent system can be effected for the benefit of those who
have contributed over the years to the development of our country.”
Prime Minister Skerrit also announced “in the case of other senior citizens who currently receive pensions as a result of their contributions over the years, the government recognises that these people would be among the most vulnerable, in an environment of continuously rising prices, due to factors beyond the control of the Government or indeed the retail sector of Dominica. Such persons, who currently receive between $200 and $600 a month, shall, effective 1st October 2014 receive, what I would like in this cyber age to refer to as a $25 a month top-up from the Government.”
The PM makes a worthwhile speech and listen to the DNO commentators bray!
It seems the man cannot please you. He is damned if he does and damned if he does not. The closer he gets to election time the worse it gets. No matter what he does you say he is doing it to gets votes.
Whatever he does you find something he did or did not do in the past
to imply that he has an ulterior motive.
If he makes a good speech or performs a kind act near election time you say he is politicking. No! he does some things to make Dominica a better nation! He does some things to help his people.
Mr. Skerrit realizes he has a responsibility to keep working until the next election. He wants to fulfill his duties until he resigns or is replaced by the democratic process. In order to please some of you he would have to stop work a year before the election so people will not think he is trying to win votes.
Honestly, you are not leaving much for a candidate to do without people saying he is electioneering!
This does not give Dominica a good image
in the eyes 
of other nations, especially those of the Caribbean.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
Oh lala my aunt is a UWP supporter I’m about to call letting her know she will be receiving some money from our PM. Lets see if she will really get it. She is 74 year old.
I am a Canadian citizen and I do not know PM Skerrit. But I read about the PM addressing young people at a National Rally about the need to show love, reverence, an respect for the elderly. I am now 72. As I get older I realize more and more the importance of such things.
I admit this is a message my own nation needs to hear maybe more than Dominica. I am an evangelist and since this is also the message of the Bible it should be included in my own teaching wherever I go. It is refreshing to learn of a PM speaking this way. It is good seed to sow!
These are sound traditional values that can add to the greatness of a nation and people. Individuals and governments should be creative in initiating ways to put these things into practice. When a community actually SEES us living this way society will be impacted.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
A father and grandfather.
In February 2012, the prime minister and members of his cabinet, (the motley crew) went on a brief tour of my village, (Colihaut) to have personal discussions with the elderly residents. (including my elderly parents)(I’ve still got the event on video)
The so called purpose of this tour; was meant to establish/determine the needs and concerns of the elderly residents in the village.
False and empty promises were made by Skerrit and his gang regarding various aid to be given.
Yet 3 years and 7 months later; these elderly residents (some of whom has since passed away) are still awaiting for the help that Skerrit promised they would get.
So please Mr. prime minister, do not lecture people on how to behave towards the elderly when you have displayed total and blatant disregard towards them.
Even at the Colihaut village reunion of 2007, you addressed an audience at the village school, and promised to look into matters that were affecting the residents; again nothing has been done.
It is double standards and political propaganda on your part to present yourself as a man of honour and integrity.
There is an imminent general election on the horizon, and suddenly you are trying to fool the masses by presenting yourself as the holy messiah who has the elderly’s best interest at heart.
You can fool yourself but you can’t fool me.
Mr. Prime Minister; can you forcefully preach those sentiments to the police officer who recently assaulted a 74 year old elderly resident?
Yes I fully agree with your message, but it appears to be double standards on your part if it is not extended to the police.
And regarding the incident of the officer who assaulted the elderly citizen; the comments from the police PRO is absolutely disgraceful.
He has biasedly confirmed that a man was arrested for breach of traffic offences, but was not willing to confirm; that this same person was brutally assaulted by the police officer. This is a disgrace and abuse of his position in high office.
So Prime Minister; sort out these thugs at the police HQ and stop lecturing people on how to behave.
The people in the crowd look like seniors who are growing old gracefully and have peace of mind. I was in the meeting, and wondered why is this man aging so rapidly, I could be his grand pa and I look much younger than he. Something is seriously eating that man alive; it goes deeper than the elections but he wants to win the elections to cover-up. He should have been sitting in my chair and I should have been on the stand, so I could give him some recipes on inner peace, a fool and his money, premature death from lies and corruption.
