By Lakisha La Bassiere - Q95FM News

Senior Counsel/Advisor to the government of Dominica, Mr. Anthony Astaphan, expresses concern over the involvement of Minister Ambrose George in a number of internet money scams. But he stated that he is not in the authority to condemn Mr. George for his actions due to the reaction of the media to his opinion in previous incidents.

He added that on many occasions he has been accused of using his position to ‘force ministers out of cabinet’. Mr. Astaphan further stated that it is now up to the government to make the right decision that will be in the best interest of the country, the government and Mr. George.

News Source-Q95FM News

Minister of public utilities and infrastructure Mr. Ambrose George is now facing new allegations of corruption. Word is that Mr. Ambrose may resign following mounting pressure to do so, but it is unclear whether he has written his letter of resignation.

Mr. George is linked to the November 2007 grant of an offshore banking license to private capital bank of Spanish resident bobby Wahi and alleged attempts by the DLP operatives to extract money from the PCB players for party and private purposes.

According to a caller on the hot seat Radio show, he suspects that in order for Mr. Ambrose to resign he has to be heavily compensated.

I ask myself this question: Why can’t Prime Minister Skerrit fire Minister George after all these allegations of corruption? Something gotta give.

At the National Figure Day celebrations celebrated in honor of the late Hon. Rosie Douglas, Hon. Ian Douglas has stated that the Labour Government under the leadership of Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit is continuing the legacy of Rosie Douglas.

He further stated that in the sphere of health care, the Dominica Labor has sent hundreds of Dominicans to Cuba for health care again values taught by Rosie. Hon. Ian Douglas added that he is proud to be part of a government that is dedicated to building on the legacy of the late Rosie Douglas.

News Source: Q95FM News

Leader of the PDM Dr. William ‘Para’ Riviere and his party throw their support behind the Dominica Freedom Party and the United Workers Party in demanding electoral reform in Dominica. He says that whereas the next general election is constitutionally due in 2010, the Labour Government could possibly call a snap election.

The members of PDM believe that in spite of proposals made by the electoral office, the measures called for by the opposition may not be implemented as long as the electoral office is funded by the Labor Government.

In 2000 the Chief Election Officer at the time also recommended the implementation of voter identification cards before the 2005 general elections but this did not come to pass, and in 2005 the present chief election officer had also called for the introduction of voter identification cards.

Opposition leader Hon. Ron Green was a guest on the Hot Seat with Matt on Q95 on Thursday 25th September and addressed the issue of a large Billboard of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit at the Melville Hall Airport, which is currently the main port of entry into Dominica. Mr. Green expressed the view that the poster was not appropriate for welcoming visitors to the island during this 30th Anniversary Reunion Celebrations, in that it appeared to be Partisan and divisive.

He recommended several alternative photo images that might better convey the spirit of Unity. He stated that the Billboard should be removed immediately, if the labour Government wished to convey to all sections of the Dominican society that they were serious about uniting the Country during reunion 2008, which was being promoted under the banner “Celebrating the Journey Together”.

By Marisa Stedman-Q95fm News.

Leader of the opposition Hon. Ron Green lamented that there can be no change in the present economic strain on consumers on the issue of overpriced foodstuffs, since the DLP has taken no initiative to implement a price control system in Dominica.

The minister further added that the crisis that now exists is the direct result of neglect on the part of the government to inaugurate any system that a consumer could be dependent upon to avoid having to contend with those prices.

Mr. Ron Green says that the ways suggested by the UWP to lower the price of food goes unnoticed. The question then remains what can consumers do if they feel that they are being robbed in business places selling food supplies? According to an inside source at Dexia there is no law that prohibits persons from selling at rates not agreed upon by the ministry of trade. Shop owners are only asked not to do so but with the expulsion of any penalty if that arrangement is disregarded.

Meanwhile according to the supplies content act of 1979 it appears that there once was a price control instituted in Dominica with food items such as milk and butter at the top of the list. Hon. Ron Green further stated that this question should be directed to the DLP. Why is it so difficult for a price control to be established when there is such a dire need for it?

Mr. Ron Green says that he is doing the best possible to improve living conditions in Dominica. It is up to the current government to do the same.

Leader of the opposition honorable Ron Green speaking on behalf of the United Workers Party expressed serious concerns that the Labour Government is continuing to play the ‘blame game’ with respect to the cost of electricity in Dominica.

Mr. Green believes that after being in government for eight years to date, the Labour Party’s negligence and incompetence is one of the main contributors to the exorbitant increases in the electricity bills of consumers.

He further stated that the Roosevelt Skerrit government is showing clear signs which prove beyond any doubt that they care little about the people of Dominica, and the sufferings that they have been undergoing during these very difficult and challenging times.

The IPO office space is located at the top of the building that formally housed Topic Craft on Independence Street.

Meantime Opposition Leader Ron Green says that the Act is not only overdue, but the issue of its retroactivity still remains on the burner.

ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):The minority opposition Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) yesterday expressed concern over plans by the Roosevelt Skerrit government to table broadcast legislation in parliament.

DFP executive member Swanston Carbon has also called on the Media Workers Association of Dominica (MWAD) to seriously examine the contents of the proposed legislation.

“We are concerned about it and as journalists you should be concerned about it too,” Carbon said, recalling the first failed attempt to pass a similar law in the 1970s.

“That act, when they tried to pass it, resulted in mass protest, the breaking up of the parliament, to prevent that act from passing. We felt at the time that the protection of freedom of expression had to be maintained,” he said.

Written to PM

Carbon said he was not satisfied with the media’s response to the proposed legislation even though MWAD had written a letter to Prime Minister Skerrit on the issue.

“The press is silent about it. It is not enough just to write a letter about it,” said Carbon, a former government legislator.

“The press needs to mobilise the people and make them know the consequences of this act. When you lose your freedom the sovereignty of the country is at threat and the press has a responsibility to protect the people.”

Public support

MWAD president Thalia Remy said her organisation is concerned about the implications of the proposed legislation but will need support from the general public.

“There is no way that MWAD could do this by itself. Until media workers realise that we really need to come together then we will not achieve anything,” she said. “Unity is key as an organisation. The next step is to join other members, individuals and groups within civil society to go forward,”

The government has not said when the legislation will be presented to Parliament for debate.

Antiguasun.com 14.AUG.08

ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said yesterday that three people, including a former senior Roman Catholic Church official, had been named to the Integrity Commission that his administration wants functioning by September.

Skerrit said that the former Archbishop of Castries, the Most Reverend Kelvin Felix; retired financial secretary Alic Lazare and former senior public servant Julian Johnson, would serve on the Commission.

He said the appointments would be made in keeping with the relevant sections of the Integrity in Public Office Act and that Johnson would chair the Commission.

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