ROSEAU, Dominica, Nov 3, CMC – Dominica is celebrating its 37th anniversary of political independence from Britain on Tuesday with the traditional military parade and the political leaders urged continued unity amid the ongoing efforts to rebuild the country following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika in late august.
The storm killed more than 30 people and left damage in excess of EC$600 million (One EC dollar =US$0.37 cents). The International Monetary Fund (IMF) last week said it was providing US$8.7 million from the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF).
Both Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Opposition Leader Lennox Linton spoke of the disaster in their independence messages urging unity and togetherness as the country rebuilds.
“The trail of destruction and loss of lives left behind in the wake of the Tropical Storm Erika which battered our country on August 27, and which has been described as the worst in living memory, triggered a shifting of the gear in our plans to celebrate Independence 2015.
“From listening to Dominicans from every walk of life, I have every reason to believe that you agree it was necessary to scale down the customary packed programme of activities that was planned,” Prime Minister Skerrit said.
He said that one of the persons killed in the southeast of Petite Savanne was a prominent leader and organiser in the cultural movement of the village.
“All members of the cultural group of the area lost relatives to the effects of the storm. They still grieve, and it is appropriate that the nation grieves with them,” Skerrit said, adding that “this spectre of destruction was visible in virtually every corner of Dominica, and the evidence is still there for all to see.
“My friends, we have been left with no choice but to embrace the theme Rebuilding Dominica Together for this year’s Independence celebrations,” Skerrit said, noting that his administration tries to identify sources for financing the massive rebuilding effort needed to put us back on the track for economic growth and prosperity.
“We are not daunted by this challenge and I am confident that you too, stand ready and willing to play your part in this call to nation rebuilding. I remain encouraged and fuelled by your prayers and support.
“When all is said and done, we are Dominicans; we are a spirited people, always ready to praise our God in good times and in bad times, filled with the zest for living a full life, never allowing adversity to dampen our spirits and ever welcoming to the stranger and visitor despite our circumstances.”
For his part, Linton said that the road to rebuilding the country is not an easy one and it was necessary for “each one of us, citizens and leaders, both civic leaders and religious leaders needs to commit to rebuilding Dominica in the “all for each and each for all” spirit of our National Anthem.
“Let us create a ‘Dominica First’ environment of caring, mutual respect, trust and commitment in which nationals at home and abroad, and especially traditionally disadvantaged groups, can participate fully with their unique talents and backgrounds in achieving and sharing the fruits of our success.
“Let us strengthen democracy in government institutions and civil society organizations while purposefully reducing the size and cost of government,” he said.
Linton is also calling for the need to establish a reconstruction incentive programme for private sector investments in tourism, manufacturing and services to facilitate rebuilding the trading capacity lost or reduced as a result of the storm.
“We sincerely believe that the devastating blows to life and property suffered in the ravages of Tropical Storm Erika, present a national reconstruction challenge to create a social transformation success story from the adversities of severe misfortune,” he said, adding “the task before us is to lead by example and rally the citizens of Dominica around a new vision of hope inspired by a national commitment that we can use this disaster as a platform for effective development cooperation that will secure for our nature island a thriving, exemplary, green space in global civilization”.
President .Charles Savarin also issued a similar call, saying also that over the last 37 years the island has made significant social and economic progress.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has congratulated Dominica on its 37th year of independence.
CARICOM Secretary general Irwin La Rocque said that the theme chosen for the anniversary “is most apt given the recent extensive devastation by tropical storm Erika.
“ It most certainly reflects the commitment of the Government under your leadership to work with all Dominicans in the reconstruction process,’ said la rocque, a Dominican national in his message to Prime Minister Skerrit.
“Dominica’s commitment to regional integration and keen sense of the value of our Community has been demonstrated continuously, a fine example of which has been the decision to accept the Caribbean Court of Justice as its final appellate Court,” he added.