‘Time to Create Better Opportunities as we Grow as a Nation’
Let me begin on behalf of my Party by congratulating the people of Dominica on the celebration of our country’s forty sixth year of Independence. This grand occasion, which represents our break from colonial domination, offers us the opportunity for sober reflection on where we have been and how best we can chart a new and better path forward for our country, which we so dearly love.
My fellow Dominicans, this Independence comes at a time of growing challenges to our economy, a compromised political environment, a highly divided population, and mounting social problems. In addition, foreign labour and contractors are given priority over our own people. These issues loom large and are compounded by government’s seeming inability to adequately address the mounting problems.
Our reflection on the economy will demonstrate that after all these years we are very far from where we were at the attainment of independence. Sadly, we have failed to grow an export economy and take advantage of developing our agriculture and water industries. Businesses continue to close down with the private sector just a shadow of what it was when we attained our independence. In short, we have failed after more than 45 years to attain any form of economic independence. In addition, we continue to lose our key human resource with an unprecedented level of outward migration of, in particular, our young people. Overall, the economy is in a virtual state of collapse, which has condemned scores of our fellow Dominicans to increasing levels of poverty and despair.
With respect to our political environment, we are faced with a shrinking civic and political space far more repressive compared to what was experienced before our independence. Today as I speak to you, attempts are being made to stifle political dissent as was demonstrated recently with the teargassing of peaceful protesters by the Police. Trade and workers unions are intimidated into silence and dare not protest for fair and equitable wages. In addition, I along with several high-ranking members of our United Workers Party (UWP) have been dragged before the courts in an endless parade of delay and frustration, all for simply daring to challenge this government.
In the face of mounting local and international pressure, this administration has so far failed to enact electoral reform, which will see the elimination of the bloated voters list, introduction of voter ID cards, and equal access to local media, among other reforms. Voting by we the people of Dominica in free, fair and credible elections are at the heart of our democracy and something that those who fought for our independence dearly cherished. We therefore must not fail in quickly enacting those reforms, which will keep us in line with other vibrant democracies around the world. Nothing less will be acceptable to the people.
On the social front, our young people are either denied job opportunities or forced to accept ridiculously low wages. There is increasing incidence of crimes being committed and our social markers continue to worsen by the day. Local workers including our truckers are forced to stand on the sideline, struggling to feed their families, while foreigners are given a free hand in securing local contracts.
Looking forward, it is important that we begin, as a Nation, to tackle the mounting problems which now confronts us and help establish a path to true independence. This work must begin with a new focus to revamp our agriculture sector to include a medical marijuana industry, develop our water resources, rekindle the manufacturing sector to showcase agro-processing and essential oils, and revamp our tourism industry. Indeed, the economy should be given a chance to grow, and in the process, reverse the deteriorating fortunes of our people.
Government must allow freedom of expression and dissent, and immediately stop the hounding of opposition members to include dropping of frivolous court cases. Focus should be placed on the youth through improved job opportunities, and better paying jobs. Our truck drivers, nurses, Police officers, government employees, National Employment Program (NEP) workers and others must be supported to allow them to play their role in Nation building. Further, government must create the enabling environment that will allow for the private sector to thrive. It is only by valuing our people, and creating opportunities to grow the economy, in an effort to reverse the economic and social decline that we can claim to be a truly independent nation.
