UWP vows to “rekindle” economy

Members of the audience at the presentation at the Arawak House of Culture
Members of the audience at the presentation at the Arawak House of Culture

Leader of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), Lennox Linton, said his party will rekindle the Dominican economy and make the island ‘the best place to live and work’ in the world.

He said this will be done through removing “the most binding constraints on our most important growth sectors.”

Speaking at a UWP budget presentation on Tuesday evening at the Arawak House of Culture, Linton said the sectors of tourism, agriculture, construction, foreign direct investments and ‘diaspora partners’ will be targeted.

“Low returns on investments seems to be the most binding constraints on all five growth sectors,” he said. “A low return on investment also seems to explain why Dominica attracts low level foreign direct investment, much lower than anywhere else in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.”

Linton pointed out that the tourism sector is being constraint by run-down properties, eventual closures, low room occupancy and high taxes.

He noted that the agriculture sector is being plagued by the abandonment of farms, the eventual sale of farm lands, disorganized markets, high production costs and inadequate technical support to farmers.

“In construction the most critical factors leading to low return in investments, both to homeowners and contractors, are high taxes on material and high property transfer fees,” he said.

He argued that members of the diaspora fall victims to these constraints since they invest in tourism, agriculture, home construction and this in turn leads to low returns in investment, “forcing many of them to abandon Dominica and return with no encouraging news for other diaspora members.”

He noted that corrupt practices by government officials and their agents in awarding government contracts and fiscal incentives is a major factor leading to the low inflow of foreign direct investments.

According to Linton all these constraints will be tackled by the UWP to jump start the economy.

“UWP Team Dominica, by removing these binding constraints from these most important growth sectors, will jump start the engine of growth in Dominica’s economy and immediately begin a cycle of economic growth and job creation,” he said.

Linton is also promising a slimmer government with less wasteful spending on an “over sized cabinet of ministers and an army of useless advisers and political appointees.”

He said unnecessary travel and high government utility bills will also be eliminated.

“Cabinet will be downsized from 16 to ten ministers of government,” he stated. “And all, repeat all, politically created adviser positions will be eliminated.”

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138 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    July 24, 2014

    The Govt. has presented a $552.5 million BUDGET. On the other hand, the budget preamble as presented by Team Dominica would have been perfect if research had gone into projected Capital and recurrent Income and Expenditure. The 2013/2014 budget estimates could have been a starting point especially for recurrent expenditure.

  2. Dominican
    July 24, 2014

    May the good Lors cover Skerritt in his blood and protect him from all evil acts, thoughts and behaviour. he will continue to lead him so that he will lead the nation. Amen

    • Van
      July 24, 2014

      May the Lord shed some knowledge on your stupidity- Amen

  3. philme
    July 23, 2014

    this is Thomson Fontaine and the IMF Dominica will be come a IMF state

    • Blue Ray
      July 24, 2014

      Cant get any more IMF

  4. De Caribbean Change
    July 23, 2014

    Lennox Linton reminds of a school boy who sits in his mum’s living room dreaming all day about what he could and would do, much to the detriment of his studies.

  5. genie
    July 23, 2014

    yeah linton i hear you…all of u politicians are the same and all of what you are promising will happen when the cow jumps over the moon hmmm or is it when pigs fly? chhhh i cant decide…..PLEASE

  6. nev
    July 23, 2014

    first time I hear a budget wth no numbers,,how mutch they hav an how mutch willbspend an whom or where will d funds come from..dat to me is an manifesto.not budget,,,now lenox say dominica economy is now worst dan 1995 _2000 dat mean world bank,imf,cdb,lie..

  7. bumble
    July 23, 2014

    We certainly need development in this place!! We have alot more potential in this country
    .. Uwp is the way forward… We need change!!!

  8. Anonymous
    July 23, 2014

    The Govt presented a $489 Million budget, details of which are contained and outlined in the Draft Estimates of the Commonwealth of Dominica for the year ending June 30, 2015. The UWP presented an excellent budget preamble. However they have yet to present their draft estimates of capital and recurrent expenditure and revenue. The alternative approach is by far and large commendable but at the end of the exercise a national BUDGET boils down to Millions if not Billions!!!

    • De Caribbean Change
      July 23, 2014

      that is just what they did years ago and julie tim emptied the treasury. lennox is fooling you all.

  9. July 23, 2014

    You are trying to sway people by spouting your fancy ideas about quickly solving challenges facing the country…there is no quick fix to the problems.Making it sound as if u can turn this country around quickly,there is no such thing.

  10. Anonymous
    July 23, 2014

    I have great difficulty understanding why Lennox Linton and so many other people commenting here don’t know the difference between a Budget and a Manifesto.

    What Linton presented was a Manifesto and not a Budget. A Budget is a statement of estimated income and expenditure. Neither the estimated cost of the related expenditure nor the source and quantum of the related income were provided in this case.

    The question is: when is Mr. Linton going to complete his Budget presentation?

    • """"""""""""""
      July 23, 2014

      @Anonymous
      Well it’s a dam excellent manifesto. He has EARNED my vote because of it for sure.
      IT IMPRESSED thousands HIGHLY. Wish Skerrit could do domething like that.

