Prior to the conclusion of the 18th Inaugural Meeting village councils representing Tan-Tan, Savanne Petite, Toucarie, Cottage Village, Paix Bouche, Belle Maniere, and Dos D’Ane among others, officials urged new council members to put the interests of their constituencies above personal gains for the overall development of village communities.
The district development officer, Barbara Phillip, told new council members that they are accountable to the villagers that voted them into position. She said their jobs are to represent the interests of their communities and improve the growth of villages with all available resources. She noted that collaboration and communication are key to achieving lasting development across member villages.
Meanwhile, the former chairman of Paix Bouche and Belle Maniere village councils, Bryson Williams, urged new council officials to collaborate with sponsors and government agencies for the betterment of their villages. He said the former village council officials were able to achieve their objectives because they partnered with various organizations to meet the needs of their constituent villages.
According to Williams, the former village council which he presided over worked hard to fund a primary school, fund the National Employment Program, and the age pensions scheme. He said they also collaborated with the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation to clear abandoned vehicles away from the Providence area with a view to making the community cleaner and healthier.
Both Williams and Phillip urged new council officials to come up with new initiatives that will aid development in their various villages. They said these could be in the areas of environmental sanitation, employment creation, youth empowerment, social amenities, funding the education of the less-privileged, and the establishment of programs that will make the community more vibrant for all.
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