New Cabinet in Dominica sworn in
(CMC) – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Monday night announced a 13-member Cabinet, less than a week after his ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) comfortably won the general election that was boycotted by the major opposition parties here.
The new Cabinet, which (was sworn) in on Tuesday, includes nine former government ministers, former National Security Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore, who did not contest the election and Melissa Skerrit, the wife of the prime minister, who will be the Minister for Housing and Urban Development.
Skerrit had called the December 6 poll, two years ahead of the constitutional deadline, saying it was important for there to be a re-set of the country’s socio-economic policies, while the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) and the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) urged supporters to stay away from the polls in protest of the lack of electoral reform.
The DLP won the election by a 19-2 margin with the two independents winning in traditional opposition stronghold constituencies of Salisbury and Marigot.
Skerrit in a broadcast on state-owned DBS radio, said that he was pleased that the preliminary reports of the several international observer teams and missions, had “given a resounding nod of approval to the open and transparent manner in which these elections were conducted, and the overarching conclusion that the will of the people of Dominica was manifested and determined, fairly”.
He insisted that the election was called to “trigger a national reset” adding “these are not just empty words or a new catch phrase that sounds good when we say it.
“It is in fact, quite to the contrary. Dominica has great potential and has created plans and policies that will build our resilience and spur greater economic growth and development for our country. However, in order to realise our true potential, we need all Dominicans, despite what our political differences may be, to be working towards the development of Dominica and a better life for our people.
“It is an opportunity therefore for us to pause as a nation and a people, and reflect seriously on what will be required to navigate us successfully through the maze of uncertainty that now envelopes the region and the world, as a result of circumstances not of our making, but with which we are forced to grapple.”
He said the rising cost of living is a major issue for all Dominicans noting that the price of food, raw materials and transportation has significantly increased regionally and internationally, from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
Skerrit said the government has taken action to cushion the impact as much as it has been able to, but “the reality is there is only so much that can be done, but your government will continue to do all within its power and the resources available, to ease the burden on our people.
“There are also vexing issues such as the inconveniences and cost of inter-island air travel and maritime transportation. This carries with it major social and psychological challenges for those who need to traverse the islands for business, pleasure, or simply to visit and interact with loved ones or access vital health care and other services.
“Many have raised this issue, and the reality is that our islands in the Caribbean, are in many ways literally and figuratively cut off from each other, in a manner that makes it nigh impossible for the average citizens or residents to commute.”
Skerrit said that Dominica was approaching a new year “knowing that we shall have to be creative and innovative, in navigating and surmounting these, and other hurdles occasioned by external shocks and influences.
“Confronting these challenges, we should not allow political tribalism, and disunity to stifle our ability to succeed as a nation. We should not seek to tear others down but to stretch out a helping hand to others, pull each other up and celebrate their successes. And this is why, I called for, and I am forging ahead with the concept and ideal of a national reset”.
He said the national reset unfolding will be forged with the building of confidence and trust among social partners.
“You will see that we have created a special ministry of Labour, Public Service Reform and Social Partnership to operationalize many of the concepts that we have spoken about over the years, including the need to review and revise the terms and conditions of public officers, as well as improve the efficiency of the service they provide to the public.”
The full list of the Cabinet is as follows.
Roosevelt Skerrit – Prime Minister and Minister for Investment and Governance
Dr. Irving McIntyre – Minister for Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social Security
Dr. Vince Henderson -Senior Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy
Senator Rayburn Blackmore -Minister for National Security and Legal Affairs
Cassani Laville – Minister for Health, Wellness and Social Services
Melissa Skerrit – Minister for Housing and Urban Development
Roland Royer – Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy
Denise Charles – Minister for Tourism
Fidel Grant – Minister for Public Works, Public Utilities and Digital Economy
Miriam Blanchard – Minister for Labour, Public Service Reform, Social Partnership, Enterpreneurship and Small Business Development
Gretta Roberts – Minister for Culture, Youth, Sports and Community Development
Cozier Frederick – Minister for the Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment
Octavia Alfred – Minister for Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence
Source: CARICOM TODAY