The United Progressive Party (UPP) of Dominica has issued a forceful statement endorsing widespread public opposition to mining activities in the Deux Branches area of St. Andrew Parish. Party leadership has aligned with residents from the Kalinago Territory, Concord, Marigot, and surrounding communities who are raising alarms about the project’s potential consequences.
According to the UPP, the mining operations present substantial dangers to public health and ecological stability, particularly for populations relying on local waterways for daily subsistence and economic activities. The party’s communiqué emphasized that these activities violate fundamental principles of free, prior, and informed consent for the Kalinago community, thereby challenging the project’s legal legitimacy and procedural integrity.
The political organization cited an international petition that has garnered over 3,000 signatures as evidence of growing civic apprehension. This collective action reflects deepening unease about the project’s environmental and social implications.
The UPP outlined multiple ecological threats associated with the mining venture, including:
– Irreversible harm to natural habitats and biodiversity
– Significant soil erosion and land degradation
– Contamination of water resources and disruption of hydrological systems
– Air quality deterioration due to particulate matter
– Loss of fertile agricultural land compromising food security
– Destruction of scenic landscapes vital to tourism
– Increased landslide risks and damage to marine ecosystems
Asserting that Dominica’s ‘Nature Island’ identity represents both an international brand and a intergenerational responsibility, the UPP insisted that any development endangering this status must undergo exhaustive independent environmental impact assessments.
The party contends that the current project appears to circumvent established domestic regulations and international environmental conventions. They have consequently demanded an immediate suspension of all extraction activities pending comprehensive review processes, meaningful community consultations, complete transparency regarding project objectives, and establishment of clear decision-making timelines incorporating public participation.
“Environmental impact assessments exist for good reason – they provide critical information about potential harm, allow for public input, and ensure that development proceeds sustainably,” the UPP asserted in their statement.
Concluding their position, the UPP framed the issue as transcending political affiliations, maintaining that Dominicans deserve governance prioritizing environmental stewardship, due process, and long-term national interests over immediate economic benefits. They urged authorities to avoid sacrificing the nation’s environmental legacy for expedient gains, advocating instead for development that is genuinely sustainable, thoroughly evaluated, and truly beneficial to the populace.