Budget will put people first – Skerrit

The 2012/2013 Budget will continue a trend of putting people first, according to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

He is expected to present the fiscal package in parliament on July 17.

“Certainly we are mindful of some of the challenges confronting our people and in the budget you will see contained some measures towards addressing some of the concerns that people have been raising from time to time,” PM Skerrit, who will be presenting his ninth budget since assuming office in 2004, said.

The Prime Minister says a decline in revenue and increase in expenditure are major factors which will be taken into consideration in the upcoming budget.

“Clearly the budget is being prepared against the backdrop of what is happening around the world. We have to be mindful of the challenges confronting us. We have seen in some cases a drop in revenue and an increase in expenditure”.

The prime minister while conceding that the budget will not address all the challenges confronting the country, said it would take into consideration aspects of Dominica’s growth and social protection strategy (GSPS).

“We have a GSPS-Growth and Social Protection Strategy which informs us of what we can do to improve the economic fortunes of the country and so we are following that GSPS and the budget is being prepared within the framework and the context of that GSPS,” he said.

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48 Comments

  1. cubano
    July 8, 2012

    i hope them give the student in cuba a raise on the stipend, cause i was once a student in cuba and it was hard plus tings getting harder now…cause for the last few year the GOV only taking care of the students in china and USA…

  2. American
    July 8, 2012

    I remember when America was going through a hard time. Things were bad and the people cried. The revenue was low. Suprisingly, when we expected otherwise, the President increased the amount of money coming to our pockets, cut a few taxes. We got more money in our pockets and started spendind more. We were actually doing more business and the Government got an increase in revenue which put them back on track. Why doesn’t this idea come to the Prime Minister? Is he afraid of taking this decision. Try it PM and you will see. Dominicans are gonna go to the stores mmore often, they are going to spend all the increase.

  3. not bad
    July 7, 2012

    ppl want the country to plunge under water by the prime minister making bad decisions…best we go through the bad times now than to decrease the vat and let the country go bankrupt and then he has to account for that….uwp would have done the same thing or even worse so i don’t see the point of some people…..people want to compare big countries that have millions of people to lil dominica…come on that don’t make no sense at all…

  4. crony
    July 6, 2012

    only when the people wake up and realize that real power is in there hands will they allow politicians to take them for rides.then again it might be too late.

  5. MIB
    July 6, 2012

    A tax increase is coming people. VAT is going up from 15%-17%, then next year it will go up from 17%-20%.

  6. Anonymous
    July 6, 2012

    Anytime a politician says “people first” just know that is about to get ugly….
    God help Dominica.

  7. Met Yo
    July 6, 2012

    Bossman,

    Listen to me. Do not worry about these people. They are all talk and no action. Increase the blasted VAT and impose the 4% levy on everybody salary.

    You said we were going to the next level. Well we have next level in our tail right now. Right now we want the next other level. Level 2. lmao

  8. Looking in
    July 5, 2012

    What all you crying for? Take what all you vote for eh

    • Looking in
      July 5, 2012

      All them Ministers Bank accounts getting fat. Civil servants living from hand to mouth month after month. Where are we going? where?

      • Met Yo
        July 6, 2012

        The same place UWP had warn allu about. So enjoy it. Edison James safe in Marigot on his farm though.

  9. corrector
    July 5, 2012

    and fix the roads, that’s employment 2…..

    • langsal
      July 6, 2012

      employment for chinese

  10. corrector
    July 5, 2012

    DA to small for us to be going through that guoyaih…..remove the VAT, pump some money in the economy ( and i mean quite a few sectors, agriculture etc) raise the salaries, so people can spend and the private sector can make money to employ more persons….

    • Just Asking
      July 6, 2012

      I concur. Increase spending power to stimulate the economy. But, let’s do it with a planning strategy.

  11. ?????????????
    July 5, 2012

    MSN headlines – Papal Predicament – Vatican 19M in the red. People pls read. Even Morihei Ueshiba, the pope and the EU would do with your advise. Not done with you yet. But sincethey in the RED, they will give u an IOU or perhaps a debenture bunches!

    • Morihei Ueshiba
      July 6, 2012

      CNN Headlines, Mongolia doing well, even ????? can have a conscience? You mean to tell me you fellas like to compare countries doing badly, what about those doing well? Come on now u think all Dominicans stupid. :oops:

  12. ROSEAU VALLEY
    July 5, 2012

    This is so cliché and unoriginal. It is infact taken from the title of Bill Clinton’s book, “ Putting People First: How We Can All Change America”. But it is a good thing that the PM has borrowed that theme for this 2012/2013 budget. Perhaps he could learn something useful from Clinton.

    The PM could also learn from the other titles of books authored by President Clinton such as “Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy”,

    In that book, President Clinton examined the challenges, as he saw it, that faced the US in the new globalized world. He underscored the fundamental importance of good governance and the role of government in creating the right environment conducive for businesses jobs creation. He presented ideas for restoring America’s economy from the devastation of the single-minded tax-cut policies for the rich.

