Lennox Linton, Alvin Thomas, Bernard Hurtault, and Irving Andre Speak on Issues

A cross-section of prominent Dominicans has spoken out about various economic and political challenges bedevilling the country. Former UWP political leader, Lennox Linton; former general secretary of the Civil Service Association (CSA), Alvin Thomas; leader of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Bernard Hurtault; and Justice (Dr.) Irving Andre among others voice their concerns about the current situation in Dominica.

Given the promise of Sir Dennis Byron to submit his final electoral reform report to the government, the prominent Caribbean jurist said he could not give a definite timeline when the report will be ready. According to Linton, he spoke with Byron and requested for an update, and the jurist said the electoral reform will be released in two phases.

Linton said that Byron told him that the first phase will be a proposed amendment to the registration of the Elector’s Act; and the second phase will be recommendation to the House of Assembly Elections Act. Assigned as a sole administrator for the electoral reform in 2019, Byron in said the report would be ready by December 2021, but later postponed the readiness to January 2022, but it is now October 2022 and the final report is yet to be available.

CSA former secretary Thomas said Dominican youths should be given more opportunity to participate in the country’s democratic processes. He said youths possess the creativity and ideas needed to push the country forward, and that their involvement will deepen social responsibility, enhance democratic dividends, and improve democratic institutions. He added that youths have the skills necessary to turn the country around for better.

In lamenting the fact that Dominica has not improved significantly after 44 years of independence, DFP leader Hurtault said the country has achieved political freedom but has not obtained economic independence. He lamented that 44 years is enough for a country to achieve rewarding national identity and to achieve regional leadership in the economic and political spaces.

Meanwhile, Dr. Irving Andre said politicians should stop influencing people with brown envelopes that cannot assure their bright future. He said mandatory minimum sentencing has not been too helpful in deterring crime in the United States, and that patriotism and values of integrity are required to move the country forward and to ensure progress for all citizenry.

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