PM Skerrit announces allowance for single mothers with babies

Some of those who attended the town hall meeting

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Roosevelt Skerrit, has announced that in the coming National Budget, an allowance for single mothers with babies will be made available in efforts to aid them in caring for their young ones.

The announcement was made at a town hall meeting held at the Goodwill Primary School on Thursday evening.

“In the budget coming up, we will go the parliament and put in a special allowance for mothers with babies in Dominica, so that their babies would not have a diaper for the whole day and you wouldn’t want to change it because you have only one left so you are waiting for the night to come to use it, and your children gets rashes and all those marks on their bodies,” Skerrit said.

Skerrit has not yet disclosed the amount of money that will be given to the mothers, neither has he stated at what intervals the mothers would receive the allowance.

He added that caring for children is “an expensive venture,” especially with mothers who have to take care of children by themselves, and “gone are the days” where persons made use of diapers.

“As life progressed and so forth, people no longer use diapers; diapers are for people who are eighty and so on. Now is pampers and so on, and all these things, and wipes and all powder and all these things. Gone are the days where you had two or three diapers where one gets dirty you wash it and use it again,” Skerrit said.

He said that as the country has progressed he does not expect families to be making use of diapers anymore.

“Besides that, diapers could bring in some infection to the children,” he remarked.

He said that the allowance will allow the mothers to provide “some of the basic things” for their babies and allow them to “live healthy and decent lives.”

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128 Comments

  1. marie-claire R Skerrit
    May 23, 2017

    Well is there the birth rate in Dominica going to increase. What message is this government sending..

  2. only time will tell
    May 22, 2017

    as I young father of two children can I ask where and how these so call young mothers get the children the pm talking about so its a new do for young woman to just make kids and people like me will pay more TAX to take care of my two and all these the pm talking about its ALL ABOUT VOTS and we the people in d/a just cant see

  3. Gerard.
    May 22, 2017

    The responsibility for the care of babies needs be it diapers or otherwise belongs to the father’s and not the state. This is a wrong move by the Honorable PM however sincere may be his intentions . A wrong message is being sent to our young women that they can now be supported bearing children out of wedlock by the government.
    Exceptions could be made of course where a single mom who finds herself in dire straits (eg untimely death or disablement of the baby’s father)given some measure of relief. But certainly not an all out policy. A certainly good incentive indeed for those frivolous women who desire to have a child minus a stable permanent relationship without a spouse or partner.

  4. Toto
    May 22, 2017

    Roosevelt my boy, even in your upmarket suburb of Morne Daniel garbage has not been collected for two weeks now and you want to introduce more disposable nappies to the environment? You must be out of touch with reality

    • Papa Dom
      November 10, 2020

      Very out of touch. In a climate resilient country, the first climate resilient country they cannot dispose of their rubbish properly but here comes this clown talking …. All that is dirty politics so that when people point out those facts he can say, you see what I mean, those fellers doh care about people and the foolish Dominicans will all agree

  5. the sheep sucks the venom of an arab toe
    May 21, 2017

    Look the man just finish pluck the feathers of 200 hens, now he is kicking them and throwing corn for them
    and kicking them at the same time. How could dem baby modda stand a fo dat.
    Hiear he own baby modda back in de day: I am near four months, marry me now, I doh want de crumbs Stallion.

  6. Views
    May 21, 2017

    It is so sad to know that the women seated there are the mothers of our future generations. What example will they give to their children? How can they instill In their children the virtues of hard work, pride, perseverance and ambition.
    Women, look around in the crowd. Do you see the wives or children of Ministers or their FRIENDS and advisors? NO….Why? Because they have already received the good jobs……They have received the scholarships and are at the universities.
    My people wake up. At least if you are getting something demand more than pampers.You deserve more!!!

  7. Women Don't Play
    May 21, 2017

    One thing I know “time is longer than twine” and the people who are advising you the pm to institute these measures just to secure votes and retain and maintain power: one day allu MUST PAY.
    This a social injustice. Hard working people have to pay taxes encouraging people to go out there and have sex, have babies and we have to pay for it.
    The people in the socioeconomic bracket who will benefit do not pay taxes even though they are working as they will fall in the low tax ranges.
    What happen to the men for whom they have those children. Aren’t they supposed to live up to their responsibility? I am pissed off knowing that I have to pay taxes to contribute to this vice and callous behavior of others.

  8. Prolific
    May 21, 2017

    If we love and respect the World, we would be stress free. What ever the PM does ,the answer is written in the Bible. CBI .Strangers shall clean your vineyard and they would need a passport to go here and there. Love thy neighbour as thyself. Neighbour does not mean the person next to you. They give you vex, they don’t give you vex again. Mother in mertanity ward cannot go out to work. Well look it.

  9. delbert harry
    May 21, 2017

    Sa sé bétiz. Ou vlé ankouwajé kai san papa????

  10. Are You Serious?
    May 20, 2017

    “Pampers” are not good for the environment. Someone needs to inform the PM that as people become more environmentally conscious they will go back to the diapers of old. As a young woman, I would not feel outdated washing my child’s dirty diaper while saving the environment from excess non-biodegradable waste and saving myself some money. The PM is sounding very old fashion, and personally this is not the government’s responsibility.

  11. SELLY
    May 20, 2017

    As a hard working labourite i can never support that, pampas again? after what that woman do me, and all that money i have to pay. good bye pm.

  12. TRUMP
    May 20, 2017

    More pampers more gabbage. Skerro,you will soon need pampers too.

  13. %
    May 20, 2017

    Why should a government that has brought such poverty upon the people, be fighting to remain in office…So parents cant even buy pampers for their children..OMP! What a gang of Evil leaders we have governing this country!
    SKERRIT MUST GO!
    Skerrit Must Go!!
    SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!

