Dominica PM: “Strong Likelihood” of Geothermal Plant by 2014

There is a “strong likelihood” that Dominica will have an operational geothermal plant in the country by 2014, according to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. The government is reportedly in talks with firms in geothermal and power-generation about partnering with it on the construction and operation of the plant. “There is a strong likelihood that the plant could be operational by 2014,” he said. “The general public will be informed further on this in the coming months.” Bidding to select a company to construct the geothermal plant on the island will begin in the second half of 2013, according to the government. It is part of a low-carbon strategy with an ultimate goal of a carbon-negative economy by 2020, the Prime Minister said. cont./

Courtesy of: Caribbean Journal

Wimbledon 2012 - Serena Williams Wins Fifth Singles Title

Serena Williams overcame a resurgent Agnieszka Radwanska to clinch a hard-fought 6-1 5-7 6-2 victory and earn her fifth Wimbledon singles title. The American had eased through the opening set before Radwanska regrouped to win a rain-delayed second set. But Williams broke twice in the decider to kill off Radwanska's challenge. The 30-year-old then followed up her success to claim the doubles title with sister Venus, defeating Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka 7-5 6-4. Her singles victory is Williams's 14th Grand Slam title and follows Wimbledon singles victories in 2002, 2003, 2009 and 2010. cont.

Wimbledon 2012 - Williams Sisters' Win Doubles Title

Serena Williams then made it two titles in a day as she partnered sister Venus, 32, to victory in the women's doubles. They beat the Czech sixth seeds Hlavackova and Hradecka to claim what was their fifth Wimbledon doubles title together, and 13th combined Grand Slam.

Courtesy of: BBC

Dominica - Man Woman Wild

Mykel Hawke is a former Special Forces survival expert. His wife Ruth is a TV journalist. Together, they take on some of the most forbidding and remote locations around the world. Dropped into each spot they must survive as a team for four days and nights, with only a knife and the clothes on their backs. As they test their will and their marriage, the two find common ground standing up to nature as husband and wife in the wildest places on Earth.



Courtesy of: Discovery Channel

Dominica - Can Eco-Tourism Help Underdeveloped Countries?

How Dominica, Botswana and Suriname are working to capitalize on their natural resources without jeopardizing them...


Tourism might not be the ultimate answer to poverty and economic woes, but it is a major boon for places around the world that suffer from a lack of natural resources or industry. For instance, tourism is a hugely important industry in the Caribbean. Without flocks of resort-goers, nations in this part of the world would have to rely more heavily on agriculture, leaving their economies at the mercy of the fluctuating prices of commodities like coffee, sugar and bananas.

There are plenty of valid concerns about the environmental impact of hotel construction, excessive tourist traffic and cruise ships, but it isn't fair to leave the positive economic impact out of the mass-tourism discussion. Large resorts employ hundreds of local people, and local entrepreneurs, from taxi drivers to guides to souvenir shop owners, benefit from the tourism trade. cont./

Courtesy of: Mother Nature Network

Dominica - Delroy Williams Releases Debut Poetry Publication

ONE ROOM SHACK, the debut poetry publication from Delroy Nesta Williams, comes from a special place, his heart. And within his heart is a myriad of issues and ideas that were egging to get out.

ONE ROOM SHACK can be described in one short phrase, simply special. Special not only because it is the first book from the author but also as a dedication to the “mothers” that have influenced Nesta’s life.

The poems address various issues including poverty, failure, personal struggle, “faith and hope… but the greatest of these is love.”

Mr. Williams is the Immediate Past President of the National Youth Council and by all accounts an advocate for various youth issues, some of which come through clearly through his poetry. He attributes his love of poetry and writing from an early exposure during his high school years at the Dominica Grammar School and his interest in creative arts. cont./

Courtesy of: Dominica News Online

Dominica - Independence Activities for 2011 Formerly Launched

Activities to mark this year’s thirty-third anniversary of Independence was formerly launched at press conference at the Government Information Service studio and carried live on Channel seven on both MARPIN 2k4 and SAT Telecoms on Friday, September 2, 2011 and on DBS Radio. The activities, which will run from Sunday September 18th to Friday November 4th, 2011, will be held under the theme “Celebrating Thirty-Three – Joining Hands in Unity.”

