Minister responsible for Telecommunications Ambrose George says Marpin 2k4’s decision to raise its cable television rates did not have to be approved by the government.

Earlier this week, Chief Financial Officer of Marpin 2K4 Calvin Patrick said an increase of $20 would be imposed on the monthly bill starting in October.

Ambrose George in an exclusive interview with Kairi News says there’s nowhere in any regulations which says that the government has to approve of any change in rates applied to Marpin 2k4 cable television services.

George says there should have been some level of consultation on the matter.

Leader of the Opposition Hector Spags John is criticizing government’s decision not to distribute cement for this year’s national day of community service on November 4th.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced this week that Cabinet had decided on changing the format this year, in an effort to encourage residents to undertake beautification projects in their community.

However John told the 4th sitting of the people’s parliament in Delices Tuesday that the residence of Salisbury will undertake their usual projects without government’s assistance.

Opposition Senator Claudius Sanford says Dominica is not producing enough to sustain its people and the economy.

Sanford told the fourth Peoples Parliament in Delices last night, that the Roosevelt Skerrit led administration has destroyed the agricultural sector.

The Board and Management of Marpin 2K4 is justifying reasons for rate increases to be implemented in October.

Financial Comptroller at Marpin 2K4 Calvin Patrick says while times are hard, the company and services must remain viable.

He says the company has also been facing an increase in the cost of cable programming from subscribers.

The cost of cable television services will be increased from $57.00 to $77.00 plus the Value Added Tax which will bring the monthly payments to over $80.00.

Meantime President of the Media Workers Association Thelia Remy says an increase in services at Marpin 2k4 at this time could have its pros and cons.

Leader of the United Workers Party Ron Green is describing as a disaster, a decision by Carnival Victory to pull its services from Dominica.

After a 21 year relationship, Carnival Victory announced that its final call to Dominica will be on November 02, 2010.

Green tells Kairi News that the ministry of truism failed to effectively deal with the problems facing the sector.

Officials at the Dominica State Prison say man power is urgently needed to deal with the overcrowded correctional facility.

Superintendent of Prisons Algernon Charter says a record number of three hundred and seven prisoners, the highest in the prison’s history.

Meantime Charter says the prison is now offering a number of different programs for the inmates

Mayor of Roseau His Worship Cecil Joseph has come in defense of vendors, tour guides and those who provide services to the tourists on the bay front.

Joseph’s statement comes on the heels of observations by Tourism Minister Ian Douglas who claimed that vendors and tour guides must work on providing a better service to the tourists.

But the Mayor said the attitude, attire and presentation of vendors stalls have improved over the years.

Joseph says the new cruise ship season will also see major improvements in that aspect of things.

Tourism Minister Ian Douglas has told stakeholders in the tourism industry that they must take personal interest in the beautification of the various tourist sites in the country.

The minister was addressing stakeholders Monday on the way forward for the industry, after Carnival Victory announced last week that it will be making its final call to Dominica on November 2nd.

Mister Douglas says Dominica must reflect its brand as the nature island of the world.

Douglas says government could soon review the tourism standards act and regulations.

He also says the private tour system needs to be looked at.

A former Portsmouth Mayor says Dominica could be losing its nature Island Image.
Washway Douglas told Kairi news that he is worried that littering practices could have a negative impact on the country’s image as the Nature Isle.

Meantime, Mister Douglas is questioning government’s decision not to grant an Antiguan Base recycling company a license to remove the derelict boats in the town of Portsmouth.

Douglas says the presence of the derelict boats in the area for the past 20 years pose a number of challenges for the town including that of tourism.

Former mayor of Portsmouth, Washway Douglas.
Meantime, MP for Portsmouth, Tourism Minister Ian Douglas says, government has been in constant negotiations with international partners for the removal of the derelict boats.

He says negotiations with the Venezulan government are at an advantage stage.

An Attorney at Law here is suggesting that laws be implemented to ban the use of cellular phones while driving.

Michael Bruney told a panel discussion on Sunday to end activities to observe motorist week, that the use of cell phones while driving is causing problems for both drivers and pedestrians

He says pedestrian in Dominica are also guilty of walking across moving traffic.

Meantime a medical professional here says most motorist accidents are being attributed by both motorist and pedestrians.

Dr. Phillip St. Jean of the Roseau Heath District says there are several attributes that must be mandatory for motorist and pedestrians.