Dominica’s economy doing its best – PM Skerrit

The prime minister has dismissed claims the economy is in a state of collapse
The prime minister has dismissed claims that the economy is in a state of collapse

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, says his government should be given credit and not a tongue lashing for the state of the economy bearing in mind Dominica’s limited resources and its heavy dependence on other countries.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Castle Bruce Village Council on Wednesday on the heels of statements made by Dr. Thompson Fontaine at a United Workers Party (UWP) press conference during which he said Dominica’s economy is in a “state of collapse”.

But Skerrit said Dominica is doing its best, contrary to the picture painted by Thompson.

“If people are to speak the truth to themselves and to speak to the country, they would give this government credit in doing its best with the little resources that we have in this country,” he said. “I will be the last person in the country who will come and say that everything is perfect in Dominica. There’s no world where things are perfect.”

The Prime Minister made reference to the United States of America, one of the largest economies in the world, which, he said, is facing challenges despite an injection of billions of dollars by President Obama.

“When President Obama took office in 2009 there was about eight percent unemployment,” he noted. “It has gone down a bit, but it is still above seven percent. With all of the billions of dollars the US government invested in the economy, there has been no major dent in the unemployment rate in America. So what about little Dominica? What about little Dominica that depends on the rest of the world in large measure not to have challenges?”

He also pointed out that the UWP says that the economy is on a brink of collapse yet, “the guy who wants to run against Johnson Drigo in Castle Bruce just built a hotel, under Labor.”

“You will only invest in a country if you feel that there are opportunities,” Skerrit reasoned. “So I’m trying to understand that you criticize on one hand but you are seeking to take advantage of the benefits of the opportunities in the country. So it is good for them and it is bad for the rest of us in the country?”

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110 Comments

  1. dee
    August 7, 2018

    YOUR BEST IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, have some humility and step down

  2. KIP
    September 20, 2014

    Government look at the Mauritius and BVI economic models.

  3. KIP
    September 20, 2014

    Dominica will never experience real growth with this burdensome tax rates on such a micro economy.Taxes should be based on GDP and population.

  4. Morihei Ueshiba
    September 20, 2014

    Geez Dominica is one of the slowest economies in the world
    http://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-slowest-economies-2012-10#20-dominica-1

  5. Morihei Ueshiba
    September 20, 2014

    Cannot expect anything good from skerrit, but what i find shocking is the amount of Dominicans who support this madness. Just unbelievable, now i see why hitler was so popular.

  6. me and urs
    September 19, 2014

    What kind of wise man that the pm actually highlight ing the good work of the opponent. Way papa everything pm say it coming back to bite him eh

  7. PoKeSa
    September 19, 2014

    Dear Prime Minister Skeritt,

    You and your cronies are DAMAGING Dominica (running away investors) with the emphasis placed on PLAGIARISM and other nonsense during this time.

    PLAGIARISM is just not politics!
    It’s not the practice and theory of influencing people on a local, regional, international, civic or individual level. It doesn’t refer to achieving and exercising positions of governance. Furthermore, it isn’t the study or practice of the distribution of power and resources within DOMINICA, as well as the interrelationship(s) between communities. Surely, it isn’t the LABOUR PARTY method employed in politics, which promotes their political views among Dominicans, negotiation with other political subjects, making laws, and exercising force, including warfare against adversaries.

    Is PLAGIARISM the Labour Party’s political system built on a framework which defines acceptable political methods within its given society?

    PLAGIARISM is just not economic growth!
    It is just not the increase in Dominica’s market value of the goods and services produced by the Dominican economy over time. It is just not a measurement as the per cent rate of increase in real gross domestic product or real GDP. It is just not the growth of the ratio of GDP to population (GDP per capita), also called per capita income. It is just not an increase of growth caused by more efficient use of inputs, also called intensive growth. It is just not GDP growth caused only by increases in inputs such as capital, population or territory, also called intensive growth.

    It is just not growth calculated in real term – i.e. inflation-adjustment terms – to eliminate the distorting effect of inflation on the price of goods produced. It is not just measurement of economic growth uses national income accounting. It is just not economics “economic growth” or “economic growth theory” as it relates to growth of potential output – i.e. production at full employment.

    Consequently, my outcry to you PM and your cronies in the Dominican Labour Party, please don’t bury my beloved Nature Isle with your nonsensical politics.

    Yours sincerely,

  8. yes ii tell u
    September 19, 2014

    DA economy doing its best……… nah bro u r doing great not us……

  9. black beauty
    September 19, 2014

    Dominica should not be compared to America. And of course the economy of Dominica is at failure. And your right Mr PM Dominica dependence on other countries because that’s exactly what your doing. “Depending on other countries”And we do have resources, we waste them or give it to the foreigners to use. And please do not talk about employment in America compared Dominica.

  10. Patriot
    September 19, 2014

    We need to invest more in our local produce and our people.

    I live in London, England and I travel far and wide to purchase products such as avocado, bananas etc; they are not cheap, but it is my way of supporting my beloved people and island.

    However, I get so exasperated when I visit Dominica as everything seems to be imported . Why do I have to buy imported tomatoes, orange, fish etc, when we can grow practically anything in Dominica? I was in Dominica two years ago and planted a few fruit plants in my small garden; happy to say that this summer I ate some juicy guavas from those trees !

    We need to invest more in agriculture and manufacturing. Stop relying on imported goods!

  11. Dominican
    September 19, 2014

    P M

    Dominica is rich in terms of educated and qualified professionals. The problem is that because of the pervasive discrimination of certain individuals, the right people are excluded from certain posts.

    If suitable individuals were appointed to the correct posts, then they would be able to develop our people and our island, and ultimately improve our economy.