Addressing Fridays’ function, the Hon. Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports, Justina Charles, said that this years’ theme urges us to come together to celebrate our achievements as a nation and to join hands in unity for the greater good of our people and country. She further stated that it is a patriotic call for us to set aside our differences of political colour, religion, class, status and race and to work together for the good of the nation. cont./

Courtesy of: Government Information Service

Dominica - New Housing Project for Silver Lake Community

Residents of Silver Lake are expressing their heart-felt gratitude to the government of Dominica, who pledge to construct a housing project in the area. For over thirty-two years, Silver Lake residents have been living in deplorable living conditions since the passage of Hurricane David.

However, Honourable Minister for Housing, Reginald Austrie, announced last week that the Government of Dominica will soon be undertaking the much-needed housing project in the community.

“For a while now, the Government has been looking at the housing situation in Silver Lake. Just recently, the Minister of Finance and Prime Minister has made some three hundred thousand dollars (XCD$300 000.00) available for the construction of an apartment block building in Silver Lake. The land has been identified and we have a design. Right now, what we are doing is making a few adjustments to the design and I am hoping that by November this year, we can see work beginning on this very important housing structure for the residents of Silver Lake.” cont./

Courtesy of: Government Information Service (GIS)

Dominica - West Coast Road Project Progressing Smoothly – Project Manager Gives Update

The $100-million West Coast Road Project is progressing smoothly with some areas of the project currently 100 percent complete and most others at an advanced stage of construction, according to Manager for China Railway 17 Bureau Company Ltd (CR17)

Hao and other officials from the company led members of the media on a site tour of the project Friday, stopping at some of the particularly pivotal sections of the Portsmouth to Roseau road, currently undergoing repair and upgrade.
Stops included the Hanover Street to Elliot Avenue Bridge, the section of works at Tarreau, the sea defense wall and road construction in Coulibistrie, the current excavation works being carried out under the Canefield Cliff and the fully completed box culvert at Picard. cont./

Courtesy of: Dominica News Online

USA - St. Vincent de Paul Society, Friends Of The Poor® Walk 2011

SVDP USA Annual Friends Of The Poor® Walk - September 24, 2011 or September 25, 2011 (Rain Date)...


SVdP Diocesan Councils, District Councils and parish-based Conferences throughout the United States are invited and strongly encouraged to participate. Money raised at the local level will be credited and used locally in direct service to the poor. The Friends of the Poor® Walk promises to substantially involve both the media and the general public in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s active commitment to help the poor.



Joseph Blaize - Vice President is hereby seeking your sponsorship for his walk. Your pledge will go a long way in their work of helping the poor in his community. You can contribute online via this link Joseph Blaize Donations

Looking forward to seeing your pledge.

Courtesy of: SVDP USA

Dominica - Chinese Government to Fund Housing Project in the Carib Territory

The Government of the People's Republic of China has made available a first tranche of funds for the construction of forty one (41) houses in the Carib Territory.

Hon Housing Minister, Reginald Austrie, confirmed this during an interview with GIS News this week.

Just last year, Government announced that the PRC Government had offered to finance the construction of the houses for the island's indigenous people. The Housing Minister said that the sites have already been identified and tenders sent out.

