Dominica PM Skerrit sworn into office, Cabinet to be named Saturday

ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) — Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit was sworn into office for a third consecutive time on Monday urging Dominicans to “put away the colours” and come together for the socio-economic development of Dominica.

Skerrit, who led his Dominica Labour Party (DLP) to a 15-6 victory in Monday’s general election, said that the DLP embraces the victory over the United Workers Party (UWP) with “humility and introspection”.

“We now have a smaller working majority in Parliament but we nevertheless have an overwhelming mandate to carry forward and implement the policies set forth in our manifesto”.

He said he hoped that legislators will take their responsibilities seriously and that “I would want to believe that the era of Parliament boycotts and walkouts is over.

“I would want to believe that in the debates in Parliament, support will be given where support is deserving, and constructive criticism will be levelled when merited”,” Skerrit saying reiterating the message he had been using on the campaign that “there is one Dominica”.

The last Parliament had been dogged by opposition boycotts and walkouts mainly as a result of the rulings given by the Speaker Alix Boyd-Knights. The opposition set up its own people’s debate issues of national interest.

Skerrit, who announced that the members of his Cabinet would be sworn in on Saturday, gave no hint as to its composition, but told the ceremony carried live on radio and television that Dominica finds itself in the throes of a global economic recession.

“For Dominica to even have a chance of surmounting this challenge we need to think country at all times. We need as Parliamentarians in this new dispensation to consider our every action ad utterance. Parliamentarians are persons with influence and my one request of all new Parliamentarians is to use that influence to the benefit and blessing of Dominica”.

Skerrit said unlike previous occasions he deliberately did not declare the day after the general election a public holiday since he wanted to “set a tone and tenor for the new government going forward.

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