GIS National Focus - May 7, 2026

Added: 2026-05-09

[00:00:00]Come on now.

[00:00:34]Hello and welcome to National Focus for Thursday, May 7th, 2026. I am Kurvia John. In the headlines, geothermal power to cut electricity bills by 17%.

[00:00:46]Night match is expected at the Windsor Park Stadium and Margot pot plans advance. the details of the headline stories and more when in return.

[00:00:57]>> I love the freedom when I'm out there.

[00:00:59]Simply put the worries from shore. None of that out there and it's my daily bread. I learned it from my dad. My dad is one of the senior guys here who catch the biggest fish around here and he's up with the red snappers. A family thing.

[00:01:13]I'm the only one fishing right now in the family. Just keeping it going. I enjoy bringing them up, man. Sometimes I have a yellow fin tuna 400 lb. Man, let me tell you that's just a joy out there.

[00:01:25]I enjoy going out there and just holding the big fish. I don't live with silent fish.

[00:01:30]The morning of my fishing trip, I would get up, make a little spicy. Then I come down here. I have my GPS, which most fisherman is supposed to have that.

[00:01:39]Normally, I prepare the day before because whenever you're going out there, you must have ice. Ice is a must for preservation of the fish. I always make sure I have everything the day before.

[00:01:47]My fish represents me and I bring good quality fish ashore simply because the restaurants themselves they have to show a quality product. Tourism and agriculture go hand in hand. That's what I think. We're all connected. It's it's like a big machine and I'm just so proud to be a part of it. My name is Brendan Kle and tourism is my business.

[00:02:16]Welcome back. Dom director Mr. Sam Raphael has reassured electricity consumers that they could see a reduction of up to 17% in the electricity bills with the introduction of geothermal energy. Speaking at a Dom press conference, Mr. Rafael said the main objective of geothermal development is to lower consumer electricity cost.

[00:02:37]So the actuaries have looked at it, the accountants have looked at it, looked at all the numbers, and they've determined with a high level of certainty that your electric bill is going to go down. I'm not just going to be general. I'll be very specific.

[00:02:52]So we have 35,000 domestic users. your electricity bill when this settles and the price of oil settles because we still have 25% of the electricity will come from diesel. Once things settle down, your electricity bill will go down 17%. Very specific.

[00:03:14]So if your electricity bill at the end of the month, if you conserve and you only have a $100 electricity bill, it goes to $83.

[00:03:23]And if your electricity bill as a high user, maybe you are a small business, you know, the rate for small businesses is a little different. If you run a small business, it would be, I think, about maybe 12% reduction. So, if your electricity bill is $1,000 a month, you should expect to pay 900, a little less than that a month, that's significant savings. And if you're a larger employer like my business, and I'm really excited about that, where our electricity bill is huge, $50,000 a month, imagine we expect to get a 10% reduction on that. So, at all levels, this is going to reduce the electricity bill of every Dom consumer.

[00:04:10]And I just wanted to be clear on behalf of the board and on the company to get that out to to you, the public that this is what that's coming in. This is what that is so exciting about this.

[00:04:22]>> Mr. Raphael also acknowledged recent inconveniences experienced by Dom customers.

[00:04:27]>> We we as a board think it's important that we uh first uh coming from Dumlech really apologize to the public you know for the inconvenience that that you've gone through. I don't want to put any any excuses on it. Uh you are paying customers. You expect to turn on your switch. you expect continuous power and you have not been having that and we will explain some of the reasons why it's not anyone's deliberate fault per se. Uh but that's what you've had to go through and we really want to apologize for that in that we as a power company have not been able to deliver what you have contracted us to do and and what you've been paying for and we're seeking to do better and we will talk to you about that. Um part of that uh interruption, the recent interruptions at least that you've been getting stem to the transfer from our normal operating system to the geothermal system.

[00:05:24]Uh the geothermal plant is a brand new plant and the geothermal plant is really put in place to give you even more stable electricity because uh you know not too long ago we used to have a term that we all familiar with load shedding and Dominicans had been you know going through some very difficult time with unstable electricity with the old outdated plants and we we've now contracted uh with with Orat uh the Dominica geother the thermal company to supply DOME with energy from a brand new plant. So, we would expect it to be steady going forward and this is what it will do. I'll speak a little more to that. But in the transition, you know, we've had some some hiccups and that is part of the reason why you've had a one day islandwide power outage and we've just had some some really tough days.