    Stop marginalising individuals because of their political affiliations and positive results will emerge.

  12. September 19, 2014

    boy your best not no where close to being good enough. what more resources than other OECS countries like grenada ST vincent and ST Kitts have more than us?

  13. Shirly Banks
    September 19, 2014

    Skerrit is a liar. The unemployment rate in the US is 6.1% and that was a couple weeks ago, in the summer. Since then it has been declining and should be close to 5.9%. This man is crazy, just runnining his mouth to poor, unsuspecting Dominicans. Did he listen to Janet Yellin just this week report on the State of the US economy? That her reccomenkdation is for the Fed to raise interest rates a tad to balance off the bubbling economy? Does he follow US economics? How dare he compare himself with our smart, accomplished, Harvard-trained President Obama. He Couuld do so much more for Dominica. But instead he is busy getting himself rich, while. Simultaneously creating and upholding Domininican citizens as beggars, so they will be loyal to Ihim and never be able to get rich like him. Sch a farce and a shame in 2014. He needs to study Economics. And stop fooling the poor people of DA, who are only looking for a meal on their table for today, not their children’s future for years to come. Yes, I live in the US, educated and very much tuned in to the economics there. I could never go to Prez Obama fir a handout. All i want from any President is to open up the pathways for me to thrive with my God-given talent, education and make wise choices. With that, i have prospered even under Republican Presidents. Skerrit needs to stop lying and fooling the people, stop keeping them in mental and economic slavery. Only he is getting rich. He must stop comparing himsellf to our smart and caring POTUS. HE doesnt even come close to such a decent, genuine man. does Mr Skerrit understand Economics? Ior thebEconomics f Globalization. I must have my 15 yr old explain it to him, while I take a back seat..
    We dont have Red Clinics here only for Obamai-iites!!!!!!!!. The Repubs and even Democrats are doing away with handouts when lazy folks take advantage of the welfare system. With the level of Skerros corruption, if DA was like the US, he would be dethroned and in jail big time. Did he see what happened to the Governor of Virginia and his wife? 15 years jail straight, for just a couple thousand dollars of conflict-of–interest deals.
    Dominicans living in Dominica. need to wake up or else they will be left behing forever!!!!! MrSkerrit can bring down his plane-loads, but they return to their comfy lifestyles, while zdominicans go back to their 5 years of despair. Some to Red Clinic. That Red Clinic which is only for Skerrits supporters , is an insult to the citizens who need a J O B, not only for their dignity, to prevent laziness and despair, but to build a future for themselves and their generations. I pray hard that Dominicans eyes will be opened!!!!!! It’s getting late in the day for them to wise-up!!!!!

    • September 21, 2014

      Hey, while I appreciate you trying to separate the US from Dominica in terms of the economy, a couple of correcting points. The US economy is still under a pretty severe threat and Obama has not done anything to correct that. Our unemployment rate is under 7% because of a massive drop in the participation rate for this economic measurement, not job creation. In fact, this has been the worse “recovery” since 1945. Second, Obamacare and the other massive federal spending has increased our deficit to over 16Trillion with budget deficits running between 750BB and 1.2T per year. These are unsustainable. The only reason we are not going down like Greece is that we have a true monetary union VS the EU. The Dollar is still the global economy which allows us to monetize our debt. Dominica has a lot of challenges. First, a brain drain to the US. Second, a large informal sector which does not contribute to the tax base other than VAT on purchases. Third, your government is way to big to be supported by how small your are. Fourth, your soft loans from China that are gonna come with a price to pay. Fifth, your dependence on Chavez fuel. Sixth, your unbalanced economy. I could go on. The first thing Dominica should do is urge all of the EC countries to form a United EC with a single Parliament and some devolved powers to individual states. Eliminate the massive overhead of the state, lower trade barriers, and work, work work to export the great bounty that Dominica produces, continue to protect the forests to spur eco tourism, and for God’s sake, get a reliable regional airline that will get folks in and out. Then develop a resort on the south East side of the island with golf and other luxury and sell it to Americans and Europeans. Your current Gov. is small than the smallest cities in the US and don’t have the bandwidth to govern in a global manner.

  14. rubish skerrit
    September 18, 2014

    skerrit talking rubbish any blind man can see if you have no production of any sort you wont get in come you borrow you owe u tax dominicans hard on the ports to pay your workers…plus when we do get the loans for development… we out sourse it to foru=ign companies they hire 20 dominicans the rest of the money goes back out….time for change….chnge is a must

    • September 19, 2014

      I can answer you in one word you should say:””Total garbage”

  15. Youth who reads
    September 18, 2014

    Key economic statistics

    Unemployment rate in the US this week is 7.2 percent.

    Stop the lying or do your research

  16. tony_skrit_alix=liar
    September 18, 2014

    You are the one who do not speak truth to yourself, muchless to country. You rather lie to D/cans on a daily basis because you do not want them to hear the truth. That tells a whole lot about your character. We all know a liar is also a tiff. Awful. You got to go!

  17. AMEB
    September 18, 2014

    Alas poor DA. Skerrit and your cronies, this is the sad state your all have left this beautiful island. I will surely not be voting for you guys.

  18. shaka zulu
    September 18, 2014

    Keep speaking skerrit keep speaking. Why do you always try to compare America with Dominica. Two F-16 is Dominicas’ national budget. Why don’t you use Venezuela or China. A country’s best resources are its people and the way you add value to your people is by education, skills and training. The Pm keeps saying Dominica has limited resources and relies heavily on foreign help. Is that why major state of the art infrastructures were built by foreigners? Is that why you love having people on welfare? You are effectively telling us you do not believe in our abilities to develop our country. Dominica is full of resources and as a leader you should inspire Dominicans to use their skills and talents and gifts to build our country. That’s why I will vote for Dr. Fountains for minister of finance.
    You keep telling us we poor and stupid why you have to beg to feed our lazy butts , while you use God name in vain. Shame on you mister PM. If you call -0.01 % doing its best you have no place running a preschool much less a country.