    President Clinton outlined ideas for creating employment and increasing financial responsibility as he underscored the fundamental role of government in putting people back to work, restoring growth in the manufacturing sector, increasing bank lending and corporate investment, increasing American exports and the need to create new businesses. Clinton placed a lot of emphasis on the need for a vibrant private sector well supported by a intelligent government working together with all parties willing to contribute to the development of the country as the only way to foster a sense of prosperity.

    Interestingly, as Athie has been preaching to us, President Clinton gave strong support to the Obama’s thrust and emphasis on green technology as one of the most effective ways of boosting the national economic growth.

    Again in another book etitled, “Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World”, President Clinton teaches us how good leaders can use their power and influence to develop the lives of the less fortunate in the society. He shares his personal experiences and those of other who give their time, money and skills, ideas and effort to towards the development of society.

    So, while we await the PM’s People First budget, I urge caution because the concept of putting people first takes into account a shared vision and a strong commitment to the transformation of the economy. It requires the genuine placement of people first through any proposed reform of our public services, new tax measures and enabling people to be confident that services are of high quality and are safe. It also gives people a sense that their own individual needs for independence, their well-being and dignity are protected and promoted while the government actively promotes shared aims and values.

    I suppose based on the chosen theme of the upcoming budget, there is a clear admission that for the last 12 years, successive budgets have not exactly been putting the people first. The interest of the politicians have been first and foremost and now- only now- an attempt is being made to acknowledge that the welfare and well being of the people who elected the politicians ought to have come before that of the politicians who have already enriched themselves at the expense of the people.

    I await the budget presentation.

  13. Morality
    July 5, 2012

    :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: :?: Skerrit,when are u gonna open your mouth to speak truth?How are u gonna put people first when economically your government is not doing well.U said expenditure is more than income,while u take loans from the Chinese to build state malice and give the construction job back to the Chinese.All the deals u’ve signed has not created jobs for us but for people like Gardakan and the Chinese.How are we gonna benefit?Is there some new projects that are going to be implemented to employ us?I don’t wanna be going to your red clinic to beg!I need jobs so i can take loans to do whatever i need done! :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: :?:

  14. block 44
    July 5, 2012

    any country in this world ,if you don.t pay the vat tax,you will pay the vis tax. you just can,t get away.

  15. Pedro
    July 5, 2012

    Only those who drink the milk are considered people

  16. Mamizoo
    July 5, 2012

    My revised budget

    Reduce Peeping Tom’s salary and allowances
    Reduce the # of advisors to 5 only
    Reduce the number of ministries
    Sell the Villas and put the money back in the treasury
    Reroute the offshore bank accounts of the various ministers
    The brief case of money from Libya that disappeared – return it to the treasury
    Hidden passport dollars in bank accounts of crooked lawyers – bring that in too
    The 91 thousand dollar for duty free infinity- bring that in supplais
    Cut the IPO salary
    Eliminate the speaker of the house job
    Eliminate the Presidency convert the palace into a house of the rising sun (know what I mean) Chi Ching
    GIS chief – give him back his prison warder job
    Bring back the rest of the Bin Bobol money
    Call back those overseas mission that is actually going to school in New York and Britain
    We doh need no ALBA ambassador cause Skerrit is lord and king
    The spiritual advisor put in him in charge of the house of the rising sun let him collect tithes from the fees
    Install toll booths on feeder roads so farmers can go to their farm
    Give LIAT 8 more million so they can land planes on dame Eugenia Blvd
    Open another RED CLINIC in Portsmouth
    Take bird island back from chavez and give ownership to Lennox Linton, Copel, Blessings, Groovy Bat , Matt, Kokom, Tony Astaphan, Alick, Lennox Lawrence Krazy T, Brian Linton all in charge of bird island so they can develop bird island and fight all day.
    Expand the prison for VAT politicians –Vagabonds And Thieves; Voler Apir TeteChien

    • langsal
      July 6, 2012

      oh this is hilarious, lol

  17. linky
    July 5, 2012

    PEOPLE MY FOOT SINCE WHEN

  18. July 5, 2012

    People first,this is a first.The man has not held a proper press conference in ages.Dominicans mostly get their important information relating to Dominica from outside sources or the Dominican press, remember the USAID communique. I am not aware of Government meeting anybody from the private sector. I have not heard of Government meeting any of the agriculture organizations to get their imput relating to the budget,therefore,in my opinion, the people Skerrit are talking about are the Laborites.

  19. ?????????????
    July 5, 2012

    PM please let Morihei Ueshiba see the budget proposal before budget day. We got here someone who knows how to stimulate the growth of the Economy without taxes.

    Sir, give that person a break because I want to be stimulated myself and get more money in my hand.

    Way papa!