[00:06:19]And so it's I'm not blaming anyone for that, but going back that's the root of the majority of of those issues along with other issues. And as quickly as we can fix those issues, those issues can be fixed, then you will have even more stable electricity than you've had in the past.

[00:06:37]>> Prime Minister the Honorable Roosevelt says several entities have expressed interest in hosting night matches at the Windsor Packport Stadium. The installation of lighting fixtures at the stadium is now complete and the system is currently being tested.

[00:06:51]>> As you will have been updated by the Ministry of Sports, um all of the light fixtures are up. Um in the next um few days, they will go through the testing phase. Um and I believe that in a couple weeks time, 3 weeks time maximum. Um I think everything should be completed and then u the project should be able to be handed over to to the government um to the sports stadium committee. Um but the crucial part Curtis is that the major infrastructural work um uh is over and we're now seeing light at the end of the tunnel literally you know um so so we look forward to to to that obviously we've we've been talking to um um a number of entities who like to have some night cricket in Dominica day matches in Dominica. So, we'll be getting back to them on that now that we have the lights in place. Um, and so you will see more activities at the stadium.

[00:07:48]Dominica is a preferred uh venue for cricket. Um, that's where you get the the the most support. That's where you're having the highest gate receipt, not just in our population's eyes and and people just love to come to Dominica for all kinds of things, you know, and and and and sports is one of them. So, we look forward to to that. The prime minister noted that despite the delays, he was relieved to see lights restored at the national stadium. He also commended those involved in the successful execution of the project, highlighting their leadership and commitment. And I thank um Oscar George and and um honorable Oscar George and honorable Greta Roberts for for the leadership especially Oscar George who has been giving direct um oversight uh to the efforts and of course the national lotteryies um who is the financier of of of the um of the project. I must thank them for that.

[00:08:38]They've been very diligent at the national lotteryies and we're very grateful um for for their um for their for their commitment.

[00:08:50]>> Prime Minister Honorable Roosevelt led a discussion yesterday with key stakeholders in the process of transforming and developing the Marot fisheries complex into an official port of entry. The dialogue was held at the Marot Village Council and Community Center. He recognized the willingness of Marot residents who have agreed to be part of the process and thanked the local coordinator of the initiative, Mr. Brian Linton, for his efforts.

[00:09:15]>> I want to recognize all my colleagues and the the chairperson of the Maragot uh village council and counselors.

[00:09:27]Also, I want to recognize um uh some of the residents of um Maragot who have graciously agreed to be part of the process of the realization of the of the official port of entry in in Maragot. is something that had been spoken about for quite a while here and and eventually it's happening and and and so we want to thank them for their willingness to be part of the process and to ensure that the community is fully involved. Uh the community is fully seized with what's happening because at the end of the day the community is going to be the the first beneficiaries or the major beneficiaries of the opportunities which this sport will um generate and create.

[00:10:14]Um, I also want to to thank um Brian Brian for his um efforts over the last um couple months. I'm I'm grateful for his willingness to help coordinate all the activities relating to the establishment of of the port official port of entry and and I must say that he's been very active and engaged over the last couple months. The prime minister says a lot of preparatory work has taken place by various government departments.

[00:10:47]>> A lot of preparatory work um has taken place um from the various government departments. Obvious involves several government agencies from immigration to diaspora to customs.

[00:11:02]Um so all of his entities the you know and broad more broadly the ministry of finance. So all of his agencies have been working together um and ensuring that all of the necessary steps um that that are that are required for the official start of the of the functioning of the port can be realized.

[00:11:23]Obviously, we recognize that we're trying to transform a fisheries facility into an official port of entry and and the fisheries complex was not necessarily designed for that. So some modifications would need to be made in terms of the spacing uh the floor space and the use of the floor space um to facilitate the customs to facilitate the immigration department and and the um and diaspora security that's required to be present on a on a on a on a full-time basis.

