Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit in a Facebook video told all Dominicans that tourists come to the island to enjoy the culture of the indigenous peoples, and not to witness her politics. He encouraged everyone to put politics aside for the ongoing Creole Day and embrace unity and cultural celebrations.
The DLP leader said “as far as my party is concerned, we have suspended all political campaign activities for the Independence season. For us this isn’t about politics or party; it’s about country, so we celebrate the unity that this season brings.”
Skerrit noted that the Independence celebrations will bring people from far and near into the island, Dominicans who have come to celebrate national freedom and tourists who have come to witness the Creole way of life. He said the country needs to respect these two categories of visitors and accord them the best opportunities to explore the island and enjoy the local values of the Creole peoples.
“Visitors come to Dominica to celebrate Dominica and Dominican culture,” Skerrit emphasized. “They came to participate in our cuisine and festivities. They didn’t come here to get engulfed or trapped in any division in the country; that’s not why they came.”
He stated that everyone, including political parties, should put away fights and rancour for the time being and partake in celebrating the freedoms and values of national life. He noted that political activities and pursuits can take the better part of the year, but at Independence season, everything must be about Dominica and Dominicans.
“This is not a time for any…politics,” he said. “Politics will always find a way to divide us so therefore whatever we do must be about the promotion of our Independence.”
In a related video post, the prime minister said he will talk on the importance of constructing an international airport in Dominica in his Independence Day speech. He said the absence of an international airport in the country is “the missing link” to national development and associated progress in Dominica.
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