    • ()
      July 23, 2014

      @Anonymous I will certainly get a copy for Skerrit, so that he gets smart, because he is a real stupid Finance Minister..
      Our Best Manifesto Ever., brought to the people by a bright mind Lennox Linton. It offered a lot of Hope to idiots like you and thousands of other Dominicans who are not like you .
      WONDERFUL DELIVERY…….. EXCELLENT BUDGET!!

    • July 23, 2014

      HOW THE HELL ON EARTH CAN YOU PRESENT A “BUDGET” WHEN YOUR PARTY IS CURRENTLY IN OPPOSITION.

      A budget can only be presented via parliament by the appointed minister for financial affairs.

      The presentation of a budget is an address to the nation.

      A budget is a statement of income and expenditure from the fiscal financial year of the previous twelve months and likewise of the following twelve months ahead.
      The opposition can present a manifesto or a statement of intent to the electorate to display that they have a better alternative to the current government.

      I am absolutely flabbergasted that educated Dominicans can fall for Lennox Linton’s nonsense that he is presenting a budget.

      Lennox Linton and the UWP must be the one and only opposition leader and party in the entire world that is capable of presenting a budget to the nation while they are an opposition party. HOW LAUGHABLE IS THIS!!!!!!!!

    • #
      July 23, 2014

      @ Anonymous Every home, school, hospital and other institutions on island should get a copy.
      It was the best budget ever presented in Dominica.
      After 11years did you hear the KOSHONYEE Skerrit presented?

      • Anonymous
        July 26, 2014

        What is your criteria for “best budget” when Linton is yet to present a budget?

  11. concerned
    July 23, 2014

    rather you comfort me with the truth rather than a lie!….none of all u not fooling me!…..

  12. Hmm,
    July 23, 2014

    One of the most essential characteristics of an intelligent person is having an open mind. I was very impressed with the United Workers Party budget presentation. All those who think it was comedy , i hope you all are better off this morning than you were last night, then again today is Wednesday , so maybe you all are better off (RED CLINIC)The budget was not research and put together by people like you or 6 months old BABY BOY . It was put together by Dominica’s most intelligent people . I feel sorry for us in Dominica if our brains are so clogged .

    • Anonymous
      July 26, 2014

      You accuse people of having clogged brains when it is you who saw a Budget where there was none.

  13. ASEF
    July 23, 2014

    Team spelt the other way is Meat for All Dominicans. Hope or if UWP wins this upcoming election that all shall eat. Politicians like to talk talk, and when voted in is a different story.
    Give Jack his Jacket. Even though u all do not like/love P.M. Skerritt, this adventurous P.m. has done alot for D.A.

    Mr. Linton hope u put down your arrogance if u do win.

  14. WONG PING
    July 23, 2014

    we have enough with promises at every election time.we want action.don’t talk to me about a magi wand. uwp and dlp,both have work on their hands.stop with the promises and let us work.

  15. Anonymous
    July 23, 2014

    I am from the diaspora so i need to see the pictures of the run down tourism buildings so that i know where to put my vote

  16. Anonymous
    July 23, 2014

    If that is what we have to count on as Dominicans to run our country then we are doomed. I recommend that next time around you ask a parro to write it cause he will do a better job

  17. Pawol Pou Ri
    July 23, 2014

    It’s amazing how that after living in this country for twenty years the peoples still fall to the same nonsense by different political sides, beautiful speeches, well crafted words and the trick is done, they are so easily influenced.
    Actions speaks louder than words.

  18. Stamos
    July 23, 2014

    Budget or manifesto Linton? I can’t believe u people do not know what a budget is.. Blind followers…. They really say ” In the land of the blind the one-eye man is King’. Lennox shall forever reign in the Kingdom of these uneducated and illiterate UWP Supporters. Lord Please help us not to jump from the pot, directly into the fire!

  19. Anonymous
    July 23, 2014

    Utmost madness by an uneducated, incompetent and novice party leader who is clueless as to what a budgetary presentation is all about. Instead this guy had taken hold of the opportunity through his firing of Isidore to go to parliament to learnt something about representation and delivery on parliamentary matters, he instead chose to make a fool of himself and his party at this pappyshow comedy play at the Arawak last night. POOR FELLA!! No wonder the vast majority of people here and abroad will continue to laugh at these guys.

  20. humble_me
    July 23, 2014

    When we cut of so much, hope we have better replacements.

  21. kingman
    July 23, 2014

    DNO can you tell the public what is the total budget, how much is the recurrent expense, how much is to be expensed as capital, what are the capital projects and how much is current revenue???

  22. dafriend
    July 23, 2014

    I like very much what I am hearing from the UWP so far and I agree with Mr. Linton on all points of his budget presentation. Keep up the good work! Together, I am certain, we’ll get there and get Dominica where it needs to be. First of all, let’s get rid of the lying, corrupt and incompetent DLP administration and it’s despicable advisors once and for all.

  23. concerned voter
    July 23, 2014

    So Dominican don’t like smart people after these men humbly offering them self to clean Dominica mess we have elementary student ruining Dominica all you party supporters and not country supported still critizing other organisational skills a year of high technology he is portraying how a country can run smoothly without corruption

  24. Princess
    July 23, 2014

    Blood of Jesus cover Team Dominica and let Your will be done. Amen.

  25. Really?
    July 23, 2014

    I did not hear the presentation of the budget so I may be wrong. The only figures I have heard are 15 ministers to 10. Was it a 300 M or 600 m budget? How did he arrived if at all at these figures? Someone help me here.