  14. THE SHOAL
    May 20, 2017

    Women go for it! If you got pregnant for a labour supporter as from June 1,you automatically enter on the pay roll. If for a uwp supporter, take them to court for maintenance. This Pm is a god send, giving everybody a choice. % you missed out on this one. God bless our father giver.

  15. mine
    May 20, 2017

    why take the responsibility of the baby daddy, this will be encouraging these women to made more babies. I disagree with this idea. If they can make babies they should find the means to take care of them.

  16. travel
    May 20, 2017

    I can understand that, DA need more people. But, why encourages such behavior? Women should think and take their baby daddy to court to help raise that child. These men are running free as birds and SKERRO has to pay for their children. The days of “say zafan moi, keetay nome la alay. ” is over. Pay up men.

  17. Locs Girl
    May 20, 2017

    This speech came from a Prime Minister? 8-O

  18. This is setting a very dangerous precedence; it should be about jobs and employment! What we have here is not even a welfare system. This is just another of Roosevelt tactics of bribing people: the idea is to give handouts to the unfortunate; keep then dependent on him; as a result they will continue to vote for him. He is not concerned about the young teenage girls who will ensure they get pregnant, so that they can become a recipient of this handout.

    Money in any amount, large or small can cause some people to do anything!

    A young woman without any employment opportunity will deliberately get pregnant in order to get a few pence! Skerrit is patronizing what used to be in the United States, and Canada. Such welfare give away are almost none existent. The governments ensure what is now known as from welfare to work!

    This means, the recipient must train for some job within a period of time, or their welfare is cut off okay! In any event people should not have children…

    • Cont:

      In any event people should not have children unless they can support, and take care of their children. Men should not get women pregnant if they do not have the means of supporting their children. I suppose every parent would like to be in a position to take of their responsibilities; nevertheless, under the circumstances existing in Dominica under Skerrit, there is no hope!

      A handout to the women may appear as something good in the mind of Roosevelt; however, that is a very humiliating in there twenty-first century: it something that should not be encourage!

  19. allfingsjenno
    May 20, 2017

    pm giving allu all things related to shit. first it was toilet now is pampers. How degrading. Big win for dead beat fathers. smdfh

  20. The Evangelist?
    May 20, 2017

    “This is a social problem with economic implications. Anything Mr. Skerrit can do to make life easier for these ladies and their little ones is commendable. He is working to make your beautiful nature island a
    better place to live.”

    Sir, why don’t you search your conscience to see if what you are advocating is according to the faith? Do you live in Dominica to see what the people are going through? Have you ever taken time to read 1 Tim. 5, to see who was qualified for church assistance as widows and at what age? How could you as a man who claims to be a pastor and not ashamed to refer to yourself as Reverend DD encourage and support what the bible does not support? When you sit in Canads and encourage Skerrit to take our tax payers money to support 50% of young healthy ladies with babies, most times babies with men that are married and some even with men that have top positions in society. I find you using your time to promote evil in the name of Reverend.

  21. JRA
    May 20, 2017

    After reading these reviews I can see consistency in the opinion of the public, the voters, the real people in charge of who will control Dominica’s future. Please don’t fall for these bribes. Almost all politicians in the western world offer them and they are meant to have you dependent on the government. They enjoy spending your money to keep them in power.

    I am a foreigner considering moving to Dominica to start a company and employ people. I respect the national population and would not get involved with your politics but after seeing these up coming social programs it would only mean that I would be one of many footing the bill for it. I would still consider moving there but for now the project is on hold until things change. Remind your P.M. that “you” the nationals are the real ones in charge and you can send that message come voting day.

    Regards,

  22. JESUSMARYNJOSEPH
    May 20, 2017

    This is SAD. This will do nothing but encourage people who already cannot care for themselves and one child to keep making more children so that they become somebody else’s responsibility. Not just while hey need disposable diapers, but while they grow. If the mother can’t afford dis posable diapers, do you expect that she’d be able to afford , childcare, school (uniform, shoes, breakfast, snack). Who gets to foot the bill? The same people who are being told that they cannot get an increase in salary. While everybody else is benefitting people who work arealated thing poorer. Aread harding working people supposed to maintain a conscious mind and ethics and morality and go to work and give heir all? No. Hence, people find and you to cope I. E. Getting those sick leaves and ND slacking off. this is it right, nor is it justifiable. There has to be other ways. Socialism for all its good intentions doesn’t work. Besides those who believe in it here know it’s a farce. They are the…

  23. May 20, 2017

    I should get divorced, take my kids, and return to Dominica to be on de system. Boy, are America really does a number on you all PM. Now Dominica has welfare too? Yes I ah!!

  24. May 20, 2017

    I am unsure of how long it will take for Dominicans to realize that their PM is mentally ill. Are you all going to just sit and allow this man to mix the koolaid with cyanide? Keep waiting…

  25. Zamm
    May 19, 2017

    Is Mr Skerritt saying to women in Dominca it’s okay to just bring forth children n the government will take care of the bill?
    Is he saying to the irresponsible fathers that it is okay to abandon their children?
    Is he trying to gain cheap political points?
    Is he showing signs of a strong man?
    This mendicant political stategy shall always keep the poor dirty poor.
    It is very very degrading n dehumanising to see Dominicans just begging Skerritt for basic needs whilst Skerritt n his boys having three square meals daily. Most Dominicans hardly have money to spend, while government ministers n party faithful building big house, driving big vehicles n have huge bank accounts. Shame, shame on this government n those so called Christians. Very classless.

  26. st joe girls
    May 19, 2017

    What about when de baby milk finish now. We want a milk allowance too, i think a milk allowance is more critical. then we want condom allowance and what about a pad for our monthly thing, pad allowance.

