Independent candidate in the upcoming Roseau North by-election, Sherman Boston, has highlighted several longstanding challenges facing the constituency, while arguing that greater unity, not political division, is essential to addressing them.
Boston made the remarks during the Dominica Business Forum public discussion held Wednesday night at the auditorium of the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital (DCFH).
“I can stand here and tell you about how much things need to be done in Roseau North,” he said. “I can tell you about the Netball Stadium, [which] I myself worked on in conception in the early 2000s. I can tell you about the highways they have built in Stock Farm and the College, which I worked on, lacking sidewalk for the college. I can talk to you about the landfill which I’ve been advocating for over a year now.”
He also pointed to concerns affecting several communities across the constituency.
“Well, you know, I can tell you about the pressure we’re facing in Stock Farm, and I can go on and on… In Yampiece, in Gutter, Tarish Pit, Fond Cole,” Boston said.
He claimed that some residents continue to face difficulties accessing their homes despite owning land.
“I can tell you about the people that leaving, and they have to walk for distance to their homes. They have to carry things, don’t have vehicle access. Although the government has sold land for them and they have land titles and no one is trying to give them vehicle access.”
Boston further argued that elderly residents in areas such as Fond Cole, Yampiece and Gutter are especially affected by the lack of proper access.
While acknowledging the range of issues confronting the constituency, Boston said his central message was the need for national unity.
“So I can stand there and give you a whole list of things that need to be done. But my priority tonight is to come and to tell you what we need is unity…,” he emphasized. “Every time it’s political tribalism that’s happening, and nobody is saying when it’s going to stop.”
He maintained that the divisions must come to an end, adding that, “it needs to stop,” because in the face of present and future challenges, “we need all hands on deck.”
Boston concluded by urging Dominicans to come together as one people to help build a country everyone can be proud of.