  26. Anonymous
    July 23, 2014

    Isn’t a Budget suppose to contain figures?

  27. SMDH
    July 23, 2014

    We continue to accept mediocrity and wear our ignorance as a badge of honour…Lord help us!

    Can we stop portraying ourselves as the idiots of the region….please ppl read an educate yourselves…so you can see the wolves in sheep clothing…

    Lord look upon my/your country and my/your people!

  28. Morihei Ueshiba
    July 23, 2014

    Linton is right, Limited Govt works better than central government planning. Central Govt planning is COMMUNISM. The Govt is too big and way to costly for such a small country, the less Govt involvement in our daily lives, more power goes to the people.

    • Ba Yo Bwa
      July 23, 2014

      I wish you had read more, and studied (even in a limited way) larger economies of first-world nations, like the US and Western European economies, like France, Britain and Germany. You will notice that there, too, they engage in some level of command (aka socialized) economic medling. If you are as smart as you think you are, this is all it should take for you to begin your study. Educate yourself, for heaven’s sake. Or, if you know better, stop trying to fool the people. As one example, why do you think the Congress consistently vote to extend unemployment contributions for the unemployed and the underemployed? And why does Congress habitually agree to continue farm subsidies in this country? Furthermore, why do you suppose we pay so little for food and other products in the US? You guessed it. It’s because subsidies soften the blow to our pocket books at the grocery store. But you wouldn’t kno that. Or you choose not to know.

    • July 23, 2014

      Ha Papa!!!! According to the First Serenade Band song: “Election Melee”
      Dominicans; please go to youtube and play the song “election melee” and you will hear in that song all the promises these lying politicians make during election; when they want your vote.

      They will promise you 2 international airport, a plan of action to bring money to the nation, house to house campaigning promises they making, they will promise you house, jobs, motor car and every absurd and impossible promise they could think of.
      But soon as the election is over; they are nowhere to be seen, and cannot deliver on none of the promises they have made.
      That brings me back to wannabee prime minister Lennox Linton.
      It is all well and good making promises but where is a poor island like Dominica going to get the money from, to finance these unrealistic projects.

      Every past and present government of D/ca has to go abroad with their begging bowl to generate funds to finance their projects; and if Lennox Linton thinks it would be totally different under his premiership, then he is living in cloud cookoo land.
      The saddest aspect from all of this lies and deceit is; a lot of people continue to fall for these politicians lies and rubbish.
      A lot of people become enemies to their friends, families and neighbours who do not support or vote for the party of their choice. How ridiculous is this?
      Dominicans open your eyes. These politicians are only interested in their own welfare.

      He talks about making Dominica the best place to live and work in the entire world.
      How the hell do you measure and gauge which country is the best place to live and work in the entire world?

      • philme
        July 23, 2014

        politicians game

  29. Doc. Love
    July 23, 2014

    During the so-called Animal Show last Saturday, Tony told the listening DLP supporters, he will attend the budget address to be presented by Mr. Lennox Linton. He went on to tell his listeners, “this budget address will be like a comedy show similar to shows presented by Double A.” However, for whatever reasons, Tony was a no show. The review of that address has been excellent, in fact, a reputable press reporter judged it a B plus. It will be interesting to hear Tony’s comments on the Animal Show, as regards to Mr. Linton’s budget presentation.

  30. real possie
    July 23, 2014

    Pawol boy you put up a great show at the theatre tonight Fou Budget, when can we expect it in the NE in the USA? cant wait for that LOL

  31. ICT
    July 23, 2014

    Breaking News!

    Unconfirmed reports from Google data centre, The word budget was search across the planet.

    Finance person across the island has been scrambling to text books, to confirm the true definition of budget.

    Repetitive Speech !

    You suggested in your speech you would get rid of all government advisors, after that speech I would humbly suggest you TRIPLE THAT NUMBER.

  32. i must speak
    July 23, 2014

    hello! i was impressed by the 2 hour budget presentation.
    tell PM he have to wheel and come again.
    lets go Lennox lets go!!!!! this is what we are talking about!!! :lol:

    • De Caribbean Change
      July 23, 2014

      de man fooling you all with his empty bag of promises.

  33. real possie
    July 23, 2014

    For someone who people on here claim that am an illiterate you guys sure hate my blogs, I wrote one sentence and it’s still moderating but people writing a whole book and it’s moderated in no time but we all know you can say one word and it has more meaning than a paragraph.

    • >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
      July 23, 2014

      @realpossie Why show your illiteracy in plain view of the public? You have totally and purposely avoided the topic which is the brilliant and hopeful budget address by Lennox Linton last night, and you are showing your idiocy by talking about most probably a piece of usual thrash from you which DNO thought unworthy of public viewing. We are in 2014 bro, why not go to summer school my brother?
      I can tell you this budget address delivered by Lennox, was Dominicas best. No wonder the groundswell is for this team. Team Dominica.

  34. ?
    July 23, 2014

    It’s just a matter of SUPERIOR THINKING.
    UWP/Team Dominica has more brains. It’s the better Team.
    HIGHLY IMPRESSIVE!

