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The News in Brief from The Dominican.net News Desk
Mahaut – June 16, 2009 Fourteen year old arrested on murder charge
Police in Dominica have arrested a fourteen year old boy from Mahaut in the stabbing death of Antoine Anthony of that village.
Anthony was stabbed in the ribcage with a knife by the alleged perpetrator as he sold coconuts in the Mahaut market. Unconfirmed reports say that Anthony was stabbed after he prevented the young assailant from taking one of his coconuts.
Meanwhile, Police are reporting that they are questioning two men from Grand Bay in the shooting death of Kirtlen Polydore of Pointe Mitchel.
Polydore was shot to death in Grand Bay over the weekend. The two murders bring to seven the total number of people who have been killed so far in 2007, just one short of the record eight murders in 2008.
Roseau – June 16, 2009 Government to reimburse airline for costs incurred over President’s visit
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said that his government will reimburse the regional airline LIAT for costs incurred during the recent visit of President Hugo Chavez to Dominica.
Scores of passengers en route to Dominica were stranded in Barbados, Trinidad, Antigua and other Caribbean islands as the Melville Hall airport was shut down to all commercial traffic from three in the afternoon, to accommodate the arrival of President Chavez and his entourage.
The president landed in Melville Hall before flying by helicopter to Canefield airport .
The passengers who could not get to Dominica on Saturday were put up in hotels by LIAT. The Prime minister now says that his government will reimburse the airline for the costs incurred. He also apologized to the scores of travelers who were affected during the president’s visit.
Bonn, Germany-June 11, 2009 Dominica most at risk from disasters linked to climate change
BONN, Germany, June 11 (Reuters) - Climate change will aggravate natural disasters and people in developing nations such as Dominica, Vanuatu, Myanmar and Guatemala are most at risk, a U.N.-backed study showed on Thursday.
It urged governments to invest hundreds of billions of dollars to curb mounting impacts of hazards such as cyclones, floods, droughts, landslides, earthquakes and tsunamis.
"Risk is ... felt most acutely by people living in poor rural areas and slums," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote in the report, issued on the sidelines of June 1-12 U.N. climate talks in Bonn working on a new treaty to combat global warming.
"Climate change will magnify the uneven distribution of risk, skewing disaster impacts even further towards poor communities in developing countries," the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction said.
Andrew Maskrey, lead author of the report, said that developing countries with big populations -- led by China, India, Bangladesh and Indonesia -- suffered the most fatalities from natural disasters.
"But you also have to look at it in relative terms -- the proportion of the population at risk," he told a news conference. By that yardstick, those at risk were "mainly small countries -- many small islands ... and small countries."
The list was topped by Dominica in the Caribbean, Vanuatu in the Pacific along with Myanmar and Guatemala.
Boetica-June 12, 2009 The Dominica Social Investment Fund (DSIF) holds AGM
The Dominica Social Investment Fund (DSIF) holds it second annual general meeting (AGM) in the village of Boetica on Thursday (June 04, 2009).
The Official Ceremony which starts at 2:30PM is expected to hear addresses from Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Community Development Minister Loreen Bannis-Roberts and Parliamentary Representative for the area Ron Green.
Other addresses will come from National Authorizing Officer for European Union Projects here and Chairman of DISF Rev. Marcus Francis.
Following the official ceremony the business session will be held.
The Dominica Social Investment Fund (DSIF) is a programme of the government of Dominica funded by the European Union. It was established as a result of recommendations arising from a country poverty assessment done some 7 years ago.
DSIF is expected to create an environment conducive to fostering a culture of self-reliance and well-being of vulnerable groups and poor communities in Dominica.
It is providing project funds to communities identified as poor with a view to reducing the level of poverty through training and projects which could become income generating in the future.
DSIF has over 25 projects completed and ongoing in over 25 communities at a cost of over EC$10M.
June 7 -2009 Dominica Reports First Case of Swine Flu
Dominica is reporting its first case of the A/H1N1 swine flu inflenza virus. Health sources on the island say the man from the outlying Bath Estate surburb, recently arrived from the United States and developed the flu-like symptoms before being diagnosed.
A heath alert has been issued and persons exhibiting flu like symtons are asked to report the matter to health officials but stay away from the country’s main hospital.
Other Caribbean countries reporting swine flu cases include Barbados, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
New York – June 7, 2009 Statement from a Better Dominica Organization
The A Better Dominica Organization is a non-partisan group of Dominicans living abroad who view with much concern the current scandalous allegations of corruption in Dominica.
Therefore, we are in support of previously issued public statements calling upon Prime Minister Skeritt to do the honorable thing, by stepping aside, to allow an unencumbered investigation into the allegations, and for due process to be conducted into the various allegations of wrongdoing that now plague and paralyze our nation; particularly the “Garbage Bin” scandal.
In these critical times of mounting social and economic challenges, we call for accountable, transparent, and good governance as well as effective leadership for Dominica. To this end, we believe that the resignation of the Prime Minister is the most noble, respectful, and least disruptive way to restore credibility and trust in Government institutions and public officials of Dominica.
A Better Dominica is committed to promoting transparency, and good governance, by empowering our citizens through civic education and working in harmony to effect positive change in our homeland.