  19. You Hear Lies?
    September 18, 2014

    Skerrit, one of the steps Obama took to improve the economy and repair the unemployment rate was that of massive cuts all over the country, where companies were given less money to spend and yet expected them to accomplish more. What you are boasting about is a no no, You boasting of originally planning to employ 400 persons but somehow you employed 1001. If a manager of any firm did that in the USA they would be fired immediately! You boasting about it? What is the correct amount of money you have spent on the NFP to date? Don’t throw the amount of people employed without the cost! How much work did you get done? How can you convince me that you could take tax payers money to pay people to work for local firms and you see it as a success? Furthermore, for the sake of transparency can you please name the firms that are benefiting from such program and how many were employed before the NFP and how many are there since the NFP/ Stop throwing numbers at us because we are not all fools.

    • Bee
      September 18, 2014

      LOL King liar……

  20. You Hear Lies?
    September 18, 2014

    I am surprised Skerrit made reference to the economy of the USA, which he knows nothing about instead of the economy of Venezuella. Is it because his friends don’t make such information available? Anyway Skerrit your example is very poor because while it is true that when Obama was elected the unemployment rate was 8% it has gone down to 6.1%. and not above 7% as you said. Now is that the same thing in Dominica? I bet you since the DLP became the government in 2000, the unemployment rate has gone up by double digits, especially since 2005 when you were made PM. Obama has taken serious steps to create employment and repair the damaged economy he inherited, unlike you and the DLP. Unlike Obama, it was YOU that destroyed our economy and caused unemployment to go sky high. What steps have you taken to improve things? Not one!

    • September 19, 2014

      I guess he is saying to all Dominicans I’m on my way out my family is safely tucked away in the USA the same USA he use to blast in support of those other leaders pass and present that hated the USA this PM have to be saying to himself how did I become so disrespected so hated by my people what went wrong and how can I make it right again unfortunately you cant times are changing they want you out so they can start to make it better for all Dominicans.

      You always mention Obama ( President USA ) one thing that he has that you don’t have is RESPECT for all the people ..

  21. September 18, 2014

    Same old same old nothing that we have not heard before from Dominica,s moaning nation.Good luck to you lot best of Dominican luck to you all. Enough is enough

  22. Forever Amber
    September 18, 2014

    How naïve can the PM be to compare the US economy with that of Dominica to claim that our economy is doing its best? And, what does that mean without figures?

  23. natural dominican
    September 18, 2014

    Mr PM is because of the Dominican economy is in such a bad state that we are voting for change. My vote is against the way your administration handle gov’t funds, against, the lack of proper health care; against the lack of employment; against the prostitution of our women (yah i said it); against the lies and corruption. Mr PM don’t get it twisted, the reason that the UWP Castle Bruce rep is built a hotel is because he for-sees a better future under change.

    • Mr Brown
      September 19, 2014

      Natural Dominican

      Absolutely well said.

      Very direct, clear and concise comment. Very different from the P M’s speeches, as he tends to traverse the park, the sea, the mountains, et al before he can home in on his point.

      Well done and thanks.

  24. young fella
    September 18, 2014

    hahahah lol so what skerite saying ? thats the best dominica economy can be? papamet father them man there sick.

  25. Anonymous
    September 18, 2014

    We have not fully exploited hydro, solar and geothermal yet still we talk about having limited resources!!! If our BEST is a 1.2% annual growth rate then what else

  26. REAL!!!!!!!
    September 18, 2014

    Mr.PM ….While all of this is going on as you claimed which is impacting our economy.
    Your GOVT still fleasing the country treasury with Bin Bobol Scandal , disappearance of Millions $$$ for the Passport program which employed no Dominicans or provided any sustainable infrastructure for growth, secrets deals with China ( No MOU), building Million $$$ Villas on other people name and asking for Dominicans to boycott businessmen who have invested in the island who are employing us.

    Wicked men in High Places.

    Today you are asking the Dominican people to give you CREDIT for what!!!

    You took our financial CREDIT and you must give it back!!!!!

    Partner time to GOGOOOOOOO

  27. Dre
    September 18, 2014

    Limited resources mr skerrit? What about agriculture and fishing? When you talk about the dominican economy y u always compare dominica with America? Believe me a lot of people will be wearing red but will vote blues.

  28. grell
    September 18, 2014

    Here you go again if he build a hotel where is the fruit it is bearing,your gonna boycott it bc he does not support you.

  29. grell
    September 18, 2014

    Skerrit limited resources partner dominica has water and the most fruitile soil in the caribbean,and this is the crap your talking about.The world needs food and we can provide so much in agriculture and this is the crap your selling to the people.GET IT RIGHT PM.

  30. September 18, 2014

    Shame on you PM,tell the people the truth.Dominica is rich in natural resources and should never be in the position it is in.No jobs for the youth .no jobs for anyone in DA. Dominica has fruits and food for export but the government has failed to create markets for these to be exported.The should be building work for all,with now houses being built to boost the economy. Please tell the truth PM rather give jobs to forigners Time For Change.

  31. September 18, 2014

    Mr.PM u don’t sound confident saying that , what the percentage of Dominica s unemployment from when u came to office and now,at least we know the u s unemployment drop from 9.1% to 6.3%.

