Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says government’s squatter regularization programme has contributed to the reduction in the level of poverty in the country.

He says the program aimed at making lands available to squatters at one dollar a square foot has improved the living conditions for hundreds of Dominicans.

Prime Minister Skerrit highlighted a number of other programs which he says contributed the reduction of poverty in the country.

Carib Chief Garnet Joseph says he is concerned about physical abuse on the island, particularly among Kalinago women.

Joseph tells Kairi News several individuals have come for assistance from the Carib Council in that regard.

He says it is time that people take responsibility for their own action.

Dominica’s Stephanie Astaphan is the latest recipient of the ECCB’s the 2010 Thomas De La Rue Currency Scholarship, and will be perusing a degree in International Economics and International Law.

The St. Kitts based Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), in collaboration with the Thomas De La Rue Group PLC announced the £9,300 per annum presentation recently.

Astaphan is already an accomplished academic holding a Bachelor’s Degree in International Politics and Economics from USA’s Middlebury College, in Vermont.

She also holds high honours for her research on dependency relations within the Caribbean and is renowned for her keen interest in development economics, particularly in the formulation of sustainable public policy tailored to the Caribbean circumstances.

De La Rue Group PLC is the authorised printer of the EC dollar. The scholarship is awarded every two years to a citizen of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union to pursue post-graduate studies in Economics at any campus of the University of the West Indies.
Eligible applicants must have at least an Upper Second Class Honours Degree and be committed to working in the Caribbean after completion of postgraduate studies.

The Government of Dominica has appointed Ms. Jennifer Aird non-resident Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil in its quest to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.

Ms. Aird’s appointment has been approved by the Government of Brazil.

Ms. Jennifer Aird, Chief Executive Officer of Domini Corporation and President of the Dominica Chamber of Agri-Business, has over twenty years experience in international Business, International Trade, Marketing and Business Development.

The Ambassador designate has demonstrated a keen interest in the development of Dominica – Brazil relations.

Diplomatic relations between Dominica and Brazil were established in 1986.

Brazil’s foreign policy has recently given prominence to increasing dialogue on cooperation with CARICOM Members States and expanding Brazil’s economic and diplomatic presence in the Caribbean sub region.

Three Bilateral Agreements in the fields of Education, Culture and Visa Exemptions for holders of Diplomatic and official passports were signed between Dominica and Brazil during the CARICOM – Brazil Summit in April 26, 2010.

The Government of Brazil has recently established an Embassy in Dominica.

As Ambassador of Dominica to Brazil, Ms. Aird will work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in developing closer Dominica – Brazil relations.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is refuting claims that a recent survey conducted on the level of poverty in the country is bogus.
The study which was conducted this year revealed a reduction of poverty in the country from 39 percent to 28 percent.

Prime Minister Skerrit says it is unfortunate that members of the opposition would refer to the survey as bogus.

Prime Minister Skerrit says government continues to seek ways to to reduce the level of poverty.

He says government has put a system in place to assist students to attend school among other programs.

Four males are among the list of top performers in the 2010 Caribbean Examination Councils CSEC Exams.

Minister of education Peter St Jean says the male students are proving to other nationals that they have what it takes to perform well.

Meantime Chief Education Officer Steve Hyacinth says out of the fifteen secondary schools on the island , it is the first time that twelve schools including many from the out-District have showed increase in performances.

1076 Students wrote this year’s exams.

The top performing males were Dennis Guye, Dennis Laurent , Liam Rolle of the St. Mary’s academy and Denzel Coipel of the Dominica Grammar School.

Neil Hamlet, Richardson Alexander of Marigot and Laudrick Bruno of Woofordhill have been charged with conspiring to commit robbery and robbery of the National Development Foundation of Dominica NDFD.

According to the charges, the men allegedly robbed the establishment of EC$3771.30 at gun point on Wednesday August 11, 2010.
Bail was denied for three men when they appeared before Magistrate Candia George on Thursday.

Prominent businessman Jerry Brisbane says government should apply the labour laws of the country towards all those entering into Dominica to work.

Brisbane said he is concerned about Chinese nationals employed to conduct several projects in Dominica, who he says are not abiding by the labour laws of the land.

Brisbane says he is also concerned about the government’s involvement in ensuring the safety and security of the Chinese.

Director of Primary Health Care Dr. Francesca Jacobs has died. She passed away this morning.

Dr. Jacobs was appointed to the position of Director in March of 2009.
Former Colleague and Minister of Culture Charles says the health sector has lost a stalwart.

Minister of culture jsutin a Charles speaking to Curtis Mathew of DBS radio.

She was not on active duty at the time of her death.

Dr. Jacobs was admitted to the hospital sometime last week
.
While inconfirmed reports reveal her death resulted from Dengue fever, the Ministry of Health says it will issue an official statement on the matter subsequently.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, August 18, 2010 – Regional airline LIAT on Tuesday carried out a series of test flights, in the night, at Dominica’s Melville Hall Airport.
“Several concerns were identified during the test flights and these items will be reviewed with the regulatory authorities,” Director of Flight Operations Capt. George Arthurton said.

“Even though we have done the test flights, the company still has to complete the evaluation process and obtain the required approvals from the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) before we can announce that LIAT can commence commercial night operations into Melville Hall.”

Officials of the Dominica Government, the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority and the ECCAA were present at the airport for the series of test flights.