Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has praised the conduct of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force during Wednesday’s protest action by the Tipper Truckers Association. The truckers had blocked the main road in Canefield, alleging that jobs on government projects were being handed to Chinese workers instead of local truckers. The protest, which disrupted traffic and cut off access to the capital, remained largely peaceful despite a few scuffles between protesters and police.
Skerrit commended the officers for their “extraordinary restraint,” stating that in other countries, such situations would have prompted police action earlier. “Once the rights of citizens, like their movement, are trampled upon, the police are obligated to intervene,” he explained. He emphasized that while the law required police to act to restore order, they exercised significant patience to avoid escalating the situation.
The protest ended peacefully by 6:45 pm after an agreement was reached between the government and the truckers. The Office of the Prime Minister confirmed that rates for trucking services on the international airport project would be revised as part of the resolution.
By putting the Prime Minister’s appreciation of police action in the context of the protesters’ concerns, it highlights the careful balance the government aims to strike between maintaining public order and addressing grievances.
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