MOSCOW, May 24, 2009 Russia confirms second case of A/H1N1 flu
Russia confirmed its second case of A/H1N1 flu on Sunday, the Itar-Tass news agency reported, citing the country's chief public health official.
The new patient, who returned with his wife from a trip to Dominica recently, tested positive for A/H1N1 flu, Gennady Onishchenko said.
The man was quarantined in hospital and was in a stable condition, Onishchenko said.
Those who came into contact with the man were under medical observation, and his wife and relatives have not shown any symptoms, the official said.
A 28-year-old man, who arrived in Moscow from New York, has been confirmed as the first case with A/H1N1 flu in Russia on Friday.
More than 12,000 A/H1N1 flu infections and 86 deaths have been recorded worldwide, according to the latest World Health Organization statistics.
Soufriere – May 20, 2009 Soufriere MP will not contest next election
Soufriere MP Ian Pinard will step down from poliitics for health reasons.
MP for the Soufriere constituency Ian Pinard has confirmed that he will not be contesting the next general elections because of ill health.
Pinard joins Urban Baron, Kelly Graneau and John Fabien , all elected representatives of the ruling Dominica Labour Party who have stated that they will not take part in the next general elections.
Baron is the elected representative for the Petite Savanne constituency, Graneau for the carib Territory and Fabien for the Grand Bay constituency.
Just last month, Prime minister roosevelt Skerrit denied rampant runors that Ian Dougals would not compete in Portsmouth.
The allegations come even as the prime minister has announced that he is moving ahead in preparations for the next general elections constitutionally due in may 2010.
Washington – May 20, 2009 IMF economist issues warning as economic crisis deepens
IMF economist Dr Thomson Fontaine warned yesterday in a BBC interview that the Caribbean faces increased poverty and mounting social problems if the global crisis continued.
The Washington based economist, who is originally from Dominica was responding to the news that remittances to Jamaica are down sharply in 2009, as well as in countries like Haiti and the dominican Republic.
Remittances account for more than 20 percent of GDP in Guyana, Dominica, Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
Fontaine said that regional governments will be hard pressed to take up the slack and provide the necessary safety nets for persons who previously depended on remittances from familes working in the United Staes, Canada and Europe.
He also stated that there could very well begin to be reverse migation into the Caribbean if the downward trend in the global economy continues, “thus adding to the social pressures in the islands.”
He siad that the conversation must begin within the Caribbean as to how to begin to address this growing problem, including growing more local foods and making better use of local resources.
Roseau – May 18, 2009 Haitians involved in road accident, minister praises their hard work
Police in Dominica are reporting that a vehicle carrying seven Haitian nationals including an infant plunged over a 50 foot cliff and landed on a concrete roof just outside of Salisbury.
The driver apparently lost control as he was negotiating a swerve on the road. All the passengers were hospitalized but were later released.
Meanwhile, tourism minister Ian Douglas is praising the contribution of Haitian nationals to Dominica’s economy. He told a celebration honoring Haitian independence in Portsmouth that he was happy with their hard work and dedication.
As a case in point, he noted that before the Haitians arrived in Dominica, it was impossible to get fresh vegetables in the market except on Fridays and Saturdays. He said that currently, you can go to the market at anytime seven days a week and be assured of getting fresh produce.
The minister also cautioned Dominicans about resenting the Haitians and urged them to emulate their example of hard work.
It is estimated that over 3 000 Haitians now reside in Dominica since they began to enter the country in numbers just over six years ago.
Roseau – May 18, 2009 Man hangs self in Police jail
Police are investigating the suicide of Eden Richardson, age 26 who took his own life at a police cell in Roseau.
Police report that Richardson hanged himself in the cell block using his shirt and another piece of linen. At the time, he was scheduled to appear before a magistrate for the alleged rape of a nine year old girl.
The jail is located at Police Headquarters in Roseau and normally houses three to five persons awaiting court appearances.
This is the first such incident reported in the history of the jail.
Roseau – May 7, 2009 Fired minister to contest next general elections
Former minister Ambrose George vows to contest the next general elections.
Former infrastructure minister Ambrose George who was fired by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit in November 2008 says he is ready to contest the next general election on a labor party ticket.
George, who has the distinction of being twice fired by two different Prime Ministers’ told a South Roseau constituency group that “God willing I will be available to serve you.”
The representative for the Newtown constituency said that his decision was the result of a call by the people. “I have heard your cry. You want me to serve you for another term.”
In 2002, then Prime Minister Pierre Charles fired George as finance minister after FBI agents in Puerto Rico, arrested his traveling companion Julian Giraud on money laundering charges. At the time George was not charged, but Giraud was eventually convicted in a Miami court and sentenced to prison.
Then in November of last year, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit fired George without stating any particular reason. At the time, it was widely believed that George was fired over allegations surrounding the payment of kickbacks for the attempted setting up of an offshore bank in Dominica See related
Roseau – May 7, 2009 Police charge Goodwill resident for gun possession
Police in Dominica are reporting the arrest of Austin Carty of Goodwill for the possession of marijuana, a semi automatic weapon and ammunition.
According to a release from the police, they were exercising a warrant for cash that was reportedly stolen at the home of Clement Carty when they came upon the drugs and gun.
Clement Carty, who is the father of Austin and Austin’s girlfriend were subsequently arrested and brought before a Roseau magistrate.
