Dominica’s opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has put forward a comprehensive plan to expand air and sea access to the island by upgrading all ports and introducing a high-speed ferry service, among other initiatives.

This week, the party’s candidate for Roseau Central, Joseph Isaac unveiled the details of a strategic ‘access development plan’, which the party will implement as a top priority upon winning the next national elections.

Seaport development is one of the pillars of the UWP’s plan, Isaac said, and this will be based on boosting revenue by increasing productivity and cutting costs. He added that it will be accompanied by innovative measures to increase both agriculture and manufacturing exports, tourism and fisheries.

Isaac noted that quick and easy port access to Dominica is critical for the island’s economic development, adding that a UWP government will modernize all ports–for tourism and exports—and enhance sea access by establishing a high-speed ferry service.

With regard to tourism development, Isaac promised that a UWP administration will upgrade the Roseau Ferry Terminal and the  Roseau Cruise Ship Berth and the Deep water Harbor, to ensure that maritime vessels have optimal deep water access to Dominica.

Isaac said the UWP’s modernization of port facilities, especially those in Roseau and Portsmouth, will facilitate a positive first impression, so visitors will be inclined to stay rather than be turned off by the inadequate conditions they currently endure.

Isaac said the UWP will expand Dominica’ exports by reviving key revenue generators– such as agricultural exports and the quarry industry—and will systematically improve vital infrastructure and facilities to accommodate increased exports.

In the area of fisheries, Isaac stated that a UWP government will increase the number of landing sites, particularly in traditional fishing zones like Newtown, Colihaut and St. Joseph. He noted that the fisheries facility at Bagatelle is grossly inadequate.

He went on to say that the first thing a UWP administration will do is “fix what Dominica already has”, before seeking to build new things. In this respect, all existing seaports will be a top priority because they are dilapidated and inadequate.

Roseau Market and Sidewalks Improvement Top Priority

Isaac indicated that the UWP’s plan will include a Roseau Road Rehabilitation improvement project because the party is well aware that improving access to the city and facilitating ease of movement within it must coincide with port of entry development.

He assured that a UWP government will build a modern vendors arcade in the nation’s capital Roseau, and will substantially improve the city’s market and the sidewalks.  He noted that the UWP whilst in government had already moved to improve the Roseau market and address the vendors’ situation, but the plan was never continued by the DLP government, in spite of having been in office for 15 years.

Kalinago People to get Prime Business location in Roseau

Among other initiatives, the UWP plans to establish a “100 percent Kalinago Arts and Craft branded tourism storefront” in Roseau, and may transform the DEXIA building into a duty free, air conditioned facility for this purpose.

Isaac said the party specifically wants to increase the traffic of exports through the ports to make them self-sustaining entities. The first goal is to raise the volume of exports to what it was under the UWP when Dominica recorded its best performance ever. Quoting the Government published statistics, Isaac noted that Dominica’s exports fell by more than 50% under the DLP; from a high of over EC $160 million under the UWP government in 1999, to a low of less than $80 million in 2011, under the DLP.

He pointed out that UWP always has a solid plan and takes effective action based on that plan, unlike the Dominica Labour Party, which has a “vie ki vie”, haphazard approach and not a “team approach”.

“The Prime Minister claims they are a family, but the family is such where they are cursing the prime minister…The UWP is a solid, united team, not like the DLP, who are a group of people with lots of infighting and one man trying to be a star,” the candidate opined.

Above all, the UWP is interested in human resource development, Isaac said, so in pursuit of all initiatives in the plan to increase access to Dominica and expand exports, the party will ensure the well-being of workers.