Dominica Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit yesterday assured Trinidadians “there is nothing to fear” from any of his compatriots who may accept Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s invitation to stay in T&T for six months while they rebuild in Dominica.
Responding to the negative reactions from some quarters in T&T over Rowley’s proposal, Skerrit said Dominicans are “exceptionally peaceful.”
He said he “endorsed Rowley’s offer, especially regarding school children.
He said many schools had been destroyed in the hurricane and “will not reopen any time soon,” adding the offer will be especially good for fifth formers “to continue their studies for CXC.”
Speaking on CNC3 Morning Brew, Skerrit said his grandfather was a Trinidadian.
Saying there will always be those who seek to “politicise anything you say or do,” Skerrit felt that people needed to be more broad-minded.
“Today it is us, it could be somebody else tomorrow, we all live in the hurricane zone.”
Caribbean unity, he said, must be the centre that holds us together.
He said he was especially grateful to Rowley, “the Cabinet and the people of T&T, you guys have been exceptional in your support to Dominica.”
Skerrit said he had given “a commitment” to his countrymen that he will “not pay attention to any negative,” adding his focus was on rebuilding the lives of the people.
The Prime Minister said he has been on the ground alongside his countrymen since the disaster struck.
He said the majority of the island remains without electricity, but they were hoping to restore electricity to the main hospital.
He said many of the roads which were blocked with fallen trees and debris had been cleared and Food and medical supplies had been pouring in from across the Caribbean. He said the bigger problem will be rebuilding.
“When your entire country is devastated like this it will be a very long and difficult journey,” he said.
Skerrit said the names of the dead and missing will be published today “so that people who are trying to find out whether their family or friends are missing will have the names and once they are not on the list we assure that the person is alive.”
Caricom chairman, Grenada Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, who toured the devastation in Dominica yesterday, said having passed through a similar road in 2004 “I know how lonely it was.”
But he said the situation in the region, where many islands had been hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, had brought “that element of Caribbean family spirit that we would love to see more of.”
In adversity, he said “we get good messages.”
He too urged that political differences be “put aside at this time.
“Right now is about immediate needs.”