During a radio interview in Dominica in October of this year, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit had declared that there was no vacancy for the position of leader of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP), and that he would retain the position.
The pronouncement came ahead of the DLPs conference of delegates.
Skerrit’s words proved true on Sunday November 10, when he was elected unopposed during the conference of delegates.
In 2000, following then Prime Minister Rosie Douglas’ death, Pierre Charles became Prime Minister of Dominica. Charles passed away on January 6, 2004 and two days later, Skerrit was sworn in as Prime Minister, at age 31, making him the youngest Prime Minister at that time. A month later he was elected Political Leader, and has retained this position ever since.
On Sunday, Skerrit made his grand entrance to Signal Band’s Bouyon song “Stronger” as he danced and greeted delegates.
Among the many invited guests was leader of the Saint Lucia Labour Party, Phillip J. Pierre and Dickon Mitchell, leader of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of Grenada, both of whom spoke at the conference.
Roosevelt Skerrit’s presentation Sunday focused on the Government’s achievements, Dominica’s successes as well as the Citizens by Investment (CBI) program.
Skerrit also welcomed Tiyani Behanzin, the son of the late Rosie Douglas to the DLP saying; “in Labour house there are many rooms there are many rooms for anybody, for anybody to come under the tent of Labour.”
“Because Labour is an inclusive party, Labour is a welcoming party, Labour is about people – we may have our disagreements but we must never lose sight of our philosophical standing, our principals, our commitment to the people,” he added.
“We are here today not just as a political party, but as a family, with deep roots in the history of our beloved Dominica. It is our shared struggles that has brought us victories,” Skerrit said.
Further, “we should never be afraid to celebrate our successes. Yes there will always be challenges and yes governing a country is hard work, but we must also take pride in the positive change in the lives of thousands of Dominicans.”
Skerrit then went on to cite the Caribbean nation’s CBI program as “the lifeblood of Dominica.”
He alleged that the UWP in both Dominica and Saint Lucia wanted to stop the respective programmes.
“In Saint Lucia, they believe that if they stop the CBI, then Phillip J Pierre will lose the Government. No! The people of Saint Lucia know better and they know who they can trust,” Skerrit said.
“The CBI program is sound and transparent and it has brought tangible benefits to Dominica and Dominicans,” the DLP leader went on to say.
“Those who question its integrity do so out of malice not truth. So let them talk, let them spread their lies and propaganda, but it is our duty to defend the program with confidence and conviction. We know the truth, we know the steps we have taken to ensure its transparency and effectiveness,” he said.
The DLP leader went on to urge Dominicans to stand up in support of the CBI adding that the opposition parties were waging war against the programme citing a recent court action as example.
It’s a shame on our leaders who partake in the sale of sovereignty to achieve so called economic success without consideration for the long term effects. It shows a lack of initiatives to boost an economy, and therefore have opted for short cuts with devastating long term effects. In the end, they will realize that their sovereignty is gone and yet they remain in massive debt. The only way the program would be effective, is to make that money multiply exponentially through investments. Simply spending that money to simply get by, is futile.
The CBI program leaves too many avenues for corruption and money laundering. It needs to come under an independent governing body. For all we know we are get getting ten cents on every dollar received back as investments in our countries and we cheer for this 10%. Meanwhile huge amounts on of money might be moving in the shadows.