    • July 23, 2014

      I concur. Intelligence on display. He’s a visionary. Without a vision you can’t lead. You can only follow. Brilliant team

  35. truth
    July 23, 2014

    Hurrah to mr Linton, well done. The labour party have been asking team Dominica for positive ideas instead of opposing, now they are surprised for such a powerful Budget.

    • Truth
      July 23, 2014

      It is powerful if it is attainable, but you and I know better, right, because we both stand for Truth

  36. Native
    July 23, 2014

    What a bunch of UWP jokers

  37. listener
    July 23, 2014

    I like it, I like it, UWP gone mad part 1 was nice i can’t wait for part2, “BOY” LENOX delivering a budget what a joke, Lenox have never haeded anything in his entire life not even a domino team ,in recent times they took to the streets peoples parliament comedy now they went a little further to delivering budget at Arawak house of culture , well Pawol competition for you boy! “Spags”??????????????????.

    • .
      July 23, 2014

      @listener Stop make a fool of yourself. Even if you listened, based on the crap you write, you would not have understood anything from the budget address. You have just exposed yourself as an empty barrel.

      • really?
        July 23, 2014

        Why do you still refer to a speech about all what is wrong in his opinion as a budget address?

        And then you have the gall to criticize labourites for following skerrit no matter what he does? …. UWP supporters doing the same!

      • De Caribbean Change
        July 23, 2014

        uwp is the empty barrel and the empty bag of coal.

    • EN BEN SAY SA MEM
      July 23, 2014

      Empty foolishness, you and your thoughts mean nothing. You can’t even admit when something is really good. Must be painstaking for you. This budget has blown the minds of Labourites, these hateful people, all you all do is preach hate.

      Lennox will be the next leader of this country, take it or leave it. Tdhe Budget was Brilliant

  38. Morihei Ueshiba
    July 23, 2014

    I hate my pm. 8)

    • .
      July 23, 2014

      @Morihei Ueshiba
      I just hate his leadership. It has failed Dominica and Dominicans full time.
      He should be sent packing next election. He is against the poor people.

      • EN BEN SAY SA MEM
        July 23, 2014

        He is already on his way, he is aware, that’s why he cannot call the Elections. Lennox too brilliant for him. They say Lennox is his match, never happen, Lennox IS ABOVE THIS MAN’S STANDARD. ROOSEVELT CALIBRE? TAT’S AN INSULT FOR LENNOX

      • Truth
        July 23, 2014

        Really . and Morihei Ueshiba, really. Well if he is against poor people, the whole of Dominica is one big lie, just check channel 7 on Marpin.

    • joe
      July 23, 2014

      Y you hate your PM??

    • Anonymous
      July 23, 2014

      you hate your pm because you have no respect for your country and yourself.
      Linton is full of POPO.

    • Francisco Telemaqe
      July 23, 2014

      Don’t hate the man personally!

      You can disagree with the way he ran the peoples business for the past decades. We all need to agree if he gets another five years as Prime Minister of the country, there is a 98.9% chance the economy of Dominica’s will collapsed.

      I deduced that based on the four hundred ($489.9), eighty-nine million plus dollars budget he proposed. As far as I am concerned that small amount cannot produce much, civil servants will still experience difficulties at the end of the month, while the vultures politicians receive their pay cheques.

      Speak out about the his shortcomings, and what he has failed to do for the country, his failure to attract both foreign, and local investors. Let him know that people are tired with the lies, even those that he told. Nevertheless, a felling of hate should not be part of the equation, we do not accomplish anything by hating another person.

      The best thing you can do is use the power vested in you on that day of opportunity, and vote the whole Labor Party crew out of government, send them all home, that is the only conscionable thing to do!

      You see it is because of the burning hate in the members of the Labor Party’s heart which caused Alick Lawrence, to make the comments he made threatening to destroy (murder) Baron, Edison James, all the members of the UWP, and the people at Q 95. They cannot sue me for saying that, because I have a recording of Alick Lawrence voice verbatim as he made the threats.

      If they challenge me, or DNO, for writing my comments, I will return to Dominica with specialists, and voice analyzing equipment, and subject Lawrence to a voice analytical test, to prove the voice on the recording belong to him.

      Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • Love
      July 23, 2014

      Ms. Ueshiba, you were taught better than that to utter such hateful and vengeful words. Why do you hate the PM, where you are presently living you cannot even get a job or go to college after you graduated from high school. Is the PM responsible for that! We know your family is the UWP. but nobody in the DLP is uttering your sentiments. Do you hate your governor please say that where you are presently living.

  39. Gasparo Contarini
    July 23, 2014

    Wayyyyyyyyyy Linton daycalay skerrit, aye las poor skerro Look blowssss :lol: :lol:

    • HIM
      July 23, 2014

      Linton has always been a smarter man. No Surprise!!!!!!!!.

  40. young voter
    July 23, 2014

    I was very impressed with Mr. Linton. This budget proposal was innovative, creative, workable. It brought re-newed hope and I am optimistic. I will be listening to Mr. Skerrit to make a voting decision.

    • Truth
      July 23, 2014

      where will he get the money, how much money is he going to start up with………and that was not part of the budget. Thnik people, think!!!!!!!

      • leaves you 2 wonder
        July 23, 2014

        Truth

        Didn’t you hear Mr Linton say that his government will cut the amount of advisers, the cabinet of ministers, reduce waste improve efficiency, reduce VAT in strategic areas and provide subsidies and incentives to stimulate lending from banks amongst others to stimulate growth and generate revenue. you people just don’t listen. Go have a read from the IMF 2012 article IV consultation Report about Dominica’s economy under UWP and under DLP and educate yourself.

