Leader of the opposition and United Workers Party MP for Salisbury, Hector John, has blasted the 2014-2015 budget presented by prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit saying it lacks foresight.
In his rebuttal to the address on Thursday John said the address was void of innovation in regards to the productive sector.
On Wednesday Skerrit presented the 2014-2015 national budget totaling $552.4-million under the theme “Towards Expansion of the Economy.”
“Instead of naming his budget and I quote ‘Towards Expansion of the Economy,’ he should call it ‘Towards the Contraction of the Economy,'” John stated.
According to John, in his last budget speech in 2013, the prime minister made several promises to be implemented in the fiscal year to make the lives of Dominicans better.
He pointed to the construction of feeder roads, the acquisition of a boat to transport farmers’ produce and the construction and completion of a Morocco-funded hotel as some of the projects promised in the last budget speech.
However, the opposition leader said, a “promise versus performance analysis” shows that none of the promises or projects were implemented.
“None of these projects got off the ground by this government,” John stated. “Absolutely no new jobs. You have failed to successfully implement everyone of them and because of the poor management, Dominica continues to be the worst performing island in the Eastern Caribbean.”
John noted that the government continues to use the global financial crisis as a scapegoat, with the prime minister mentioning it 15 times in his budget presentation, while it “failed to effectively invest in the productive sector.”
“The process continues to the the demise of the economy,” John noted. “How are we going to create employment for our young people? How are we going to create the enabling environment for sustainable growth? Stop blaming the global financial crisis.”
He said the United Workers Party is about bettering the lives of the people, “working towards sustainable growth, empowering our people, creating the enabling environment.”
“And most importantly ensuring our productive sector is moving in the right direction,” John said.
He said the UWP will make agriculture “central and critical” to Dominica’s development in the long and short term, noting that the sector will be revitalized by the UWP.
“Agriculture is dead,” John noted.
He stated that his party has tourism as one of its “top productive sectors” and proper air access is needed for the island.
“The United Workers Party in 1999 started the process for the construction of an international airport that will make air access to Dominica easier,” he stated. “In order to compete in tourism we need proper access to Dominica where people can fly in today and fly out tomorrow.”
He stated the party is committed to supporting hotel operators, tour guides, taxi operators and community tourism.
John also noted that the UWP will remove duties on building material in Dominica.
“We saw what happened in 1999 when the UWP removed duties on building material and UWP, Team Dominica, will remove the duty on building material,” he noted.
He described agriculture, fisheries, foreign direct investment and tourism as the island’s “productive sector.”
“We are not doing enough in that sector,” John said.
A few of my friend have been looking at the different things going on home and to be honest it’s heart breaking. I left home about 12 years ago and visited not too long ago. Yes it’s nice to have roads which are smooth to drive on. But what about those who doesn’t have jobs. To run a government or any business u must generate some kind of income. Can anyone tell me how many dominican citizen employees worked on the roads? When our citizens work they pay…stimulating sales at the supermarkets..taxes are paid off food, pay checks, clothing. Helping our businesses sustain themselves. I may not be the brightest person alive but anyone can see if u spend more than your income u will be broke. Loans must be paid back eventually.
Was Hector really on his knees begging??
The Opposition Leader is not a good public speaker but the points he raised in his rebuttal to the 2014 to 2015 National Budget presentation were very relevant. He hit the nail on the head; Dominica is in a contracting not expanding state of economic growth as the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance would have us believe. How can a baby wipes and Disposal Diaper Economic Programme move Dominic forward… How can Dominicans accept that rubbish from Roosevelt Skerrit…?
Laughing stock
Baby wipes and disposable diapers were all discussed at the national budget?????
You say the PM budget speech lacked foresight, but I wonder what yours lacked.
Hector you were boring, disconnected with what you were reading and at some points did not know what to say. Your speech was poorly organized.
You did not do a good job in delivering your rebuttal. Take a break Hector.
Typical and SURE labour supporter…..they get personal and when substance is put before them they have no idea how to respond. Sure, just cannot comment on the value of the budget rebuttal of the Leader of the Opposition. That is the creation of the level of politics that Skerrit and the DLP has brought upon our people.
