ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Chief of the principle opposition United Employees Occasion (UWP), Dr. Thompson Fontaine, Tuesday stated Dominica is at a “crossroads” and has accused the federal government of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of victimizing, ostracising, and stifling the ambitions of Dominicans.
“Their fashion of governance has destroyed our center class, leaving a ruthless group of political elites, a manipulated and struggling decrease class trapped by packages just like the Nationwide Employment Programme (NEP) and housing schemes. This isn’t progress. It’s a playbook for poverty, crime, and tyranny,” Fontaine informed a information convention.
He stated supporters of the UWP “really feel threatened and are informed that in the event that they hope to make it right here in Dominica, they need to come cup in hand and publicly declare allegiance to the DLP. “Dominica, we now have endured sufficient. The UWP-Workforce Dominica is dedicated to placing our lives on the road to steer this nation towards a brighter way forward for shared prosperity for all,” he informed reporters.
Fontaine, an economist, stated he’s proud to introduce a imaginative and prescient for a sustainable financial future rooted within the perception that each Dominican deserves a good shot at success, not simply the privileged few.
“…we’ll construct this nation, create alternatives, generate wealth, and raise our individuals,” he stated, noting that every pillar of the roadmap is a stepping stone towards shared prosperity for all Dominicans.
“We’ll guarantee higher pay for our working class by initiating a rise within the minimal wage to EC$12 (One EC greenback=US$0.37 cents) from its present ranges. Public servants will notice vital will increase of their salaries, and as we remodel the NEP into abilities constructing and coaching, their wages will even develop”.
He’s additionally promising {that a} future UWP administration will overhaul the tax system, revise the value-added tax (VAT) charges downwards, take away “suffocating import duties, present duty-free incentives to construct properties and companies, and total cut back the tax burden on our individuals. “These actions will stimulate entrepreneurship, revive the personal sector, rebuild the center class, and promote financial development,” stated the previous Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF) official.
He said that within the well being and training sectors, the UWP will rebuild these sectors, making certain they’re accessible, environment friendly, and responsive.
“Nicely-equipped and equipped medical facilities will make use of our skilled docs each at dwelling and overseas. A Nationwide Well being Insurance coverage Programme will complement this.
“Our training system will probably be modernized, and our college students will skilled in math, languages, science, and social disciplines. We’ll equip our individuals with the instruments to compete globally, making certain that nobody is left behind.”
Fontaine additionally addressed plans for the agricultural sector, creating alternatives for wealth era to maintain younger individuals in Dominica by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. “We’ll make the most of the knowledge-based business and occupy our younger minds with innovation and drive. The desires of our youth will probably be restored,” he added.
The UWP chief said that plans are additionally in place to harness the nation’s renewable power potential, together with hydro, photo voltaic, wind, and geothermal, to considerably cut back electrical energy prices and appeal to international firms looking for to ascertain Synthetic Intelligence (AI) knowledge facilities.
“Our low-cost electrical energy era will even be a magnate for firms to arrange extra factories and manufacturing operations in Dominica.”
He guarantees to root out corruption and set up a accountable authorities that’s accountable to the individuals of this nation.
“ My fellow Dominicans. These 10 pillars will not be mere guarantees; they’re our solemn dedication to you, the individuals of Dominica, grounded in religion and motion. They symbolize a imaginative and prescient of shared prosperity, the place nobody is left behind, and each citizen can obtain their full potential. Certainly, the time for collective prosperity is knocking at our doorways, our minds, and our hearts,” he stated, promising within the coming days and weeks to “take this message and imaginative and prescient to our individuals throughout this lovely land and within the Diaspora.”