      • leaves you 2 wonder
        July 23, 2014

        Truth

        Didn’t you hear Mr Linton say that his government will cut the amount of advisers, the cabinet of ministers, reduce waste improve efficiency, reduce VAT in strategic areas and provide subsidies and incentives to stimulate growth, lending from banks amongst others to stimulate growth and generate revenue. you people just don’t listen. Go have a read from the IMF 2012 article IV consultation Report about Dominica’s economy under UWP and under DLP and educate yourself. http://www.imf.org/external/country/DMA/index.htm

  41. Gulfstream
    July 23, 2014

    Hello Dominicans….this is “Circus Time”…what are comedy at the theatre. This is part one of the theatrical act named “UWP gone Mad”.

    • ()
      July 23, 2014

      Gulfstream
      You cannot make a SENSIBLE contribution. You obviously did not listen because you are empty, and you are all over the place.
      IT WAS SIMPLY THE BEST, 99.99999999% OF DOMINICANS HAVE HEARD!

      • Anonymous
        July 23, 2014

        Oh please! The best? Alas!

    • Views Expressed
      July 23, 2014

      Gulfstream, remain in the gulf you are the big illiterate comic.
      Like no one reads on the DLP, I do not expect to raise to this level, with nonsensical garbage brought out by Labour Party and its leaders daily.
      You are not even positioned to talk of Dominica and the merits of the UWP`s initiative for DOMINICA…
      well done Lennox Linton and UWP Team for a presentation welll done
      CHANGE IS MUST….TEAM DOMINICA

  42. Sure
    July 23, 2014

    We go see.

    But how you expect to start your first year in office with a deficit when we presently have a fiscal surplus. Something is wrong with your recipe.

    Good show at the arawak.

    • ?
      July 23, 2014

      @Sure You do not know the meaning of neither deficit nor surplus.
      Surplus in What? Can Dominica ever have a surplus in anything with this Skerrit led Labour Party?
      Go to your dictionary and find the meaning of ‘surplus’ and ‘deficit’.

    • A Doubting Thomas
      July 23, 2014

      DNO I did not hear or saw what was happening at the Arawak House of Culture? Was it really a budget or a show? In your piece I haven’t see $1.00 mentioned. Correct me if I am wrong but isn’t a budget to do with money?

      For instance? How much revenue will we gain by removing this and that to that and this? Or how much revenue would we lose from this to that?

      I am sure even without a balance sheet, I am sure from the few responses so far, in the minds of some UWP supporters this must be the best budget if one can call it that ever presented in any country. The best play to ever grace the Arawak.

      Again, I am going only by what I read on DNO. The would be Prime Minister and Minister of Finance must have given the figures but DNO did not add them to the news item.

      • HIM
        July 23, 2014

        @ A Doubting Thomas You did not listen. Stop asking people to work for you. You are too dam lazy.
        It was the best ever delivered on island. Wonder how much of it Skerrit and his uesless crew included in theirs.

      • Amen!
        July 23, 2014

        Definition of a Budget: An estimate of costs, revenues, and resources over a specified period, reflecting a reading of future financial conditions and goals.

        One of the most important administrative tools, a budget serves also as a (1) plan of action for achieving quantified objectives, (2) standard for measuring performance, and (3) device for coping with foreseeable adverse situations.

        What I just read on DNO – does not meet this definition.

        There was none of these things which I expected:

        a. An itemized summary of estimated or intended expenditures for a given period along with proposals for financing them: submitted the annual budget to Parliament.

        b. A systematic plan for the expenditure of a usually fixed resource, such as money or time, during a given period: For example – a new car will not be part of our budget this year.

        c. The total sum of money allocated for a particular purpose or period of time: a project with an annual budget of five million dollars.

        Instead – we were told of cuts – downsizing of jobs i.e advisers, ministers etc – removing “the most binding constraints on our most important growth sectors”and curiously the cutting of unnecessary travel and high government utility bills will also be eliminated.

        No lights in the ministries? Hospitals … where?

      • Let's try this again
        July 23, 2014

        In all FAIRNESS to the Immediate, Independent and Trusted – I re-posting my previous comment which was not published:

        Definition of a Budget: An estimate of costs, revenues, and resources over a specified period, reflecting a reading of future financial conditions and goals.

        One of the most important administrative tools, a budget serves also as a (1) plan of action for achieving quantified objectives, (2) standard for measuring performance, and (3) device for coping with foreseeable adverse situations.

        What I just read on DNO – does not meet this definition.

        There was none of these things which I expected:

        a. An itemized summary of estimated or intended expenditures for a given period along with proposals for financing them: submitted the annual budget to Parliament.

        b. A systematic plan for the expenditure of a usually fixed resource, such as money or time, during a given period: For example – a new car will not be part of our budget this year.

        c. The total sum of money allocated for a particular purpose or period of time: a project with an annual budget of five million dollars.

        Instead – we were told of cuts – downsizing of jobs i.e advisers, ministers etc – removing “the most binding constraints on our most important growth sectors”and curiously the cutting of unnecessary travel and high government utility bills will also be eliminated.

        No lights in the ministries? Hospitals … where?

