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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 53 - Tuesday January 06, 2004 |
Exploring the Possibilities to a Better Future
 by Thomson Fontaine
The start of a new year always presents a unique opportunity for us to reflect on the past, use the insights gained and plan ahead with a view to shaping a better tomorrow or at the very least work on avoiding the pitfalls of the past.
In a real sense, we do this as individuals, within groups, companies, organizations, or indeed collectively as a Nation. With 2003 giving way to a new 2004, my thoughts automatically turned to my beloved country.
I tried to reflect on where we have been, where we are and where it appears that we are headed. In this article, I will attempt to share some of the more forceful thoughts that have emerged. In doing so, I will insist on being candid, open and in the process unapologetic. Let the chips fall where they may.
It is clear to me and indeed to even the most disinterested observer that Dominica is by far a much poorer country economically, socially and politically today than it was at the start of 2003. With regard to the economy, the country continues to flirt with economic disaster. This, a telling consequence of our inability to make the transition from a banana republic to a more broad based, and economically stable country.
One interesting and disturbing consequence of this economic malaise is the frightful flight of the young, able-bodied citizens who were perhaps better placed to make a difference. The United States authorities have reported an almost one hundred percent increase in the number of visa applicants from Dominica. A telling statistic by any count but made all the more dramatic when one considers that applications from other Caribbean countries were on the decline.
Also of consequence and no less disturbing is the influx of persons, usually female, and nearly always young from Haiti and the Dominican Republic, flooding the town of Portsmouth. Indeed this activity have captured the attention of the US and French authorities who are concerned that local businessmen facing tough economic times, may have turned to illicit human trafficking to make a quick buck.
I should quickly add that there is no proof that such is the case with locals preferring to believe that these are simply girls eager to take advantage of the presence of a medical school in the area by engaging in the oldest of all professions, or those who are intent on competing for scarce local jobs. I suspect the truth may lie somewhere in between. Whatever it is, this have forced to the fore, the issue of how to deal with reverse migration, and how to accommodate foreigners in our midst.
In a vain attempt to stem the economic slide, government floated the idea of the building of an oil refinery smack in the middle of prime agricultural lands. Clearly a bad idea and one which if I were a betting man would wager against it ever coming on stream. In the end, a pact was signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that in exchange for some $US 11 million, the country would embark on severe austerity measures (read cut back on the size of government), and work to rapidly reduce the overwhelming debt burden.
So far, the measures been promoted are unlikely to make much of an impact, in the absence of bold growth initiatives, leading to the real possibility that at the end of 2004 things would be much worse than they now are. My reflections have led me to some real, practical solutions, which I believe can be implemented with a view to making a difference. I will get to these at the end of this article after I have had an opportunity to comment further on the social and political situation.
To begin, I will take a look at the politics. Dominican society is more deeply fractured along political lines than it has ever been in its recorded history. With an uncontrolled media where every voice has become an instant authority on everything of national importance, passions run high, the fight is cruel and nasty, and incalculable damage is been done against a Nation�s psyche.
To this mix of arrogance, bad blood and political feuding, add a restless labor union seemingly powerless to do anything to stem the rising tide of despair among its membership, due in large part to continuing layoffs within the public sector. In the final analysis, the political debate has degenerated to a level never before seen in the country. In my view, this poses a real and present problem for the upcoming elections constitutionally due in 2005.
On the social scene, the young resort increasingly to crime and violence, and there is a sense of a persistent and gradual breakdown within society as we know it. Families are becoming marginalized and the numbers living below the poverty line is climbing steadily upward.
In 2004 there should be a focus on tackling, in earnest, the problems with which we are confronted. The beginnings of a solution lie in dealing immediately with the economic problems facing the country. The emphasis must be on creating jobs for the unemployed, and providing a better living standard for all.
With regard to job creation, this can best be accomplished through the attracting of Foreign Direct Investment. Potential investment in agro-processing, light manufacturing and the all-important tourism sector should be the focus. A clear plan backed by a vigorous promotion campaign may be the best way to proceed.
Dominica�s tourism sector is grossly underdeveloped and every effort must be made to get more tourists into Dominica. The current emphasis on cruise visitors with the almost complete disregard for the stay over tourist is a recipe for disaster. Scare resources should go to encouraging the stay over tourist into the country.
While it might serve a political purpose to see a gigantic tourist liner towering over the town of Roseau, the economic effect is far less dramatic. In my own estimation, the spending from one hundred stay over tourists would easily equal that of an entire cruise liner spending three hours in the Roseau harbor.
What I am suggesting is not new. Countless voices have echoed the need to develop a relevant agriculture policy that could focus on Dominica becoming the bread basket of the Caribbean. Others have been equally vocal in begging for the more active inclusion of overseas Dominicans who could perhaps engage in joint ventures with local business owners. Joint investment in small hotels or restaurants as well as time shares and other projects is one way to go. Getting the construction sector to provide a much needed boost by providing incentives for overseas Dominicans to build is another.
For years we have chased after grand schemes and �fly by night� investors while disregarding a more prudent and sure approach to development. Sadly, we have not learnt from our mistakes. Case in point is the proposed construction of an oil refinery in Castle Bruce. Why is it we continue to live in a fools� world?
In the meantime, we discourage the input of our own overseas based Dominicans. Everyone appears keen on tearing each other down. Like crabs in the proverbial basket no one wins, yet the scars of conflict are everywhere.
Let 2004 be the year when we call upon all within society to shoulder their responsibility. Love of country should be an immediate rallying cry. In the absence of a vision of where we are headed, the people are bound to perish. Let�s think outside the box of history�s failures. It is time to grapple boldly with the issues that confront us. Surely a Nation of 70,000, which is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, an educated populace, and the resilience of Job can pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
2004 beckons with all the promise of a forgotten 2003. Time to work, to share, unite across the deep political divide, welcome the efforts of all Dominicans and move towards reversing the deeply troubling trend of a Nation on the fast track to self destruction.
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