Government to provide financial support to bus drivers: PM Roosevelt Skerrit

Prime Minister of Dominica Dr Roosevelt Skerrit addressed the issue of protesting bus drivers in the country. He stated that if someone is over-speeding, it is against the law and similarly, blocking the roads is also not the legal mean to protest. PM said that the government, with the help of Aid Bank, has provided the funds at only 1% up to $15,000 per person, and there are several bus drivers who took the money. “$15 million at the social security to provide income support extended up to 1 year. So the people who are affected by COVID-19 could get the income support as a grant, and many bus drivers are among the beneficiaries of this,” noted PM Skerrit.

PM Skerrit said that the government would be providing support to bus drivers as well as to other people in the tourism industry who had the hardest hit by the global pandemic.

“Very soon, we will outline the specific support that we will provide.”

Speaking vividly about the recent protests by the bus drivers in the country, he stated if someone does not obey the instructions of the police or the rule of law is a matter of police or court.

“But, I believe that actions taken by the bus drivers were not necessary because at the time they took actions, we were already in discussions with them,” added PM Skerrit.

Besides this, Minister Blackmore called one of the gentlemen whom government officials were in touch. He later on Wednesday evening seeking to put in place a mechanism how government can provide assistance to the bus drivers in light of the challenges they are experiencing. “To ensure that they can sustain their businesses and what actions I believe they can take to enhance their profitability and ensure they can survive because there are a number of people have invested to gain second income," stated the Prime Minister. Further, he added that the government is all hands open to engaging with bus drivers, but they must themselves make decisions for a better future for drivers. There should be an association that would be responsible for decision making and providing guidelines to the people in the business.