    • Lang Mama
      July 23, 2014

      We have a surplus! Lol. Please educate Lang Mama on this matter. How did we get the surplus nuh.

    • leaves you 2 wonder
      July 23, 2014

      SURE
      i need you to do just one thing for me please, have a read of IMF article IV consultation. Download it from here: http://www.imf.org/external/country/DMA/index.htm and go to page 16, look at the table therein and look at the table that says baseline and adjustment paths look at the figures. It indicates that we are consistently running a budget deficit. It also provided the remedy to the problem as to how it can be fixed. Go have a read, Happy reading!!! be the first to dispel the notion that if you want to fool a black man, put it in a book. Stop being fooled. Research and read my friend. I am appalled at the comments you all make, it just shows that you all do not read.

      • Anonymous
        July 26, 2014

        Did you notice that those were figures for 2011 and 2012 with the others, starting at 2013, being projections? Did you also notice that the deficit was running below the level of inflation. Have you questioned what has happened since. I believe you should look at the figures in this years Budget for the answer.

  43. Channel 1
    July 23, 2014

    Wow!!! Wow!! Look a budget. Oh how splendid it would have been if Lennox was the one doing the budget presentation for the country instead of……….(you know who).

    Dominica’s most backward, incompetent and lazy government ie Roosevelt Skerrit and his minions must be voted out.

    Workeeeerrrrrrrrrssssssssss!!!! Change is a MUST not an option.

  44. SMH
    July 23, 2014

    I like the approach not just opposing giving reasons why they opposing.

  45. Referee
    July 23, 2014

    The old truism that defines madness as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome is applicable to a national economy, and Dominica’s is no exception.
    Linton’s approach to the economy offers some hope that the country could finally break the cycle of economic underperformance and on to a sustainable path of above trend growth.
    It helps that Linton had some private sector experience with Dominica Coconut Products. The same cannot be said of the current prime minister who went from being a school teacher to prime minister and minister of finance.
    Linton’s approach to slimming down the size of government will release the creative energy of the economy which at the moment seems to be held hostage to the narrow economic interests of stalwarts of the ruling party in the form of jobs for the favored few at the expense of the many who look to a vibrant economy to lift all boats.
    I am especially heartened by the UWP’s focus tourism and agriculture, two important growth sectors that have languished and hold so much promise for employment generation in addition to providing job and food security for a nation that spends an inordinate amount of money on importing essential food supplies from overseas.
    I am confident that Linton’s approach will attract investment capital from the diaspora that has harbored considerable doubt about the efficacy of the DLP formula for economic growth.
    No normal person can say with any degree of seriousness that there is any hope for improvement in the economic performance of the country without addressing what we have been doing wrong, and learning from our mistakes and making the critical decisions as to what works, what needs to be retained, and what we need to do differently.
    Mr. Skerrit’s approach is to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result.
    I do not believe we have the luxury of infinite madness which is the course we are following under Mr. Skerrit’s feckless and unfocused formula for economic growth.
    We need to retool and refocus the economy towards what works, and must not be shy about abandoning sacred cows such as an unusually large cabinet that may keep party faithfuls happy but serve an albatross to future economic performance.

    • Anonymous
      July 23, 2014

      Your comment is a good example of why Skerrit should not accept the invitation to a debate. Lennox Linton is yet to present the budget that he promised. What he presented could, at best, be labelled a Manifesto. If you, who appear to be educated, cannot distinguish between a Budget and a Manifesto, what can we expect from the majority of voters of lesser intellect?

  46. Eheh
    July 23, 2014

    A budget presentation right? Where are the dollar figures??

    • ?
      July 23, 2014

      @Eheh If you listened you would have heard. Were you listening to the Animal Show at the time? The budget address by Linton was clear and straight forward. I WAS IMPREDSSED in the same manner in which so many was.
      Call a spade a spade.

  47. Reality
    July 23, 2014

    To repeat it in isolation like a poem is the easy part. To apply real figures, respond to real economic situations and challenges, adjust real budgeting principles is another case. The poem sounded nice to the ear but can it stand the reality of the current local and international environment?

    • T
      July 23, 2014

      @Reality There was no poem Sir/Madam. There was a SPLENDID and BRILLIANT delivery of one of the best budget in Dominica. Stop listening to the crap on the Animal Show, you should have been listening to Q95.
      I WAS MORE THAN HIGHLY IMPRESSED.

      • really?
        July 23, 2014

        Then you sir, are too easily impressed!

      • Truth
        July 23, 2014

        It had to be perfect because it is not reality. That piece of writing is probably one of the ideal models, but a model that’s what it is in the absence of figures, or what obtains in the real world situation or more specifically Dominica.

      • Anonymous
        July 23, 2014

        Where is or was the Budget that you described. It would have to be presented first before it can be described as splendid.

  48. Joe
    July 23, 2014

    How//?? Real politician talk.
    Foreign direct investments cannot be a significant factor with these high electricity rates, not going to happen. But wait…..how did we get these high rates?? Any mention of a pledge not to ‘SELL’ Dowasco?