  32. September 18, 2014

    NOI have not seen my posts on Skerrit & AAA two different posts am waiting for posting after ur moderation process have taken place or should I resubmit?
    Am referring to the disection of the P.M’s address in CB

    • September 19, 2014

      Still no post it confirms what many have said and are saying and will continue to state.
      All I posted were quotes and clarifications.
      I guess such pts of view are to crystal clear and looks very damaging to the already damaged P.M et Al.

  33. mr p
    September 18, 2014

    Nypd stop misleading the people the people in the big apple normally get a check that they have worked for is either a social security it retirement so whats thr connection sir?

  34. easy
    September 18, 2014

    Poooor speeech n sad defence of dis huge failure. Pm skerritt you all have failed n Dr Thompson is rjght… you have nothing to prove him wrong.. failure rate is 99 percent. Failure

  35. Fifi
    September 18, 2014

    Gdp increase does not mean we are at our best. I would much rather a thriving economy with a stable gdp. Skerrit please stop trying to mislead the people who only sees increase and think all is well because of its definition. Haiti increases by 3.5%. Does that make Haiti’a evonomy at its best?

  36. September 18, 2014

    Need a reality check bro! Medical or recreational bro?
    keep on smoking what you smoking , Fey tuweff , meserh mawee, glory cider, tabac zombie, guen abar fey or the real ting.

  37. ?????????
    September 18, 2014

    Rosevelt skerrit is living in a bubble… his economy better but the the people are suffering… skerrit so much ppl have to come n beg u everyday n u saying things beyyer… shame on u!!!

  38. goo goo gaga
    September 18, 2014

    Actually PM….the US unemployment rate is currently 6.1 % and has been declining steadily since 2010! Terrible comparison considering that the US has power to alter both fiscal and monetary policies and have a social safety net (unemployment insurance, food stamps, medicaid/care, etc. etc.) that one can only dream of in Dominica.

    If the economy is not doing that great then why take a $27M loan that has to be repaid to the world’s largest economy? Why not infuse that into productive sectors so that jobs can be created, foreign currency earned, etc.

    You had a good run in your first term, and made your mark with infrastructural development, but times and needs change. Right now we need to grow our economy and you do not have the skills, vision or team to see it through. In the best interest of the country, simple accept you have done your service to the country and step aside. This is what a democracy is all about, after-all!

  39. Views Expressed
    September 18, 2014

    THE HEADLINE OF THIS NEWS STORY SHOULD READ:

    “SKERRIT AND HIS MINISTER, ADVISORS AND CLOSE COINFIDENATE AND LOYAL FREINDS ECONOMY IS DOING ITS BEST AND WELL…..”

    Look around you people, go to Savanne Paille, Boi Bois, Cayman Islands, Down Florida, rural Dominica, the north….the Easy Doors….Bahamas……etc….
    that’s IS WHERE THE DEVELOPMENT TAKE PLACE

  40. Oh No
    September 18, 2014

    Mr. PM grow up. Your utterances are weak, contradictory, misleading and confusing to say the least. These mixed messages indicate that your management protocols lack sufficient value and credence to lead this country beyond elections.

  41. coyote
    September 18, 2014

    first of all the USA unemployment rate is 6.2%,secondly the Obama
    administration have created at least 50,000 jobs on average per month, it is more but i am being conservative with my numbers.how many jobs has the Skerrit administration created”.So it is good for them and it is bad for the rest of us in the country?”last time i looked Mr prime minister you and your boys were doing just fine.

  42. Cops @Robbers
    September 18, 2014

    The same tonque that just praise god just curse god. That is why today you will say it good because elections around the bend but as soon as it is ove and public servants ask for an increase you will say the economy bad.

  43. Just blaze
    September 18, 2014

    I know Dominica is not an easy country to run. We have little resources but I think DLP could have done a bit better in the management of our country’s economy. As if the country was run in a way to trick people and get votes instead of being run in the best interests of the Dominican people. With that being said I still don’t think Lennox is the man that can fix things. So we just have to hope a better opposition shows up.

    • Say what............
      September 18, 2014

      You were doing so well in the first half of your statement or comment then you had to mess it up. Just continue to walk the walk , continue to talk the truth. In your heart you know Lennox and the entire UWP can bring back stability in the country. Why is it so difficult to just admit that. Yes Dominica is very resourceful we just need the right Government, We need the smarts of the UWP.

    • September 18, 2014

      just blaze you do not make sense what is wrong with lennox?

    • ?????????
      September 18, 2014

      Lennox os not the opposition. The opposition is uwp… its a team… not one man!!!

    • September 18, 2014

      I don’t want to plagiarize so with all ur hoopla before now U knew the truth wooooo! Just Blaze goo d toknow u seen the light.
      Have u heard of the urgency of now? which opposition /better shows up no time for that ! are you on the medical/recreational thing too?We are screwed this Gov’t Neo labour is a waste so is the current Opposition and a very wide cross section of the population.
      we need a real opposition of men and women yes women with cojones. not literally because Mamo( even if I did not like her ideology) had a lot of cojones for a female.
      DA ain’t going anywhere soon.

    • Papa Dom
      September 18, 2014

      You sound like someone who has a personal issue with Lennox for no just reason

    • Anonymous
      September 18, 2014

      Nonsense! You need to look at how our neighbouring island, and the world, for instance, are faring and tell me in your heart that you don’t think this administration is doing an excellent job. I expect the naysayers to continue with the negativity and boldface lies.

