Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on Thursday reported to the United Nations that Dominica has recorded significant growth since suffering a devastating blow from 2017’s Hurricane Maria.
Mr. Skerrit addressed a Climate and Sustainable Development for All Meeting at the United Nations in New York.
“Today I am happy to report that the Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC),has predicted that the Dominican economy will grow by 9% this year. Our infrastructure is being built, new homes and schools have gone up and a new modern hospital is under construction. The new structures are stronger and better than before, in order to make them more hurricane resistant Dominica has defied the odds,”
PM Skerrit continued that Dominica’s national recovery has been led by the people of Dominica at home and abroad and their strong mindset.
He reminded person that his last appearance at the UN was to declare an international humanitarian emergency in Dominica following the passage of Hurricane Maria.
“This hurricane literally reduced our homes schools, hospitals, bridges, general infrastructure and our economy to rubble. In the space of a few hours, Maria wiped out 225% of Dominica’s GDP. Those who saw Dominica in the dark days immediately after the hurricane asked out loud how or if we could ever recover. As a leader I was forced to face unprecedented and unimaginable devastation of the economy, the natural and built environments and in the face of it all to motivate a demoralized population.”
Mr. Skerrit said since then Dominica has returned to a pathway of growth.
The international community was also given their due gratitude with words of acknowledgement by PM Skerrit.