The Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of Dominica, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, delivered an uplifting and inspiring address on New Year, 2023. The Prime Minister extended his greetings of the festive season to the people of Dominica and expressed that he is full of hope and peace as he and his fellow Dominicans prepare to welcome the New Year.
In his address, Prime Minister Skerrit stated that when he looks back at the year, in retrospect, two words come to his mind: Gratitude and Reset. He expressed gratitude to god for the help of the almighty in a year that was extremely difficult for the whole world.
He said that the world population was facing the pandemic. In the first two months of 2022, the world was standing amid a war, leading to a shortage of commodities, jobs and financial resources. He thanked god for helping Dominica in this difficult year.
Talking about reset, PM Skerrit expressed that, in his opinion, the idea of Reset is not just about short-termism or a convenient slogan. For him, this is strategically important for how we must operate as a country. Achieving this will need attention from all the stakeholders.
In his new year’s address, he elaborated that the Reset will involve a reassessment of our strategies and approaches to governance so that the nation’s political leaders can help in the country’s growth and strengthen the social systems, thus promoting the welfare of the people.
The Prime Minister committed to protecting the nation’s people in distress. He expressed that this is when the children, women and elderly need us to speak on their behalf. They require us to shield them from abuse of all forms. He further elaborated that social security agencies need to consider Domestic abuse as a public problem.
The problem would, consequently, require us to respond to prevent and punish all acts of intimate partner violence and provide protection to the victims. Therefore, Prime Minister Skerrit explained that “Reset” calls on us to be more empathetic to the needs and circumstances of others. The practice requires us to carve out a role for every person in Dominica in creating a more peaceful, progressive country.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit then talked about the Global pandemic, Covid-19. He expressed we have learned from the pandemic that we can neither live alone nor in isolation. He believes that Humans need each other and are at their best when we interact socially.
Here he said that with the Reset, Dominica would work towards honouring our elders, supporting our youth, being the keepers of our brothers and sisters and acting with a sense of care toward our neighbours and fellow Dominicans.
He further said The Christmas season would end soon. However, the spirit of Christmas is created by our attitudes, exchanging kind words and acts of kindness and courtesy. We do not have to limit this spirit to 12 days and can extend the Christmas spirit throughout the coming year with the efforts of all our citizens. He further expressed that We should work to improve our streets, workspaces, communities and country.
During his address, he called on civil society organizations, rights groups and activists to embrace their function as advocates for positive change and advancing the Dominican people’s shared goals and interests.
He thanked the people of Dominica for their continued support and confidence in his political party. He said that they are committed to ensuring the welfare of the people. He said that the “RESET” prioritizes people-centric, inclusive policies.
Prime Minister Skerrit said that the world is a difficult place, and all predictions point to the fact that 2023 will be another difficult year for the world. As such, he said that under his leadership, the government is working toward economic stimulation and job creation with a domestic infrastructural works programme.
He detailed his government’s plans for the betterment and development of Dominica. At the same time, he revealed that as a SIDS, Dominica would remain vulnerable to international conditions. However, he promised that the people would unite and face all the circumstances.
