Former Finance manager at the NDFD, Fidel Grant says that he is ready to report to work in the Wesley constituency and to take back the seat for his party. At his launching yesterday, Sunday 16 June, Grant proved that he is a true son of the soil. He opened with the native ‘cocoy’ language and spoke of his childhood and family life right here in Wesley.
He quoted from Nelson Mandella and says that he is ready to make a difference in the lives of his people. “I stand here tonight to present myself to Dominica and to you. I pledge to serve you with humility, honesty, and integrity, to pledge that I will avail myself to all- the weak, elderly, working class and affluent- to help make a difference in each life that I will come in contact with…I affirm that I am not in this platform by accident- no one had to force me to be here. I made a thoughtful and deliberate decision guided by my Heavenly Father to offer myself to the service of the people of this constituency.”
Some of his plans for the constituency include making farming one of the priority areas and so he commits to repair farm access roads, complete agricultural stations, Continue to provide inputs free of charge and at concessionary rates, and assist in sourcing modern equipment and tools. He will assist poultry and vegetable farmers to position themselves to provide products to the hotels. He will form a cooperative to seek funding and support in agriculture. He will work with small business owners to strengthen their businesses in order to stimulate growth. He plans to build a daycare facility so that women may go out to work while their children are being well cared for. He sees the beach at Woodford Hill as one of the most beautiful on the island and as such, it should have better facilities and entertainment to attract tourists.
He called on the skills persons in the community such as electricians and IT technicians to get themselves certified for the jobs which will soon be created at the international airport. He intends to make full use of the old St. Andrews High School to do a fruit farm, juicing plant and small Agri processing plant. Grant said that the contract has already been signed for a new health center and lots will be made available for persons interested in purchasing to do so.
Time would have not permitted him to tell of all that is happening in the constituency like the street lighting program but he assured the people of the constituency that he will work to make dreams a reality and to move from just potential to being actual.
Grant was endorsed by Gloria ‘Teacher Glore’ Shillingford, who won the seat for the DLP in 2005. He will go against Ezekiel Bazil of the UWP who currently holds the seat.
