Having experienced the pains and devastation of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the island of Grenada is expressing solidarity with Dominica as it too grapples with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Erika and as a consequence a special day has been declared on that island for of the people of Dominica.
On Friday, Prime Miniser of Grenada, Dr. Keith Mitchel announced at a press conference here that the day will be observed in his country on November 7.
“And, Prime Minister, despite what other things that we have done, the cultural artistes, the sporting community in Granada, all concerned and the people have asked me to say to you that in addition to the things that we have done and we are doing, we’re declaring November 7th as a special day of artistic performances on behalf of the people of Dominica,” he said with Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit by his side..
He stated that when things happen, that’s when your “true friends” are known, pointing to his own country which was struck by Ivan, a category three hurricane, in 2004, causing destruction, US$800-million in damages and dozens dead.
“Grenada found that out in 2004, your country, your Prime Minister, the rest of the OECS family and the rest, they were there with us, they bled with us. The CARICOM family bled with us. I got up on the morning of 2004 in September and when I looked around and I saw a whole country on the ground, I don’t think anyone wants to have that feeling,” Dr. Mitchel said.
He added, “So I know how it feels … Grenadians as a whole understand what is taking place in Dominica and that is why and I am sure you’ve heard that there has been a lot of initiatives. Not just by the government but by the people themselves; Grenadians in Toronto and Montreal, without we asking them, not the politicians, people in their own rights because they know and experience what it is to be flattened.”
Mitchel said the citizens of the country of Grenada came forward and are still coming forward and also extended a public invite to the Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit to attend the event.
“And they asked me to make sure I invite you because, I think, it will help the publicity and the success of that particular event,” he noted.
Dr. Mitchel said Dominica will always have a special place in his “being” since at the age of 16 the country was the first one that he travelled to, to play cricket.
He also mentioned that apart from representing his country, he is also representing the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
