Fellow Dominicans, irrespective of party affiliation, social status, creed or color, we remain one people and one nation under one flag. In spite of our different pursuits and aspirations, we are all seeking a better life and a secured future for our children and ourselves. While we may choose different paths to pursue our ideals, in the end, we will all be headed in the same direction. Our differences lie only in the strategies that we use to pursue our goals. Therefore, there is no reason to allow petty differences to divide us. This new millennium let us strengthen our resolve, unite our forces and work toward building the new Dominica.

With the rapid pace at which science and technology are advancing, it is important for us to be flexible and be opened to new ideas and modern concepts. We must take full advantage of every opportunity to better our country and ourselves. We must look into networking with our Caribbean neighbors in order to strengthen our selling power and regulate our spending. We also need to pay attention to the realignment of global markets, trade and economic zones and position ourselves wisely in order to gain our fair share of the world economic resources. We must never forget the old adage: Time and tide waiteth for no man and a stitch in time saves nine.

Let’s be proud of our national heritage and work in the best interest of the country to foster social and economic change in our society. Each one of us has a role to play in the struggle to improve the social and economic well being of our nation. In spite of the odds, which will from time to time come up against us, we must be resilient and be truly committed to the noble cause of nation building. Times like now demand men and women with great minds, strong hearts, true faith and ready hands. Men and women who are ready to take up the challenge to build a new Dominica for the new millennium.

It is true that everyone has his own personal responsibilities to shoulder and his own debt to pay. However, we must never turn our backs on our country. Small as it may be, we must be ever ready to make our contributions to Dominica. It is written: Don’t ask what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. Government alone can’t provide all the needs of the population. Unless we stop depending on government to do everything for us and adopt a more positive attitude towards work, our fellowmen and our country, we will watch Dominica’s gears get jammed, while our neighbors pass us by.

We are all aware that our country is not overflowing with milk and honey and the streets are not paved with silver and gold. The country can only advance when we all lend our support and look to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. We must be ready to make sacrifices. We must always remember that Rome was not built in a day and where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Long live the people and government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Never give up. UP

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