  27. discreet
    May 19, 2017

    the madness continues help the ministry of agriculture help jnoso

  28. Tobby
    May 19, 2017

    That is why there are no woman taking man to court for child mentenance in the French countries
    Having the father going to prison can’t doesn’t help the situation. We put gvnt there let them take care of the children and their schooling. It is not everybody qualify for a high paying job. And even the child parents are working let the gvnt take care of the child still. So Dominicans stop make this a political arena it is a good thing the PM going to do. At least 800 ec to every child would be good and half of the money to buy school books too

  29. Tobby
    May 19, 2017

    Be like the French countries support the child starting from 3 months in the womb till 18 years and even if they choose not to work and there will be no more poor people. The French gvnt send every child on a vacation trip once school close. The English oecs countries need to follow the French system and life will be good.

  30. Domnichen
    May 19, 2017

    I disagree with this proposed program— the Fathers of the babies should be working to support their children ( including buying pampers)

  31. May 19, 2017

    Anything that is done to uplift the condition of the African woman, i applaud wholeheartedly. Don’t be clouded Dominicans.Hotep.

    • Tjebe fort
      May 22, 2017

      Bob my man, are you saying that the African woman is less abler, les selfsufficient, less resourceful than those of non-African descent? That she is weak and cannot manage without the help of Papa Doc Skerrit?
      I really take offence at this brother. You are talking of the descendants of women that worked the land, ruled the families. Yes, they were the matriarchs of our society and had a pride. Why you think they brought Africans to our land, because they were weak, especially the women? Please, be quiet brother if you have nothing better to say. We must restore the dignity of our people, especially the women that gave birth to us. Is not men that can give birth you know!

  32. May 19, 2017

    My God, how disheartening, how disrespectful, Dominicans continue to be towards their women, just on sunday you all celebrated mothers day, isn”t the mother the nurturer of todays children leaders of tomorrow? if the woman is in a comfortable mindset, children grow stronger and brighter. People utter what is nestled inside of them, a clean heart inside, will be shown on the outside, at the end of the day regardless of what is posted on this topic the women will gratefully accept. Leaders are remembered by social disbursements and after 17yrs in office, the prime minister will continue to outmaneuver his rivals, is it the right thing to do? can the countries coffers afford doing that social gesture? we will have to wait and see. It seems that Dominicans have desolved into a lower plane of non critical thought, remember there was a time when dry milk was given to all families? we were colonial then. Anything that can be done to uplift the condition of the African woman i…

  33. Jokes and jokers
    May 19, 2017

    Well, If I give you house, give you toilet, give you money, pay your bills, and now give you pampa to take care of your baby it’s clear that you owe me something big in return. So fire your baby father and replace him with me. maybe is my baby so I just want to find a legal and secret way to adopt my baby.

  34. Dominica story for Dummies
    May 19, 2017

    Isn’t this the same Prime Minister who passed legislation to punish fathers of said single mothers who he is now proposing to give an allowance? Well, Dominica is finish because this is a contradiction of the highest level and in my view general election is much closer and Santa has an empty bag with gifts for lazy, bummy ass men and women to lift a finger to work and support their children. Finally, this piggy bank that is being broken into called Dominica Treasure to dole out money to non-working Dominicans while the working class have to support this crumbling douse of cards call Dominica is about to crash. This must come to an abrupt end.

  35. Patrick
    May 19, 2017

    Hahahaha boi skerite getting sick and mad now haha hahah the mab in a town hall meeting telling peoplet about diapers hahahaha boss lol aye lol hahaha hahah you mean to tell me the man telling people bout diapers and pampers now…..man move your **** outhe of ther boss… we will make sure u take jail u skerite …Nathan. ..Tony astaphans. … and that chief of police…and is political mend within that police force…. you all are not goin To escape …we will siezed all your assets and we will hunt you down like America hunt down Osama bin Laden. .you all have to face the music.wen the time comes…

  36. Sadformyhome
    May 19, 2017

    Sad! The beginnings of welfare in dca. Plz tell me how well that is working out for places like the US? You laziness! Create jobs so you will not need to hand out money. Ppl in dca will gladly work.

  37. Anthony P. Ismael
    May 19, 2017

    I wonder if single fathers are eligible for the same benefits, or is it just exclusive to single mothers. The proud industrious Dominican is dead. We have and continue to create and foster a Welfare State, where everyone receives free everything. Free toilet, pampers, plywood, galvanize and cane rum. Meanwhile, police officers do not have vehicles to aid them in effectively carrying out their duties in a timely manner. And the cold-blooded murders? They continue to murder their fellow citizens uninterrupted as the long arm of the law has disappeared, like the keys to the Registry. I wonder what ever became of those keys.

  38. Anthony P. Ismael
    May 19, 2017

    There is no coincidence between the government’s recent initiatives and the hiring of an American Public Relations Firm. I live in the U.S. and this is a familiar game plan from a playbook that I have seen before. The “Town Hall Style Meetings” rebranding of things and handing out of goodies is all about damage control and changing the perception and image of a government that disgraced and damaged Dominica’s good name by selling its passports to known crooks and scoundrels in the international community. This behavior by Skerrit and his cohorts is becoming more reprehensible by the minute. Nothing of the boat for farmers, or geothermal energy anymore. It’s handing CBI money time. Yippee!

  39. %
    May 19, 2017

    Dominica is reaping the bad harvest by planting of the bad seed they did after Pierros death…With its oil,and BILLIONS OF $$$$$$$$$ in revenue,this policy failed Venezuela…Dominica is next!Its better of,not working in Dominica.
    SKERRIT MUST GO!
    SKERRIT MUST GO!
    SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!!

