Prime Minister Skerrit highlights collaboration with village, urban, and city councils to strengthen local governance and improve service delivery nationwide.
Dominica: The Government of Dominica continues to uphold its accountability to the citizens of Dominica as they conducted discussions with Village, Urban and Local Councils for supporting and advancing community-based projects in the country.
Last week, a nationwide series of discussions was concluded with Village, Urban and City Councils throughout Dominica. These discussions were organised and held by the Government as part of its aim to strengthen local governance and support community development.
The engagements were led by Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, members of Cabinet and local government officials. According to Prime Minister Skerrit, engagements with the different councils allowed for both “open and honest dialogue on community priorities, shared challenges and opportunities for closer collaboration between central and local government.”
The National Leader believes that collaboration between the two governmental bodies will further strengthen governance and improve service delivery at the local level.
On the 4th of February, the Prime Minister took to Facebook to announce of these previously held discussions where he shared that the Government would provide financial support to the councils for the purpose of advancing community-based projects and seeing real results in the communities in the country.
The Prime Minister shared, “I announced direct financial support to help councils advance community-based projects, supported by clear accountability and reporting arrangements to ensure transparency and real results.”
Prime Minister Skerrit assured that the meetings will continue throughout the year along with follow–up discussions and continuous monitoring on the projects.
“Engagement with local authorities will continue, with follow-up discussions and monitoring to ensure projects are implemented effectively and aligned with our national development goals,” added Prime Minister Skerrit.
Many, including those present during the discussions, have praised the government for this initiative which they have defined as a “positive step in the right direction.”
A Facebook user by the username Jacqueline Stedman has commented on the Prime Minister post stating, “We were grateful to have been invited and to discuss our plans for our community. Thanks for the commitment that you made, and you have also kept it.”
Weighing in on the matter, Titus J Francis, shared his opinion by commenting, “Very good initiative. Councils need to be empowered so that, as local government institutions, they not only serve as a support system for central government in its community-based programmes; but to be seen as an authority in themselves with power to enforce the provisions enacted in the respective laws which operationalized them. Very positive step in the right direction Hon. PM.”