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Tourism Minister Denise Charles -Pemberton disapproves of the #DoNothingDay initiative scheduled for next week, cautioning against any political party encouraging citizens to be unproductive. She highlighted the proverbial wisdom that "lazy hands lead to poverty." Charles, asserting that Dominica is now in a promising phase mentioned significant capital investments underway and anticipated substantial returns in the coming years. Charles-Pemberton emphasized that a responsible Opposition should promote citizens developing multiple streams of income, underscoring the importance of positioning oneself to capitalize on the anticipated growth in the country.

Lennox Linton, the President of the United Workers Party (UWP), highlighted the significance of unity as a collective force to contribute to Dominica's development and bring about positive change. He stressed the need for individuals to adopt different approaches in defending the country's interests, asserting that concerned citizens will no longer tolerate the manipulation of resources by a select group. Linton also mentioned that despite the deceptive claims from the DLP government about fund management, the hospital continues to experience shortages of crucial medical supplies.

Jolly's Pharmacy is organizing its 5th Annual 5K-Run set for April 27, with the objective of raising awareness about diabetes and sickle-cell anemia in Dominica. Carlton Languedoc, the head of sales, public relations, and public health at Jolly's Pharmacy, made the announcement. He stressed the importance of wearing blue to signify support for diabetes awareness and burgundy or red to express solidarity with those impacted by sickle cell anemia.

On February 24th, 2024, the National Beekeepers Cooperative Society (NBCS) inaugurated its beekeeping mentorship program by formalizing contracts between mentors and mentees. Three experienced beekeepers – Nathaniel Lovell of Bee Api, Kevin James of Blanca Farms, and Shem Jacob of Buds Backyard Honey – will mentor five aspiring beekeepers over the course of a year. The mentorship will cover various aspects, including bee biology, hive management, best practices, and strategies for expanding and operating a beekeeping business. Together, these mentors manage over 180 hives. Despite the estimated cost of $100,000 for the year-long program and limited funding, the NBCS board decided to proceed with the initiative. The three mentors contributed voluntarily, and discounted supplies were purchased from Bee Api. The commitment to sharing equipment and supplies along the journey further motivated the decision. During the signing ceremony, it was emphasized that the Dominican apiculture industry has significant potential for development, positioning itself as an integral part of the agriculture sector and national development. At the recent OECS Honey Show in St Lucia, Dominica achieved notable success, winning two out of three prizes available for honey and receiving additional awards for Beeswax and value-added products. These accomplishments underscore the quality of Dominican products and the potential for the country to become a regional leader in the apiculture sector.

Deputy Chair of the Carnival Road Parade Committee expressed sincere gratitude to all individuals who actively participated in this year's lively carnival celebration. Emphasizing the crucial role of such events in showcasing and preserving the country's rich cultural heritage, the Deputy Chair highlighted the importance of community involvement. It was stressed that the essence of culture flourishes through the active participation of its people, asserting that without their enthusiastic engagement, the essence of cultural expression would diminish.

The Environmental Health Department has reported an absence of food-borne diseases throughout the carnival season, highlighting vendors' commitment to maintaining the standards set by the department before the festivities began. Calma Louis, Senior Environmental Health Officer, stressed that vendors adhered strictly to the legal guidelines and implemented the training they received. The Environmental Health Officer conveyed the department's expectation of closely collaborating with different organizations and city councils to improve food surveillance and monitoring during mass gatherings.

Daryl Bobb, Secretary of the Dominica Calypso Association (DCA), praises the association for successfully hosting the largest and most attended calypso finals event, despite facing unnecessary challenges. The DCA is advocating for an extension of the carnival season to ease the congestion of events leading up to Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Bobb encouraged more individuals to embrace the calypso genre instead of opposing it, emphasizing its importance as a crucial element of Dominican culture. He underscored the significance of young people embracing this aspect of their cultural heritage.

Acting Chief Cultural Officer Earlson Matthew has emphasized the ongoing initiatives to assess both the successes and shortcomings of recent events in Dominica. Engaging various stakeholders in discussions, the goal is to pinpoint areas for improvement and enhance future activities on the island. Matthew stressed the significance of addressing public concerns about the limited opportunities for feedback on events. He called for improved communication among stakeholders to facilitate better planning and organization of future activities in Dominica. Matthew highlighted that the implementation of recommendations involves openness to change, stepping out of comfort zones, and making necessary investments.

Edison James, the former Prime Minister, expressed skepticism regarding the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) Administration's assertion that Dominica possesses the world's best Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program. James stressed that if the program genuinely held such prestige, it would noticeably contribute to the country's revenue and overall economic development. However, he argued that there is a lack of evidence in the nation's economy to substantiate these claims. James suggested that the Unions on the island view the '#DonothingDay' as an opportunity to motivate their members. He called on the organizers of this campaign to engage with the union for a more significant impact on this activity.

The Jazz and Creole Festival's 13th edition is set for May 5th at Cabrits National Park in Portsmouth, themed 'Creole Fusion.' The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) anticipates this year's event to exceed past editions in both size and excellence. The DDA is urging attendees to look forward to the upcoming Jazz and Creole Festival and the World Creole Music Festival, assuring that both events will be more spectacular than ever before.

Colin Piper, the outgoing CEO of Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), highlighted a notable rise in visitor arrivals for Carnival in Dominica, totaling 4,635 visitors. He emphasized the increasing interest in Mas Dominik. Piper, referencing an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report, indicated that visitors spent an average of $3,323.00 per person during Carnival, estimating a substantial tourism expenditure of $15.4 million on the island. Piper disclosed plans for an exciting Carnival celebration in the upcoming year, noting that early preparations are already in progress. He underscored the identification of several areas for improvement, emphasizing a careful consideration of these aspects to enhance the overall quality of the event.