' In a
Democracy, Elected officials should be answerable to people they govern'
In a democratic system (West Minister-styled) are elected
Parliamentarians obliged to inform their constituents of their foreign travels?
The answer seems to be affirmative. How about those in the Executive Branch of
government who, unlike the Parliamentary Opposition, are paid a significantly
higher salary and accrue tremendous benefits from the Public Purse? What of the
Prime Minister? The answer is a definite Yes! However, in Dominica, the Prime
Minister and Cabinet Ministers have never accepted this practice despite being
in government for almost 18 years. In particular, Prime Minister Roosevelt
Skirrit has developed a nasty habit of 'playing hooky' while on the 'public
dole'. This has deteriorated
with every election that Labor Party has successfully poached. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has become
more arrogant and disrespectful to people of Dominica. He takes their vote for granted and, after
every election, he seems to have conveniently forgotten all the promises made
during the preceding campaign, including a promise to be a considerate steward
of the public purse.
Mr. Skerrit and the Dominica Labor Party does not fear
being voted out of power because they have found a way to win elections by
bringing in nationals living abroad to vote and by manipulating the electoral
process. In fact, Skerrit and his
co-conspirators in the Labor Party can basically bypass the local
electorate. So, that means they do not
have to be accountable to the voters because, technically Labor Party has established a mechanism to 'win' a Parliamentary majority that is independent of how locals cast their ballots. When Politicians feel that they are not
accountable to the electorate, or that the electorate is inconsequential to
their success, there is no urge to fulfill campaign promises. In Dominica, Mr. Skerrit and his compatriots has figured how to remain in power
by bypassing the local electorate. Hence, Dominica has a mountain of
uncompleted and failed projects.
As a result, Dominica has been governed under a veil of secrecy. In
particular, PM Skerrit and many Cabinet Ministers have undertaken
undisclosed Foreign travel without announcement of departure or return. In some
cases, the country may learn of these activities after their occurrence or if
unpleasant aspects come to light. In addition, Skerrit and his cohorts have
developed the habit of signing agreements while on mysterious foreign trips
without public disclosure; they seek to keep the people in darkness and do not believe
that people deserve to know what their government is doing on their behalf.
So, it comes as no surprise that sometimes MOU’s are signed on behalf of the
people of Dominica, who have no idea that such documents were signed? One MOU was signed in China with a private company
for $300 million dollars and, as of this day the people of Dominica are yet to
be told exactly was signed or of its present status. Such behavior demonstrates disdain for the
people of Dominica. Mr. Skerrit and his sect think they know what’s best for Dominicans
and they have no need to be informed of such activities.
An important
aspect of this misbehavior relates to the key role of the President. According
to the Constitution, 'Whenever the Prime
Minister is absent from Dominica or,by
reason of illness, is unable to perform functions conferred upon him by this
constitution, the President may authorize some other minister to perform those
functions'. Does the PM inform the President of his absence and, if
so, why are Dominicans not informed through the office of the President? Does
the President hold similar disdain for Dominicans? Mr.
Skerrit seems to move in and out of Dominica like Houdini. It is no wander the President seems
confused! Who knew that someone (Houdini) who has
been dead for almost 100 years has been reincarnated and 'mostly' living in
Dominica.
As Prime Minister, Mr. Skerrit seems to think that he does
not have to answer to the people of Dominica.
He believes that forming the Ruling Administration permits him to
trample on the rights of the populace who have 'elected' his party to govern. There
seems to be no understanding that Dominica is not a private business and that the
people have a right to know what government is doing in their interest.
Informing the Dominican public would not be difficult,
because Dominica has a state-owned radio station. What is so difficult about putting out a
simple press release when Government engages in activities that could
potentially impact people's finances, livelihood or security? Instead, the station
is largely used to disseminate Labor Party propaganda.
A 'not-so-subtle' consequence of all this traveling is the
cost. Who covers these expenses? Why should the people of Dominica have to pay
the Prime Minister during his secretive foreign trips when he does not have the courtesy to inform
the Public of his travels and, who will be acting in his place. This clearly
demonstrates the disrespect that this character holds for the people of
Dominica.
Obviously, Mr. Skerrit and other Cabinet Members have no
appreciation of the people’s right to have pertinent information about their whereabouts. The Labor Administration pretends to be unaware of the fact that
many of them have been receiving a paycheck from the Dominican people for over 17
years. They are quick to criticize opposition members of being lazy, although
most of those members are successful entrepreneurs, farmers and professionals. Maybe now is the time for Mr. Skerrit and his Cabinet Apparatchiks to leave the security of their position, go out in the real world
and try to earn a living independent of the Government of Dominica.
This persistent lack of respect for the Dominican people by
the Labor Administration must stop and must be called out by the media and
civil society .As a matter of fact, lack
of accountability magnifies the public's perception that the current administration is corrupt. People must keep asking questions and demanding
answers if their democracy is to survive.
