The ravages of Hurricane Maria with its payload of rainfall and high wind beyond measure has offered Dominica a reset opportunity. The weak links in Dominica's infrastructure inclusive of its roadway and bridges network have been exposed. The soft targets in its housing have been devastated beyond repair and what has been left standing given the golden opportunity to adjust with resilience in mind. Many roofs now sport cheeky red colours nationwide as the major new Galvanize facility and factory at Goodwill tries to cope with the high demand. This is a clear reflection of a national affinity with the colour red and a want to get rid of the blue tarpaulins that came up overnight as a quick fix but fading with every day.In agriculture post Maria planning has seen a shift to root crops to feed the nation and to export the surplus. Plantain seems to have replaced bananas as the crop of first choice for it likely will be a better seller. My recent visits to Dominica to assist in the setting up of the galvanize facility has seen me as a regular at the Roseau Market buying my hand of plantain for a week in heaven it being a childhood favorite on the family table at Fort Lane. Fresh vegetables and ground provisions are aplenty and with the planned expansion of the market it will be a must visit for every citizen and visitor to meet a great cross section of Dominica among the many buyers and sellers.
From all reports Dominica is also having a bumper season in the cruise line industry as major lines vie for daily berthing space at the ports. One hundred and eighty ships in the northern winter season is phenomenal and with thousands visiting each day opportunity is had for local capital to capture valuable foreign exchange in offering safaris and generally the local product not to be found within short distance of the huge ships anywhere else in the Caribbean.
From my diaspora standpoint in Trinidad and Tobago, more can be done to woo stay-over visitors from the south inclusive of Brazil and Panama as a major hub. The Latin American flight is in early and if CAL or LIAT were to offer a direct flight to Dominica and return via St Lucia all in the morning the exorbitant cost of travel through Barbados will come down and be more affordable. Trinidad and Tobago is still an untapped source of visitors for Dominica as Nature lovers and fitness enthusiasts will come and stay over to enjoy all that Dominica offers. Such a connection will also offer an emerging Dominica a same aircraft flight a direct flight via Castries to great and unparalleled shopping, medical, and sporting opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago. With the EC dollar valued near thrice that of the Trinidad and Tobago dollar the exchange rate favors shopping at way superior mall facilities in Trinidad than expensive Barbados.
2019 is the year with a projected 9% growth in the GDP. There are opportunities for all in Dominica who only need to grasp them. The Labour Party Government has steered Dominica out of the Maria catastrophe of 2017 and is set for another victory at the polls as a reward for it.
I am happy to have fulfilled my promise to do something for the island that grew me up, gave my values and strengths.
My life has been a success for it and just as I responded to Dr Skerrit's call to duty, I stand ready for my next call.
Herbert Volney
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