Good luck John, thanks, you were brilliant, I LISTENED TO YOU…I LISTENED TO THE CRY OF DOMINICA,…IT IS
CHANGE IS A MUST …TEAM DOMINICA
the Pm got toilet from china afew months ago now his budget for the country is to reduce taxes on baby and adult pampers. The PM budget as you can see reveals all the SH…..T that he can talk about. The PM is fascinated with toilet, pampers, whipes and everything to do with the posterior. The budget comes as the content from the posterior.
Hector did a great delivery by slamming on the points that can move a nation and improve the citizens life which the budget lack dearly. The PM has clearly shown that he cannot handle this job. I mean this is pure kinder garden performance by the PM. No growth, No jobs, no new ideas, nothing implemented that has worked for the past 5 years..just nothing and empty promises again. He has yet to state how the country going to make money, increase its foreign exchange, improve on productivity or even new initiatives which they have in mind. Just an another EMPTY BARREL making noise in parliament for 3hrs plus..
Team Dominica shows maturity and capabilities and Hector John has again demonstrated that in his delivery. Time to get those Lazy, DLP worthless greedy ministers out of office!!!
Mr. John, to start with, what your Political Leader did was wrong and he has shown Dominica and the rest of the World that you are not fit to be a Leader. what you have said inthe house is not an Alternative Budget, what your Leader spoke about at the Arawak House is the CONTRACTION of the Dominican Economy. From January, Civil Servant will have more in their pockets; an increase there salaries.
Not foresight it lacking. Is foreskin.
don’t mind the fancy reading, just pick out the message… lies are always well stated. skerrit is good at that
i agree with EDUCATOR some people just want slick talkers
and no substance behind it
Nypd, boss you living in are other world
good budget mr john. I cannot understand his English.
Instead of naming his budget and I quote ‘Towards Expansion of the Economy,’ he should called it ‘Towards the Contraction of the Economy,’” John stated.
I totally agree with you because all I see is his pocket expanding as he will spend less when his baby papampers come on island lol lol
Hector you seem to be saying what suits you and your party?
you sure is only 2 hotels/guest houses on the West Coast/
please do your research cuz you are wrong!
So Lennox presented his budget and you yours? JOKERS
West Girl, I feel sorry for people like you that will not open your eyes and observe what’s going on in DA. Probably you’re one of those charity by govt. case. This country needs a fresh start. We cannot continue to live like an outlaw state with a renegade govt. Hotels and more hotels, where is the occupancy, if that Govt was smart, they would have made the international airport, DA has so many things to offer, fresh air, water, fruits, crops, beautiful sights and peace, man this place is a treasure. The world outside there is a hot bed of violence, some people all they need is a week of peace and quiet with nature, DA offer all that and more.
How can change be a must. Change if it is in the right direction. Don’t tell me change is a must. This is very idiotic, however, it may appeal to a certain demographic.
You are right ,it must appeal to a certain demographic but it is difficult for anything sensible to appeal to a demographic which includes the likes of you.
Boss if you don’t like change call back Queen Isabella in Spain and tell her to send Christopher Columbus back to DA on his same boat and sail, DONT CHANGE anything…..
You can continue to live in 1414, Columbus times, but this is 2014 and change is a must. Time to fast forward your brain.
Was listening Mr.john you did a good job.So proud of you.You spoke the truth.Dominica need good roads and more.
This was not a rebuttal this was more of a platform speech, your rebuttal should have specifics as to the numbers and in what way you going to do things better not by just saying UWP team Dominica will do better. Lord knows at one point I was like Sprags boy go back and give these people their thing and let them come read this crap you were all over the place you making a point about feeder roads and In that same breath you go to fishing fads then back to feeder roads boss you just jumble up that whole rebuttal Jah knows the reason why you all are in opposition. You claim so long you asking for voter cards and you stayed out of the house till they had to call re-election in your constituency and you ran again without voter cards, why did you not stand your grounds and not rerun?
You know what the problem is with people like you? Dishonesty. The opposition has been asking for an office, access to information and proper statistics and skerritt refuses. How can anybody respond to this piece of utterrubbish after a few hours without proper information ? I will give it to skerritt and his handlers for a good effort this time around, that is as far as the presentation is concerned. Team Dominica has him on his toes so now he has to try but it is too little too late.
hogwash…. I could go to statistics office and get that info… all students doing SBA can get those figures… not to mention ILO…IMF and other orgs have reports on Dominica too
@real possie – Excellent points!
