AGP Executive Report

Education: Six China-funded schools, including Goodwill Secondary and five primary schools, are on track for completion by December, Education Minister Octavia Alfred says. Furniture is expected in November, with local workers and suppliers supporting construction. Elections: The voter confirmation period closed with 36,861 applications. Continuous registration resumed Friday at offices across the island. Health: The 16 Dominica-China Friendship Hospital doctors whose September salaries were delayed have been paid. The Ministry of Health will handle their pay directly, and a committee has been formed to address doctors’ concerns. Electricity: The regulator projects bills could fall by 9 to 17 per cent when a new tariff takes effect November 1, though savings will depend on usage and customer category. Culture: Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl runs October 19–22, with officials dismissing cancellation rumours and expecting more than 90 vendors. Agriculture: A new 20-week field school aims to build young people’s farming skills and strengthen resilience in the sector.

Health: The 16 Dominica-China Friendship Hospital doctors whose September salaries were delayed have been paid. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has also set up a committee to address doctors’ wider concerns. Elections: A total of 36,861 people applied for voter confirmation or registration before the deadline. Continuous registration resumed Friday at offices across all 21 constituencies. Electricity: The regulator projects bills could fall by 9–17% as geothermal power helps lower costs; DOMLEC’s new tariffs take effect November 1. Culture and Tourism: Officials say Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl will run October 19–22, with more than 90 entrepreneurs expected. Dominica also placed 11th among Caribbean and Atlantic islands in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. Agriculture: A new 20-week farmers’ field school will train young people in practical skills and support a more resilient sector. Sport: Boxer Daniel Ali Shillingford represents Dominica at the Panamerican Elite Championships in Mexico, starting today.

Culture: Officials say Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl will go ahead October 19–22 despite cancellation rumours, with more than 90 entrepreneurs expected to take part. Electoral Update: The voter confirmation period has closed, with nearly 36,900 people applying for confirmation or registration. Continuous registration resumes Friday at offices in all 21 constituencies. Health: The 16 Dominica-China Friendship Hospital doctors whose September salaries were delayed have been paid. From October, the Health Ministry will handle their pay directly, while a new committee reviews doctors’ concerns. Energy: Electricity bills could fall by 9–17 per cent as geothermal power reduces reliance on diesel, the regulator says. A new tariff, including time-of-use rates, takes effect November 1. Heritage: SHAPE has secured a Caribbean Culture Fund grant to restore a Roseau wooden ti kai dating to at least the 1850s as a cultural and community hub. Tourism: Dominica placed 11th among Caribbean and Atlantic islands in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

Electoral Affairs: Chief Elections Officer Anthea Joseph says 36,861 people applied for voter confirmation or registration before the confirmation period closed on October 14. Registration continues today for eligible voters. Doctors’ Pay: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says the 16 Dominica-China Friendship Hospital doctors whose September salaries were delayed have been paid. From October, the Ministry of Health will pay them directly, while a new committee reviews doctors’ concerns. Regional Relations: Skerrit joined CARICOM leaders and U.S. officials in Washington for talks on security, energy, trade, investment and disaster preparedness. Electricity: Customers could see bills fall by 9–17% when a new tariff takes effect November 1, the Independent Regulatory Commission says. Actual savings will depend on usage and rate category, and the regulator will monitor bills and DOMLEC’s performance. Tourism: Dominica ranked 11th among Caribbean and Atlantic islands in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. Investment: Dominica placed second in the 2026 Citizenship by Investment Index, three points behind St. Kitts and Nevis.

Doctors’ Pay: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says 16 doctors at Dominica-China Friendship Hospital have been paid after Tuesday’s protest. From October, government will pay hospital doctors directly, while a new committee will report weekly on workplace concerns. Health Services: Esprit-Murphy Health and Wellness Centre in Mahaut resumes regular services today, though extended hours remain suspended. Dominica is also reviewing its Mental Health Act, with a focus on patient rights and safeguards. Digital Inclusion: Achievement Learning Centre has received its first devices through a seven-year partnership designed to help schools build and sustain digital learning. Electricity Bills: The Independent Regulatory Commission says it will track customer bills and DOMLEC’s performance after new tariffs take effect November 1. Food Security: The Agriculture Ministry is promoting local production and sustainable farming through initiatives including Green Thumb Seedlings and D Smart Farm.

Doctors’ Pay: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says salaries for 16 Dominica-China Friendship Hospital doctors have been paid after Tuesday’s protest over unpaid September wages. Government will pay hospital doctors directly from October and set up a committee to address workplace concerns, with weekly reports to Skerrit. Mental Health: Dominica is reviewing its mental health law to strengthen patient rights and care. Psychiatrist Dr Nadia Wallace also urged the country and wider Caribbean to consider raising the legal age for alcohol and cannabis use. Health Services: The Esprit-Murphy Health and Wellness Centre in Mahaut reopens today, though extended hours remain suspended. Electricity: The Independent Regulatory Commission will track customer bills and DOMLEC’s performance after a new tariff takes effect November 1. Food Security: Agriculture officials marked World Food Day by highlighting local production, sustainable farming and support for farmers as key to a more secure food supply.