  49. %
    July 23, 2014

    I listened to the entire BUDGET ADDRESS, and this really separates the BRAINS AND THINKERS in Team Domiica/ UWP FROM the GREEDY DUNCECATS in the Labour Party. As i have articulated several times already, Skerrit is Minister of Finance but he barely understands any of the economic terms germaine to a growing economy. The man’s strengths are insults, ineptness and incompetency. While this idea of presenting an alternative budget in Dominica is not new, it was by far the BEST AND MOST PROMISING AND HOPEFUL budget delivered in Dominica over the past 15 years.
    It’s not surprising, because Team Dpominica has:
    Dr Thompson Fontaine INTERNATIONAL ECOMNOMIST
    Joshua Francis Economist
    Claudius Sanford Economist
    Joseph Issac Economist and all the others candidates are brilliant minds. Compare this team to the one Skerrit leads.
    This budget address made me even prouder to be a UWP/TEAM DOMINICA SUPPORTER! WOW! WOW! WOW!
    HOW LONG?
    NOT LONG!

    • Sure
      July 23, 2014

      You serious? Lennox made a fool of himself.

      • Anonymous
        July 23, 2014

        @Sure Are you the same person who does not know the meaning of deficit and surplus? Read what you blogged above. It is continuing to surprise people. Use your computer to educate you brother/sister.

    • Anonymous
      July 23, 2014

      Look everyone has an opinion , brilliant minds sorry , this an election as usual promises are being made I will do this and that , but the bottom line is you can’t reduce taxes on cement etc , the hotels are empty why , prices are far to high and customer service is poor . You cant it reduce reliance on aid or help from the chinese you would not survive, futhermore stop pointing fingers at corrupt politicians there is an old saying people who live in glass houses should not throw stones

      • ....................
        July 23, 2014

        @Anonymous Whether you like it or not, it’s brilliant minds sir. There is no comparism between the two teams.
        BRILLIANT INDIVIDUALS.
        I LOVE THEM. They offer hope for thispoor country.

    • really?
      July 23, 2014

      All these economists in the group and this “budget’ is the best they could come up with?

      Not one figure quoted as to what percentage savings will be made in cut back in expenditure… Not a single idea as to how much revenue will be made in the year as a result.

      What really was the Budget here? Are you people really serious?

    • Anonymous
      July 23, 2014

      Four heavyweight Economists and they still could not produce a BUDGET. Please be reminded that the Ministry for Finance has a professional staff of highly trained persons who advise Skerrit. They seem to know much more about a BUDGET than your UWP experts.

  50. JoJo
    July 23, 2014

    Thank you Team Dominica, thank you mr. Linton for giving us hope and for giving us a new sense of pride. Yes, we can do it. Turn this little island of ours into the true paradise that the good Lord always intended it to be.

    • De Caribbean Change
      July 23, 2014

      a new sense of false pride, stupid.

      • JoJo
        July 24, 2014

        False pride is called a “state house”.

  51. July 23, 2014

    HaHa….Laughing.

    • T
      July 23, 2014

      At What?

  52. Watch Dog
    July 23, 2014

    Dear Mr. Linton,

    Why the incoming finance Minister did not deliver the UWP budget?

    Where is Thomson Fontaine?

    Incoming Minister of Tourism,Culture and Kalinago was praised in the budget? So why was he not appointed Leader?

    How are you going to boost agriculture? NDFD has money 5%, AIDBANK as well as 6 %, 2 % , 0% . NCCU 5% person just refuse to farm as a business.

    • Anonymous
      July 23, 2014

      @Watch Dog It’s None of your Dam business where the esteemed and highly accredited Dr Thompson Fontaine (International Economist) is. ‘Go To Hell’ ‘Go To Hell’ ‘Go To Hell’, according to Skerrit.
      Stop blogging garbage on here. Read over the filth you have blogged. This is pure Animal Show rubbish. Go to the Animal show with this filth. Team Dominica have not just one brilliant mind but several.

      • Anonymous
        July 23, 2014

        hmm well i`m really hoping that you are not one of those brilliant minds.

      • Anonymous
        July 23, 2014

        On the original tape I am hearing “go to hell” only once and it was directed to a specific person. The same person who doctored the new tape to make it sound like he said it three times and to all of Dominica.

        You are so brilliant, you could not tell the difference. Who is really blogging garbage then?

  53. famalay
    July 23, 2014

    very good team dominica

  54. tell
    July 23, 2014

    This is crazy I’ve never seen a budget with no figures. he will cut down the number of ministers and he will get a bigger salary. My dream was true mister is not good to lead DA. Please Dominican open your eyes there is more to come

  55. Sout Man
    July 23, 2014

    I like the idea of 10 ministers. We can have some icing on that by cutting ministers salaries by 40% until the economy improves and we have less than 5% unemployment.

    While at it, we can reduce the number of constituencies to 16 and the number of senators to 7. Mahaut, Roseau North and South each has over 6 000 voters. Cottage, Colihaut and Morne Jaune have less than 2000 each. Salisbury, Marigot Petite Savanne and Vieille Case have less than 3000. We can merge some of these constituencies. The Kalinago deserve special representation.

    Will senior cabinet posts be replaced by junior ministers / parliamentary secretaries? How do you propose paying increases to public servants?

    • Barbara Saunders
      July 23, 2014

      I Listened myself and had a few practical questions too. It’s great to have a long-term vision, but I believe Dominica’s budget cycle is one fiscal year, in other words twelve months, July to June right? Established by the Constitution, so no discretion there!

