Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, there are several factors worthy of note as we celebrate the attainment of this particular milestone this afternoon.
Firstly, by commencing this project, with a definite and reliable source of financing – and with a credible and competent firm of contractors - we are honoring a major promise that we made to the people of Scotts Head and surrounding communities.
Secondly, we are enhancing, both environmentally and aesthetically, the beauty and appeal of Scotts Head in particular and of Dominica in general.
Thirdly, as a government and a country, we are demonstrating a capacity of resourcefulness and resilience that must be the envy of countries, near and far.
Perhaps I should focus first on the latter point, because I recall very clearly how the ‘nay Sayers’ in our midst spoke very pessimistically and disparagingly about Dominica’s membership of the Alba and how it would have redounded to the eternal discredit of our island.
We were told back then that Dominica would have been blacklisted and would possibly have lost its membership of Caricom and other regional bodies. We were told also how membership of Alba would have undermined relations with traditional diplomatic allies.
I am grateful this evening that the vast majority of Dominicans gave their government the benefit of the doubt. I am happy that you trusted the judgment of your leaders.
I recently returned from a meeting of Alba and it was during those discussions that I learnt of the expressed interest being demonstrated by several other regional and hemispheric countries in joining Alba and being a part of the focused and progressive institution and entity that it has become.
The fears of those who forecasted gloom and doom have not been realized. Those who said Dominica would pay a dear price for its association would be pleased to hear this evening that far from weakening traditional ties and associations, the opportunity to explain our position and to explain the actual functioning of Alba has served to not only educate but enlighten other countries to the tremendous possibilities that exist.
I therefore unreservedly thank the leaders of Alba for their unstinting support to the government and people of Dominica.
In particular, I salute this evening the President of Venezuela, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, Ambassador Carmen Martinez de Grijalba and all the wonderful people at Petro Caribe headquarters, especially Mr. Louis Rivas.
In this age and era of global economic meltdowns, Dominica is still able this evening to secure and access 100% concessionary financing that enables and enhances its continued development, while at the same time casting not a single financial burden on its population.
I did not need in the last budget, nor do I need in the next budget, to raise a dollar in new taxation to finance this particular project. The impact of this project on Scotts Head in particular and Dominica in general, would have been considerably reduced had it been associated with or triggered by the need to raise additional taxation to underwrite its cost.
We are able in Dominica to continue the start up of key developmental projects at a time when several of our neighboring states are lamenting the scarcity and in many instances the reduction of concessionary and definitely grant funding, for key projects. Several of our neighbors in the Caribbean cannot understand how we can be starting new projects at a time and in a period when many are forced to slow down and shut down existing projects because of what is loosely referred to as “a drying up of the money market”.
I wish this evening therefore to salute those of you who reposed and who to this day have maintained your faith and confidence in the judgment of this government.
I have said repeatedly that Dominica’s foreign policy, under my watch, shall be influenced and in many respects, be propelled by its domestic agenda and interests. We have put the interest of Dominica foremost in our consideration in the crafting of our foreign policy.
That is why we are able today to undertake simultaneously, with minimum financial dislocation to taxpayers, such highly capitalized projects as the Airport Terminal Lighting and Upgrade Project, the first phase of the Canefield to Mellville Hall Road Improvement project, The Valley Road Project and the Roseau Road Reinstatement Project.
That is why I must remind you also of the projects that have been completed in recent years, for which you did not need to pull your pocket. These are headlined by the world-class cricket, sporting and cultural arena we call the Windsor Park Stadium, the first phase of the Tan Tan sea defense wall, the Castle Bruce Health Centre, phase two of the Dominica Grammar School project and the Warner Road reinstatement project, to name a few.
So this afternoon we salute our allies and friendly countries and institutions, which have helped to propel our continued development in spite of the global economic meltdown that is serving to paralyze several neighboring economies.
I am sure many of you are following social and economic developments in countries like Antigua, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica and closer to home, as we speak, Martinique and Guadeloupe. I am not speaking disparagingly about any territory or its circumstances. I merely wish for you to ponder upon and recognize how fortunate we are in Dominica to be starting up and sustaining projects at a time when many others are enduring completely different experiences.
