![\"Chavez](\"http:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Chavez-in-prayer.jpg\")
Dominicans have been adding their voices to those of millions around the world who have been reacting to the death of Venezuelan leader, Hugo Chavez.<\/p>\nDominicans have been adding their voices to those of millions around the world who have been reacting to the death of Venezuelan leader, Hugo Chavez.<\/p>\n
Prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit issued a statement on Tuesday night in which the depth of his affection for Mr. Chavez was clearly and unreservedly demonstrated. Skerrit declared a National State of Mourning in Dominica for the deceased president starting today, to continue until the morning after the Friday March 8, burial of the Venezuelan leader.<\/p>\n
Apart from his personal affection for Chavez, Skerrit and his Labour Party government have good reason to be grateful to the Venezuelan leader for the millions of dollars in assistance which he gave to Dominica over the past nine years.<\/p>\n
Some of the Venezuelan-funded projects which have benefitted Dominica include the Petro Caribe Initiative, the $30 million Soufriere\/Scotshead Seawall, the Tan Tan Sea Wall, the Salybia Primary School, the Petite Soufriere to Rosalie Link Road, $2 million worth of national security vehicles and a marine patrol vessel valued at $1.9 million.<\/p>\n
Other major projects funded by Venezuela in this country are, the $3.9-million Grand Bay Police Station, sea defence and road works at Melville Hall airport totalling $26-million, and water projects at Delices, Warner and Campbell at the cost of $7.95 million.<\/p>\n
In addition, several young Dominicans have received scholarships to study at Venezuelan universities.<\/p>\n
Now that the godfather of ALBA (Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas), is dead, it is unclear whether Venezuelan assistance to Dominica will continue and if it does, to what extent.<\/p>\n
It is against this background that some Dominicans on Wednesday gave DNO their reactions to Chavez’ death.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur prayers and condolences go out to the people of Venezuela\u201d one man indicated when asked what he thought of the passing of the leader.<\/p>\n
Another individual indicated that although the country sympathizes with the Venezuelan nation, she does not feel that the death of this leader will have any significant effect on Dominica. \u201cThis should not affect our relationship with the people of Venezuela, for some time people will be sad that he is dead, he will be missed but his work and contribution to Dominica was significant so his passing should not affect our ties with Venezuela,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, another young man was of the opinion that the leader\u2019s passing will definitely affect the Dominican economy. According to him, Dominicans should hope that the ties between Dominica and Venezuela are not severed by a new Venezuelan leader.<\/p>\n
He explained that if this happens he believes the unemployment rate, education opportunities among various other projects will suffer.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr Chavez was a leader like no other. He assisted Dominica and we have to say thank you to him for the many projects which his government funded for us. We have students studying in Venezuela, we have Petro Caribe, and no amount of money can repay Chavez for the amount of assistance he gave to the Dominican people. We have to be forever grateful,\u201d one woman said.<\/p>\n
Chavez died on Tuesday after a two-year battle with cancer.<\/p>\n