EDITOR’s NOTE: As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of our Independence, DNO, in collaboration with the Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences (DAAS), presents a series of interesting and relevant articles. The following article by Resource Economics and Planning Specialist and DAAS member, Dr. Davison Shillingford, was first published in May, 2006.
The recent Basil Springer article, SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY, in the Barbados Advocate of May 1, 2006, raised an important issue. Especially significant for Dominica were two paragraphs, reprinted here, and their implication for some of the concerns currently facing the island.
The advances taking place in Dominica or those in the pipeline – the fisheries complex at Marigot, the Carib Village, the PetroCarib deal, the stadium, the airport extension, the increase in cruise ship visits, quality control in tourist services, high quality carnival celebration, the planned improvements in the Portsmouth and airport roads, among others – are significant, and government must be commended for this progress. However, the list of issues currently facing the island remains substantial. And if we are to make the rapid economic gains required, we need to address these issues urgently and systematically.
congestion and the parking problem in Roseau, the medical implications of current migration to Dominica, the adequacy of medical services in general, Diaspora policy, crime and the judiciary, the Aves Island issue, the Avian flu pandemic, among others.
piecemeal and haphazardly. It would take 100 years. We can only do it systematically.
back burner and not addressed until it is too late; and then these issues become fatal.
mandate to mobilise the technical competences from various fields, set up in subcommittees, whose tasks are to make Dominica work optimally, multitask its problem solving, create a dynamic, job-generating economy, and put the island ahead of the economic game, despite its small size.
The point is sound and significant ideas do not need to have their genesis in big countries, or foreign countries for that matter. They are available right here at home or among our people abroad. Our welfare lies in our capacity to effectively mobilize our own people and their intellect here in Dominica (or abroad) to solve our problems, despite our small size. The establishment of a comprehensive national council on science and public policy will be a major step in securing that objective and Dominican economic growth. Such an institution is urgently needed in Dominica. Its composition is fairly straightforward and more a matter of detail.
need to fill that vacuum with a dynamic local organization. Without such a nationally focused organization to sort out and resolve national issues, and provide advice for government action, economic growth and job creation will be slow, encouraging continued mass migration.
This Government will not listen or take advise. Worst Administration ever. They just have to get out no other way. It’s time.
Unfortunately science has also become a religion. There is too much false science.
Looking, I thank you for your valid response, I also must thank the DAAS community for its usual professional commentary and education on matters of Public Policy and implementation.
It is sad to say that we do not have the necessary competent people as the Government to run this country of ours. Eighteen ministers lead by someone who has failed over 18 years is not going to get us and Dominica anywhere in the next 18 years. I am serious about this and they must go, they have failed big Time.
There is no development taking place in Domininca. It is just talk by PM, saying nothing but enjoys the flamboyant event of the presence of a visiting PM, or I have met this person etc. His fans seems to go hay wire on this. I`ve seen it and you ask what was purpose of this meeting or travel to you and Domininca, but unable to understand. This is the biggest Soap Opera taking place in the Caribbean. PM, must get his script from the Young and Restless, his acting obviously is fatal, a gimmick.
Thanks, Viewsexpressed, but unfortunately we should not only blame our leaders but our populace. We thrive on gossip (Bef), and we have cultivated a fete (Sewo) culture. We have become laid back and our leaders have sensed our weakness and they have taken advantage of that. Our women are weak and vulnerable and our men castrated. Greed reigns supreme. How can one be happy if one’s neighbour’s house is uncovered? How can one be at peace knowing that people are victimized for their political or religious affiliation? Someone please explain this to me. So Sewo we like, we get Sewo, Bef we like we get Bef.
“Dominica urgently needs a similar council/foundation. The issue is not to usurp the responsibilities of government ministries, but to complement them in the policy development arena at the highest level, while the ministries go about the business of policy implementation.” – This is way beyond the abilities and capabilities of our present ministers and i don’t see this happening anytime soon. We have accepted, normalized and standardized mediocrity. Dominica presently, is being run like a plantation with its Ruler calling the “shots” on virtually everything, sadly, to the detriment of future generations. As many would say, Dominica is not a real country.