    • Not Me Alone
      September 18, 2014

      @Just blaze, I feel sorry for you and I hope I can be of help to you because you sound like a confused individual. After reading this blog and other comments from you, I could tell you have three (3) problems:
      1. You know Skerrit and his cabal team have failed us and has run our country in a way to trick people and get votes instead of being run in the best interests of the Dominican people. I agree 1000% with you on this one
      2. You seem to have a personal problem with Lenox Linton. I don’t know what you have against him but in the best interest of Dominica that is rapidly going down, I encourage you to forgive because the country badly needs him at this time.
      3. You don’t seem to understand team work. Knowing Lennox the way I know him he would be the first one to tell you that he alone cannot fix Dominica. That’s where “TEAM Dominica comes in.” The DLP is an individual called “Skerrit”. That’s not the same with team DA. Take for example the windies team under Sammy. Sammy was not the best batsman, best bowler, best wicketkeeper though he might have been the best field’s man. However, the team needed his skills; his work ethics; ability to work with others that were more talented than him to turn our fortunes. The same is true with team DA that is loaded with some of the brightest men and women on island. I see good economics, good educators, good legal minds, good farmers, good Surveyors, good community persons and they need a good honest, humble person like LL to get all those brilliant heads to jell together as a team. So please understand that it’s not about lennox but about the team.

      • September 19, 2014

        As a liberally minded individual ,I kind of got ur point Re: Just Blaze etc ,etc. Team effort etc. I think ur analogy with the west Indies team is/was excellent.
        I live in the diaspora (not that it has anything to do with the price of Tea in China) I read listen to all the media speak with D/cans at home and abroad so I get a wide spectrum pt of view. In a nut shell ur points are well founded. Where we parted ways( and like in a divorce) see N. Yearwood’s article was in ur penultimate sentence. I know LL personally and this description is like an oximorn to me. N.B both his parents taught me at school and were very instrumental in my preparation. Did I know them well certainly! LL is no pap using D/can parlance. DA need a good honest, humble person like LL to get all those brilliant heads to jell together as a team. LMAO real loud.
        As Sir Alfred would end Good Night( in the daytime)
        Notice I did not mention or compare the other one in the race?
        Just read he saying debate is out lol ! Heaven God Marx, Lenin help my land of birth. We are so screwed!

    • Forever Amber
      September 18, 2014

      Team Dominica will, not just Lennox. He will provide the leadership.

    • Observer
      September 18, 2014

      You’re absolutely right, had we had a more effective opposition earlier on to try and keep things in check much more progress would have been made. Instead we have seen more adolescent behaviour like petty bickering, nonsensical boycotting and rabble rousing instead of professionalism and statesmanship.

      It ’s only now that you see the opposition trying to engage and be effective and regain some electorate, But alas, to be honest they’ve left it too late to make any serious inroads.

  44. okay
    September 18, 2014

    Our economy cannot be compared to that of the US sir skerrit…….as you said our little dominica….we depend on those countries because our leaders are not innovative enough to think of using the resources we do have to, change certain policies and have people invest in the country with appropriate terms and conditions….we don’t have anything being produced in this country we can call our own…water is so much of a wide resource and all we do is bottle it…it selling cheaper outside than in….i mean..you don’t have to be a university grade to be wise….think about it Dominican

    • September 18, 2014

      Red or blue, I wouldn’t want to be PM, it seems so difficult to bring about the results that people want that it’s almost like a game that can’t be won.

      As for the Americans, if anything, they’ve shown what not to do, by falling for the Keynesian myth that a boost in government spending is a golden ticket to economic prosperity. All that does is create a temporary boom of malinvestment that leads to an inevitable crash. And in the case of the last few years they haven’t even created a temporary boom. So they’re not the example we should follow in any case.

    • Bee
      September 18, 2014

      what water? didn’t that same Skerrit bring in water from some other caribbean nation?

  45. yes ii tell u
    September 18, 2014

    Boy skerro u r a joker .. we tired with ur lies… u r like the boy who keep crying wolf when there was no wolf except when the wolf was really upon him he cried n no one listened he was consumed just as u will now be fired by the populist….And do u know why skerro, its because no one believe or trust u anymore… TIME TO GO!!!!! Call it!!! We the ple turn wolf now so we ready to eat u…we tired…CHANGEEEEEEEE IS AAAAAA MUSTTTTTT!!!!!

  46. famalay
    September 18, 2014

    skerrit your party will not get my vote are gane

    • `
      September 18, 2014

      In the end, he will not need your vote, majority rules and the voice of the people is the voice of god. Dominicans are not stupid.

  47. Lang Mama
    September 18, 2014

    Ambush in the night
    Top Up Jobs coming at we now
    Ambush in the night
    Even priest lying for we now

    Ous wee ous wee ous war
    And they know not the hour
    And they coming with their lie
    Astaphan and money
    Trying to belittle our integrity now
    Thru political strategy
    They kept us hungry
    And when we gonna get soe food
    You got climb the steps of the ministry yeh

    Ambush in the night
    Rent A jobs coming at wee now
    Ambush in the night
    Handouts coming like ti ti wi now
    Ous weee ous wee ouswar
    For they know change is the hour
    So they coming with tailes between their legs now
    Trying to belittle our intelligence now
    Thru political Makackwi
    All they do is send out Mepuis

    Ambush in the night
    Toute Ce volere la they afraid now
    Ambush in the night
    Let them come with the scrums now
    So they coming with their galvanize and Toilet
    But we will tell them where they can put it

    Ous wee ous wee
    Ous waa
    So change is at thee hour

    • September 18, 2014

      Brother bob is dead did he come again? Easter long gone new bro Bob Nestor M.arley
      Oowee Oowha

  48. soutcityboyi
    September 18, 2014

    A very confused Prime Minister. Please get your facts straight next time you speak. Are you an Economist? Too much politics. You are so engrossed in MEPUIS. Everytime you and your cabal open your mouths it’s mepuis. If Thompson had agreed to run for labour you would have him on a pedestal. Think of that.

