Ministry of Agriculture temporarily lifts band on hunting
by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
The Forestry, Wildlife and National Parks Division is pleased to advise the general public that government has approved the temporary lifting of the moratorium on the hunting of wildlife and fishing in fresh water streams in Dominica for the period Thursday, 1st October, 2009 through Thursday, 31st December, 2009.
During that period only licensed hunters and freshwater fishermen may hunt the following species of animals, agouti, manicou, rammier, crabs, and freshwater fish. However, the ban on hunting of mountain chicken or crapaud and on all kinds of birds except the rammier remains firmly in place.
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ASYCUDA world programme moves one step further towards being fully implemented in Dominica
by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
“This is a giant step forward for Customs’ reform. We are actually stepping out of the past. No longer are we going to depend on ship’s cargo manifest being submitted on sheets of paper which later forms huge files on our desks. From now on, these manifests will be stored on the computer. From now on, each importer is required to obtain an ASYCUDA bill of laden from the ship’s agent when receiving delivery and must present that bill of laden at Customs together with the Customs entry declaration.”
These were the words uttered by Comptroller of Customs in Dominica, Adolphus David, as he addressed the formal launching of the Cargo Manifest Module of the ASYCUDA World project at the Woodbridge Bay on Monday, 28th September, 2009.
According to Mr. David, the aforementioned conditions also apply to non-commercial importers.
Comptroller of Customs in
Dominica, Adolphus David
“This also applies to those persons importing non-commercial or the gift packages, that is, those of you who normally pay at the small Customs office at the Deep Water Harbour better known as the ‘white house’.”
Government proposes sweeping changes to the legal system in Dominica
by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
A number of changes have been announced by Attorney General, Hon. Francine Baron-Royer, as she addressed a ceremony on the 15th of September, 2009, at the Parliament Building to mark the opening of the Law Term 2009/2010. Among those changes is the posting of a second Resident Judge to Dominica and the construction of a new High Court in Dominica.
According to the Attorney General, the posting of a second judge to Dominica is very timely. This arrangement has been made to deal primarily with hearing and disposing of the caveat cases which were languishing in the system for very long periods.
“The Hon. Prime Minister being sensitive to the needs of the justice system and recognising the limitations under which it was operating and the importance of having an efficient court system, made a request of the Chief Justice for a second Judge to be assigned to Dominica. The Chief Justice responded to that call and as of the 25th of October, 2009, Justice Birnie Stephenson Brooks will be taking up residence in Dominica as the second resident Judge. This has been long awaited and will make a significant difference in the speed with which matters are dealt with.”
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2009 Independence celebrations get off to a colourful start
by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
Section of the crowd at Saturday's
opening
A large crowd, dressed in lively colours, turned out at the Old Mill Cultural Centre on Saturday, 26th September, 2009, to witness the official opening of this year’s Independence celebrations. The thirty-first (31st) anniversary celebrations are being observed under the theme, ‘Celebrating Progress and Development’. A number of Government officials including Acting President Mr. Conrad McIntyre, Hon. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Hon. Minister for Community Development, Gender, Culture and Information, Loreen Bannis-Roberts witnessed the opening.
Delivering the welcome remarks, Chief Cultural Officer, Raymond Lawrence, said that Independence is a time of celebration where we concentrate on aspects of our life that truly identify us as Dominicans.
“Independence time is here again. A time where we focus on and celebrate things Dominican; when we continue to strengthen our sense of identity and patriotism; when we celebrate our culture, our sports, our cuisine, our Creole wear, our Creole language, our agriculture, our arts and crafts, our music, our dance, our adult, youth and children; when we give thanks to God for his gifts and blessings.”
Government commissions new sea-defence wall in Fond St. Jean
by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
New sea-defense wall at Fond St. Jean
Residents of Bagatelle, Fond St. Jean, Fab and Point Caribe on Friday 18th September, 2009, witnessed the historic occasion of the commissioning of the Fond St. Jean sea-defence and road project on. The 2.33 million dollar(XCD$2 330 000.00) project was designed by the Technical Services Division of the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructural Development and executed by local contractor, Ace Engineering.
The project was initially expected to be completed within twenty-six (26) weeks but was extended to thirty-four (34) weeks to accommodate variations or additional works which became necessary during the execution of the project.
Speaking at Friday’s ceremony, the Hon. Parliamentary Representative for the area, Urban Baron, was delighted that the project was implemented.
More on this story here.