“The project has been approved and in fact, while we speak, we have received about half a million dollars for commencement of the project. The total value of the project is about 1.4 million (XCD1 400 000.00). The sites have been identified but on some of the sites, there is a lot of infrastructural work to be done like in Gullet River, In St. Cyr and in Sineku, we have to do the roads and infrastructure at considerable costs. But, in areas like Mahaut River where we will be constructing four houses, at Salybia in Point we are going to be doing four, in Bataca we are doing five and in Concord we are going to be doing two. These sites are ready to go and so what we have done so far is sometime late last week, the tender documents were sent out and we are hoping that within the next two weeks, we will receive those tender documents.” cont./

Courtesy of: Government Information (GIS)

Dominica - New Call Centre Opens

Over one hundred and fifty (150) Dominicans are expected to gain employment in the coming months, as Wikibuli Communications Inc. commences operations on the island.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office and Honourable Minister responsible for Information Communication Technology, Kelver Darroux, said that Government has provided concessions to the multilingual call centre, which provides services to North America.

“Wikibuli Communications Inc. began operations here earlier this month. They are a Canadian based company and they are providing call centre type of operations for companies in the US, Canada and other parts of the world. The company is privately owned and they intend to employ as many young Dominicans as possible as they begin to increase their clientele. The Government of Dominica has contributed to the company by providing concessions for the company and ensuring that the company can have a smooth transition to begin operations. We have made a commitment to the company to provide whatever is necessary so as we can establish as much employment for the locals as possible.” cont./

Courtesy of: Government Information Service (GIS)

Dominica - State-of-the–Art Health Facility Officially Opened in Salybia

Residents of the Carib Territory now have a brand new health care facility. The Salybia Health Centre was officially opened on Wednesday, 10th August, 2011.

The official opening ceremony was attended by Hon Acting Prime Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore, Hon Acting Health Minister, Justina Charles, Hon Opposition Leader, Hector John, other government officials, representatives of the sponsors, Carib Chief, Garnet Joseph, and members of the Carib council and residents of the community.

The Acting Carib Development Officer, Sylvanie Burton, hails the occasion as an historic one.

“Today marks a historic day for the people of this community who will benefit from the services which will be provided. It also marks a day of gratification for all the movers and shakers who ensured that what once was a dream, is on its way to becoming a reality. But most importantly, it demonstrates the interest which is being placed by our leaders on the health needs of the Kalinago people.” cont./

Courtesy of: Government Information Service (GIS)

Dominica - World Creole Music Festival 2011 Lineup

If you enjoys world music, experiencing new cultures and feasting on delicious food, then the Dominica’s 15th World Creole Music Festival might just be the perfect experience for you.

Under the tagline “Make a Memory, Come Dance With Us“, this year’s World Creole Music Festival promises three exciting nights of pulsating rhythms, featuring some of the best local and international bands of creole music.

Ali Campbell –the legendary voice of UB40, Jean-Phillipe Marthely & Joceline Beroard Third World, Gyptian, Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann are among the top names for this year’s 15th Annual World Creole music Festival to be held from October 29 to 31st at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium. cont./



Courtesy of: Dominica Weekly

Geothermal Drilling Approved in Dominica

ROSEAU, Dominica, Wednesday August 10, 2011 – Government has given the nod for West Indies Power (WIP) to drill in the Soufriere Valley in search of geothermal energy reserves.

It has given approval to WIP’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIA), which enables the company to begin exploratory drilling in order to determine conditions of the geothermal reservoir in the area.

“WIP is pleased to have been granted the right be able to begin drilling in Soufriere,” said CEO of the power producing company, Kerry McDonald. “For years people have suspected that there is a geothermal reservoir in this area and now we will be able to finally prove its existence.” cont./

Courtesy of: Caribbean360

Kudos for Dominica Cricket Fans

HEARTENED by the support for West Indies' cricket in Dominica, captain Darren Sammy has given the country the green light, saying the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean deserves more international cricket.

"I think kudos to the Dominican crowd. I think we should have more matches here whether it is Twenty20, one-day cricket or Test matches. I think we played a one-day game against South Africa where the wicket had a little bit of pace. If some more work could be done to get the wicket similar to something in Barbados or Jamaica, I think it will be an excellent venue for cricket," Sammy said after the match.

Sammy said "the amount of support" for West Indies cricket was almost unbelievable during the inaugural Test at Windsor Park, the world's 106th Test venue.

