Roseau, Dominica: Fenella Wenham- Parliamentary Representative for the Portsmouth constituency of Dominica, pledged to work for the upliftment of her constituents. She also outlined her plans for the different sectors and fields.
READ HERE: Full statement of Fenella Wenham
When I came to office as a Parliamentary representative for Portsmouth, the situation was bleak. It was a tough campaign journey; I was new, I was young, and I was red. Your trust was squandered, and I was coming and asking for it unhealed. It was hard to ask.
After a small grace period, and I took the oath, I started working. I set out to do the work that is expected of a parliamentary representative.
From volunteering in the Rosie campaign, I learned that Portsmouth politics is grass root politics. Therefore, I went to meet the people. In each district that makes up the Portsmouth constituency, I met with our constituents. By February 2023, I had held meetings with Dos D’Ane, Borne, Zicack/ Chance, Portsmouth Central, Glanvillia, Georgetown, and Picard/ Tibay residents.
We learned that all districts in the constituency need additional public lighting. We learned that most members of our resident Haitian and Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters are working illegally because the work permit renewal process needs improving. A seamless work permit renewal process for all foreign nationals will serve us better.
We learned that the American Canadian School of Medicine is scheduled to open its doors to its inaugural semester by September 2023. I can report that preliminary preparatory works are ongoing. We learned of housing needs, small business support needs, public service needs, and the health and wellness need of our constituents.
By March 2023, most of the Heads of the Government Public Service Departments have experienced the presence of my grace. These included the magistrate, the mayor, the police, the fire and ambulance service, the port and customs, and solid waste. These visits gave me first-hand knowledge of the status of service to our residents.
During that time, my office also conducted business forums to understand how everybody can ‘make a change’ in the town. And we do understand. So let us continue to talk business and set up shops as we go. I started by stating that the situation was bleak. Notwithstanding, at this point, I had started seeing movements. From my office on Bay Street, one of the best on the strip, it is busier now than on my first day in the office.
Business is bright.
Possie Carnival in February was peaceful and successful. This event gave our local economy a boost. Pays Yachting Festival Week in March 2023 flooded our town with tourists. A homegrown community group event that gave us another economic boost.
Right around the corner, on April 30th, Jazz n Creole will be held at the Cabrits. There is the upcoming May Day Holiday and a Cinco De Mayo event which I intend to pitch to our Spanish-speaking resident community. Community Tourism activities sustain a steady cash flow in our local economy. Let us build around these events mentioned above to grow this cash flow so that everyone can make money.
At One hundred days in office, my offer to our town residents is; let us work together to develop sustainable community tourism activities and services in Portsmouth today, for the benefit and good of every one of us. During my going around, I visited Mr. Tibab and Slyvie and both of them asked me very deeply if I could handle the job.
As a young Christian woman, I observed the spirit of God in Rosie. The world came to Portsmouth for his passing. It is my wish to revive the spirit of Rosie in our politics in Portsmouth. Charles’s compliment showed me that it is possible. I simply ask that we sustain our political culture of comradery, entertain each other, respect each other, and love each other.
My primary focus during this first term in office is Empowerment. I invite us to raise the bar for our young people and the family. Let us sustain a growing economic space where all can thrive. Let us take care of our people for a healthier population and workforce. Let us train traditional and new skills to improve our prowess. Let us continue to educate our citizens.
BANK
Our Prime Minister and Leader, Roosevelt Skerrit have mandated Education Reform in order to modernize our Human Resource base. I wish to extend an invitation to my fellow educators. I have outlineda framework that will be shared with our principals. Let us do this one together. Our labour market needs new skills and integral professionals.
Let us usher in an upgrade. In the days ahead, I hope to invite the young people of the north to a Northern Youth Rally at the Cabrits. The goal of my office is to empower young people to become helpful, skillful, and thoughtful so that we can all make money and enjoy the gifts of life.
As part of our family empowerment goal, I am encouraging all residents to participate in our weekly health and wellness Saturday activity and our monthly Sunday Fun Days. Let me also inform you that I intend to appoint an Advisory Committee of my office to spearhead the growth and sustainable economic development of the town.
We will continue to meet our constituents, particularly, the Labour Party Membership, to begin the process of activating the party groups, these include the Constituency Association Branch, The Labour Women’s Organization, and Labour Youth Organization.
During the next quarter, I will present an update on a few government projects and district projects ground-breaking, which will happen shortly. In that regard, I would like to mention the Ira Fraser Indoor Basketball Facility, Cynthia Joseph’s Outdoor Sports Facility, and the Administrative
Building.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s been a lovely three months. I am grateful for your support and prayers. To God be the Glory. In the name of Jesus Christ. I am happy to represent your interests and make good on trust and partnership. I am appreciative of my team, well-wishers and supporters,
The Dominica Labour Party, Prime Minister, and my fellow cabinet colleagues. It is God’s will that I serve you faithfully, for the good of all his people. I assure you, that I am here; on duty; by God’s grace.