      1. Accepting that some savings will be generated by the axeing of political advisory and ministerial positions, how does redeployment and retraining of the existing staff of the 6 or so dismantled ministries contribute to the reduction of recurrent costs, as their salaries still have to be paid.
      2. Will the PS’s and other senior staff of those Ministries be retired in the public interest, as they cannot be redeployed to another Ministry/Dept. right? What of the cost of their compensation packages as a result of that eventuality? Has that been factored in?
      2. If there will be reductions in so many areas such as VAT etc. What specifically will be done in the proposed growth areas in the one year cycle to generate revenue to compensate for the losses resulting from the reductions.

      3. How will the proposed apprenticeship programme be implemented within one year and how will it differ from the present NEP run by the Government and will there be a cost to Government for the apprenticeship programme?

      4. The provision of funds to the AID Bank for access to financing by certain sectors sounds familiar. How is it different from existing arrangements? Is the difference in the target groups?

      5. What are the specific compensatory revenue generators in one fiscal cycle to allow for the promised increases to public officers at the levels indicated?

      6. What are the specific initiatives which will generate the promised multiple hundreds of jobs within the budget cycle which is the parameter for a budget presentation right?

      Many more questions but necessary ones if I have to make an assessment as a voter of which presentation not only sounds better but appears more workable. I assume that was the intention of the presentation right? to present alternatives to the voter for decision-making?

    • NKRUMAH KWAME
      July 23, 2014

      I am sure you did NOT listen last night. Mr. LL, in his presentation, DID say where the money will come from.

    • Malgraysa
      July 23, 2014

      I have news for you. Our country of barely 70,000 can easily be managed, with less cost, by 11 M.P.’s and maybe 3 senators. We have internet and excellent telephone communications. Time we start cutting our cloth according to our means.

  56. Poison
    July 23, 2014

    Diaspora partners will be targeted and you do not want them to come home to vote.Lennox,you just a make believer sweet talker.you look confuse and hungry to get into power..imagine this man deliver an air budget,had no patient to wait for the government who was elected by the people to come out with it’s own.

  57. Anonymous
    July 23, 2014

    Tell Linton he is the biggest joker in the whole of the carribbean to enter in to politics ,the man do not have a clue about runing a basket ball team far less a country.
    If dominica’s put this people in power they will become the laughing jokers of the carribbean .
    And as for Linton he better start looking for a job

    • ehhhhhh
      July 23, 2014

      at skerro the whole caribbean laughing @…..worse pm in the caribbean and dca….time for skerro to goooooooooo

  58. Me and me
    July 23, 2014

    That’s what you call a budget presentation. We haven’t had one so in a while.

    • Anonymous
      July 23, 2014

      Where was the BUDGET in the presentation?

  59. couponlady
    July 23, 2014

    That’s right!!! Plans for a better, more prosperous Dominica….

  60. philme
    July 23, 2014

    the Republican Party has move to Dominica!

  61. Why de One-upmanship
    July 23, 2014

    Lennox is intelligent and should be allowed to make his contribution to Dominica as should all other citizens but his attempts to one-up the PM in almost everything is quite sad. This practice of one-upmanship is becoming very clear to other intelligent persons and bothers on extreme disrespect.

    Disrespect is becoming a way of life in Dominica. It seems that deceased Pierre Charles meant to say that Dominicans wear their ability to be disrespectful as a badge of honour. The more disrespect many can show to others, the better they feel about themselves. What is that about?

    • JoJo
      July 23, 2014

      Nonsense, lennox Linton is at his own level and so is Roosevelt Skerrit. It is simple as that. There is a difference in quality and you chose which level YOU want!

  62. RED 2 BLUE
    July 22, 2014

    That was a VERY GOOD presentation. Skerro can’t deliver like in coming Prime minister Linton

    • really?
      July 23, 2014

      That was a budget presentation? with zero figures with the exception of 10 and 16?

      Wow…some of you are too easily impressed!

  63. Cocount
    July 22, 2014

    Hooray for team Dominica. What a,splendid presentation of parliament

  64. Doc. Love
    July 22, 2014

    The Skeritt led Administration has been quiet, because it felt UWP Team Dominica would have gone cold after the appointment of Mr. Lennox Linton as political leader. Mr. Linton has proven to be an excellent leader and organizer, and as the General Election draws closer, apart from the name calling and political mapuis, Skeritt has not been able to find a solution to slow down Mr. Linton. Skeriit better do something real quick or he shall not catch up with the UWP Team Dominica electrifying team.

  65. BRAIN DAMAGE
    July 22, 2014

    After Skerrit has crippled and is still killing the country, Linton it has to take hurricane to repair the damages.
    Anyway half a loaf is better than none.

  66. looking on
    July 22, 2014

    Spaggs whs

  67. Anonymous
    July 22, 2014

    Let’s see which of these ideas skerritt going to steal!!

    • Anonymous
      July 23, 2014

      Is that the idea behind the pre-emptive speech? Sorry Skerrits speech has been written well before July 22 ready for delivery on July 23.

  68. real possie
    July 22, 2014

    Pawol boy you put up a great show at the theater tonight Fou Budget, when can we expect it in the NE in the USA? cant wait for that LOL.

    • De Caribbean Change
      July 23, 2014

      what lennox said could be rated PG13.

  69. Hope
    July 22, 2014

    Workerrrrrsssss. The saw for sure

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