ROSEAU, Dominica - Dominica is continuing to celebrate 48 years of political independence from Britain on Wednesday, but with the eyes of the country firmly fixed on attaining the milestone of 50 years of being an independent nation.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit addressing the nation on Independence Day (CMC Photo)Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday night said as a result, he will in January next year establish a bipartisan national committee to help guide the country’s preparations for the 50th anniversary of Independence.
“We will invite participation from across our political and civic life, drawing on the experience of our elders, the ideas of our young people and the contributions of Dominicans at home and abroad. Its work will help shape a national programme through which we can honour our journey, reflect honestly on our progress and identify shared priorities for the years ahead,” Skerrit said, adding “as we approach 50 years of nationhood, let us do so with a stronger sense of common purpose”.
In his broadcast, Prime Minister Skerrit compared the upcoming milestone to a cricket match in which two more runs were needed by the batting team to reach the half century.
“Completing both runs to reach fifty requires one condition above all: unwavering unity. That unity extends beyond our geographic shores to the Dominican diaspora across the world, whose distance has never cancelled their citizenship or diminished their belonging,” he said.
“So before we reach fifty, I ask every Dominican: how will you contribute? If you serve the public, remove one delay. If you own a business, open a door to a young person. If you farm, fish or practise a trade, pass on what expertise you possess. If you are a parent or teacher, help a child discover a gift.
“Between now and fifty, we will strengthen our electricity grid towards fully renewable energy by 2030, continue building homes, deliver titles to families who live in them, and prepare our communities for the opening of the international airport.”
Skerrit said that the international airport is the largest project “this country has ever undertaken” providing employment for more than 400 Dominicans and which is on schedule to be completed in the first quarter of 2028.
“When complete, it will instill in our children that where we are on a map does not define nor limit us. Our international airport will make it easier to bring our families home, to export Dominican products quicker and farther, to welcome new visitors and to connect us with markets that once felt beyond our reach. Best of all, we are building it without a loan that our children will have to repay.”
He said beyond the airport, prospective investors have shown strong interest in developing Dominica’s cruise facilities, cargo port and ferry terminal, bringing private capital and expertise, with government contributing land and other assets in partnership.
Skerrit told the nation that these projects could advance major infrastructure while relying less on revenue from borrowing and the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI), which in recent times has come under severe pressure with Europe giving Roseau a November 12 deadline to indicate whether it intends to continue with the CBI, or face the prospect of having visa free entry into the Schengen area removed.
But Skerrit said that everyone with a stake in the Dominica ports, from the cruise-berth vendor to the stevedore, deserves to understand these proposals and have a say and as a result he has directed the responsible ministries to hold consultations by November 18.
“Partners abroad are interested too. After our recent talks in Washington, a delegation from the United States International Development Finance Corporation is expected later this month to explore investment opportunities, including in major infrastructure. We will pursue these talks with the national interest firmly in focus,” Skerrit said.
He acknowledged that is the purpose behind the investments, adding that better roads must help farmers reach their markets and enable the public to travel safely.
“Our investments in tourism and energy must support small businesses and create jobs. New schools must give our children the skills and confidence to succeed in any career they choose to pursue. And our housing programme must continue to bring security and dignity to families who need it.
“For me, this is how we measure the value of our work: more Dominicans earning a better living, building something of their own and giving their children a better start. As we approach fifty years of Independence, that must remain our focus – ensuring that the country we are building together opens more doors for our people.”
Skerrit said that to every Dominican working hard and wondering when life will become easier, do not lose hope.
“I know progress cannot come quickly enough for some families. I cannot promise that every challenge will disappear tomorrow, but we will not stop working to make life better. I believe Dominica’s best days are still ahead of us. And I want every Dominican to have reason to believe that too. Not simply because of what I say today, but because of what you will see, experience and achieve in the years ahead.”
Skerrit said that between now and when the island attains its 50th anniversary of independence many people could be asking “ what lies ahead for your families and our country.
“There are many unknowns, and I will not pretend that every answer is already within our grasp. But I say to you tonight – do not despair. Your captain is here with you. Through the difficult decisions, the setbacks and the work of rebuilding, I have stood with you, and I remain committed to leading this country with care, purpose and a clear understanding of the responsibility you have entrusted to me.”
But he acknowledged that Dominicans are living in a world in which countries are becoming increasingly “nationalistic, placing their own interests first and reconsidering commitments on which smaller nations have long depended.
“For Dominica, these circumstances call for clear thinking, careful planning and greater unity. We must remain together. We must strengthen our ability to provide for ourselves, protect the interests of our people and respond to changes beyond our shores. Whatever our political persuasion, we share a responsibility to safeguard this country and the future of those who will inherit it.
“On this Independence anniversary, I therefore appeal to every Dominican to move beyond petty politics and place the national interest at the centre of our words and actions. There is room in our democracy for disagreement, scrutiny and vigorous debate. But there must also be room for cooperation, mutual respect and agreement on the things that matter most to our survival and progress.
“Let us be patriotic in the fullest sense; willing to serve, willing to contribute and willing to work together for the good of Dominica,” Skerrit said, urging Dominicans to use Wednesday’s National Day of Community Service to undertake a project that would rebound to the overall development of the island.
“Choose a river, a roadside, a playing field or a neighbour in need, and leave one corner of the Nature Isle better than you found it. Nation-building is not a spectator sport,” he told the nation.
