I. M. G. - October Media Report

2003. Oct. | Dec.: 2004: | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | IMG Proposals | Ninth & Final Report |

  1. A Majority of the Members of the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG) convened on Friday October 10, 2003 to review and report on the Government's Internal Monitoring Committee's (IMC) reports for July/August, 2003 as was promised in the IMG's Letter of Assurance dated August 29, 2003.
  2. The Government Internal Monitoring Committee (IMC) delivered its August report towards the end of September, 2003.
  3. The Independent Monitoring Group felt unable to give a Letter of Assurance for the IMC's August report since it was of the opinion that it still had not received adequate responses to the matters listed in the Appendix to its July preliminary report.
  4. The IMG in a letter to the Government written soon after the meeting proposed, inter alia, that we have a meeting with the Head of the Government's IMC as soon as possible to have a general discussion on the form of the reports which were submitted to the IMG.
  5. The letter also expressed a desire to meet with the Financial Secretary, preferably on the same day as the meeting with the Head of the IMC, but separately, as the IMG is concerned that some of the Heads of the line ministries may not be giving priority to their roles as accounting officers and so submit the necessary information to the Ministry of Finance as required. The IMG is of the opinion that the lack of timely information compromises the Group's ability to report on a timely basis.
  6. The IMG reiterated its concern that the representative from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank has not joined the Group at its meetings and given it the benefit of his or her assistance.
  7. The Independent Monitoring Group therefore awaits the Government's response to its letter referred to above as well as the date of the Government's suggested meeting expressed in its email of September 21, 2003 " to go over once again the purpose and role of the Group."

(IMG CHAIRMAN).

Diasporan Representative Response:

Thank you for copy of the IMG media statement. Based on the information that was shared with me so far I concur with the conclusions of the Group.

I will have some further comments later as I receive feedback from selected representatives of our Diasporan Communities.

A member of the Diaspora wrote as follows:

"I agree Clayton Shillingford's role is bigger in IMG and should not be simply that of "guard". Dominica's situation is too critical for one to be so limited. My frank assessment is that the IMF never liberated anybody or country from thralldom. That it mandates fiscal discipline is a course which is prudently self-evident for any country or business. And I guess if its stamp of approval is a prerequisite to accessing commercial and other funds, so be it. However, for a country like ours where the key to our rise resides in a dynamic link with the skills and financial resources of our huge overseas population, more regard needs to be paid to that. For instance some of our high officials will visit Washington and regularly bypass the community of Dominicans resident there and closet themselves with the IMF, perpetuating the fallacy that our salvation as a people rest not upon our shoulders but someone else. Our recent meetings with PM PJ Patterson, Grenada's Mitchell, PM Kenny Anthony, PM Gonsalves etc. is testimony to that, where they pin-point their communities, aside from official business. The efforts of our PM in meeting Dominicans in the Bronx recently is a good endeavor and must be encouraged among other members of the Gov.

There is much that can be done via Dominicans overseas. But that is only successful with respectful and effective partnership premised on attaining specific objectives. The IMG could demand:

  1. Institutionalize the DAAS database as resource to be used by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica (GOCD), the DSC, our schools, and private sector.
  2. That Diasporans be appointed to seek investment, funds and technology.
  3. That an incentive package of a "Dominicans Build in Dominica" campaign be launched soonest which encompasses duty free entry on household goods and a vehicle. It should not be mandatory that those Dominican investors reside in Dominance year round as many of them have businesses and jobs overseas to attend to. Linking such investors to Dominica in their productive years, ensures that a portion of their funds circulates in Dominica in a substantive way, not just to purchase consumer goods.
  4. The entry of foreign exchange from the Diaspora would further boost the economy and dwarf losses to Inland Revenue from custom duties. To monitor the flow of funds and ensure that Diasporans are not mauled by dishonest builders, a Build Dominica Director with a background in finance or engineering or both, could be appointed (or volunteered) to provide quarterly reports on monies invested and persons granted concessions. That report would be available for public scrutiny to ensure transparency and so spur others into investing where the results can be shown. The homes being built can be published on the web by www.upsda.com and folk can monitor progress made.
  5. Lastly, that someone competent from the GOCD apparatus be appointed to liaise with Dominicans overseas via e-mail, website links etc. Right now that is nonexistent. It has been suggested additionally that a collaborative effort be mounted to prepare a Diasporan/Returnees Guide to include essential information on housing, investment, banking, etc..

We can do the above and Dominica and Dominicans will reap bountiful rewards. Let us continue working together."

Some of the ideas expressed above are aligned with item 5 of the terms of reference of the IMG.//i.e "to identify areas of concern and urgent priority actions for Government compliance as well as the generation of economic activity"

Regards,
(Clayton)
Dr Clayton A. Shillingford
Agri-business Consultant & President
Dominica Academy of Arts & Sciences