Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana – Haiti’s development will depend largely on the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) institutional support.
This was view of Prime Minister of Dominica, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, who briefed the media on Monday 26 June at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana during a visit to the Secretariat’s headquarters.
The Prime Minister of Dominica, who held earlier meetings with CARICOM Secretary-General, H.E. Edwin Carrington and staff of the CARICOM Secretariat, stressed that the survival of the Government and people of Haiti over the next six months hinged heavily on crafting and implementing a development plan which would ”attack poverty.”
He noted that as CARICOM Member States advanced in the integration process, they should consider “human resource” training for the people of Haiti, as developments there would impact on the rest of the Region. He lauded the work of the staff at the CARICOM Secretariat, noting that the Secretariat should develop a blueprint for Haiti’s development.
On the issue of Free Movement of Skilled CARICOM nationals, for which he holds responsibility among CARICOM Heads of Government, the Dominican Prime Minister denounced the profiling of CARICOM citizens travelling across the Region. He said the decisions taken at the level of Heads of Government should be translated in the treatment meted out to traveling CARICOM citizens. He also called for intelligence sharing among regional immigration officials with regard to the movement of “criminals.”
The Dominican Prime Minister expressed strong support for the people of Haiti, noting that his country had become home for up to 6000 Haitian citizens who now live and work legally in Dominica, free from exploitation. “We have to be our brother’s keeper, “he stated, adding that Heads of Government are expected to discuss the development agenda for this Member State.
Prime Minister Skerritt said that the Region should serve as “watchdogs” of the international community in ensuring that they keep their promises of assisting Haiti in its rebuilding and recovery process.
