Dominica is handling its external debt quite well prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has said, noting that his administration has reduced it from 110 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 65 percent of GDP.
Speaking at the launching of a Labour Youth Organisation (LYO) in Grand Fond on Sunday night the Prime Minister said his government has been able to manage the island’s debt in an efficient manner.
“People are amazed as to how Dominica can do all of these things … all of these infrastructural work, all of these social programs and yet still not impose a heavy debt on its people,” the prime minister pointed out. “That is about managing the debt and keeping the debt at low levels so that you the citizens and residents of this country will not be burdened with a high debt rate.”
Skerrit called on Dominicans to question those who come to them with promises of gifts.
“When they come here and they tell you they will do this and will do that, you must ask them a very simple but important question, where will you get the money to do what you intend to do for all of us here?” he stated. “Because it is easy to make promises but it is more difficult to find and fetch the resources to fund those programs.”
He pointed out that his government is always aware of where the money to finance its programs is coming from since it has many friends and it is able to manage the affairs of Dominica in a prudent and responsible manner.
Mr. Skerrit really trying to say that no other political party can come into power because they can’t acquire money to fund projects they are planning in order to move the country forward? YOUR ARE NOT THE FIRST! Come on man!! Change must Come! BOOM!
Dominica’s debt managed well – as compared to what? Haiti? Haiti is the only Caribbean island that has more debt than Dominica. But have no fear folks – we will soon catch up. SMH
Why ddn’t the prime Minister call a Press Conference to give us that good news or why did he go the Parliament of Dominica to give us the news and figures.
Has anyone ever seen a release of these figures regarding the national debt ? Who audits these numbers ? Until an independent non-partisan third party reviews the books there ought to be no credence in this statement.
We have a lot of comments that does not refute the PM. Please look at the budget and the estimates, especially the current expenditure , or you can search the finantial times “carribbean
dept to know what is going on. But it is fasionable to lambase the leader in power. lots of fun
boss doh use my cousin name, he was not foolish like you
can somebody post a link to these figures and this information because it’s really great that the debt has been managed “well” but where r the facts my brother…..these words hold no weight if you don’t have any paper work or statements to back up your claim…….and to Cecil Joseph…….I’m sure you would like to see skerrit stay in power for another election so all you can continue the dirty work…..and keep people begging every Wednesday…..but the time is near…..believe me CRIME is the way….. because Skerrit say soo…..PEACE
Never in my life time that Grand Fond has been used as a political football as is the case today. Does it have to take a “Rocket Scientist” to conclude that Politics has found itself in the homes of every Dominicans and has divided our beloved country that we are in trouble, and if that is for love of country some persons needs their Heads examined. Please remember we still live in a Democratic Country, thou I am not sure for how long going forward. People lets pray for deliverance some thing is radically wrong.
Am afraid these guys will empty the treasury and flee, just like papa duck etc.
It appears that the party who is able to connect with the literate audience will have a big influence on the next elections in Dominica.. Now while the technical issues will be pertinent, some will ask how will I make a great living in this great country I love so well. Who ever can unselfishly deliver the services supported by the tax payer baseline and can give the elderly the dignity of enjoying later years. Dominica middle class are like a salami in a sandwich, pressured on both sides. The poor will have to be helped as well.
If all these thing are true PM, just open the books let peopl see for themself
“Dominica’s debt managed well” so says his Royal Highness excellency and King Skerrit, got that right, selling Dominica to China piece by piece for their new colony in the Caribbean.
Amen the lord will hear our cry with a bunch of hypocrite
PM I know about the GDP (Genuine Dominican People) what I want to know about is the NGDP (Non Genuine Dominican People) – those that buy their citizenship and diplomatic immunity, those that posing as government ministers and making themselves rich whilst the majority suffer – that I want to know about.. answer the questions about the 2.6 M, the Emmanuel case, bin bobol, treasury short paying…. etc
So the PM asks, who will give the opposition money when they come into Office? But who gave the former PMs money? And Mr PM, its not given to the person, its given to the country, Dominica is bigger than any sitting Prime Minister.