  40. Plato
    May 19, 2017

    This is becoming very troubling now as a nation cannot be built with citizens who depend on the state for sustenance. Mr Skerrit this form of socialism is not sustainable and can only lead to the financial ruin of Dominica. Develop industries which would lead to mass employment and prosperity.
    No country ever made considerable progress until a visionary leader comes into play with a grand idea; a philosophy, if you will. Something like Roosevelt’s “New Deal” in the US. We can’t lead a successful country if we wake up everyday and then and there decide “This is what I am going to do today. ” There must be a carefully thought out guiding principle.

  41. blessings
    May 19, 2017

    how I am seeing things, it is better to be unemployed in Dominica. Those of us that working hard cannot even get an increase in salary not a bonus during Christmas. but the unemployed just collecting money, groceries, free house. And most of the are persons who can work for a living.

    now this is on, they better build the hospital fast to make a bigger maternity ward.

    • Women Don't Play
      May 21, 2017

      I concur 1000%

  42. HIFIVE
    May 19, 2017

    Psychology? Local Advisers? NewYork PR Firm? Whichever or Whoever Skerrit is getting it right to remain in power.

  43. My Name
    May 19, 2017

    As a government employee, Mr. Prime Minister, I can honestly tell you that a mere 3% increase in my salary will allow me to buy an extra 2 packs of disposable diapers a month. And if VAT is removed then even better.

  44. Creation Rebel
    May 19, 2017

    So called insurance scheme for single mothers now a pampers scheme smh

  45. Venezuela Sorry
    May 19, 2017

    My mother use to say all time you are alive you have not stopped seeing. Well this proclamination by the PM is a shock to my ears. Women is that what you really want, for a PM to buy you disposal nappies for your baby you are proud of. PM please maybe you were not thinking, so I forgive you for saying this. Please give the single mothers work so they can buy their owm pampers. Boy I vex wii. People open your eyes, we dont want to get to the state Venezuela is right now.

  46. JBaptiste
    May 19, 2017

    When will there be an allowance for those of us who didn’t mess up?
    Allowance for single mothers.
    Free health insurance for young mothers.
    Houses for people who can work but don’t work.
    Allowance for those who didn’t work enough hence no social security.
    And the list goes on.

    • Dante Jones
      May 21, 2017

      It’s socialism plain and simple and the only outcome is the creation of a state of parasites eternally dependant on the government who will always vote to keep them in power while maintaining a constant class struggle between the eternally impoverished parasites and the hard working people who have managed to amass any amount of wealth through their own efforts. Now they are being encouraged to multiply with the provision of benefits for people who have made irresponsible decisions. Pretty soon they will outnumber the responsible and hardworking people who have a tendency to reproduce less and we will get to the point where Venezuela was about a decade ago where the leader had enough to support to be able to blatantly infringe on the rights of private ownership without much dissent from the people.

  47. prophet
    May 19, 2017

    Why are we going down the same road as the failed Venezuela policies. Why not training and employment, why is there this needed to make everyone dependent on Santa Skerrit. If the father of the child is dead or disable helping is the right thing to do but if not, why does the Prime Minister wants to use the public purse to play sugar daddy.

  48. Malatete
    May 19, 2017

    I would respectfully ask mr. Skerrit to reconsider as I believe he has been ill advised. Research shows that disposable diapers (pampers) are not innocuous. They are convenient yes, but not more so than convenience food. From birth to toilet training an infant would use 6,500-10,000 disposable diapers, at a rate of 6-8/day. This is equivalent to approx. 1 tonne of toxic waste to pollute the environment. In the U.S.A. for instance disposable diapers and wipes constitute some 30% of non-biodegradable consumer waste in landfills.
    Contrary to popular belief they do not degrade easily as they contain polyethelene plastic. They also contain doxins , like sodium polyacaylade, even so-called eco-friendly versions, carcinogenic dioxins and harmful phthalates.
    Especially in an island that promotes itself on protecting the environment I would have thought it better for mothers to revert to re-usable fabric diapers, that are more environmentally friendly and knider to their babies’ skins.

    • Willie
      May 19, 2017

      And there is very highly qualified nurse in the cabinet?

    • Mother
      May 21, 2017

      Honestly I would be more impressed if government handed out free condoms. I don’t even want to talk of abortion but in my opinion that should be available also. Never mind our hypocritical church, who want people to produce\many children and stay poor, just like Skerrit so they control them better. It is not for nothing they refer to their followers as a flock of sheep.

  49. Jerimiah
    May 19, 2017

    Believe it or not, Skerrit is borrowing a page from the political playbook of Hugo Chavez.
    To extend and consolidate his power, Chavez massively extended benefits to the “poor” while neglecting the productive sectors of the economy. The result has been what all credible forecasters expected: A steep decline in Venezuela,s economy that not even a vast oil reserve could arrest.
    See what is happening in Venezuela today? A massive economic contraction, mass rioting and other forms of civil unrest with no end in sight.
    Political turmoil is compounded by political repression which in turn breeds more civil unrest.
    The conclusion is obvious. Dominica is headed for a repetition of what is happening in Venezuela, without the oil resources to cushion the fall.
    Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

  50. Jonathan St jean
    May 19, 2017

    The
    cycle of dependency is complete and soon you will have to call Skerritt” god”. From the cradle to the grave Skerritt is providing the basic needs of Dominicans.Not only the women and children but the businesses who will be importing the government handouts,no wonder the business sector is silent on the nonsense happening in the country.Once they are making the money they better not talk about the bad things or they will lose out.I never saw this coming.Wake up Dominicans

    • Women Don't Play
      May 21, 2017

      The business sector is silent because many of them who were failing are receiving hand outs to get their businesses back up so they are tagging alone: compromising ethical values.

  51. Faceup
    May 19, 2017

    De man must be talking about broke women who wearing pushing in Roseau..??

