Report on DAAS Recent Activities in Dominica(continued)
The 'What About' Show
The television show was largely a rehash of the radio show but the format and the moderator, Lennox Linton, provided an opportunity for the DAAS spokesmen to reflect more meaningfully on our economic present and future.
The present crisis was in the making for many years, the DAAS panelists observed, and the solution must follow a two pronged approach:
1. economic stability through the adoption of the austerity measures proposed by the IMF and
2. some growth measures as outlined in the Integrated Development Plan.
The panelists expressed the view that the practice of IMF bashing was a diversion intended to mask our lack of discipline and a politically convenient attempt to shift the debate from our own failures over the past twenty five years of independence.
There was a discussion of economic measures which should be considered and their order of priority. Do we need an international airport now? What's the future of the banana industry, a topic within the expertise of Dr. Shillingford and which he addressed eloquently.
In concluding remarks, Mr. Sampson observed that there has been a wide gap between the levels of productivity and consumption patterns in Dominica. Expectation levels with regards to consumption need to be lowered. We need to make a concerted effort to define our priorities and engage in multiple projects of manageable proportions, rather than pursue grandiose schemes that never seem to come to fruition.
It was also felt that the level of rhetoric in the country was at least as high as just prior to Hurricane David in 1979 and that the rhetoric needs to be lowered as we attempt to work our way through this crisis.