Healthcare: Doctors protested outside Dominica China Friendship Hospital over unpaid September salaries, gratuities outstanding since 2023 and short-term employment letters. The DPSU says some staff are owed earlier pay and is calling for clear timelines to resolve the issues. Power and Utilities: A tree near DOMLEC’s Fond Cole station triggered an islandwide outage on Tuesday; crews were restoring service, with several areas still affected at the latest update. Separately, DOMLEC says renewables supplied more than 80% of electricity from July to September, and it is developing an AI-assisted customer system to speed up account queries and meter updates. Business: DAIC has appointed Tahera Musgrave-Robinson as president following the resignations of its president and two directors, saying operations will continue without disruption. Health and Agriculture: Psychiatrist Nadia Wallace is urging a review of the legal ages for alcohol and marijuana use. Dominica is also preparing a new Mental Health Act and policy, while a 20-week programme is training young farmers in production and agricultural business skills. Sport: Kalinago Warriors won the DFA Division One Tier 2 title unbeaten and, with Marigot United, earned promotion. International cricket is set to return to Windsor Park in December for a West Indies Women’s series against Pakistan.

Business: Tahera Musgrave-Robinson has been appointed DAIC president until further notice after Olive Strachan and two directors resigned. The association says its work will continue without disruption. Healthcare: Doctors protested outside Dominica-China Friendship Hospital over delayed salaries, unpaid gratuities and short-term employment letters. The DPSU says some doctors have not been paid for September. Psychiatrist Nadia Wallace is also calling for a review of the legal age for alcohol and marijuana use; a new Mental Health Act and policy are in the works. Power: A tree near DOMLEC’s Fond Cole station triggered an islandwide outage Tuesday. Crews worked to restore service, while the utility reported renewables supplied more than 80% of electricity from July to September. Community: Police have issued a Pink Alert for missing 14-year-old Kenan Peters of Eggleston and are asking anyone with information to call 1-800-4357. Tourism: Dominica earned 11 recognitions in Scuba Diving magazine’s 2027 awards, including a Caribbean Top Five ranking for marine environment health.

Missing Person Alert: Police are seeking 14-year-old Kenan Peters of Eggleston, last seen at Tarish Pit on Saturday morning. Anyone with information is asked to call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-4357 (HELP). Mental Health: A new Mental Health Act and policy are in the works, consultant psychiatrist Dr Nadia Wallace announced during World Mental Health Day activities. Tourism: Dominica earned 11 recognitions in Scuba Diving magazine’s 2027 awards, including a regional Top 5 ranking for marine environment health. Voter Confirmation: With the October 14 deadline near, only 25,126 voters had been confirmed by September 30, leaving about 47,500 unconfirmed. The Dominica Business Forum is urging a three-month extension, warning voters’ rights could be at risk. Agriculture: A 20-week Farmer Field School has begun for 15 young people, offering practical training in sustainable farming and agribusiness. Sport: Windsor Park is set to host six international cricket matches in December as the West Indies Women face Pakistan in ODI and T20 series.

Tourism: Dominica earned 11 recognitions in Scuba Diving magazine’s 2027 awards, including a Caribbean top-five ranking for marine environment health and top-10 placements for macro life, value and wall diving. The 2026/27 cruise season is also underway, with 475,521 passengers projected across 267 ship calls. Voter Confirmation: With the October 14 deadline approaching, the Dominica Business Forum is calling for a three-month extension, warning that tens of thousands of listed voters remain unconfirmed and could lose their voting rights. Health: A new Mental Health Act and policy are being prepared, consultant psychiatrist Dr Nadia Wallace says, as Dominica marks World Mental Health Day. Agriculture: A 20-week field school has begun for 15 young farmers, offering practical training in sustainable production and agribusiness. Sport: Windsor Park is set to host six West Indies Women matches against Pakistan from December 8, marking international cricket’s return to Dominica. Olympic champion Thea LaFond-Gadson has also received an honorary UWI Doctor of Laws degree.

Voter Confirmation: With the October 14 deadline approaching, the Dominica Business Forum is urging a three-month extension, warning that about 47,500 voters remained unconfirmed as of September 30. Opposition groups have also cited paperwork shortages and access barriers. Regional Trade: CARICOM teams begin assessing whether the region can supply paints, cement, glass bottles and bitumen, findings that could shape future tariffs. Culture and Business: More than 90 entrepreneurs are expected at Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl, October 19–22 at the Botanic Gardens, with this year’s event highlighting the blue economy. Tourism: Dominica projects 267 cruise ship calls and 475,521 passengers for the 2026/27 season, as it pursues a goal of one million annual visitors. Sport: Olympic champion Thea LaFond has received an honorary Doctor of Laws from UWI, recognising her achievements and leadership. Electricity: New DOMLEC tariff rates take effect November 1; the regulator says it will monitor bills after the changes.

