Dominica celebrates 42 years of Independence

The Commonwealth of Dominica celebrated 42 years of Independence on Tuesday. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the celebrations were only limited to the State House Conference Room.

During the Independence Day address, Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit stated that forty-two years ago, our new nation was born.

"We shed the cloak of our colonial past and emerged to face the future as a Republic, that would after that be known as the Commonwealth of Dominica," stated Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit.

He added that even though the population of Dominica was small and the hills and rivers beautiful but daunting. Still, the country was bolstered by faith, and confident of capacity to construct a proud and prosperous nation.

Prime Minister stated that when the country embarked on the journey of nationhood, the road was not easy. He added that since then, Dominica had faced many storms, natural and human-made, earthquakes, landslides and floods, but we have overcome them all.

"We have fought on, pressing forward, moving upward, growing stronger and maintaining a clear development trajectory," added Dr Skerrit.

Prime Minister stated that Dominica had come a long way in these 42 years and it now experiences modern infrastructure, telecommunications network, best housing in the Caribbean, health care.

He emphasised that Dominica offers adequate education to citizens, and it has enormous opportunities for young people. He included that protection of senior citizens and social safety for the vulnerable stands one of the best in the region.

"Dominica has a good society, one of justice and equity, one with compassionate people, one with opportunity for all," added Dr Skerrit.

Prime Minister added that the country had overcome many a storm; similarly, the nation would overcome the coronavirus pandemic.

He stated that due to coronavirus crisis in Dominica, the government revenue have decreased substantially. In contrast, the government expenditure has increased to provide stimulus packages, support to those seriously affected, and to provide for the health response to the pandemic adequately. That is the new reality we live today.

Furthermore, he stated that the government continues to pursue an eight-pronged strategy that includes keeping coronavirus from entering borders, ensuring that health care system is well equipped for testing, aggressive contact tracing and support for those who get infected stimulate economic activity through domestic spending led by Government projects to create decent work to boost employment and help the youth and families maintain themselves.

He added that the strategy also includes support to various sectors of the economy; protection of public officers, maintenance of social safety, preparation of economy and society to bounce back quickly after COVID-19 eases and travel resumes and, continue our quest to build resilience.

As per the Prime Minister, the government has spent 12.7 million dollars in providing direct support to Dominicans most affected by COVID-19.

"Dominicans know how to endure; Dominicans know how to persevere; We have done it, time and again, and this time is no different. We will overcome. We will triumph. Dominica will succeed." added Prime Minister Dr Skerrit.