Deux Branches Another Betrayal of the Public's Trust

The betrayal of trust by public servants is thought to be one of the most destructive forces in society because it strikes at the very foundation of the social contract; which is, the idea that citizens grant power and authority to officials who will in turn act for the common good.

Trust in public officials in Dominica today is virtually nonexistent. This distrust is most prevalent in our Ministries of: Health, National Security and Finance. 

Consequent to the public officials less than robust response in addressing the “illegal mining” activities ongoing at Deux Branches; I am deeply concerned that this distrust is now metastasizing to the departments of Planning, Environment, Lands & Surveys as well as National Security. 

I refer primarily to the miners glaring disregard and disrespect for the court issued Stop Order. This order was issued in response to the illegal and brazen commencement of “mining” activities at Deux Branches by a foreign entity without prior approval.

Most disturbing is the public official’s lack of enforcement of the stop order; and further, adding insult to injury, their inaction in responding to the violation of said order.

This “No law, No constitution” approach to governance and public service was further compounded by the failure of the public servants responsible to provide scientific data and factual information to concerned citizens when these were requested. 

In contrast, the young concerned citizens provided scientific data and factual information to support their positions.

It is my concern that the failure to arrest this spread of public distrust as it relates specifically to the illegal mining debacle at Deux Branches, at this critical juncture in our development, can only lead to more collective insecurity and failures in an increasingly brutal and unforgiving world.

The public officers concerned are now tasked with the daunting responsibility of preventing further erosion of trust within our very insecure society. The success of this will be manifested in how transparently and professionally the public officers manage the illegal mining ongoing at Deux Branches.

I am optimistic that the protection and preservation of the ecological landscape at Deux Branches could very well not only serve to prevent a predictable environmental disaster; but, also simultaneously, reduce the present distrust of public officials brewing within our populace. Furthermore, continued loss of trust in our public officials will certainly: poison our governance, impoverish our society and destroy civil spirit. 

Prevention is always better than cure; we shall each reap what we sow! 

 Practicing prevention at Deux Branches is now a national task which is a fundamental requirement to ensure a more just, prosperous and healthier living in our Nature Isle – for our future! May we remain vigilante and steadfast as we continue to extoll our rivers, valleys, hills and mountains in our struggle to ‘develop’ and progress in this new global disorder. 

May the spirits of my ancestors be pleased.