And Mr PM, have you noticed that the table is turning on you; I am sure you did not envisaged that, its because you treat us technical officers in the public service like ; some of us who have been working before you entered primary school.
And to those who adore you by having your picture in the diary; and you give them promotion by default, ill gotten ill spent. To all those who are riding our backs carrying stories to get promotion, just how the table is turning on Skerrit; so too u will see the tables turn on you because you uphold the embarrassment Dominica is going through. Enjoy it while it lasts. What goes around comes around.
Stupes GTFOH and stop use the PM beautiful wife in your roro.
Don’t make me puke skerrit
Figures ……figures…… figures Mr finance minister.
Be brave, be bold…..pretend like you want us to believe you
Show us how the figures changed from 2000 to 2013…….be brave….. boast out de numbers
Every time you pretend to be transparent you keep falling flat on your face……….alas boy
You have no credibility… we don’t believe you…. too little too late
Team Dominica set de agenda for you to follow and you failing miserably
You can find the figures, it is out there for the public to access.
He deliberately used percentages, instead he should have explained how did the debt rise from less than half a billion dollars 10yrs ago to over a billion in 2014! Generations will have to pay for that and by the way the Chinese funded road from Roseau to Portsmouth was also a loan and not a grant as he wants us to believe. Lies, lies and more lies….Skerro wowwww
come on skerrit stop lying to us man . we know that the treasury is empty . just tell us the truth for once.
Some of us do read PM. This is the forum where you should have reiterated this call for increased reading and analysis!
Tell them in the 2013-2014 budget how much did we allocate for debt servicing? And how much was budgeted for each ministry?
Debt servicing is the second largest budget category! If we incurred these debts to stimulate economic growth it would be helpful, but spending on mansions and roads that do not increase the nation’s income but require continuous spending for upkeep (where will that money come from?) will not help grow Dominica’s economy!
We may be better than St. Lucia and Antigua in terms of debt load, but these countries already surpass in terms of certain infrastructure, foreign investment, business/market vitality and average individual income. This is why products tend to be much cheaper in other islands, more tourists visit them and many Dominicans migrate to these countries for career opportunities!
Ask the youth what they look forward to in terms of career opportunities in Dominica when the grow up!
thank you, amen to that.
i was at the rally on sunday and it was very good. and i am a member of the labour youth organiation.we with the pm all the way.some of you all just basin on the negative alone.give the pm a break all you grudging the pm things the labour party do in dominica no other party will not do it.who vex lost.labour power
you will be one one them trying to get out of Dominicato find work.
skerrit may make ppl believe that the youth at grandfond are from that constituency ….. but alas no , they were plucked from all over to make the atmosphere feel “filled” . BUT one thing is for sure skewo ….youth are smart and literate!!
Ur jack sprat u eat no lean n no fat so u lick pm blabber clean.
they don’t listen to international news all they listen to is matt.
This is nothing short of miraculous. 44% reduction is government debt? Is this including the $27 million that is owed to Petro Caribe?
The government must have collected an lot of duty, VAT and sold a lot of passports to get enough money to repay that much debt. Dominicans would surely love to see the governments stellar balance sheet from the Minister of Finance.
When Skerro compare Dominica’s debt to our sister islands, He does not look at their abilities through their booming tourism industries to balance their debts much faster than Da!!
So think my people and out Skerrit out of a job. Dominica is not his play ground.
Which country in the caribbean that has a booming tourist industry?
Labour simple represents Deceptive CULT !!!
He is babbling about managing debt, whilst Dominica is the Poorest in the Eastern Caribbean
Just find it sad that there were too many young folks there at the LYO.
Keeping my fingers crossed to see if Dominica are Really serious about “change”
Team Dominica needs Eleven seats to win, anything Less won’t be good in my view, too many pressing Issues on island and folks just call the radio Station….
If thing were that Good in Dominica, why did a Homegrown Television Provider have to sell over?
Means the economy is completely Dead! folks need to understand that spinning issues won’t help Dominica…the Labour never had or will have a plan of development for Dominica..a few shall eat all…
Roads repair and school are basic functions that have being done since the 60s,70s,80s,90s 21st by all regimes….
