Dominica’s PM cautions talk show hosts in the region
TALK SHOW HOSTS and social media users have been cautioned by Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Rosevelt Skerrit about speaking negatively about attempts by governments to raise money in the wake of damage by Hurricane Beryl.
The prime minister also has called on the World Bank to make changes to some of the rules that prevent countries like St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and Dominica from receiving the monetary assistance needed to help recover from hurricanes like Beryl, which struck on July 1, 2024.
Skerrit was speaking on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the Argyle International Airport (AIA), where he, along with three other regional prime ministers were gathered before departing for a tour of Union Island and Canouan.
“We have to move away from sensation and recognize there is bigger fish to fry with the challenges affecting our country,” Sherritt said, while noting that things said on talk shows or on social media can be heard and may affect contributors.
“This is not a political consideration, this is a nationalistic consideration because at the end of the day, every single person in Union Island was affected and we have to join forces with the government,” Skerritt stressed, adding that he did not envy the task of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, the chief fundraiser for the government.
He said he is not making a political statement when he says SVG is fortunate to have Gonsalves, as he has the regional and international connections and the experience to draw on during one of the most difficult times confronting the world.
“If the world was a just world, compensation would be forthcoming,” Skerrit said, as he pointed fingers at countries and companies responsible for climate change for helping fuel, through green house gas emissions, major weather events like Hurricane Beryl.
He said these countries usually speak about adaptation and mitigation and pledge monies, but this financing stays in those countries.
Skerrit noted also that the World Bank has given cash to Ukraine, and he believes they can set aside the rules and help Caribbean nations as well.
“We can’t wait for five and six years to build houses and homes…get boats for fisherman. Let us suspend the rules,” he stressed.
“Human beings wrote the rules, so they can suspend the rules, and they send cash to Ukraine, we not begrudging Ukraine but for Christ’s sake, we have been affected by a hurricane called climate change…,” Skerrit lamented, noting that the 2024 hurricane season is still young.
The prime minister also blamed climate change for playing a part in increasing the cost of living and goods in small island nations, noting too that the cost of insuring homes also has increased.
“I am upset with the developed world,” he said, adding that some countries usually call to express empathy, “…but empathy is not only in words but practice and action, in keeping promises, and not only telling us you’re sorry.
“Sorry is not going to build a house in Union Island. What Saint Vincent and the Grenadines needs right now is money,” Sherrit stressed.
“The future for us is very uncertain, and every leader is living with some anxiety with this hurricane season.” Skerrit said that Dominica is giving EC$1million to SVG to assist with the “huge task” of responding to Hurricane Beryl.
Skerrit was part of a high-level government delegation headed by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves that visited hurricane struck Union Island and Canouan on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
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