Voting Rights: With the October 14 voter-confirmation deadline days away, the Dominica Business Forum is calling for a three-month extension, warning that tens of thousands remain unconfirmed. Opposition groups have also raised concerns about paperwork shortages, difficult access to centres and barriers facing some women. Tourism: Dominica’s cruise season is underway, with 267 ship calls and about 475,500 passengers projected; officials aim to turn the arrivals into more business for local workers and companies. Culture and Commerce: Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl returns to the Botanic Gardens October 19–22, featuring more than 90 entrepreneurs and a focus on the blue economy. Regional Trade: CARICOM teams will assess whether the region can supply its own paints, cement, glass bottles and bitumen—findings that could shape future tariffs. Economy: The World Bank forecasts 3% growth for Dominica in 2026, as tourism-dependent economies face high energy and transport costs. Electricity: New DOMLEC tariffs take effect November 1; the rates have not yet been disclosed.

Electoral Reform: The Dominica Business Forum is calling for a three-month extension to voter confirmation, warning that thousands risk losing their voting rights. By September 30, about 25,126 voters had been confirmed, with roughly 47,500 still outstanding; opposition voices have also flagged documentation and access barriers. Tourism: Dominica’s cruise season has opened with 267 ship calls and 475,521 passengers projected. The government is targeting one million annual visitors and says it wants more spending to reach local businesses. Cost of Living: DOMLEC’s new electricity tariff takes effect November 1. Rates have not been disclosed, but off-peak prices are expected to be lower. Economic Outlook: The World Bank forecasts 3% growth for Dominica in 2026, amid a more moderate recovery for tourism-dependent Caribbean economies. Regional Trade: CARICOM teams will assess whether the region can supply paints, cement, glass bottles and bitumen, a review that could shape future tariffs. National Recognition: Olympic champion Thea LaFond-Gadson has received an honorary Doctor of Laws from UWI.

Voter Confirmation: The Dominica Business Forum is calling for a three-month extension to the October 14 deadline, warning that thousands risk losing their vote. By September 30, only 25,126 people had been confirmed, with about 47,527 still outstanding. Food Security: World Food Day activities are underway through October 16, promoting innovation, youth engagement and more resilient food systems. Regional Trade: CARICOM teams will assess whether the region can supply its own paints, cement, glass bottles and bitumen—findings that could shape future tariffs. Tourism: Dominica’s cruise season has opened with 267 ship calls and 475,521 passengers projected, as the country targets one million annual visitors. Economic Outlook: The World Bank forecasts 3% growth for Dominica in 2026, amid a slower recovery for tourism-dependent Caribbean economies. National Recognition: Olympic champion Thea LaFond-Gadson has received an honorary Doctor of Laws from UWI for her contribution to sport.

Voter Confirmation: The Dominica Business Forum is calling for a three-month extension to the October 14 deadline, warning that thousands risk losing their vote. The Electoral Commission had confirmed 25,126 of 73,305 listed voters by September 30, while opposition groups cite paperwork shortages and access barriers. Agriculture: World Food Day activities begin today under the theme “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow,” with a youth agriculture and innovation showcase set for October 16. Tourism: Dominica’s cruise season is underway, with 267 ship calls and 475,521 passengers projected; the government is targeting one million annual cruise visitors. Economy: The World Bank forecasts 3% growth for Dominica in 2026, as tourism-dependent economies face a more moderate recovery. Electricity: A new DOMLEC tariff takes effect November 1; off-peak rates will be lower, but the company has not disclosed the new charges. Weather: A trough is bringing showers and possible thunderstorms through Sunday. Residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas are urged to stay alert.

Nonprofit Oversight: National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore says banks should verify that nonprofit organisations have the required ministerial licence before opening accounts, as officials strengthen checks on applicants. Cruise Tourism: Dominica’s new season forecasts 267 ship calls and 475,521 passengers; the government is aiming for one million cruise visitors a year and wants more spending to reach local businesses. Voter Confirmation: UWP candidate Cara Shillingford urges electors to act now, citing reports of rejected documents and extra hurdles for some married and divorced women. Opposition groups have also questioned access to confirmation centres and supplies of registry documents. Electricity Bills: DOMLEC’s new tariff takes effect November 1. Rates have not been disclosed, but the regulator says off-peak charges will be lower and bills will be monitored. Economic Outlook: The World Bank projects Dominica’s economy will grow 3% in 2026, amid a more moderate recovery for tourism-dependent Caribbean countries. Festival Preparations: Organisers are moving into final preparations for the World Creole Music Festival, set for October 23–25 in Roseau.