Cabinet appoints ALBA Coordinator

Dr.Philbert Aaron at book launching of 'Decorated Broomsticks' in February

A few weeks following speculations about the appointment of Dr. Philbert Aaron to a top government position, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has confirmed in a statement released on April 16th that the former Coppin State University Professor has been appointed as ALBA Coordinator.

Dr. Aaron will oversee all ALBA-funded projects, advise government on matters related to ALBA, and interface with government departments, the media, and the public on the intentions of and benefits from ALBA.

ALBA is the acronym for the Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America. ALBA is an aid package among Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and now Dominica. A focus of ALBA is energy cooperation as a strategy for fostering national economic development. In 2007, the Government of Dominica signed a statement signaling its intention to work with ALBA to speed up Dominica’s economic development efforts.

“By this appointment” Skerrit says “I wish to say to Dominicans at home and in the Diaspora that the Dominica Labor Party Government has heard your calls. You have asked for information so that you may more actively engage in the important mission of developing our Dominica. By this appointment, I have heeded your call.”

The position of Alba Coordinator is housed in the Prime Minister’s Office and provides support to the Prime Minister. The position integrates coordination of ALBA-funded projects with coordination of government policy as well as communications with the office of the Prime Minister. In combining coordination of ALBA-funded projects with policy, and communications, the appointment addresses the following vital national policy issues:

• Policy coherence: placing an umbrella of unified purpose over an array of ALBA-funded projects that are housed in various ministries, projects that range from energy policy (Petrocaribe), through tourism (Venezuelan Social Tourism), to economic infrastructure projects (roads).

• Administrative efficiency: Bringing greater focus to the management of these seemingly varied but internally related projects.

• Openness in communications: Providing information to Dominican citizens on government’s development efforts.

Dr. Philbert Aaron is a Dominican-born former professor at Coppin State University, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Aaron holds a Ph. D. degree in policy and leadership from the University of Maryland-College Park. He has presented at scientific meetings in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and the United States. Dr. Aaron returns to Dominica from the United States where he was elected President of the Faculty Senate of Coppin State University, a position that advises the President of the University on matters of interest to the faculty. Dr. Aaron brings experience in communications, management, and policy to his new position. Dr. Aaron is originally from Lagon, Portsmouth.

Regarding the appointment, PM Skerrit notes that, “It is always good to welcome Dominicans from the Diaspora back to Dominica. When those returning have attained the highest levels of excellence in their chosen fields, it is an additional source of joy. Their return shows a degree of confidence in the policy direction that Dominica is taking and a sense of commitment to the homeland. We have those qualities in Dr. Aaron: an eagerness to return to the homeland, excellence in professional achievement, and a sense of commitment to the development of Dominica. I am thrilled to be able to draw on the expertise and service of Dr. Aaron.”