Dominica Last Week: Top Five Stories You May Have Missed

One of the three murder suspects surrendered to the police

A 27-year-old LaPlaine man, Scott Hazel, wanted by the police for murder, has voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement. Consequently, a charge of murder has been preferred against him for the alleged fatal shooting of Jamie Simeon, a 23-year-old resident of Silver Lake.

On September 23, 2023, at the Garage Bar and Grill on Hanover Street, Roseau, Dominica, there was a double homicide recorded. Tyrone Mitchell, a 24-year-old Campbell man, was allegedly murdered by Simeon, and shortly after that, Hazel reportedly shot and killed Simeon.

In the aftermath of the incident, Police Chief Daniel Carbon disclosed that Hazel was one of three murder suspects pursued by the police. However, Hazel later turned himself in and, accompanied by his attorney, Julien Prevost, he was brought to the scene of the alleged crime during the investigation.

Upon concluding the investigation, a murder charge was brought against the LaPlaine man.

Meanwhile, Jeowin Thomas, a 29-year-old male from the community of Grand Bay, is wanted for the alleged murder of another Grandbarian, Thomas Dangleben, 55, while another Grand Bay resident, Raymond Serguis, accused of fatally shooting 29-year-old Mervin Bernard of Campbell on May 29, 2023, in Grand Bay is also wanted by the police.

No reports of death or injury related to TS Philippe

Fortunately, no reports of injuries or fatalities have been directly linked to the recent adverse weather conditions that affected Dominica. The island was impacted by Tropical Storm Philippe, which brought about substantial flooding, landslides, and falling rocks in certain regions.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit pointed out that the centre of Tropical Storm Philippe passed a significant distance away from Dominica, approximately 150 miles. Consequently, the island did not experience strong winds but endured persistent heavy rainfall.

However, he reported that rainfall exceeded six inches during the storm's passage, resulting in flash floods, landslides, and rockfalls. Assessments are currently being conducted in the affected areas. Skerrit also mentioned that the Ministry of Public Works and the Fire and Ambulance Service staff had been actively involved in road clearance operations as needed.

IRC appoints consultant for electricity rate review

The Independent Regulatory Commission (IRC) has appointed a consultant through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) to boost its capacity during its review of the Electricity Tariff/Rate. The consultant is Regulatory Economist Ms. Lamis Aljounaidi, based in France. The IRC appointed Aljoundai at the start of the rate review process last year.

Her work has involved analysing financial documents related to Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. (DOMLEC) operations to assess what should be factored into its proposed new rates.

IRC and DOMLEC are currently in the filing and review stage of DOMLEC's tariff-related documents.

IRC initially engaged Aljounaidi- with over 16 years of experience in energy infrastructure development and economics, focused on renewable energy and networks- as a consultant from 2018 to 2020. During that stint, she provided technical assistance to the IRC in various areas, including electricity demand forecasts, tariff/rate structure and the geothermal project from a regulatory perspective.

Flow contributes $50K to support the replacement of CITP, "Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl - Tout Biten Domnik"

FLOW Dominica has contributed over $50,000 towards the staging of the 2nd edition of Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl- "Tout Biten Domnik", a replacement of its once-annual Creole In The Park (CITP).

The four-day event, which forms part of the activities for the 2023 independence season, will be held from October 23-26 at the Botanic Gardens.

During the launch event, Country Manager of FLOW Dominica, Sharon Jemmott, expressed the company's commitment to ensuring the success of the 4-day festival. She announced FLOW's partnership contribution of over EC$50,000, with $30,000 being provided in cash. In addition to this financial support, FLOW will also contribute in-kind resources, including telecommunications assistance.

Jemmott also revealed that the company would support other events during the season, amounting to approximately EC$25,000.

Temporary Lift on Wildlife Hunting Ban in Dominica

The Forestry, Wildlife, and Parks Division has temporarily lifted the ban on wildlife hunting in Dominica. This decision, approved by the Government of Dominica, came into effect on October 1, 2023, and will remain valid until November 30, 2023, specifically for individuals holding a valid hunting licence.

Additionally, the sale and limited export of wildlife or its parts occurred from October 2, 2023, until December 31, 2023. However, exportation is only permissible for individuals with valid wildlife export permits. After this designated period, any individuals found selling or exporting wildlife or its parts will be subject to prosecution under the law, which includes a fine of EC$ 5,000 per offence.

This hunting period focuses on specific wildlife species, including crabs (members of the Gercarcinidae family), agouti, and manicou (opossum). Other species of animals, such as frogs, birds, snakes, and iguanas, remain strictly protected and hunting them is prohibited under the Forestry & Wildlife Act. Anyone caught faces a fine of two thousand five hundred dollars (EC$ 2,500) per offence.

To ensure compliance and facilitate the legal hunting and sale of wildlife during this period, hunting licences and export permits are available for purchase at the Forestry & Wildlife Division office on the Windsor Park Link Road and the Sub-Treasuries in Portsmouth and Marigot.

For further information or inquiries, the public is urged to contact the Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division at Tel. 266 – 5863/5852.