  49. no love
    September 18, 2014

    somebody should evaluate the mental status of this PM. Bare sufferation going on in the country..Every wed. people outside financial center waiting ..lol.its so sad what this beautiful country of Dominica has come to. Crime is at an all time high. Police brutality the same. Poverty is everywhere. Even Bofa shopping mid month madness at whitchurch now. Things that bad with your VAT nonsence you have us under for all these years now. CHANGE IS A MUST…..Young men getting out of college and or high school with all there subjects but cant find a job or a scholarship to go to america. But when the young wild ones pass what they passing scholorship coming out of air and the kix is on tax payers YOUR money

    • NYPD
      September 18, 2014

      Every 1st and 15th they wait by the mailbox and yes i am talking about some of the residence in the big USA. What’s he difference between what the PM is doing and what every other country in the world is doing? The only difference is the PM wants you to get off your behind and come for it. In the states now they debit straight to your card. Wake up my people and say thanks to your PM. You need to visit the supermarkets on the above dates and trust me you will never talk about your PM again.

      • Frank Talker
        September 18, 2014

        The US employs some socialists intervention when it is needed, for example, the public works method to help pull the US out of the great depression in the 1930s, but, the strategy here is totally unlike the US. What happens here is the blatant use of public funds to feed supporters of DLP. Did you hear comments made on a DLP radio programme recently by former Mayor of Roseau and co-host of the programme, Cecil Joseph? He made it abundantly clear that the Red Clinic is for DLP supporters. He publicly recommended to the PM that if at all non-DLP supporters come to the Red Clinic for public assistance, he should tell them, “don’t come here; go to your (UWP) Parl Rep!” Isn’t this disgusting? These fellas get on as if is their personal monies they dish out to citizens. How can you use taxpayers monies for your partisan politics? So, this is unlike the experience in the US. Wheel, and come again, NYPD!

      • Andy
        September 18, 2014

        NYPD you are misleading the general public by alluding to the fact that it is okay to be beggars in Dominica, since residence in the big USA are receiving the same. What you did not explain in your comment is that there are stipulations and requirements to participate in what is commonly known as the welfare program. There are several differences between a properly run social program in America, and a program in Dominica designed to keep people in poverty, and then pretend to be their savior. In America your political persuation has no influence on whether one recieves benefits or not. As part of the condition to recieve food stamps, Medicaid, and cash benefits individuals who are capable are required to particpate in either an educational or vocational program, which is intended to lead to employment. Have you heard of the Back to Work Program which is funded by the local, State and Federal governments? If recipients fail to participate in those programs, designed to get them out of welfare their benefits will be stopped. Teach a man how to fish, he will become self reliant, instead of giving him a fish and he always has to keep coming back to you.

      • Evolved
        September 18, 2014

        Boy look nonsense – NYPD go and sleep – you must be sleep deprived. Damn Shame!

      • USA
        September 18, 2014

        NYPD are you a moron or something, i mean come on !

      • grell
        September 18, 2014

        NYPD speak for yourself,i have lived in the US for years and have never got into the wefare system,those that do it are labourites whom are waiting to get their free tickets to come and vote,speak for yourself.America has lots of work now and they are just lazy dominicans,i know a few of them.

      • ah ha
        September 18, 2014

        u sound really dumb

      • Malgraysa
        September 18, 2014

        Get this through your thick skull. Is Obama handing out goodies on a whim like Roosevelt Skerrit in person? Every developed country looks after its poor , less-able and weak but that is done on merit, not political or personal bias. These countries have well organized wellfare systems in place run by professionally trained people. In our country the social services are emasculated so that one man, one man only can play God! |If you don’t know the difference I pity you almost as much as I pity the poor Dominicans who have to come and genuflect before almighty God Skerrit and pay their homage before they can receive a little handout.

      • Andy
        September 19, 2014

        NYPD you are misleading the general public by alluding to the fact that it is okay to be beggars in Dominica, since residence in the big USA are receiving the same. What you did not explain in your comment is that there are stipulations and requirements to participate in what is commonly known as the welfare program. There are several differences between a properly run social program in America, and a program in Dominica designed to keep people in poverty, and then pretend to be their savior. In America your political persuation has no influence on whether one recieves benefits or not. As part of the condition to recieve food stamps, Medicaid, and cash benefits individuals who are capable are required to particpate in either an educational or vocational program, which is intended to lead to employment. Have you heard of the Back to Work Program which is funded by the local, State and Federal governments? If recipients fail to participate in those programs, designed to get them out of welfare their benefits will be stopped. Teach a man how to fish, he will become self reliant, instead of giving him a fish and he always has to keep coming back to you.

    • nars
      September 18, 2014

      Boy some people just should not have left Dominica cause they left but they still ignorant and stupid.

  50. Frank Talker
    September 18, 2014

    Boy, mista just full of lies and bull. There is no foreign investment taking place in Dominica these days. Our exports continue to dwindle, while imports hit the ceiling. Manufacturing is dying, and hotels are owing the banks, big time. Inflation is at a record high, petrol will soon be unaffordable. Business confidence is rock bottom, and the likelihood of achieving your dreams in this economy is nil. Corruption perception is above 70%, and nepotism is the name of the game. Crime is an industry under labour, and narcotics import from the southern continent goes unchallenged. The number of working poor has increased substantially, and opportunities for new employment don’t exist. Psychological campaigning by labour is reducing the dignity of the common man to rubble, and begging is the party’s method of determining the wants of the people. To top this off, the State is being threatened with industrial action by the public workers.