Skerritt’s spewing of those words are as hollow as the deepest trench. Who cares about the elderly? the same elderlies who have struggled to make ends meet?
Skerritt’s DLP Gov’t has neglected the economy so much, poverty has increased so much, that elderly persons are under serious pressure. Increased unemployment means that the elderly would receive less and less attention and care. Their standards of living has declined considerably.
Imagine an entire Cabal expressing views that GON Emanue firebomb his own home and tried to take the lives of his wife and himself.
Publicly, on radio, members of the ruling Govt. had alternative views about that firebombing/attempted murder of two innocent citizens. Dominicans were bewildered at the stance of Skerritt and the Cabal on that heinous crime.l
What about the investigations? Stalled? Closed? Case finish? Justice delayed? Justice denied? 3 Years now oui? Our elders, oui? Talk is cheap Skerritt. Your actions speak louder.
So what about love ,reverence and justice for Mr. GON Emanuel?
Mr and Mrs GON Emanuel are not senior citizen. They don’t deserve respect and love? Skerritt GOD is alive and well your day is coming. The cry of the oppressed and down rodden will fix you up.
We must show love to the elderly, including Mr. Baptiste and Mr Emanuel.
These people are vicious.
mr. prime minister i agree with you one hundred percent for this very touching statement. but what about mr. g.o.n emanuel and his wife they were almost murdered in their bed on christmas morning 2010 . mr. p.m if you are wise as some say then expedite justice on behalf of the two elderly people . you have given the talk now walk the talk.
skerrit stop the … what about pappy 74 years old what about emmanuel and his wife when are they going to get justice again you are juswt full of hot air
“Senior citizens must be shown love, reverence and respect” – Just like the way it was shown to senior citizens G.O.N. Emmanuel and his wife. Eh beh, Skerrit, ou ni jokes. When you lose your job after this election you have the potential to be a very successful stand-up comedian. I doh fraid for you!!
I agree with you, like not beating up our 74 year old Pappy..
thank you PM for the Yes We care program. My childless neighbour was becoming too much for me to handle with a full time job and a family to take care of. Your paid helper does a great job. now my role is to visit her to say hello
I’m glad your neighbour gets care, as he/she should. No problem with that. Any developed country would have a social services dept. to do that. Why is it necessary for a Prime minister to get personally involved and claim all the credit himself? We are in serious danger of developing a personality cult whereby we must adore and idolize our great leader. Haven’t we seen before what happens in countries that have such a culture? Tirany, international isolation and eventual failure.
Tell that to Pappy!!
Pappy, Gretta and GON Emmanuel, must not be senior citizens.
Con , con, con man… what are great actor… while Skerritt should be at the UN he there trying to play savior of old people. we all know all that is tricks you playing to get vote from the old..
anyway God hates cheats. deceits and liars, and he will reward you justly
Yes Mr. PMI it is really terrible ,apparently not only the Young People some adults are treating the Senior Citizens badly ,going as fr as firebombing them on Christmas Morning!Please Mr.PM make sure the Police present a well investigated case against the perpetrators considering they have a self confessed fire bomber all those implicated should be punished with the full weight of the law even if they turn out to be Friends and associates
We want special treatment for Mr. Lennard “pappy” Baptist he is 74 years old yet the Police drag him out of his vehicle and lay all kind of charges on him why?He calling Skeritt names on His PA
Yes Mr. PMI it is really terrible ,apparently not only the Young People some adults are treating the Senior Citizens badly ,going as fr as dnim b them on Christmas Morning!Please Mr.PM make sure the Polenpresent a well investigated case against the perpetrators considering they have a self confessed fire bomber all those implicated should be punished with the full weight of the law even if they turn out to be Friends and associates
SO WHA BOUT MR. PAPPY
SKERITT ,,YOUR HYPOCRETE,
is;nt glenworth emanuel and his wife,, senior cetizens?
Is;nt pappy a senior cetizen,?
Skeritt , all those senior cetizens you cursing every day .
you forget that there are senior cetizens supporting tn=he workers party? and recently you called them disshornest and pirates ,which means THIEF ,
Mr skeritt, is that respect?Mr skeritt ,you think the senior cetizens have no sense?