  52. Vigilant
    May 19, 2017

    The beat goes on. Elections are on the horizon and the goodies are being rolled out. The Red Clinic is being extended . Personal responsibility is out of fashion and the creation of a giant welfare state has become the order of the day.
    It matters not that a culture of poverty and dependence is being promoted, because, after all, it’s good politics even if it is terrible economics.
    When Skerrit is done with this country, which he does not expect to be any time soon, considering his reported move to facilitate wholesale bribery of overseas voters, this once prosperous country will be good only for dogs and beggars. And Hatians

  53. Jonathan St jean
    May 19, 2017

    Hey Dominica, who’s your daddy now?.What a sham when a prime Minister and his government feels it is better to provide handouts like pampers for the population rather than create the environment for jobs,so that the resourceful people will provide for themselves what they need.I guess all those babies will be calling out for “daddy Skerritt” when they are asked,who is your father?And don’t forget that Melissa has a non profit organization to provide food for the babies.Sad,Sad when we see China and Cuba dismantling the daddy state and allowing capitalism to take a foothold,yet in Dominica we are going in the opposite direction and, dismantling the good working model of Western democracy where each person provided for himself according to his talents.The Venezuelan model is delivering dog meat and hunger yet we are being led towards that hell hole by Skerritt with his eyes wide open.Wake up children of Dominica

  54. Kermit
    May 19, 2017

    I am a labourite and I do not support this. This is encouraging laziness, give those lazy women work to do instead.

    • viewsexpressed
      May 22, 2017

      .Good!, Now go out and campaign strongly to get this joker Skerrit out of office. is schemes of buying poor people is abuse and unreal. He is a dictator who says, take what i give and be happy. I am the boss and I dish out handouts and diapers with popo in it.

      Skerrit must go, so Kermit, go out help kick this JA out of office. this man Skerrit knows nothing of social and economic development.
      Skerrit must Go….Skerrit must Go

  55. Analyst
    May 19, 2017

    The majority of persons in that pic are overweight. The nation’s people are stressed.

  56. Analyst
    May 19, 2017

    The PM of Dominica has strike again. Seriously? There are sooooo many avenues to job creation
    1. Make Dominica a University state………Invite universities to make Dominica there station (like Ross did) hence, more houses will be erected for renting, and by extension, increase in construction
    2. Factories – too many imported canned foods. Let’s can or bag our own fruits
    3. Revamp Agriculture and this time, let’s export to our sister Islands
    4. Give our young educated Dominicans, the high paying jobs instead of the white man or foreigner with an accent.
    Skerrit, 2 of these ideas came from my 8 year old.

  57. Persia Stephen
    May 19, 2017

    Well they don’t have to go Gwada for that anymore :lol:

    • Tjebe fort
      May 19, 2017

      Listen Persia, the merchants will rejoice but there is no excuse for mothers not to look after their babies better and not wash diapers, especially if they are unemployed. It is false economy anyway. If you invest in two or three dozen cloth diapers you will save money in the long run and can use them for your next baby. Any that wear out are excellent for cleaning rags. Hang them up to dry in the sunlight for UV to kill the germs. I bet you that in the time your child can use the potty pampers cost you five times more than cloth ones. Don’t use pampers for you to put by the roadside, when Solid waste does not come for two weeks at a time and stray dogs to tear your plastic bags and spread nastiness all over the place. Use pamper for emergency only, like when you are travelling. Skerrit encouraging people to be lazy.

  58. No Diapers?
    May 19, 2017

    So if they are not using diapers, what are they using?

    • Ziska
      May 20, 2017

      I’m thinking the same thing. Doesn’t the Prime minister know that Pampers are a brand of diapers? He should have said disposable diapers are what the mothers want instead of cloth diapers.

  59. Congratulations
    May 19, 2017

    So if they are not using diapers what are they using?

    • Me
      May 19, 2017

      Copies of the Chronicle, That is cheaper than pampers and ideal medium for absorbing effluent. Better at the price than the Sun, which is thinner.

  60. IHopeOurViewsAreAdressed
    May 19, 2017

    Why you not talking about the formula that is average 50$ a can . you have kids you must know of the of the most expensive item on the list. Some mothers can hardly keep nourished to provide the breast milk. You should address as to why some of the items are priced so ridiculously. I’m sure you order all your kids necessities from abroad for cheap and leave us to battle with your prices from hell . On the other hand it is a good initiative as the rollover effect will be an increase in our country’s population. Too many people are seeking refuge elsewhere. A higher population wil stimulate the economy.

    • Dominican
      May 21, 2017

      I don’t know where you went to school but believe me , a higher population with little or no disposable income will not stimulate the economy. One only has to look at Haiti. Why do you think their citizens evebn prefer poor Dominica to their own, very populous country?

  61. preditorey vibs
    May 19, 2017

    a disgrace after 17 years in power that is what you talking about what next bra and under wear for the woman of Dominica????

  62. May 19, 2017

    Is that what we as a nation has become?, Skerro is grabbing for straws [a drowning man will grab a straw].why cant these woman get a job? we have become a welfare state, one don’t have to work because skerro pay there light bill buy there propane, now we the tax [vat] payers have to buy them diapers, we already giving them brand new apartments , he is encouraging the people to depend on him so he can have there vote so he can stay in power , Dominican stop begging, get your dignity back, pull up your boot strap, and go to work or create your own business, he is encouraging the young girls to get pregnant, why cant he promote birth control? are the Hatients gonna get diapers to and housing also?. I hope the parliament will decline his request, or are they gonna get in the coolaid line and say yes MASER like a slave, follow the leader.

