Justice Dr. Irving Andre continues to lament that Dominica is being divided up for acquisition by foreigners. In what he called “foreign incursion and encroachment,” the social activist cried that foreigners are controlling the economic destiny of Dominica and that there may be nothing left for the citizens to enjoy.
Look at the businesses in Roseau; 15 years ago we did not envision a situation where perhaps more than 50% of the small businesses in the Island’s capital are controlled by foreign interests. I don’t think I’m exaggerating. So this is not some academic form of exercise, this is not some abstract kind of theory or extrapolation I’m making; this is a sad reality bearing in mind that Dominica is a small island of 70,000.
Dr. Irving Andre
Andre said the government is not doing enough to protect the democracy that Dominican founding fathers fought had to acquire. He said there are no laws protecting native people from the economic exploitation of foreigners with Dominican passports. He stated that the country might be lost to foreign interests if nothing is done to protect citizens.
We cannot afford for a few thousands of foreigners to control the economic sinews of the island. All will be lost and this is what is at stake. In many other countries, there are laws protecting the population from encroachment. Members of the political directorate think that we should not have those laws…anybody can come and set up shop here as long as they can buy a passport.
Dr. Irving Andre
He emphasized that concerted and unified action is needed to preserve the democracy of Dominica. He said everyone must come together for the cause of good governance and political freedom. He warned that Dominica must never become a colony to any foreign power again.
If we do not come together, then we will have another colony in Dominica. And that has to be a cause for concern; if this thing continues unabated, then your nieces, nephews, children, and the younger generation who may not afford to buy a piece of their native land. So we have to have a mass education as to the perils that we face as a community. If we can line up for gas, then we should be able to line up to preserve our democracy.
Dr. Irving Andre
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