|
 |
Volume No. 1 Issue No. 72 - Friday October 28, 2005 |
The News in Brief from The Dominican.net News Desk
Roseau � October 16, 2005
Cable and Wireless Presents Creole in the Park
Cable & Wireless Creole in the Park is scheduled for October 23 -30, 2005 and it is well on its way to becoming one of the major events during Dominica�s celebration of the Creole Music Festival and Independence celebrations.
For six days, Cable & Wireless Creole in the Park offers an unprecedented cultural entertainment; live music from local and regional artistes, delectable Creole food and the expert handicraft of Dominican men and women.
You can expect to see families sitting on the grass, pre-schoolers dancing to our own cultural music, the older folk listening to cords of bouyon and cadence-lypso, others strolling through the grounds savouring the ambience, appreciating the creativity of our people.
Local, aspiring cultural groups will present Creole folklore, dancing, and music. Creole Cuisine from Dominica�s finest restaurants and vendors will be spread beautifully for presentation and consumption and Craftsmen and women will showcase their expert handiwork.
Roseau, Dominica� September 30, 2005
Government Announces Major Reshuffling of Permanent Secretaries
The Roosevelt Skerrit Administration has made changes to the Committee of Permanent Secretaries, a move designed to ensure the smooth implementation of Government�s Public Investment Programme.
Mrs. Wynante Adrien-Roberts is the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Immigration. Ms. Rhoda Celaire is the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Private Sector Relations.
Dr. Joseph Bannis is the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Public Utilities while Dr. Colmore Christian is now Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing, Lands, Telecommunications, Energy & Ports.
Mrs. Jennifer Lafond remains the Permanent Secretary of Education, Human Resource Development, Sports and Youth Affairs while Mrs. Claudia Bellot is now the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment.
Mr. Eisenhower Douglas is the new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender Affairs and Information, while Mr. Davis Letang has moved to the Ministry of Health and Social Security as Permanent Secretary.
Mrs. Juliette Lewis remains as Chief Personnel Officer, Mrs. Rosamund Edwards as Financial Secretary and Mr. Steve Ferrol as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Labour.
The new look Committee of Permanent Secretaries which is headed by Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr. Felix Gregoire, is in keeping with a decision made by Cabinet that the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) be given greater attention to ensure quicker implementation of projects.
Cabinet has appointed a Sub-Committee to monitor the implementation of projects and that Sub-Committee plans to meet with the Permanent Secretaries on a fortnightly basis.
Roseau � September 28, 2005
Police in Dominica Thwarts Massive Jailbreak
Police and prison wardens in Dominica thwarted a mass jailbreak on Monday night, but four prisoners slipped their grasp amid a fire at the Stock Farm Prison, the authorities said on Tuesday.
Police spokesman David Andrew said prisoners in the new wing of the island�s lone prison sawed off bars and padlocks while their compatriots in the east wing set mattresses ablaze about 7:00 pm eastern Caribbean time.
Inspector Andrew said the men had been complaining of overcrowding at the prison, which has a population of 282 males and three females, more than double its capacity.
Police and prison wardens, according local reporters, cordoned off the facility while firemen brought the fire under control.
The authorities have called on the public to report the whereabouts of the escapees who lived in various parts of the 289 square mile island.
There were no deaths and injuries reported, while the extent of damage remained unconfirmed.
Roseau- September 14, 2005
Dame Eugenia Charles is Buried in Pointe Mitchel
Dame Eugenia Charles who served as Dominica�s Prime Minister from 1980 � 1995 was buried today in her birth village of Pointe Mitchel. Dame Eugenia is credited with overseeing the most prosperous period in Dominica�s history.
She was often referred to as the Iron Lady of the Caribbean with reference to her uncompromising style of governance, which many compared to that of England�s Margaret Thatcher.
Her party was swept into power in 1980 gaining 19 of 21 seats after a popular uprising unseated the Dominica Labour Party, which had ruled the country for the previous fifteen years.
Dame Eugenia was a leading attorney and she dominated the political landscape during her reign. Upon her resignation from active politics in 1995, her Dominica Freedom Party disintegrated, a position which many blamed on her for not naming a deputy leader.
New York � September 14, 2005
Dominica Shows Dramatic Improvement on the UN Human Development Index
In the just released United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), Dominica has shown a dramatic improvement in 2005 over the previous year, rising by 25 places. Dominica is now ranked at number 70 from a total ranking of 177 countries. In 2004, the country was ranked at number 95.
Dominica appears to be once again making some progress after the set back in 2004. In 2002, the country attained its highest ranking of 61.
The UN�s HDI takes stock of human development, including progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which tracks improvement in critical areas of health, life expectancy, adjusted real income, education and reducing poverty. Looking beyond statistics, it highlights the human costs of missed targets and broken promises.
Extreme inequality between countries and within countries is identified as one of the main barriers to human development�and as a powerful brake on accelerated progress towards the MDGs.
Norway tops the list of countries while Niger is ranked last.
Roseau, Dominica � September 7, 2005
Prime Minister Skerrit Leads Cabinet Contingent to White Coat Ceremony at Ross University
Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit was among several members of Cabinet in Portsmouth on Wednesday for the White Coat Ceremony for new medical students at Ross University School of Medicine.
Nearly 400 new students joined faculty staff, government officials and invited guests for the White Coat Ceremony-the traditional curtain-raiser, signaling the start of medical school.
Introductory remarks were delivered by Dr. Gerald Grell, Dean for Clinical and Academic Affairs. The keynote address was delivered by Enrique Mendez, Major General USA Medical Corps and Former assistant Secretary of Defence for Health.
Two Dominican students were among the 387 students who donned their white coats yesterday bringing to four the number of Dominicans awarded scholarships in 2005.
Ross University School of Medicine was established in 1978. The institution was bought by Devry Incorporated in 2003. The School is the most successful foreign investment in Dominica and continues to have a major impact on the town of Portsmouth and the Dominican economy in general.
Read more of the EARLIER NEWS IN Brief
|
|
|