  63. freshwaterlake
    May 19, 2017

    Waawwwwwwwww!!!! Instead of creating the environment where the private sector can grow and Foreign investors can come here and invest, you decide to hell with that, you will give them woman the money instead. Well is now woman wouldnt care, they will just lay down on their back whole day and make children, because they know you will give them money. This is utter nonsense. You cannot do this Mr. Pm, you ought not to. You are opening a can of worms in the name of votes for the next election. You will turn respectable hard working mothers against you in the name of a few dollars.

  64. The Evangelist?
    May 19, 2017

    As a so called Christian nation we ought to be governed by the principles of the Holy Scriptures and clearly PM Skerrit is violating the teachings of the bible for his political survival. For example, in 1Timothy 5, where Paul dealt with the subject of Widows that are qualified for church assistance, he said this in verse 5 ” A widow who really needs help is one who has been left all alone” and makes it clear that only widows (we not even talking about young, single and healthy women) with no family members and are totally devoted to God are qualified. Furthermore he says in verse 9, that “To be added to your list of widows, a woman must be 60 years old or older”. When those of us who call ourselves bible believing Christians allow Skerrit to violate the scripture for political gain and say nothing, we become partakers of his sin! Why should the state provide pampers for young healthy ladies with children? What is their child’s father their for? Just for sex and get them pregnant?

  65. Gullible
    May 19, 2017

    Dominicans I would excuse you all if there was no internet and television. You all are seeing what became of an oil rich country, Venezuela, because of these similar type policies governing that country. Today the people are eating from garbage, risking their lives going to neighboring countries for survival and you the supporters of this government forget the future of your country and falling into the same trap. Remember God help those who help themselves.

  66. May 19, 2017

    They need a path to employment – in so doing they can provide for themselves and their respective families..

    PM do not create a trend in the Country – “sit down and the PM will take care of you”

    Stop that cum-mess in Dominica please…

  67. My Dominica
    May 19, 2017

    Mr PM all what you do to genuinely assist Dominicans I say Thank you, but your psychological tactics wouldn’t work on me no no. Am not blinded by your generosity with my own VAT and passport money. All u want to do is give give give so Dominica will hold you in high praise all that so you can secure your spot next election. Your philosophy is to make them depend on you. Why can’t you fix up the economy so ppl can find work to do. If you want to help sir help us on the port please. It’s ridiculous to pay forty something percent in custom duties to clear baby items on the port. You does make me vex sometimes man you running a country not a charity.

  68. Stupes
    May 19, 2017

    No one should be having a child if they cannot afford it! You make the child when you are in a position to afford!

    The PM should invest the states money into ensuring that women are educated and protected enough to not find themselves in situations where they are single parents completely dependent on the state!

    Yes accidents happen, but those type of benefits should only be extend to women who become pregnant as a result of abuse! Not to women who willing spread their legs, unprotected (condoms, birth control etc) with no appreciation or care for the the consequences!

    at this stage in the country’s development we should be limiting the dependence on state resources, not multiplying it! If a woman has a baby and cannot afford diapers, chances are she will not be able to afford a proper education for that child, nor a proper upbringing – that child goes on to become another liability to the state!

    We need to eradicate this problem not encourage!

    • Me
      May 19, 2017

      How many children has Skerrit fathered? Does anyone know?

  69. May 19, 2017

    Chupes, Skerrit and the DLP are useless as tits on a bore :-D :-D :-D

  70. ?
    May 19, 2017

    Please mr. PM.Even the birds teaches their little ones to fly so they can help them sleves what you are doing to these people is making them incompétence . why dont you give them condom so they will stop making these childrej that they can not support . or if you want to give them pampers wait till you send the fathers in jail as you mention hmm you really have four tounge i sorry for this country
    Create jobs for them please please

  71. turmoil
    May 19, 2017

    this is a low blow to women. An insult to the young women ! we deserve more as young people we don’t want money we don’t want diapers. we want to learn how to make a tourism product that will highlight Dominica on the world Map and create income for our families. If one person in a community is trained they can train others and so they empowerment each other. youths are frustrated, Resorting to be begging parl reps to help them with higher education. Is a beg beg beg ..when they finish is a reproach of how much they help and all what they have done. fed up of the nonsense and foolish decisions.

  72. turmoil
    May 19, 2017

    Dear Mr Pm. I applaud you for all your efforts , however what the young mother need is empowerment. I am just sick and tired of those non sustainable projects. That money could be better invested in young people education. so many young women out there that are high school drop outs. we need a society of people who are educated and skillful. what about using the cubans and chinese to teach them how to use our resources to make products for export. when you give them money today and pampers tomorrow what happens after the pampers are thrown away. As a young person you need to listen to your people. its not about you and your government. Invest in the youth and work on sustainable projects.

  73. PM Skerrit says
    May 19, 2017

    All you think is Linton and UWP all you hurting but one day God will cause you all to see that it was your sons and daughters all you were destroying and one day, in the very near future, both you and your children will pay for the crimes all you allowed Roosvelt Skerrit to commit against Dominica. Most of you know what Skerrit is doing is wrong and bad for the country, but because all you hate UWP and Mr. Linton like the people that asked for Barabas a criminal instead of Jesus the savior, you all are saying crucify Dominica but give us Skerrit. I hope God gives you all enough of Skerrit and keep you all alive to suffer severely as a result of the destruction Skerrit will bring upon Dominica and I hope you all live long enough to see your children suffer and even die for the things you all allowed Skerrit to do to Dominica.

    • lasspalay
      May 19, 2017

      Too far bredren…too far.