Man who wrote that speech for you…you think wat u guys did in Arawak House is a budget…being in Arawak House doesn’t make it a budget!
This is the real thing- the House of Parliament… get it! …..Lennox didnt hve any choice so he send u to speak nonsense….alas papa.
And to those gvn a thumbs down….u hve just made my day!…
i know jusat how to raise you guys pressure!
Well said Mr. John! Change is coming. Change is a MUST!
well said Mr. John. anybody who does not understand Dominica’s economy would be easily wooed by the PM speech. but when the rubber hits the road, he sounds like he wants to throw Dominica into a deeper socialist, dependent, debt ridden state..
My 7 year old daughter could do a better job than Skerrit.
The Prime Minister is not capable and should think of changing his profession. What a sad man?
Something is wrong with people like you and spragg. Dominica have a lot of challenges, for one Dominica is not flat like the other islands so International airport is not going to bring gold to Dominica like you guys think. It’s the off season in St Lucia and Antigua right now. I would love for you guys to jump on a plane and go and speak to one of the bus drivers. And ask them what is the international airport is bringing. And yes they still have to pay the millions to operate busy or slow. I am not DLP or UWP but if i had a choice i would pick DLP. The country is mush better than what it was years ago. Every country was affected by the economy so when UWP tell people the leader of a country is using it as an excuse that tells me a lot about his mind set.
Always looking for excuses. Dominica couldn’t…because…
Don’t keep measuring Dominica with other islands all the time. If we had another government for the past 15 years I am absolutely certain that Dominica would be in a better place right now. This DLP administration has done very little for Dominica in such a long time. The only thing they did and they did that very well, enrich themselves and their advisers.
@ NYPD thank you your last sentence says it all.
NYPD thank you your last sentence says it a 100%. just came back from st lucia an u a so right
What a fool! Do you expect Dominica to be the same as it was 50 years ago! Things/countries are constantly changing so we expect change in Dominica also. The sad reality is that nothing is really changing in Dominica, that is why politically CHANGE IS A MUST if we are to experience positive change in the country. So stop being a fool and get aboard the train for change before you get left behind.
Boy Hector thats the 3rd rebutal that I heard you make and you have not improved at all. I mean your language, delivery skills and material lacked substance! This was like a high school debate man. Eddison James did a much better job in Parliament than you. Please go to study so someone else more competent can do the rebutal.Enough man!
U are too annoyed to understand the facts of this budget. After 14 yrs in office this is the best they could come up with?
Stick to the damm issue.
It looks like all you people want are slick talkers and no substance behind it.
Hi Annoyed
I really don’t bother too much about opposition response to the budget, because I don’t care much about politics in Dominica. But I want to say something about your comment.
That’s not nice to say. That’s how he can do it. I bet you can’t do a better job. That is the thing with Dominicans, we just like to criticize and we can’t do better. By the way since you are so perfect, “thats” is not a word, the word is “rebuttal” and not “rebutal”. You need to go study as well.
I was so shame when I was listening to the leader of the opposition. What was he saying? Did he write this nonsense himself? Did lennox write that to undermine him? Couldn’t believe that stage 1 reading! UWP, what were you all saying? After that performance? Don’t know what to say! MASHEI. I people criticise the leader of the opposition for the poor delivery of his response to the budget, it’s no bodies fault. That is what he and most UWP followings do. They criticise every thing. So if you cannot read a simple script on such a small platform, tell me, how will you be able to talk for Dominica on a bigger stage? Man give it up!
BOSS the PM is the worse we ever had in budget presentation. He lack facts and substance. The only thing to understand is pampers, wipes and diapers, we need more than that when comes to a budget. Pm shows kinder garden preparation. Hector can only respond to the kinder garden preparation cause that what we all heard. Hector tried to raise the level but the PM take it so low now you all cannot understand anything of higher standard, you all are loss. Hector is trying to pull this country out of the gutter PM and his cohorts has placed it. Good job Hector.!!