Soufriere MP resigns from parliament

DOMINICA: Residents of the Soufriere Constituency will go to the polls within the next 90 days to elect a new parliamentary representative.

Former Soufriere MP, Ian Pinard, informed constituents at a town hall meeting on Tuesday, April 26, that he had resigned as parliamentary representative.
“I met earlier with Hon. Prime Minister and informed him of my decision to resign my seat in parliament as parliamentary representative for the Soufriere Constituency. I have written to the Hon Speaker of the House of Assembly earlier this evening tendering my resignation as Member of Parliament of Dominica… I want the best for Soufriere, Scotts head, Pointe Michel and Gallion; I want the best for my people and I want the best for Dominica. That is why today I have stepped down as Member of Parliament for I believe strongly that the institution of parliament should not be dragged to the happenings and atmosphere that will accompany the events pertaining to my case over the coming weeks and months,” an emotional Pinard said.
He assured residents that he remains committed to assist with the development of the constituency.
The Hon Prime Minister, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, addressed constituents following the announcement by the former Soufriere MP.
“I am saddened by his resignation, but I am touched by his honor,” the Prime Minister said.
“As leader of this party, I shall stand four-square next to my comrade Ian Pinard. We shall not turn our backs on him, we shall not through him to the wolves, or under any bus. His happiness is our happiness, and his grief is our grief, his pain is our pain, his struggle is our struggle. We are one family in the Dominica Labour Party.”
The DLP leader also commented on plans for the bi-election in the constituency. He indicated that he does not the process to be long and drawn out but would want “normality returned to the constituency in short order.”
“I will meeting with Ian and the constituency group later this week to commence the process of selecting a successor candidate and getting this constituency ready for battle,” he infomrmed.
Pinard who was surrounded by very supportive members of Cabinet and residents of the constituency following Tuesday’s announcement said he was proud of many developments which have taken place within the constituency.
“We have made a major dent in unemployment with the sourcing of many permanent jobs, startup with a significant number of entrepreneurial activities that has led to the creation of sustainable employment opportunities; over one hundred attachment to the National Employment Programme.
Additionally my presence in the Cabinet of ministers enabled me to access tremendous benefits for constituents, such as farming equipment for livestock industry, personalized home care for the elderly, financial assistance for small businesses, upgrade and soon lighting of the Soufriere playing field, technical assistance and direct monetary support for fishermen as well as free transportation for our school children… and in many instances free school books and uniform for our children.”