    At the regional and international levels, comparative indices on our economic and social performance are always at the bottom of the schematics. We are tailing in everything good. DLP can’t pay our subscriptions to the UN, WHO, ILO, Venezuela, and a host of other organisations to which we have penned our signature. So, what is it this falla from Vielle Case ranting about? If he takes credit for a hotel built by a resident, he must also take credit when the bank comes calling on those hotels to pay up. So, who is this Skerrit fella? What stupidness he talking? He betta check himself, go on and check his mental health.

  51. Lone Ranger
    September 18, 2014

    These words from Mr. Skerrit remind me of those who create a climate of low expectations for the youth.
    Tell young people that what they are doing is good enough because nothing more is expected from them you will guarantee that they will continue to under perform. This is no way to motivate and I am disappointed that the prime minister would embrace mediocrity rather than setting higher standards and developing a plan to move the country forward.
    Interestingly, the prime minister did not explain the the dismal performance of the country’s economy relative to our peers in the OECS, many of whom have some of the same constraints we may be experiencing.
    It is very disgraceful for the prime minister to advocate a lower level of performance for our country. This is more evidence that he is running on empty and has no idea how to develop a plan to move forward.

  52. September 18, 2014

    Mr. PM if I was living your lifestyle I would have agreed with you, but if you were living the life of a normal Dominica you would disagree with you and your report card has disagreed with you too.

    You see, you know the economy is so bad you have reduced the people to begging, BEGGING MR. PM BEGGING. Would you like your children to be beggars? Then why are you creating a society of beggars and dependency on handouts. This country was built on hard work such as farming.

    Being the leader of DLP – Dominica Latrine Party, after a budget of pampers and wipes what are you going to offer next? Your guess is as good as mine.. Just move there with your lies..
    CHANGE IS A MUST ABSOLUTELY!

    • Say what............
      September 18, 2014

      His kids may never experience poverty because am pretty sure they have a secure account. They are fully taken care of. While our people continue to say Skerrit, Skerrit, Skerrit…… I do not get it. Are our people that uneducated or stupid or playing stupid.

  53. Anonymous
    September 18, 2014

    An international airport should have been one of the first things on the agenda to give Dominica to increase tourism but you out it last on your list. The Caribbean countries that are not last on the list have invested heavily in tourism.

  54. AA
    September 18, 2014

    Seriously, Seriously Mr. minister of finance that’s the best you can bring to the table? Just a few clarification here, the unemployment rate was 10% in 09 and it is now 6%, isnt that a significant change, Where is our unemployment rate and where is it trending? is it still rising?

    Probably Baptiste invested because he knows you are on your way out and better days is coming so he wants to be in a position take advantage of the benefits of a new regime. and Mr. minister of finance is that how you treat investors, instead of thanking him for taking the risk you sought too ridicule?

    PM you should do an analysis of the debt to GDP including the petro carib debt that all you hiding off the books and tell dominicans where we are i am certain it is above 100%. when over 200 people can come and beg you on wednesday, tell me that the economy is good.

    where is the productive sector? what are we producing and exporting? these are the things that turns the economy in a positive direction. go learn that

  55. Say what............
    September 18, 2014

    If persons are trying so hard to keep the economy going by investing, Isn’t that a great thing? So why the tongue whipping from the PM. Please people something is wrong with that picture. Maybe if that person was a DLP supporter it would not have been an issue. :?: Bais!!!!! :mrgreen:

  56. Itassi too
    September 18, 2014

    Skerrit boy you sure losing it. You want credit for the state of our economy? Well let me give you some credit man. As I bear in mind Dominica’s limited resources and its heavy dependence on other countries:
    1. I give you credit for being able to change your status from a below average Dominican without a bicycle in 2000, when you were first elected to a multi millionaire 14 years later. Were you in a different economy?

    2. I give you credit for being able to make all your friends, advisors and ministers super rich, while the rest of us have gotton very poor.

    .3. I give you credit for being able to build mansion, villas, buy property all over the place, while the rest of us have to depend on you to build toilet for us, buy toilet paper to wipe loose bowels and give us duty free concession on pampers and wipes. YOU SURE DESERVE CREDIT!

    • September 18, 2014

      1) Thought it was said by Rosie he did not have a suit
      2) Baby doc Duvalier
      3) African leaders
      I rest my case.

    • Interested American
      September 18, 2014

      Courageous comment – are there many in Dominica who share your opinion?

      • September 19, 2014

        Interested Yankee or Southerner! was that for me Laughing for meds or Itassi too?

  57. Say what............
    September 18, 2014

    Really Mr. Pm. Roseau looks like a dump roads needs improvement the gutters needs improvement. Driving to the villages the grass is all over the road, getting back to Roseau,in the capital, there is nothing, nothing going on. Such a boring place.Same old, except for the big white house which looks nothing like the place its suppose to represent. If you know what i mean. People of Dominica, are you satisfied with the place you call home? Seriously are you satisfied with your life? Do you rather ask some one for a dollar every day or would you rather earn your own money? Take a minute and search deep into your soul and ask yourselves those question what do I want my life to be or look like 3 years from now, I tell you Change is a must and then, only then your question will be answered. Give them( UWP) a chance if they do not full field their obligations then you have another chance in 5 years to take them out. :-D

  58. AAA
    September 18, 2014

    Mr PM Please tell the people the truth and stop miss leading the citizens of Dominica. When president Obama came into office the unemployment rate in the was 10% how ever the current unemployment rate in the U.S is 6.1 percent. President Obama injected billions of dollars into some companies that needed help. Those companies has since paid back the US government and hired more workers. President Obama stabilized the housing market and now new and existing house sales up at the highest rate since 2005. The US has regained all the jobs that was lost during the 2008 meltdown . Please take note that the US economy had 22 months of job growth. As the leader of the country you should check you stats or do some more research before you speak. Mr PM president Obama has revive the US economy . The stock market recorded its highest numbers earlier this year. You can fool the people some time how ever you won’t be able to fool the people all the time. Just speak the truth your socialist style of leadership has failed the people of Dominica. You can’t collect taxes of the red clinic funds therefore the treasury will run out of money. You need to check your notes before you speak because all what you mentioned about the US economy is wrong.