Sir ,you should be the last person in dominica to talk about respectbecause you have proven to have none
Let Us Speak about ‘respect’. This is One Of The Arears We Need Much Discussion. If it is that many of the grown-ups /’seniors ‘ listen to the PM, Do they tell him or call upon the PM to have respect for The People In The Nation. Do they’the seniors who consider strongly the PM Prays to THE LORD So he can have respect for the people?
Mr.PM is ‘reverence’ FOR AND UNTO THE LORD?
Thanks for that info King Skerritt for letting us know that. We never knew that before.
This man keep spewing a whole load of rubbish that he has no knowledge of, has not researched, has not read, has not put into perspective the sociological issues relating to this sensitive issue. Who on earth wrote this speech for this man., where was it taken from,,,,,
How can you seriously run a country not knowing the origins of the social ills affecting the country.
The first major ill and abuser is the DLP government under this Skerrit lead government.
These family members may abandoned their next door family because these poor people are made to crawl up the Prime Minister’s office after waiting for hours in the queue at the Red Clinic downstairs the Financial Centre.
Skerrit is in no position to lecture anyone about decency, his government is corrupt and the biggest abusers of public funds, ignores the sector capable of taking care of the elderly and is notorious for handouts.
So election is due, Skerrit has run out of ideas and scared of Linton and UWP so they are chasing their tails. woooof ….wooof…mash……
The example is set at the top.
Tell that to Pappy, the 74 year old elderly man whom your goons just pulped.
nice. If govt gives an elder a house due to need when that senior passes on, I strongly believe that the govt should take back the property.
This is a joke..Skeritt is a hypocrite. How did this man become Prime Minister much less sit there for three terms. He is not sharp and cannot even articulate himself. he cares only about himself and will throw the first elderly into the dungeon who goes against him. Skeritt MUST GO!!
Just another political stunt in an election year. This is a disgrace. The PM is only doing this to secure votes and not because he’s concern about Snr. Citizens. People of Dominica, don’t be fooled by this.
The Lord JESUS SAID, “Do As They Tell You not as they do”.
Thanks, however Is this not known? ‘A man cannot give what he does not have.’
Mr.Skerrit PM , Is it not the ones who were young grows of age and called senior citizens by many? If or when LOVE IS NOT Given To them For Foundation, Shown To Them and not Maintained. Do you not think The same may present itself like a problem to many who had not Done or practiced Showing LOVE For So Long?
THANK YOU LORD , YOU SAID AND We Know YOU ARE THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND We Must LOOK TO YOU AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF Our FAITH.
Although you sir may keep eyes on you. However a Leader Doing Good Will have Followers Doing Good. All Together Good examples.
Our Grandfathers and grandmothers Before Were Seen Aging Graceful. Aging in number of years but facial expressions and body showed as if this prove of age was needed. What is happening now in the land among the people.
LORD Our GOD We Are Giving YOU THANKS AND PRAISES FOR THE BLESSINGS And Keep These Special People And For The Work Done. Anyone who do not care for Such People mocks his CREATOR.
Maybe we should pray less and do more….?
PM when will you stop using the Senior/ Elderly in the Island what happened when you heard what happened to Pappy didn’t you believe he was a senior , did you ask that the police office be disciplined for disrespecting a senior.
Skerrit, where is the respect, love, etc for Mr. Emanuel and his wife? Stop your vote caching gimmick. Do the seniors a favor, call the election.
Some of these people never worked to contribute to the country. Never took time to build in any way or form, be it, economically, socially….I guess they never thought they would get old.
We need to teach our people to sow good seeds to as to reap good fruits.
Create opportunities for people to work and put policies and programs to ensure that we save so that we will be ok when we get old.
eg: National health insurance, pension plans, compulsory salary or wage deduction from mothers and fathers who are not supporting their children.
fines for parents who are not caring for children they way they ought to.
these measures I believe will help create a healthier country and better senior age experience for all
It,s time that the younger folks realize that D/ca was built by the OLDER FOLKS weather they are related to you personally or not. Well said MR.PM. May God richly Bless You and all on the Island.
What $200.a month can do for our seniors who have no other income coming in.The cost of living is so high,You said mr.pm they help build Dominica and that’s how you repay them,When you have miniters making thousands a month for doing nothing just sitting on their behind running around with nice cars.You should be ashame of yourself. Lord have mermercy on my people.
