标签： Dominica

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has issued a robust defense of quarrying operations at Deux Branches, directly countering environmental protests surrounding Dominica’s international airport project. During an official site inspection last Thursday, Skerrit presented detailed evidence challenging what he characterized as misinformation-driven opposition to the critical infrastructure initiative.

The Prime Minister emphasized significant environmental improvements at the quarry site, noting that engineered controls have effectively eliminated mud runoff and maintained clean access roads. These measures, he asserted, demonstrate the government’s commitment to responsible environmental management throughout the development process.

Historical context forms a crucial part of the government’s argument. Official records confirm that Deux Branches served as a quarry site in both 1969 and the 1980s, providing aggregate for the Hatton Garden-Portsmouth road construction. Notably, this infrastructure has demonstrated superior durability compared to contemporaneous projects, attributed to the exceptional density and strength of Deux Branches stone.

Geotechnical assessments by independent experts have verified that the quarry’s materials meet exacting international standards required for major airport infrastructure. The government maintains that using locally sourced, quality-approved materials represents both economic prudence and environmental responsibility, contrasting sharply with the impractical alternative of importing aggregate from distant sources like Canada at substantially higher cost and environmental impact.

Skerrit framed the international airport as a transformational national investment that will enhance accessibility, reduce travel expenses, expand tourism opportunities, generate employment, and strengthen economic resilience. The administration positions the project not as environmental exploitation but as responsible development utilizing national resources for national benefit.

The government’s statement concludes that development decisions must be guided by factual evidence and scientific assessment rather than emotional appeals or alarmist rhetoric, asserting that Dominica deserves progress grounded in reality rather than paralysis driven by misinformation.

In a significant move toward judicial reform, Dominica’s Attorney General Levi Peter has announced the forthcoming introduction of comprehensive legislation governing the legal profession. The draft Legal Profession Bill is scheduled to be presented before the House of Assembly by the conclusion of the first quarter of 2026.

The announcement came during Monday’s ceremonial opening of the new law year at the State House Conference Centre, where Peter emphasized the critical need for regulatory overhaul. “A robust and effective justice system fundamentally depends on a disciplined, ethical, and accountable legal profession,” Peter stated. “It is deeply regrettable that cases of professional misconduct and, in certain instances, blatant dishonesty have persistently eroded public trust and damaged the standing of this esteemed vocation.”

Peter acknowledged that Dominica’s pursuit of comprehensive legal professional legislation has experienced prolonged delays, frequently sidelined by competing governmental priorities and limited resources. This legislative gap has persisted despite longstanding recognition of its necessity.

The Attorney General confirmed that the draft legislation is now receiving concentrated attention and thorough examination. The development process incorporates substantive recommendations from the Dominica Bar Association, ensuring stakeholder input in shaping the new regulatory framework.

The proposed legislation aims to achieve three primary objectives: modernization of professional regulatory standards, enhancement of disciplinary procedures, and alignment with regional best practices within the Caribbean legal community. This initiative represents the most substantial update to legal profession governance in Dominica’s recent history.

DOMINICA – January 12, 2026: Political tensions escalate in the Commonwealth of Dominica as United Progressive Party leader Joshua Francis issues an urgent mobilization directive against ongoing excavation operations at the Deux Branches site. The opposition leader characterizes the situation as an ecological emergency threatening the nation’s environmental heritage.

Francis has initiated a broad coalition movement transcending political affiliations, summoning citizens from all demographic backgrounds to participate in sustained demonstrations at the excavation location. The movement has gained significant cultural momentum with the participation of internationally acclaimed musical artist Nasio Fontaine, whose artistic legacy extensively incorporates environmental advocacy themes.

“Our biological heritage cannot be commodified. Our ancestral legacy remains non-negotiable. We refuse to mortgage our future for transient economic benefits,” Francis declared during a press briefing. The UPP leadership emphasizes this demonstration represents a constitutional imperative rather than partisan politics, framing environmental protection as fundamental to national survival.

Protest organizers have established a continuous presence at Deux Branches, vowing to maintain vigil until governmental authorities terminate all excavation activities. Fontaine’s involvement provides symbolic resonance to the movement, bridging cultural preservation with ecological conservation in what participants describe as a defining moment for Dominican environmental history.

The political leader concluded with a historical challenge: “This constitutes our generational examination. Shall we witness passively as our natural endowment undergoes destruction, or shall we collectively safeguard what rightfully belongs to all Dominicans—contemporary and prospective? Historical judgment will derive from our deeds, not our declarations.”

The UPP has formally requested national media institutions, civil society organizations, and environmentally conscious citizens to amplify their advocacy efforts through peaceful resistance and strategic awareness campaigns.