    • September 18, 2014

      Triple A am not sure you are the rating agency, or the traffic monitoring company but boy you gave up todate stats as they do on Market place every evening. Look like we listen to the same station at 6:30 P.M
      I guess you heard the Scottsman yesterday too ,who said on separating f rom The rest of the British trio he is Scotts to the bone but is anti separation.
      My point here is you are extremely naturalized lol I am too but D/can at heart. Are you? You sound more American than d/can.
      You remind me of a bofa who came here before me. Speaking to him during the second gulf war 2004. He said : We are winning the war” I asked him who was we. He was an airforce guy retired lol heard he has sincepassed mayhis soul rest in peace.
      I trust you got the drift AAA. Oh FYI , I gas prices are down in NY $3.45 as I blog. hahahhahahah please continue to listen to market place at 6;30p.m excellent program AAA
      maybe we can patch things up AAA like Obama and the police office and Mr. gates the professor from Harvard.
      I always have a supply of Kubuli.
      You are so naturalized AAA me too but not like you LMAO.
      My countrymen never disappoint lol!

  59. Anonymous
    September 18, 2014

    Please tell me what opportunities will China, Venezuela, Cuba, & Morocco will have in Dominica for investing in Dominica? These opportunities have never been disclosed by the DLP so please answer my question.

  60. meeee
    September 18, 2014

    Sir – as the leader of this country are you reproaching a local man for trying to create employment in his community? Giving persons an opportunity to find pride in earning money instead of joining the red line to beg their daily read? Fact it is – the economy is in a terrible state. Your administration have not focused on creating a business friendly atmosphere in Dominica but one of beggars and dependency. You have create an economy where vibrant healthy persons beg you for everything. that Mr. Prime Minister is dangerous for the prosperous human development of young Dominica. A strong economy is one where persons are encouraged to create small business, and become more responsible for their day to day life. Your responsibility is to create a n atmosphere be it good or bad.

  61. Brave Hart
    September 18, 2014

    Skerrit wake up. You clearly have no idea of economics. You are lost. Dominica’s economy has collapsed. This explains why your governmENT HAS RESULTed to all these social programs. Time for you to go.

  62. Lang Mama
    September 18, 2014

    Papa god zor Mir movais.. Englsh for a man who supposedly study English and is te leader of a country. No wonder he eed Hartley who does area degree to right everything for him and when it goes beyond Hartley the speaking notes of the Prie Minister of Mauritius becomes handy.
    “You will only invest in a country ………………..” listen to the man , the evader of a country who chose to have his wife give birth to his child in a foreign country. So te medical services are to bad for him and well suited fr the rest of us.
    Kudos to Mr Baptist for hs dedication to hs country. The god thing is no one can say that you build a hotel with questionable financing. no one can say that you have bank accounts in the Cayman islands.

  63. too late
    September 18, 2014

    And imagine a country with little resources being rubbed by bin ,fertilizer , land transfer, passport, contracts (Jong) ….. scandals. With less corruption we can do much better sir

    • September 18, 2014

      Skerro are you reading this one cut the chase Skerro.
      Brief and to the point.
      D/ca’s got talent lol! writing talent. who knew!

  64. maddix
    September 18, 2014

    Mr. PM, you had ten years as Prime Minister, the people gave you and your cabinet the mandate to put measures in place so that we could stop depending heavily on foreign begging. Have you done that sir? No you have not. If we gave you another mandate the country will be in the same state of affairs in 2020, we will still be begging because a country cannot develop with only infrastructural development using moneys gifts from other countries. Its a recipe for failure.

  65. LOVE THE TRUTH
    September 18, 2014

    He build it not with skerrit labor money, he is trying his best for it not to sink, because the economy is very low and going down every day. And he is still the cheapest trying to help his country. keep it up in coming PAL..

  66. too late
    September 18, 2014

    Dominica can do much better sir. If you think its doing its best then its time for change to give another a chance to do better

  67. MY EXPECTATION
    September 18, 2014

    Tell me where in this world that things are perfect. Like It or not PM Skerrit has done a wonderful job and he is going to continue his mandate.

    • September 18, 2014

      Are you serious or stupid

    • Say what............
      September 18, 2014

      Whoa!!!! you must be the one who likes to depend on the red clinic. You would hate to see your PM lost the election because if he does you might have to get up from your rear and get a job. That would be sad, but actually that would be saving your life, you would have a job by the Government for all l(UWP) and more money in your pocket.

    • too late
      September 18, 2014

      You mean pm has done a wonderful job in keeping us last in the region?

    • September 18, 2014

      LMAO u must be in his dream to LOL ,……… example???

      • September 19, 2014

        With all that land and water “little resources” you say? That is pure scare-tactics by scare-it.
        Listening to my PM you know what comes to mind? “IN THE ABUNDANCE OF WATER THE FOOL IS THIRSTY” Finish the song labourites, oh my, my PM is a big disgrace!
        CHANGE IS A MUST ABSOLUTELY.
        Thank God

    • `
      September 18, 2014

      they know it. Like a famous calypsonian / songwriter once said, ” anything to be the calypso king. ” I’m saying, ” anything to gain political power.”

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