Once money does not circulate in the economy folks can’t eat the concrete.
You are lying about something that anyone can go to a computer and prove, that is why anything you are saying has no credibility. You live in NY in the poorest Borough you should by now understand how business works. How many new businesses you have seen come and gone? Support your party but don’t be biased. Give credit where it is due.
The poorest boro in NY has a much better quality of life than the entitire country of Dominica. I am sure MEDICAID insurance was used to pay for the delivery of the PM baby boy. Wake up the sale of passports is not enough to sustain the dominican economy.
I am convinced Dominicans cannot see further than their faces. They behave like cyclopes.In ten years Mr. Skeritt has produced more that all the Prime Ministers put together since Dominica’s Independence.
U are suffering from skeroitice open them eye and see what is before you life and freedom,stop behaving so foolish and use your grey matter and if you dont understand your mental faculty then.
“People are amazed as to how Dominica can do all of these things … all of these infrastructural work, all of these social programs and yet still not impose a heavy debt on its people,” the prime minister pointed out. “That is about managing the debt and keeping the debt at low levels so that you the citizens and residents of this country will not be burdened with a high debt rate.”
Speak for yourself pm…. we the people are drowning in debts as our income become less and less, still the country look like a mess…. Sir we are living in debt just ask the business owners out there, the mother who has to send her child to school, the school which cant pay rent or buy supplies…. the circulation of funds in Dominica has taken an extreme sky fall but still ur fat face smile and toot ur own horn…. seem like the bright skies exist only in your home and the few you chose to “live it up” with…… Speak for yourself Sir….
Really Skeritt! you are telling intellectually savvy Dominicans that the GDP dropped from 110 to 65 percent?
Are you saying you paid 44 percent of the debt?
If you did, then how much did you pay off?
Can u show us documentation to support that claim?
Lastly, where did you get the money from to pay off the debt? (we know it’s none of our dam business, but we still want to know)
The ratio can be reduced in two ways: either by reducing the debt or increasing GDP or a combination of both.
Linton is that you?
Skerrit self self self
It’s true. Antigua and St- Lucia are the two most indebted countries said by their ministers. Dominica is on a better footing than all the rest. All you Dominicans should read and listen to news. My people perish for lack of knowledge.
yes people please read and listen to the news for yourself. Do not rely on Kairi and the Heng like grandbay boy here
better footing and then what, 40% of Antigua population is Dominica, and don’t even mention the undocumented ones, those who are there illegally, if they were to return to Dominica that would be a huge burden of the back of the Antigua government, Dominica is no way close to Antigua in nothing at all.
Where is the Petro Caribe debt in this?
Your right mr skerite the burden of debt is on the people of dominica not on u.
Gifts such as toilets.
Alrightyyyy…. now I want to see the facts supporting that statement.
Show me how much debt was incurred and how it was circulated within Dominica’s economy.. in other words.. the Loans from the Chinese to build the college, to build the road etc…how much have we paid back to date, how much is outstanding and how much of it was filtered through Dominica in the form of employment or other.
Since management of such matters is the most effective and so many people are amazed at our model economic structure – these figures and facts should be fingertips away.
Congrats on developing such a wonderful management solution as well – we should sell your model to the many admirers
:-)
The “DEVIL” is in the details. RA,RA,RA, without documentary Evidence, clear, and transparency. Will always leave doubts in persons mind. In my opinion if one wants to convinced me show me the real Evidence and allow me to examine the facts and figures for my self. In the end it willleave no doubt in my mind the facts are what they bear out especially when it pertains to the people`s Money.
Mr PM thats so silly, is that the best u can tell the young people ,”where will they get the money?” u are not the first and not the last to be prim minister,,,,the same place past Governments was getting it they will get it,,u did not build Dominica u met it there,,,
he must ask that question because he know damn well the country is broke…..but he and his ministers are not…. but sir its just a matter of time till we rescue our dear country from misery set by you…. trying to keep us on a leech…. There is a greater being than you I pray that The Almighty Father deliver us from this evil… Amen