      • the truth hurts
        May 20, 2017

        but is dat they want to see. say it like it is

  74. PM Skerrit says
    May 19, 2017

    Dominicans will surely get what they looking for with that Skerrit. I hope they are following the crisis that is currently taking place in Venezuela as we speak and hope they remember what caused the crisis. In case you all have fowl memory let me remind you that what Venezuelans are going through today came upon them because supporters of Hugo Chavez sat their and allowed Chavez to do the same things Skerrit is doing in Dominica today, not realizing that one day Chavez would not be president and their sons and their daughters would pay for the crimes of their parents. Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit was trained by Chavez and like Chavez, one day Roosevelt Skerrit will no longer be PM, and really I hope for the good of Dominica it’s really soon one way or the other, and God will cause you that are applauding and supporting the nonsense of Skerrit to live long enough to see your sons and daughters suffer and die as a direct result of the evils you all have allowed Skerrit to do.

  75. IV CALL
    May 19, 2017

    Don’t forget, he hired people to advise him on how to distribute the passport money.

  76. IV CALL
    May 19, 2017

    Those LAZY bunch love that; but are void of the fact that they are creating a bad cycle for their children. Scarerat must GO!!

  77. lasspalay
    May 19, 2017

    I agree with the PM. If the country has the money why not spend the money. The place looking good – Roseau and all villages are in good condition. Most are employed with good jobs. Education and health care are top notch. We are the envy of the Eastern Caribbean.

    So what the PM is giving single mothers, that is just extra money the country has. Let’s give it to the girls who are making babies. DA population needs a jump-start anyway.

    Hahahahaha

  78. papa
    May 19, 2017

    Pm what u telling the men in da dont support there kids and tell the women go for more why cant u give them a job

  79. d-a born
    May 19, 2017

    As if the abuse of the welfare system in the US isn’t a perfect example of how this just continues the cycle of dependence, poverty, and lack of accountability.

  80. Thanks
    May 19, 2017

    I appreciate the gesture, very very good idea. Form experience in giving, the needs of the intended victim is almost never met . A vocture for pampers, pull-ups, milk, or toiletries would be more appropriate. They cannot buy (HIB) hair I buy or weaves. May you continue to be the voice of the people.

    • Anonymous
      May 19, 2017

      Lady, whoever you are, you are shallow. Skerrit deserves you and you deserve him.

    • viewsexpressed
      May 22, 2017

      I have not read really illiterate, stupid, garbage in my life. This message is so stupid and partisan that I wonder if this person is eligible to vote our educated enough to understand the socio-economic situation in Dominica/

      Skerrit must go

  81. WANTED Free and Fair Elections
    May 19, 2017

    Skerritt and his Cabal can’t be more deceitful and disrespectful to the Dominican people.

    While then PWC workers cannot get paid for work done, while national projects are given to foreign construction Cos, without Tender and while men and women, youth in particular, are unemployed, no job creation by Skerritt and his DLP Govt., he boasts of more HAND-OUTS,from, more DEPENDENCY on, and, more LOYALTY to those who rule.

    It’s a DECOY, FOOLING the people again and again, while Skerritt and his Cabal are going on the 23rd. of MAY to pass laws to make WRONG, RIGHT. The Cabal are going to change the ELECTION LAWS to make LEGAL what was ILLEGAL those are BRIBERY and TREATING.

    The case for TREATING is before the Courts, yet they are going to change the Law to nullify the case?

    No FREE and FAIR ELECTIONS in Dominica. The Cabal are putting everything in place, change Laws to legalise what is wrong, BRIBERY, TREATING, CORRUPTION to ensure they remain in “POWER” in GOV’T…

  82. sighs
    May 19, 2017

    But what nonsense is that? I am a single mother and I work hard…find means in which to give my child the necessities. I use cloth diapers and pampers. I don’t see why the other mothers cannot do it as well. P.M as if you need to find something constructive to do eh because you just have the states money wasting doing cummess. There are how many of you in the government position..you want to tell me NONE of you all cannot come up with a plan, in which unemployment could decrease and some of these single moms could get jobs.

    STOP giving these young ladies reasons to have 4, 5 and 6 children. A lot of them don’t want to work because “the government minds them”. STOP bribe these young people. You are allowing them to be lazy and unambitious.

    SMH

    • freshwaterlake
      May 19, 2017

      Is not they going and work from their backs. And the key is you have to be single, so they not going and have no interest in getting married and having a productive family. More Welfare. I telling you boy. We are a country of fools. how can we allow this to happen. Why does the PM wake up with these ideas and just institute without any public consultancy?

    • snooks
      May 19, 2017

      This is the same thing that is done in the french departments. Single mothers are given money to care for their babies. Do you all say is nonesense the french governmebt is doing? No instead u all run over there and make tons of babies!!!!

      • lasspalay
        May 19, 2017

        So DA and Gwada (under France) on the same level snooks? if yes, you are right.

      • viewsexpressed
        May 22, 2017

        I understand the system that is used in the French Territories and originates from France. It is a means tested system adopted in Europe and Skerrit corrupt system is no where there this principle. Remember Skerrit does not operate as an intellectual, he is far from this as his mind is severely ductored to buy votes and win and use a corrupt system to buy people over to him,
        Skerrit must Go
        Get lost Skerrit.

    • May 19, 2017

      I couldn’t agree more.

  83. budman
    May 19, 2017

    you know why i find this problematic? some women chose to be single mothers. that’s a decision they made. those who are single because of tragedy, i can accept the allowance needs. those who have deadbeat baby daddies, strengthen the laws if need be to ensure effective child maintenance but an allowance just so? naw.

    • sighs
      May 19, 2017

      Women do not choose to be single mothers. There are many reason why they ARE!

      • Socaman
        May 19, 2017

        There is only one reason why a woman has a child, I think they call it sex.

      • Analyst
        May 19, 2017

        If you choose to have sex outside of marriage then you chose to be a single mom. SMH

      • Mother
        May 19, 2017

        Oh yes, nobody is obliged to get pregnant either, just so you know.

      • As if
        May 19, 2017

        Yes some of them choose. The baby daddy done with them, they get upset he move on so they use the children as a pawn and develop an attitude. They’ doh want his thing (money)’. They keep the kids away. When there is some action coming up that’ s when the child needs milk and pampers.

