(Antigua Observer) The Dominica government says it will in the new year continue to focus on rebuilding the island following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika that killed more than 30 people and left EC$1.298 billion (One EC dollar =US$0.37 cents) in damages.
“Since the passage of Tropical Storm Erika, government has focused on rebuilding,” he stated. “Every effort was made to provide access to all communities and we continue to work assiduously to deal with the communities in the east that are still challenged.
“I am pleased that night landing has been restored in a shorter period of time than anticipated at the island’s main airport. This was done with improved technology utilizing solar-based systems,” Skerrit said.
He said that his administration has sought to alleviate the social burdens caused by the storm and to bring relief to those who were directly affected.
“Despite the recovery programme we have not lost sight of the other development imperatives,” he noted. “As I have indicated before some programs would have to be delayed, however, we remain committed to pushing the opportunities for creating employment.”
The Prime Minister said that last month the government “passed all of the legislations that are necessary to give effect to policy decisions that are intended to enhance the environment for investment.
“This included, but not limited to the amendment to the VAT Act, the Aliens Holding Regulations, and the Stamp Duty Act,” he said, adding that the government recently signed a contract for the construction of a new hospital which is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2016.
Skerrit, who described his recent trip to promote the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) in the United Arab Emirates(UAE) as a success, said the programme would help deliver on the socio-economic programmes the government is developing.
“In recent weeks I have addressed a number of gatherings internationally in which the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme have been promoted,” Skerrit said.
I consider these engagements to be very successful, not because they were well attended, but more so because the Dominica CBI programme was well received by all participants,” he added.