“Peace in the Valley”
A recent visitor to Dominica commented on the abundance and variety of food in the market and on sale at the roadside, as a clear indication of how and why Dominica has escaped the ravages of the current global economic downturn.
As Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, I have spoken in the past of the timely and astute decisions that were taken in respect of economic and political alliances. However, continued State support for agriculture and community farming must not be discounted as a reason for the poor and vulnerable in our midst weathering the economic storm.
The Roseau Valley Constituency is visible testimony to why Dominica appears to be faring better than many. The rich fauna and flora and the abundance of food produced and on display as you drive this constituency, reminds one of the compelling reasons for us as a country to remain wedded to the principle of food production as a cornerstone of our economic activity.
When, in recent years we made it a point to insulate farmers from the ravages of hurricanes, landslides and other natural disasters and when also we sought to cushion the impact of these setbacks on vendors and small traders, some in our midst sought to belittle the initiative as ‘a waste of money’ or as our losing sight of the bigger picture.
To many in our midst, development as a nation is measured and characterized by the construction of buildings and bridges; also by the setting down of miles of unending asphalt roads and the modernization of air and seaports. All these are relevant and useful benchmarks of development and we have pursued them within the constraints of our limited resources.
However, from where I stand, the secret to Dominica’s continuous and progressive development has been our resolve over the years, especially in the last decade, to pursue a policy of progressive and balanced development that has taken into consideration the need for us to feed ourselves and also develop our key human resource.
At a time when most countries in the region and around the world are cutting back on social services and where budget items such as educational scholarships and student loans and grants are being minimized and in some instances removed, Dominica can boast tonight of having its largest ever number of students enrolled in local colleges and overseas universities.
This tells us clearly that in the aftermath of the current global economic recession, we will have a cadre of individuals, trained and equipped to confront not only the challenges, but more importantly, the opportunities that the emerging new economic world order will bring forth.
I can foresee a scenario where Dominica will be able to export skills and services to neighboring islands, as opposed to two decades ago when we were exporting unskilled labour at the bottom of the wage earning scale.
This is a critical point for your consideration this evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. We have invested the single largest chunk of our budget on food production and human resource development. We have strategically looked to and leaned on friendly nations and multilateral agencies for assistance with our infrastructural development. Thus we have managed to steer clear of the worse case scenarios that have evolved from the current global economic downturn.
As I reflect on the priorities of this government and country going forward, I am challenged this evening to invite you to gaze back over the past decade and reflect on how your own lives have been transformed.
Our critics speak of the lack of skyscrapers, name brand restaurants and modern shopping plazas as indicative of our not staying abreast of regional and global trends. But what about the fact that in almost every home, in Roseau Valley in particular and Dominica in general, there is a family member or at least an acquaintance enrolled in a college or university, being prepared for the opportunities that will become available in the not too distant future?
What about health care and the vast improvements that have taken place in Dominica over the years? We can now diagnose and grapple with highly technical issues that formerly went undetected and may have led to unnecessary loss of limbs, senses and even deaths.
Nobody talks today about Cataracts or about progressive visual impairment; because these are matters that have been brought under control and which are no longer on the rise in Dominica.
Some in our midst do not see improvements in health care and ultimate life expectancy as indicators of development, because philosophically they look to trade, industry and commerce as indices of progress. If companies are making more money and more cargo ships are coming to Dominica that is an indication for them of growth and development.
But in the past eight years, your government has pursued a deliberate policy of balanced growth and development, where we have taken our people along with us on the journey. We have paid attention to the vulnerable and less fortunate groups in our midst. We have gone off the main roads and developed access to the back houses.
Today public utility services are accessible to thousands more. Today the ambulance can drive up to the homes of the majority. Today there is little or no excuse for every child in Dominica not going to school and not pursuing studies, with the knowledge that he or she will be enabled to reach the highest level of his or her potential.
Development in Dominica has taken on a whole new meaning under your Labour administration and it is because of the outlook and orientation of ministers of government such as Dr. Collin McIntyre. They have brought a whole new perspective to the task of governance.
You are fortunate here in Roseau Valley to have two voices in the Parliament of Dominica. You are fortunate to have two perspectives from which to judge. On the one hand there is the “same ole, same ole”, with the tendency to focus on ‘how not’ and ‘why not’! From there, there is the absence of innovation and the failure to look beyond the obvious and the familiar.