  20. ????????
    July 5, 2012

    I wonder if this PM knows the hell that poor people have to go through in this country to survive…If you put people first i would be surprised, or maybe it’s the same people who are enjoying the Milk and Honey you are referring to… You call that 18-3… Those who cannot hear will feel.

  21. My2Sense
    July 5, 2012

    I don’t agree with your comment.

    • My2Sense
      July 5, 2012

      @Morihei Ueshiba

      • Morihei Ueshiba
        July 5, 2012

        @ MynoSense & @S&M h, VAT is the worse tax ever conceived in the mind of man, how can a pm put a VAT tax on a nation without a strong manufacturing base, u don’t find u fellas too wicked.

  22. Smh
    July 5, 2012

    PM Just Bare in Mind theres so much we can take eh..u aself saying things hard all around the world..BY the Way let not your advisors advise you!I believe you are smart enough and you may want to consider cutting some loose…

  23. Ras Fatha
    July 5, 2012

    We canna trust ur words skerrit, u saying one thing and then is another… Talk to them custom officers on the port… That you have to do… Free us up.. We want to bring down our vehicles from foreign but we fraid

  24. lulz
    July 5, 2012

    which people will it put first?

    • DPM
      July 6, 2012

      Sweeeeeet!I like that one.

  25. Jo
    July 5, 2012

    So that means VAT isn’t going up?

  26. Morihei Ueshiba
    July 5, 2012

    Ahem but PM, how can a 15% Vat be a people budget.
    A people budget is Low taxes, better yet no VAT.
    Be creative with your increased salary, what we paying you for? There are alot of ways to grow your economy without raising taxes.
    How can a red clinic be a people budget.
    A people budget is people working.
    How can loans for infrastructure be a people budget?
    THE PEOPLE WANT AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
    :mrgreen:

    • Smh
      July 5, 2012

      Your name alone confusing,muchless for your comment…

      • 4Eva Tru
        July 5, 2012

        And the ones that said thumbs up.

    • ?????????????
      July 5, 2012

      Morehei you need to give some of the examples and not just saying “There are alot of ways to grow your economy without raising taxes.” If there are ways of growing the economy without taxes, I need to learn from you. You could even sell your examples to the “Italian” people and since your suggestions are going to be fixing the World Economy, then can you imagine how much royalty you can make.

      Go for it Morihei Ueshiba

      You’ve got the answers. I glad for you!

      • langsal
        July 6, 2012

        morihei ueshiba, maybe you could go a little in depth with the explaining but your are right.. salaries have been frozen, not skerrit salary, no manufacturing, business closing and going to places like st lucia, the productive asset(youth) is migrating by the thousands, DLP desecrated on agriculture and a failing tourist industries caused by skerrit love for the leftist communities, yet you increase taxes on the people that stay and work.. now the government is broke, you may have to cut salaries, and put more taxes…

        boy you remind me of the sherrif of nottingham

    • ?????????????
      July 5, 2012

      AGain Morihei Ueshiba, start collecting the funds for the International Airport.

      I will get you a job as Financial and Economic Adviser to the PM.

      I am going to spek to himwhen he comes back so we cannot have someone liek you wasting out there.

      • Morihei Ueshiba
        July 6, 2012

        @ ????????????? Remember what churchill said in 1945, We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself by the handle.”

        Here is a list of countries that raise money without increasing taxes..
        Guernsey, Swanenkirchen in Bavaria, Worgl in the Austrian Tyrol, and the island of Gosaba.

        When u fellas write a budget you all only think of today, a budget must be long-term not to mention taking the future into account, austerity destroys a nation, why u think Greece stoning there politicians? Dominicans that sot and vote DLP for following IMF, :mrgreen:

    • Reader
      July 6, 2012

      How can you have low taxes and no VAT and at the same time you want an international airport?

      If you want to build a jet airport its then you need all the taxes that you can get!!!

      Obviously you have no head for economics…..and look at all those stupid people giving him a thumbs up…obviously they dont understand economics either….magway sa!

  27. Anonymous
    July 5, 2012

    you’re right Mr. PM, what else is new

  28. Jen Gwan Tas
    July 5, 2012

    GSPS .. seems like all D/a people still in some primary school. Sir , this is speak for ” I am clueless as to what to do to stimulate this economy. “

    • langsal
      July 6, 2012

      legalize marijuana yea.. so i can smoke when i have de bad time come

  29. natural dominican
    July 5, 2012

    we will see

  30. acer banton
    July 5, 2012

    just two years ago you spent 22 million on an election campagne in a country with about 70000 people..
    you ignored the voices of the people and still built a palace at tax payers expense now you are saying our revenue has declined and expenses increased, we are not exporting anything… according to children in the usa well duh!
    what do you expect when you spend, spend and take loans but does not export jack
    who can we beg next AND COME AND BOAST THAT WE WORKING.

  31. voyager
    July 5, 2012

    :mrgreen: I hope i get justice in the workplace or at least a promotion in the public service…. down pressers only :mrgreen:

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