For decades, the people of Dominica have watched governments take and take through taxes, inflated service fees, and bloated utility bills, yet nothing ever seems to come back to us. We were told that certain industries had to stay in government hands to “protect the public interest.” We believed that meant public ownership would bring public benefit. But in reality, it has meant only one thing: public sacrifice with no reward.
Take a good look around. The government owns our electricity through DOMLEC, our water through DOWASCO, and controls development lending through the Dominica AID Bank. But not one of these government-run enterprises gives anything back. There is no profit-sharing, no rate relief, no real reinvestment into the communities they serve. The truth? These government-owned corporations have been treated like political cash cows, not public services.
The Chance They Squandered.
Ask yourself why no government in Dominica has ever created a public car insurance company? It is not because we lack the talent or the need. Everyone knows how expensive car insurance is. Many are forced to drive uninsured simply because they cannot afford private coverage. We also know some insurance companies manipulate policies, claims, and payouts, all while posting record profits.
But instead of stepping in to fix this, the government stays out. Why? Because there is not enough in it for them, or perhaps there is too much at stake for them to risk losing.
The Reform They Refused.
The current administration has had ove two decades to create a government-run auto insurance sprogam, one that would lower rates, expand coverage, and make driving safer and more affordable for every Dominican. But they chose not to.
They had the power. They had the resources. What they lacked was the will and the interest in serving anyone but themselves. This was never about whether it could be done. It was about whether it was worth it to them. And clearly, serving and helping the people of Dominica was not.
The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) Will Do Things Differently. Starting With a Dominica Auto Protection Authority. (DAPA)
Under a NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) government, we will do what all other governments have refused to do, and that is create a government-owned, publicly accountable car insurance provider called – Dominica Auto Protection Authority (DAPA) that will offer:
1 – Lower and More Affordable Premiums
- Lower and fairer rates because we do not need to maximize profits for shareholders.
- Savings on premiums mean families have more disposable income.
2 – Universal Access and Coverage
- Ensures that all drivers, regardless of income or risk level, can get at least basic mandatory insurance.
- Reduces the number of uninsured drivers, making roads safer for everyone.
3 – Improved Claims Fairness and Transparency
- A government insurer that operates openly and is accountable to the public, reducing claim denials and unfair practices.
- Easier, clearer claims processes build trust and reduce legal disputes.
4 – Reinvestment Into Community and Infrastructure
- Profits or surplus funds are reinvested into road safety programs, public education, and infrastructure improvements.
- Helps create safer roads and reduces accident rates over time.
5 – Economic Stability and Predictability
- By controlling costs, government insurance helps stabilize the local economy, especially for working-class families.
- Prevents sudden premium spikes tied to market speculation or private insurer decisions.
6 – Creation of Local Jobs
- Government insurance companies will create stable employment opportunities within the community.
- Job security and local hiring stimulate economic growth.
7 – Consumer Protections and Regulation
- Government insurers are subject to strong oversight, ensuring consumer rights are protected.
- Offers recourse for unfair treatment that private insurers may avoid.
8 – Encourages Safer Driving Practices
- With government control, programs to incentivize safe driving (discounts, education) can be more widely and fairly implemented.
9 – Public Profit Sharing or Dividends
- Surplus funds can be returned directly to the public as rebates or dividends, putting money back into drivers pockets.
The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) will also reform all government-owned enterprises, opening their books and demanding that every dollar they make be used for the public good, not private reward. Because at the heart of everything the NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) does is this simple belief:
- A transparent government is an honest government. An honest government is one that the people can finally trust again.
There can be no true accountability without transparency. No reform without the people being allowed to see what is happening behind closed doors. The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) will break those doors open and keep them open.
The Time For Real Reform Is Now.
Past and current governments have made their priorities clear; they are gatekeepers of the status quo and guardians of self-interest. Time and time again, they have had the chance to build systems that truly work for the people, and each time, they have chosen not to.
The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) offers something different: a government that works, that serves, and that gives back. A government that puts the books on the table for all to see and answers directly to the people. That is Direct Democracy, because you have the right to know exactly where your money goes, and what you are getting in return.
Dominica Auto Protection Authority (DAPA) Is Not A New Concept.
Many developed nations around the world operate successful, government-owned services like the Dominica Auto Protection Authority (DAPA), offering citizens affordable, fair, and transparent vehicle insurance. These models have proven to work when implemented with accountability and integrity.
For Dominica, (DAPA) represents a bold and historic first, a public-first solution in a space previously dominated by private interests. It is a major step towards putting people before profit, and ensuring every Dominican, regardless of income, can access reliable auto protection.
If we want people to invest in our country and believe in our future, we need to look like a developing nation ready to grow, not like a government controlled by a small elite group that clutches power and stifles opportunity.
The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) is 100% committed to changing that. We will build a government that invites investment, promotes fairness, and works openly for the benefit of all Dominicans. This is not about reinventing the wheel. It is about using the wheel to move our people forward. It is not about empty slogans or political gimmicks, it is about common sense.
The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) is building a movement grounded in practical solutions and common-sense ideas that work for everyone, no matter your political affiliation. Real change does not need fancy words or complicated plans. It needs clear thinking and bold action that puts people first.
Enough is enough. It is time to stop feeding a system that only feeds itself. It is time to build a government you can see through and believe in.
Team DRP