[00:11:54]>> He highlighted the importance of having a discussion with the fishermen. I think we need to give consideration to that conversation with the fishermanmen um and let them assist us in making a decision rather than we appearing to make a decision for them and then telling that that's what happens. Now >> a meeting has been planned with the fisher folks for Thursday 21st May at 5:00 p.m. at the Marot fisheries complex.

[00:12:19]Former government's minister and parliamentary representative for the Sufria constituency Ian Pinad will be laid to rest tomorrow in his home community of Point Michelle as Dominica prepares to bid farewell to the long-erving public figure. Ian Pinad who served in several ministerial portfolios and held a long career in public service and politics is being remembered for his contribution to national development and his representation of the people of the Sufria constituency. His passing has prompted tributes from government officials, colleagues, and members of the public who have highlighted his years of service and dedication to country. An official funeral is expected to be held with dignitaries, family members, constituents, and members of the public gathering to pay their final respects. The ceremony will mark the culmination of a period of national reflection on his life and legacy. Penal is expected to be interred in Point Michelle following the funeral service.

[00:13:14]You're watching National Focus. More one return.

[00:13:24]Welcome back. Prime Minister the Honorable Roosevelt says government is moving ahead with efforts to strengthen Dominica's electoral system by seeking external expertise to help implement key reforms. The government has formally requested uh technical assistance from key international and regional partners to support the effective implementation of the country's most critical electoral reforms.

[00:13:50]The request to the Commonwealth of Secretariat, the Organization of American States, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, and the Caribbean Community CarM follows the passage of new election laws in March of 2025.

[00:14:04]and concerns over timely and effective implementation of two key reform initiatives which aimed at modernizing the electoral process.

[00:14:15]>> The electoral office is currently conducting a voter confirmation exercise aimed at ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the voters's list. The process also includes the introduction of voter identification cards to strengthen verification procedures and reduce the risk of electoral fraud.

[00:14:32]Prime Minister Scared has provided an update on the voter confirmation process under the new registration of electors act revealing that thousands of applications have already been submitted to the electoral office.

[00:14:45]In terms of the confirmation process under the new registration of electors act, the election office has received I've been advised on 16,573 applications from October 15th, 2025 to April 30th, 2026.

[00:15:06]13,146 of those applications for confirmation were received between October 15, 2025 and November 30th, 2025.

[00:15:19]The first 6 weeks of the 12 month confirmation period.

[00:15:24]>> The prime minister noted that while thousands of application have been submitted under the new voter confirmation process, many are still awaiting approval.

[00:15:33]Yet by April 30th, 2026, 6 and a2 months later, only 6,592 or 40 40% of the applications for confirmation have been approved. This means that 9,981 voters who have applied for confirmation for the registration have not been confirmed. Government is also seeking expert guidance to support the implementation of key electoral reforms.

[00:16:04]The proposed areas of assess of assistance include a comprehensive technical assessment of the voter confirmation process including efficiency in application approvals, evaluation of systems for the issuance and management of voter ID cards with attention to security, accessibility and integration with the electoral register.

[00:16:28]recommendations aligned with international best practices to promote inclusivity, transparency, and operational efficiency and capacity building support for electoral officers alongside public education initiatives to build confidence and encourage participation.

[00:16:47]>> And now for your weather updates. A high pressure system is expected to support a relatively dry and stable atmosphere during the next 24 hours. Expect generally fair to partly cloudy skies with brief isolated showers if any. Sea conditions are expected to be slight to moderate during the next 24 hours. Wave heights are forecast to peak near 5 ft along the eastern coast and near 3 ft along the western coast. Meanwhile, the second tropical wave of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is located in the central Atlantic. This wave shows no sign of development at this time. The Dominica Meteorological Service will continue to monitor its progress and provide the necessary updates as it moves slowly westward.

[00:17:32]And that's all for this edition of National Focus. Be sure to follow GIS Dominica on Facebook, YouTube, and on Twitter. You can also drop us an email at GIS dominica.gov.dm.

[00:17:44]From all of us here on the GIS news production team, I am Kurvia John. Thank you for watching and remember to stay safe.