"They were cheering on almost every run today (Sunday). I spoke to Dessie (Desmond Haynes) and he said that was how it felt like when he was playing. That second ball Fidel (Edwards) bowled (to Rahul Dravid) with the crowd rooting...I think it was very nice to see and I honestly vote for more cricket here in Dominica," Sammy said.

New West Indies Test batsman Kirk Edwards also lauded the Dominican spectators for their support, while at the end of the match, the Windies players walked around the ground thanking the fans for their whole-hearted and boisterous support.

Dominica had by far the biggest crowds in the 2011 Digicel Home Series against Pakistan and India, outstripping the attendances for the Tests in Guyana, St Kitts, Jamaica and Barbados, where the crowds fluctuated between 1,000 and 3,000 spectators. cont.

Courtesy of: Trinidad Express

Dominica - Is the World's Newest Test Nation also the "greenest" Test Nation?

The recently contested third and final Test between India and the West Indies in Windsor Park, Roseau was the first to played in the island of Dominica, known as the “Nature Island” of the Caribbean (named as the world’s second most “pure” island in Islands Magazine April/May 2010), due to the large number of rainforests, waterfalls and mountains on the island. Dominica is not your typical West Indian island of sun, sand and surf, but rather, Dominica is a lush, green paradise comparable to locations the North Island of New Zealand.

After the Ministry of Tourism for Dominica received funding of 6 million euros from the European Union for the Ecotourism Development Program (this service was subsequently implemented by Tourism Intelligence International), known as the ETDP, Dominica became world-renowned for a wonderful ecotourism program. So what exactly is ecotourism? Ecotourism (also known as ecological tourism) is a form of tourism that appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals.

Generally speaking, ecotourism focuses on volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on the planet. It typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the primary attractions, as is certainly the case in Dominica. cont./

Courtesy of: Sport Pulse

Dominica Cricket Live Score - India vs West Indies 3rd Test 2011

Live Score India vs West Indies 3rd Test 2011...

Dominica Cricket - India vs West Indies 3rd Test 2011

Pitch report - Windsor Park, Dominica...

Originally a recreational venue levelled out of a rubbish dump known as Cow Town, the ground was a popular venue for carnival activities, horse racing and state parades. In 1999 the general upliftment of the area, including the construction of a national stadium was planned for the site, but eventually fell through despite the clearance of existing stands and adjoining buildings.

Five years later, after prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit ended diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favour of China, the creation of Windsor Park was put into action.

Named after Windsor in England and situated on the eastern side of Roseau, work on the stadium first began in 2005 on the first anniversary of the Caribbean island and far-east nation's association.

Part of the 'Four Pillar Projects' pledged by the People's Republic of China to the people of the commonwealth of Dominica and essentially viewed as a gift - ie: tax write-off - the ground came at a 17 million dollar expense.

Three and a half years later the project was completed and ready for its official opening. Not quick enough to host its first ODI at the 2007 World Cup, but ample time ahead of a maiden one-dayer in mid-2009. cont./


Live Score India vs West Indies 3rd Test 2011...

Dominica’s Prime Minister Presents an Over 400 Million Dollar Financial Budget to Parliament

The Hon. Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Roosevelt Skerrit on Wednesday presented to parliament an over four hundred million dollar budget for the financial year ending June 30, 2012.

The theme of this year's presentation was "Pursuing the Path to Growth - Being Responsive Yet Responsible.

Just as in last year's presentation, the Dominica Leader once again repeated calls for a change of attitude towards their country and its development

“We have to make a seismic shift in the way we do business in Dominica”

Prime Minister Skerrit noted the economic challenges facing international governments and reminded all that Dominica was not exempt from these challenges.

He said however that Dominica had fared well amidst these global occurrences. cont./

Courtesy of: Government Information Service (GIS)

Dominica - 'Sye' Salisbury Reunion2K11 Song

Salisbury Reunion July 23 to August 7 2011.....BE THERE!!!!!!!!:-)



Courtesy of: Salisbury Reunion 2011