Just hours after announcing to media that it was working on putting a case forward to the government to request and negotiate a stimulus package on behalf of the people who have been affected by the recent surge in covid-19 cases on island, the Alternative People’s Party (APP) released a statement outlining a stimulus plan it says it would implement if it was in office.
The package includes $2,000 assistance for homes without a direct a salary and a three-month duty-free holiday for business on certain essential goods and services.
On August 23, Interim Leader of the APP, Tahira Blanchard spoke on Q-95 Radio’s Talk on the Block program, about her party’s concern about the latest Covid-19 surge.
She indicated that the APP sees it as important to convene meaningful discussions with government on the issue of a stimulus package as many have been voicing the need for it following the three-week closure of non-essential businesses due to the virus.
When pressed about whether the APP would join with the people in the event of a protest to demand a stimulus, Blanchard noted that her party was one which believes in civil dialogue and resolution and would want to explore all options before protest action can be considered. She stated that the party believes in following the correct order of things, and to protest without having put its request to the government and at least attempting to initiate some form of discussion, is not the way to go. She said protests should be a last resort, however, if after all options fail, the APP will always stand with the people.
In her radio interview, Blanchard said that the APP had not yet officially presented government with any documents on the matter but the party was working on doing so.
In addition to this, she said the APP it is partnering with other organizations to help provide assistance to the various covid-19 centers on the island. Donations will soon be made in that regard.
In the party’s statement sent to media on the evening of August 23, the APP gave some detail on its proposed stimulus plan.
“If we were in office, APP would offer at least $2, 000.00 per household for families without a direct salaried member of the family, or $ 950.00 for each working or salaried individual in each household,” the APP said.
“This stimulus would be given on the strength of the family registry information, and the most vulnerable families would receive a basic $500.00 in addition to the $ 950.00 for each salaried family member under the household,” it added.
Further, the APP said, “We would offer $ 2, 500.00 to each registered small business and a duty-free holiday for three months on food and medicine, and essential products, goods and services for larger corporations and manufacturing concerns.”
The APP’s statement also questioned government’s “sudden” decision to reopen the country and said it was baffled by the abrupt shift in strategy regarding the latest covid-19 surge.
The party said while it welcomes that citizens can now get back to work following the three-week partial closure, Covid-19 cases are still in the hundreds and trending upward, which indicates that greater caution should be exercised in the management of this pandemic.
“All the facts and recommended COVID-19 management protocols suggest that the policymakers may have acted prematurely with last weekend’s announcement on the abrupt reopening of the country,” the statement said.
The APP believes that Dominica stands to suffer if Covid-19 is not managed properly and called on authorities to “embrace everyone in this fight.”
“It is evident that something is lacking in the management approaches of our leaders at this crucial period, and their seeming indecisiveness should worry citizens,” the statement said.
The party said that it is ready and remains committed to working with a broad-based team that is willing to put the country first in the fight against COVID-19.
Let’s be serious. This party is like an app on your phone that you have no reason or need to use. DELETE!
Stimulus package my foot!
You said it well, the other day, when you advised the people to stand together with the Government to fight against this deadly virus.
Now you come with your “stimulus package” nonsense. How will the people ever decide to fight strenuously against that virus, when the opposition political parties are only encouraging them to look out for money from the government–what you call a “stimulus package”?
Why not continue your talks to encourage them to get vaccinated for the good of everyone and everything?
Your idea of giving money for whatever the cause is simply influencing the people to remain as they are–but money will not prevent the death they will suffer from this deadly virus–now think about that!
The APP is as lightweight as can be. They kept crawling like a crab walking on a glass surface and were forced to come out and address the need for a stimulus package to address the economic shock to citizens. They would seek a dialogue with the government suggests they have to appease the government rather than act like an “alternative” to the government. This suggests to me that this bunch are a satellite of the rulling party rather than a party seeking to replace the party in power. By dialoguing with the government like they say they will means they will caucus with the government and as such are bedfellows with the government. They only now find it fit to think of a stimulus package because the people called for it suggests that they have no foresight and are only reacting to the issue as against being leaders on the issue. This is no way to be an alternative to the ruling party. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. I don’t buy what they’re selling.