Many if these people are in there fifties, PM you have been in office for approx. 15 years, which means that a lot of these people would have been at the productive age….so I ask you:
1. How many jobs did you created for them, to help them
put aside $200 for their old age?
I guess you wanted them dependent on you, by they
feeling helpless and hopeless and then you come in
on your red horse, to give them top up and goodies. Alas.
2. What about National health insurance that you could
put in place to make sure that their health expenses are
taken care of in their old age.
I guess if you had done that, then they would be
financial center waiting to beg you at your RED CLINIC
and you would get the chance to play god by giving them
top up every month.
Your policies are LAME. I am ashamed of you.
3. What are you doing now to ensure that those of us who
can still work are given jobs and opportunities to support
ourselves and families in our old age and not keep
begging governments like you have been making us do?
Well I am in my thirties now and well able to work,,,,,so please Mr Prime ministers create jobs so that I can work, And for someone else in the near distance future to tell me as a senior citizen that I built the roads etc. and I shall be proud.
Create jobs for Dominicans on our roads, schools, bridges, government buildings so that we can carry around our national pride and have our descendants to feel proud.
Your words are contradictory for is only Chinese you are creating jobs…not Dominica.
Are you ok in your head sir?
In my opinion, these are all mere words. The pm must practice what he preach. I am here reading this, and saying the pm must be nice to all seniors and not only those who are supporters. I can testify to the fact that a senior was in desperate need of a shelter over her head when her childhood house was destroyed by fire.Politics came into play and it took missionaries from the USA to out a roof over this woman,s head. The incident was brought to the pm,s attention, he gave positive words, but again cause politics to come into play, while this lady suffered for almost a year. Shame, shame shame. Help all seniors and not some.
Mr. Skerrit is only continuing his efforts to amass more VOTES for the coming elections. He has just demonstrated further an extension of the RED CLINIC . It is a shame to see the Prime Minister using Senior Citizens to advance his political agenda. Dominicans are now realizing that his actions and his words reveals how desperate he is. CHANGE IS A MUST!
Boy how things have changed!!! When I was growing up these values came naturally!!! I’m delighted that the PM is raising this very worrying issue. Perhaps this should be part of the Curriculum – food for thought!!!our Senior Citizens are very valuable and must be treasured!! God bless DOMINICA !!
Soliciting Sr votes Skerro?
“Prime Minister Skerrit stated that there is an opportunity for young people to change their attitudes and
treatment of senior citizens.”
Up we going!
SO senior citizens -PS- Diplomats- PM,and PRESIDENTS who are now elders have received that respect for their services to the state from the PM and that they can travel with less complication with the DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS awarded to others of their status in the OECS for their contribution to the STATE .
It is said that others who have not served at that level are so privileged in Dominica .
Sound good statement and I agree with you. However, people like you need to qualify this statement by adding, whether they are Red, Blue or another color or UWP or DLP. Because without a pause I can think of at least 8 persons in the Vieille case area you have treated and still treating the opposite of what you just said, simply because your agents have informed you that they might not be supporting you.
Well, let dignity begin with you so that Bala and the rest of your ancestors will not turn in their graves. Have respect for yourself and the youth. Too many young person esp. from the V/Case constituency are plagiarizing your H & D.
My granny and grandpa always tell me it is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Stealing, lieing and crooking is not the way to go! That’s the way to Hell.
Trust that the police officer who arrested PAPPY after showing none of the respect The PM is talking about is reading .Clearly the officer believed that by shutting Pappy up under heavy blows will endear him to the PM as the hero who” mannersed” PAPPY .
In so doing he will get the approval and elation of the PM
how dumb!!!
Something so positive sadly the political bloodsuckers going to find some way to put a spin on it
Aunty Annette I see you looking good PM Skerrit our blessings comes from the senior citizens who contributed to the building our beautiful Dominica.
Say what all you want, UWP never did and cannot do that. Nuff said!!
What about Justice For Mr Emanual and his wife? Have you called the commissioner of police to inquire about the brutality that pappy suffered at the hands of his men?
Pappy IS a Senior citizen
Isn’t LENARD PAPPY BAPTIST a Senior Citizen? 74 years old and was dragged out from his car by a young moron.
