During a recent community meeting with local residents in Marigot, Dominica, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit delivered a message of inclusive outreach, pushing attendees to put aside political divisions and access the wide range of development and support opportunities his administration has made available to all citizens.
Addressing the gathered community directly, Skerrit emphasized that every Dominican holds equal entitlement to the benefits and opportunities the island nation offers, regardless of any disagreements they may hold with the current government. “All of us have a right to what Dominica has to offer. We must not exclude ourselves simply because we may have differences,” he stated, adding that the only person who ends up left behind is the individual who chooses to step away from available chances. He called on residents to break down the self-imposed barriers of division and segregation that keep many from accessing support, encouraging open participation in government programs.
To illustrate the available opportunities, Skerrit highlighted multiple ongoing government initiatives open to Marigot residents. Among these are international scholarship programs for students seeking to study abroad, reminding attendees that no applicant can receive an award without first submitting an application. “If you don’t apply, there is no chance of getting one because your name is not on the paper,” he explained, noting that a shift in mindset to pursue existing openings is key to individual and community advancement.
Skerrit also pointed to the growing trend of non-Dominicans purchasing land and constructing residences on the island, framing this influx of foreign investment as a net positive for Dominica that brings much-needed foreign capital and economic activity to the country, which the government actively welcomes.
He went on to outline the long-standing support systems the government has built for local economic development, noting that a small business support unit established back in 2009 has distributed more than $111 million in agricultural grants to local Dominicans between 2009 and 2026. Additional low-interest financing is available through the AID Bank for sectors including tourism, agriculture, and agro-processing, with favorable terms: a 2% interest rate and a 12-month grace period that waives interest and penalty payments for the first year of the loan.
Most recently, Skerrit highlighted a new land access program introduced in the latest national budget, where government-owned land in specified areas is available to applicants at just $1 per acre for a five-year term. Eligible residents simply need to complete an online application, and the government has already approved multiple applicants for the program, he confirmed.
Following the in-person community meeting, Skerrit took to his official Facebook page to express gratitude to Marigot residents for the warm welcome he received during the gathering.
Currently, the Marigot constituency is represented in Dominica’s House of Assembly by Anthony S. Charles, an independent politician who won his seat in the snap general elections held in December 2022. Charles is one of just two independent representatives in the 21-seat chamber, which is dominated by the ruling Labour Party. The other independent representative is Jesma Paul-Victor, who represents the Salisbury constituency.