标签： Dominica

Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, the Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau Central Constituency, has reaffirmed the ongoing progress of the Roseau Enhancement Project, emphasizing transparency and stakeholder involvement. Speaking on the ‘Focus on Government and Development’ program aired on DBS Radio, Poponne-Skerrit assured the public that the project is advancing steadily, with technical aspects nearing completion. Key steps, such as appointing a project manager, finalizing tender agreements, and sorting contracts, are being meticulously addressed before physical work commences.

Poponne-Skerrit highlighted the importance of engaging stakeholders, particularly vendors, residents, and business owners along Great George Street, the first area slated for transformation. She plans to discuss temporary relocations, construction timelines, traffic diversions, and other logistical details to minimize disruptions. The project aims to modernize Roseau, making it resilient, wheelchair accessible, and aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, initiatives like the ‘Paint the Town’ program will enhance buildings alongside infrastructure improvements.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit recently addressed delays in setting up the project information unit and staffing decisions during a press conference. He confirmed that negotiations with a supervisory firm are ongoing, with a contract expected by the end of October. Once approved, the project will proceed to the tender phase. Skerrit clarified that the $40 million loan from the Saudi Fund remains in Saudi Arabia, with disbursements scheduled in phases upon contract signing and certification of completed work.

Dominica is actively negotiating with the United Kingdom (UK) government to reinstate visa-free travel for its citizens, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit revealed during a recent press conference. This development follows the UK’s decision in July 2023 to impose visa requirements on Dominica nationals, citing concerns over the island’s Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI). The UK Home Office expressed apprehensions about the misuse of the CBI scheme, particularly the granting of citizenship to individuals deemed a potential risk to the UK. Home Secretary Suella Braverman emphasized these issues in a statement to the British parliament, leading to the implementation of the new visa regime on July 19, 2023. Prime Minister Skerrit remains optimistic, highlighting ongoing discussions with the UK and the appointment of a new High Commissioner in London, who has been instructed to prioritize this matter. Skerrit expressed confidence in the strength of Dominica’s case for the restoration of visa-free travel, underscoring the importance of regional agreements and legislative measures in influencing the UK’s decision.

The Dominica Electoral Commission has unveiled plans to initiate a comprehensive voter confirmation process starting October 15, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s electoral reform efforts. The announcement, made by Commission Chairman Duncan Stowe during a press conference on October 7, 2025, underscores the initiative’s role in restoring public trust in electoral institutions. Stowe described the process as a cornerstone of Dominica’s broader democratic modernization agenda, aimed at enhancing transparency, inclusivity, and efficiency in the electoral system. Since the enactment of the Electoral Reform legislation earlier this year, the Commission has focused on operationalizing these reforms through extensive staff training, system upgrades, and logistical preparations. Chief Elections Officer Anthia Joseph outlined the confirmation process, which will transition eligible voters from the existing register to a new one under the Electors Act of 2025. Only individuals listed on the May 2025 voters register are eligible to participate. The process will be conducted exclusively within Dominica, with designated centers established in each constituency. Overseas confirmation is not permitted. Enrollment officers, appointed and supervised by the Chief Registering Officer, will oversee the process. Applicants must present themselves at their registered constituency’s confirmation center, accompanied by a witness from the same polling district. Required documents include a valid Dominican passport, driver’s license, or social security card for Dominican citizens, while Commonwealth citizens must provide a valid passport and a secondary government-issued document. The confirmation process involves multiple steps, including document verification, data entry, and issuance of a receipt. Discrepancies, such as mismatched names, will be addressed through a hotline staffed by senior personnel. The Chief Registering Officer holds final authority over confirmation decisions, with grounds for refusal including inadequate documentation or absence from the May 2025 register. The announcement follows months of public scrutiny over delays in the confirmation timeline, initially set for September 1 but postponed due to legislative amendments. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit emphasized the urgency of implementing these reforms, and despite earlier criticism, the Commission expressed confidence in its readiness to meet the October 15 deadline.

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) held a landmark ceremony on October 6, 2025, at its headquarters in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, to formally inaugurate Honourable Mr Justice Winston Anderson as its fourth President. The event brought together judiciary leaders from Barbados, Belize, Guyana, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, and Trinidad and Tobago, alongside distinguished guests and regional judicial officials. Justice Anderson, who was officially sworn in on July 6, 2025, during the 49th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Montego Bay, Jamaica, has a distinguished career spanning academia and legal practice. Prior to his CCJ appointment in 2010, he served as a professor and Deputy Dean at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Faculty of Law, where he also held roles as Head of Teaching and General Counsel to CARICOM. He was instrumental in founding the CCJ Academy for Law in 2010. During the ceremony, President Anderson emphasized the CCJ’s transformative role in enhancing access to final appellate justice across the Caribbean. He highlighted a significant increase in appeals from Barbados to the CCJ, which surged from 19 to 105 cases over a 20-year period—a 450% rise. However, he noted that the Court’s full potential remains untapped due to incomplete compliance with the CCJ Agreement by member states, which limits access to justice and the development of a unified Caribbean jurisprudence. The event’s theme of expanding justice accessibility was echoed by Chief Justice Ivor Archie of Trinidad and Tobago, who pledged collaboration with President Anderson to advance regional judicial integration. Senator John Jeremie, Trinidad and Tobago’s Attorney General, praised Anderson’s integrity and commitment to the rule of law. Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Principal of UWI St. Augustine, lauded Anderson’s appointment as a victory for both the CCJ and the university. Former CCJ President Sir Dennis Byron expressed confidence in Anderson’s leadership, citing his contributions to landmark cases and the Needham’s Point Declaration. CCJ Judge Maureen Rajnauth-Lee commended Anderson’s collaborative approach, while CARICOM General Counsel Lisa Shoman underscored the CCJ’s critical role in fostering regional integration and upholding the rule of law. The ceremony marked a pivotal moment in the CCJ’s mission to shape a Caribbean jurisprudence that reflects the region’s unique needs and aspirations.