So now after the Pappy incident you are telling young people to show love, reverence, & respect to elders. Did you tell that to the police who beat “Pappy”. They had no compassion for the man but he fits in the “elder” category. Shaking my head
Skerrit, what you’ve forgotten to tell us yet again, how you propose to fund this ‘Living Grant’. Perhaps it’s none of my damn business?! I tell you what, just another election ploy to secure some more votes.
Layba working!!!
All i want Mr Skirret is for children to take care of there paren t they take care of you when you were a child baby carry you for 9 months when they get old you must to the same Dominicans please take care of your family especially your parent donot leave it for for SKIRRET to do for you so they wont parade them on t.v daily ..some are dead for several years and are still on t.v////
Pappy is a Senior Citizen
All that talk is just political talk. The senior citizen, Ambrose, was the one who addressed the senior citizens last year, now that general election is around the corner, the young man makes it his duty to address them. If Skeritt cares about the senior citizens, why didn’t he take this opportunity to inform them of the G.O.N. Emanuel situation. Mr. Pappy is a senior citizen and political leader, I am sure he heard of the incident concerning Pappy, he is yet to make a statement of the matter. You can fool some of the senior citizens some of the times, but you cannot fool all the citizens all of the times. I hope I didn’t plagiarize.
there is a apparent emphasis by the government to pamper the elderly.
Is it because they make up a large percentage of the voting population??
Rumor says they make up more than 50%
It’s amazing that every time this prime minister opens his mouth in this pre election season he says something that contradicts what he actually does or says.
This time the prime minister is calling on the nation to honour senior citizens. How nice!
How about another senior citizen, a retired magistrate named GON Emmanuel whose house was fire bombed on Christmas morning 2010?
What did the prime minister do? He refused to condemn this criminal act, and instead, he joined others on the his Animal show to berate, taunt and belittle Mr. Emmanuel by suggesting that Mr. Emmanuel may have started the fire himself!
I cannot think of a single act in office that more accurately defines the governing style of a prime minster who did not disappoint anyone who has questions about his decency and his commitment to law and order.
it is also useful to recall that the alleged culprit in the Emmanuel bombing case has professional ties to the prime minister.
And for the prime minister to now call on the nation to show respect to senior citizens is a callous reminder that we dealing with a regime that will stop at nothing in their quest to hold on to power by any means possible.
This rude and disrespectful treatment of a senior citizen 4 years ago will not go away by pretending that it did not happen and worse yet, embarking on a strategy to wait it out, hoping that Mr. Emmanuel will die, and the matter will be put to rest.
Mr. Skerrit should address the attempted murder of a retired magistrate before engages in the hypocritical talk of showing respect to senior citizens on the eve of the elections.
The prime minister should start showing respect for senior citizens by resolving to find justice for Emmanuel, and disclosing all he knows about this demonic incident on Christmas morning 2010.
$25.00 top up? Really?
The issue to be addressed is the way in which the police boy treated a senior citizen who goes by the name of “Pappy”. Mr PM you need to get someone, because we all know you cannot do it, to teach these kids to have respect for and to treat our senior citizens as they would like others to treat their parents and grand parents.
I am tired of the hypocrisy. Mr GON Emmanuel was savaged by Roosevelt Skerrit, Tony Astaphan, Charles Saverin,Ian Douglas, Lennox Lawrence et al. All claiming that heven GON Emmanuel refuse to cooperate with the police when it was clear that this was a lie. If you Mr PM care so much about senior citizens why did you not take the opportunity to express concern over the almost 4 years of denied justice for MR Emmanuel and his wife-two senior citizens who were maliciously attacked.Did you and your mercenaries apologize or even ever express sympathy to the Emmanuel family.
I hate to marginalize your call for respect and honor for our seniors but when your action and that of your soldiers are a direct opposite to your words then you are a hypocrite.
Mr Emmanuel ‘s case is off national interest and will remain so.
Mr.pm I’m happy to see you have our seniors in mind but from what I’m reading it just sounds like a political speech to me. In my opinion.
Yes we care, red clinic, free housing and you still going to lose the election. You know why? Because u not good for Dominica & u have to pay!! Karma by brother for pierro & Rosie.