On the other hand, there is the enlightened approach of Dr. McIntyre. He has sought to develop not only the lands and the infrastructure, but the people as well. Though not elected to the Parliament of Dominica, he has sought to include people-development in his agenda.
My friends, a good gauge of progress in recent times is the number of previously aimless and unskilled youngsters who have been encouraged to pursue and take up skills that are absolutely necessary in the new and evolving Dominica.
Physical development has not been neglected in this constituency, but it has not proceeded at the expense of human development, and that was carried on within the limitation of your government not having the support and embrace of the sitting Parliamentary Representative.
There is only so much that a nominated member of Government can do and achieve. Even though he or she might be in government, it always helps to have the strength of incumbency to support your request, indeed your demand for a better deal for the people you represent.
Roseau Valley, like any other constituency in Dominica today, has its fair share of challenges, and I am sure tonight you will share with us your concerns and requests for further improvements. I am aware that there are issues of infrastructural development and easier access to lands, both farming and residential.
I know also that there is tremendous scope for the development of projects with economic potential, especially as it relates to tourism and the natural amenities with which you have been blessed. These are areas that are occupying the attention of the government and for which resources are being sought.
But, it is interesting that they do not appear in the forefront of the consideration of the person elected and sworn to pursue and promote the interest of the people of Roseau Valley.
I have lamented repeatedly the failure of some in our midst to recognize the need for us as a nation to move away from the politics of division and polarization, where, with limited resources, we can work together in the national interest.
One of the challenges which we have had to contend with is the apparent resolve of those not elected as members of the government, not to support any initiative that is considered likely to bring credit to the administration of the day.
There are several budgetary initiatives that one felt could and would have benefitted communities such as those in the Roseau Valley, but which were flatly rejected or ridiculed by those whose agenda it is to undermine and tear down.
We are not saying for one moment that there is not scope and a role for opposition and opposition parliamentarians, but there are times when the national good and the national interest should and must supersede all other considerations. The throes of a global economic recession, is one such period.
While persons feel an obligation to tow the party line on most occasions, there is always the need, as a Parliamentary Representative, to reflect upon what is good and what is in the best interest of the persons one is elected to serve.
That is why I am confident that several of the concerns which will be expressed this evening, I will be hearing for the first time. And this is simply because they would not have been expressed by the appropriate authority on the floor of Parliament.
Nevertheless, there are others who have the interest of Roseau Valley foremost in their consideration, and who never pass up an opportunity to secure a fair share of whatever is dispensed at the national level.
My Dear Friends, I stand tonight, relatively proud of your government’s record of accomplishments at the constituency level here in Roseau Valley and more so, those at the national level that would have trickled down in respect of the quality of life you live in these difficult times.
As I said from the outset of this presentation these evening, I think we have to address development in Dominica from a balanced and practical perspective. There is a reason why we in Dominica are not faring the worst in the current economic holocaust. It is because we have paid attention to the essentials. We have nurtured agriculture in the best of times and in the worst of times.
We have stood by the farmers and we have assisted the vendors especially in times when their lives were rearranged as a result of natural disasters. Today, though we may not have social gold, frankincense or myrrh, we have access to that which eludes many in this region and around the world.
We have an abundance of food. We have minimized job losses. We have contained business collapses and closures. We have fostered and facilitated new business ventures and we have maintained a regime of social programmes that have redounded to the benefit of the less fortunate and most vulnerable.
Dominica today is holding its own on the regional scene. We too are impacted by the global economic downturn. We have had to rewrite our priorities and we have had to slow down our pursuit of certain objectives, but, we have managed to sustain the essentials and our people are faring better than many in the Caribbean and further afield.
What I would wish tonight, is for us to reflect, not only on what we have been denied, but more so on what we have been spared. Looking across this region and following developments in North America and Europe, via the international media, we in Dominica have been spared the ravages of the worst case scenario of the current economic depression and for this, we must give thanks.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have come to Roseau Valley this evening to discuss with you the challenges that confront this community as well as to reflect on the phenomenal progress that has been made and the opportunities that are now available.
I look forward to discussing ideas for carrying this constituency forward. I look forward to briefing you and elaborating further on those issues you do not understand. I look forward this evening to giving you an account of the stewardship of your government, even in the relatively hostile and combative environment it has had to operate.
I therefore would like at this time to pause and permit you to share with my ministers and I, your concerns, ideas and suggestions for how, together, we can work in the coming weeks and months to make Roseau Valley a better place to live, explore and enjoy.
I thank you.
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