      • UK Dominican
        May 21, 2017

        And why should I subsidize the maintenance of babies when I did not have the pleasure of producing them? Why should the taxpayer have the responsibility of bringing up children that never asked to be born? I feel sorry for these children but they are the responsibility of the people, who produced them. their parents. Any fool can make children but looking after them and giving them a future is a different thing. Dominica is full of examples of such irresponsible behavior.

    • Oligar
      May 19, 2017

      So their kids have to suffer for it? smh its people like you who have been aiding in the deterioration of our society, scum.

    • Make laws holding men responsible for the babies they bring into the world and enforce those laws. Reign in the deadbeat dads. It would spare the mums a lot of hardship and save the government money.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.

      • Jonathan St jean
        May 19, 2017

        And Reverend where do I ask will the designated dead beat dad’s get employment and the needed money to take care of their children.Your advice is being given in a vacuum and not taking the real situations in the country into consideration.Everyone is not as fortunate as you are to have a job,income,pension etc

      • Mr. Hill,there is a child support law in Dominica, we inherited that for the colonial days.
        with all things equal Roosevelt Skerrit may have already got rid of that law.

        When I was a kid, I experience many men sent to jail for none support of their children. A good majority of Dominica men immigrated to England in the late 1950’s and 1960’s left simply to avoid going to jail for failing to support their children.

        We have a problem in Dominica, and that number one problem is a lack of jobs, if there are no jobs, there can’t be any employment, if a mother, father has no source of employment, their can’t be a payday. So even if there is a child support law in the country, implementing it on a deadbeat father or mother is futile.

        The plea to the magistrate would be ” I do not have a job.” When the magistrate asks “when last you worked,” and the man say never! What can be done to him? Go to jail government have to feed him.

        Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

  84. My Name
    May 19, 2017

    1. Pampers are a brand (and most Dominicans do not buy this brand cuz they “hella” expensive….you mean disposable DIAPERS.

    2. Why not just remove VAT on diapers….that way all babies can enjoy the benefit (hey married mothers struggle too….and single fathers)

    • sighs
      May 19, 2017

      Women do not choose to become single mothers. There are many reasons why they ARE…

    • Youth Strong
      May 19, 2017

      thank you very much

  85. Kodak King
    May 19, 2017

    Errr, that would be 90% of the female population here then…..seriously, how many babies on this
    island are born into stable relationships comprising of two parents…….that’s the issue that should
    be tackled first otherwise you’re on a road to nowhere with the cycle repeated again and again and
    again.

    • May 19, 2017

      To all Dominican women is that how low down you have become to hear your PM disgrace you so badly I was shocked I couldn’t believed it was Dominica, Do you women or a matter of fact do Dominicans believe that what is said in Dominica is not heard in the out side world, well it does and that was embarrassing not only to women but also to the men on the Island as well and that’s not good.
      Instead the so call PM creating jobs so those women can get a job and they purchase their own pampers and other items so what was that all about.

      • Shameless You
        May 19, 2017

        Injustice shut the front and back door at the same time.. Because you are in a better position you are belittling the less fortunate. How have you helped your family. Take your belittlement and put it YOUR back…….. Tell me one nation that doesn’t have a program for babies?

    • I have been told that 50% of the babies born in Dominica are born to single mothers.

      This is a social problem with economic implications. Anything Mr. Skerrit can do to make life easier for these ladies and their little ones is commendable. He is working to make your beautiful nature island a
      better place to live.

      However, the problem also has moral implications. The moral code God has given us must be brought to bear on this situation in every nation and that is abstinence before marriage according to 1 Corinthians 6:9,10,18, and Galatians 5:19-21, and other passages of New Testament scriptures. This should be taught in the homes, schools, and churches of the nation so young people even before they leave home will know sex is wrong outside marriage because of the hurt it causes. The encouragement for this must come from the government.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.

      • %
        May 19, 2017

        Man stop spewing gibberish..Why cant you ask for the environment to create employment for these ladies?..Is this your paradigm for growing a country?God help you!! I reject your piffle!
        SKERRIT MUST GO!
        SKERRIT MUST GO!
        SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!!

      • Shameless
        May 19, 2017

        Rev you really starting to knotwoiryay me now. Are you really serious in what you are saying? “He is working to make your beautiful nature island a better place to live”. Man if that is the way you are thinking you either know nothing about Dca or you are a darn hypocrite. I am constantly amazed at the thing so called intellects say on here. Wow! You start sounding like the priest that was involved in the real mas in the cemetery.

        Assertive like the rod of Moses! :twisted:

      • JESUSMARYNJOSEPH
        May 20, 2017

        You are no reverend. Your riget and wrong compass is way off! Did not the good book say that man shall not live by bread alone but, but you are a reverend? Reverend, what do you think of the working class becoming poorer, while the non working around them grow in stature. This behavior has superceded even Jesus’ miracles. No no no reverend. You need derobing. I definitely would not sit in your congregation.

      • viewsexpressed
        May 22, 2017

        Rev Donald Hill, Are you for real, are you really for real. I work in the system, I know the Situation. You are so blind and maybe not worth wearing this pastoral cloak that you preach this garbage with. Please do not insult my intellectual and intelligence and I work in this damn system and you know not what yo talk about.
        If you are a so called Pastor, did you not cover social justice and economies of poverty etc. at your studies and again it is right there in your eyes you are unable to assess and analyse the situation to be able to make an independent qualified assessment. Pretty soon, some weird blind loyalists with soon ask the inept Skerrit to give them money for their church collection. Go on disrespect the church and our faith
        I pray God to guide you and remove this political thief from your senses.
        Jesus, please help us from blind loyalists.

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