The second point I wish to emphasize today relates to the impact of this particular project on the maintenance and upgrade of our infrastructure and aesthetic beauty. Apart from the environmental and safety hazards that a further delay of this project would have occasioned, the area was in urgent need of an upgrade…a facelift, as we would more commonly describe it.
Scotts Head is an arterial connection to several communities that have proven appealing to and popular with visitors to our island as well as to Dominicans in general.
Dominica is today becoming a tourist destination of choice. We are not attracting mega cruise ships and increased visitor arrivals by accident. We have successfully marketed this country to discerning travelers. We have introduced cruise ship operators to the true value and beauty of Dominica and they are including us as a ‘must see destination’ in their itineraries.
As a nation we have to be proud of this achievement as well as to do our utmost to maintain the designation. We have to work hard and assiduously at product enhancement and improvement. That is why, even if you discounted the issues of coastal conservation and sea protection, the very fact that this arterial stretch is being enhanced will be a plus to the overall beauty and appeal of Dominica.
Consideration of its environmental impact ought not at the same time to be discounted. When I walked these streets and canvassed many of the households on the occasion of the last general election campaign, you shared with me your thoughts, fears and anxieties about your vulnerability to the elements.
You said to me you were tired of broken promises and that for decades you were promised improvements to this sea wall but had received no action.
Ian Pinard and his colleagues in the Dominica Labour Party and several leading lights of the true and original Dominica Freedom Party said to you that if you voted for Ian, the project would be pursued and would be brought on stream before the next general election.
You voted for Ian and this evening, the government of the Dominica Labour Party and key allies of the original and authentic Dominica Freedom Party are here to celebrate the second major step to delivering on that promise.
I look forward to returning in 16 months to not only open this project but to walking the full 940 metres. This is a project of all winners. You, the residents of Scotts Head and surrounding communities are winners. The all-important coast of Dominica is a winner, and Dominica itself is a winner as a result of the coming on stream of this project. It’s the latest saga in the tale of a promise made…and a promise that will be kept.
That is why the third point of our keeping the faith and honoring our promise is so vitally important and worthy of mention. As a country we have to be conscious of what it going on around us.
I watched two nights ago as President Obama battled his stimulus package through the Congress and Senate of the United States of America. Like you, I have been following developments in North America and Europe and I am concerned.
I am concerned that the economic meltdown stands today as a storm on the horizon of Dominica and the islands of the Caribbean.
We can see it churning in the distance and we know that it could be headed in our direction.
Close to 800,000 jobs were lost last month alone, in the United States of America. Some of those, I am sure, would have been Dominicans or friends of Dominicans. The continued meltdown in the United States will have a negative impact on Dominica, both directly and indirectly. Some of those 800,000 persons, added to the millions that lost their jobs in the past year, were among potential visitors to Dominica. It was the proceeds of their labor that potential investors were hoping to invest in Dominica.
In other words, Ladies and Gentlemen, what is happening around and about us is not abstract, by any stretch of the imagination. It will impact Dominica!
That is why we have to be resilient and resourceful. That is why we have to embrace opportunities and embrace genuine allies and associates.
Your government has demonstrated in the past eight years its capacity to get the job done, in spite of these challenges. We called on you to assist when we desperately needed you to. But, we recognize that there was only so much your contributions could have done and that if Dominica were to advance and develop that we had to think ‘outside of the box’. That is what we have done and that is what we will continue to do.
But progress such as this cannot and should not be taken lightly. This project would not have come about, were ANY government in office today. It would not have been brought to fruition irrespective of whether Ian Pinard had won his seat or not. This is the dividend on your investment! It has been prioritized because of a promise that was made to you…and our commitment to honoring that promise.
The coming weeks and months and even years will be challenging, but not daunting.
Your government is determined to ride out this period of economic adversity. We have not begun to feel the real effects of the global economic meltdown, but, it’s approaching and we will feel the effects in due course.
Your government is hard at work seeking to stave off and minimize the impact of the approaching economic storm. We have formed strategic alliances that should serve us well in this period. Not everyone has access to such resources and contacts!!
My message to you this evening is simple. Celebrate this project. Embrace this project. Exploit the social and economic benefits and opportunities of this project. Most of all cherish this evening and the fact that through it all and in spite of it all…the promise we made to you has been kept and will be delivered upon in 16 short months.
May God bless all of you! Thank you. |