Kid,although I agree with you,I still believe APP should advise citizens to take the vaccine which they are not doing.FRANCISCO- DOGS,must understand block letters is for emphasis if he know what is.Block letters is to refresh FRANCISCO-DOGS diminishing brain cells,and ROTTEN memory.Block letters jumps at you and make you take notice.For too long this outdated CORRUPT AHOLE has been posting lies and fake news about Skerrit.This BOGUS coonu plays like he is lord of birds and beasts,knows and see’s all things yet he could not see FIDEL GRANT winning the Wesley constituency.He could not see the international airport being built in Wesley.I have asked these overeducated anti-Skerrit BBOONS what caused UWP to lose 1,163 voters in the 2019 election,none can answer.Instead they go on DNO insulting the Prime Minister,playing doctor and scientist……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
@Lin clown, how can you speak about “overeducated” referring to Francisco Dodds Telemaque? There is nothing about education in that man.
He is someone like my uncle, who could not spell and write his name. but he could set a blank steel drum to cause it to play the notes of the most beautiful music, not to mention the way he used to play the accordion. He was the most important player of our Jing Ping Band in Giraudel–unfortunately, he and 2 other of the players are dead today.
So that is who Telemaque is, his kind of education is out of this World, no wonder so many of the things he writes are foolishness, pulled out from his own balled head. Overeducated you say! That is an overstatement
I see why you admire the APP so much. They are the paper tiger that the Dictator likes because all they will do is write nice fancy articles, dress in the latest fashion with high heels and give fancy speeches. Good for you because they will never succeed against the well entrenched, politically savvy Dictator with that approach. Hence I view them as a mere distraction and vote splitter on behalf of the DLP. APP sounds like the DPSU and its leader more and more….passive! I am begining to believe he is actually one of the coward men hiding behind the ladies
But my bro, the UWP will continue to daymoutay the Dictator and his cabal until Pyro and Buju are ready to lead the ” hit the streets” movement. That what we are waiting for my friend. Let me see what you will say then.
IFFF they were in office. Pie in the Sky. Pipe Dreams. APP can say what they want to try to get people to vote for them. Nothing wrong with that, but if you really cant do anything just STFU. DNO you should also pick sense from nonsense.
Chupes man, you are suppose to be a new party but do not even want to name the people in charge. You hear the bell ring for stimulus package and now you running behind late to try and be relevant. Maybe you’re just an app after all.
If stands stiff in a barrel of beef. And if I were rich I would be staying at Secret Bay.
I’m confused a bit, $2000 for households without anybody working? From pervious experience these type for things don’t work out effectively in Dominica. There is always corruption and party favoritism. End that idea of handouts. A more effective stimulus is a 3 month 50% reduction in VAT (or total removal), or 50% reduction in government taxes on fuel. There won’t be any bias in who receives benefits, and implementing will be seemless and without unnecessary administrative costs.
People may say, where Skerrit getting de money. Where he getting money to build airport? That airport is the equivalent of buying a $250,000 car, but begging to pay your light bill. But so we like it, at least we can brag we get airport too.
Enough of the NICE WORDS and written proposals/ recommendation etc. I listened intently to Buju and Pyro on the Q95 Talk On The Block yesterday and I must commend them for their bravery and foresight in diagnosing Dca’s problems and the ONLY viable solution…..Skerrit MUST GO!
When are we going to get that simple message and collectively hit the streets? They also hit the nail on the head by calling out the DPSU and the hypocracy that exist within its leadership. Like them, I have been saying this for a long time now but alas, through no fault of the members the leaders want to create a perception of neutrality that cannot and will not help our people in this predicament.
To DPSU and the private sector leaders I say get out of your comfort / well buttered bread zone and support these young men in their call for action now, immediately! Forget the political parties because they will not even call out their supporters collectively to demonstrate. I await the call to action.
This makes sense… civil dialogue and resolution… You are on the right path. Civilization and Communication is the key to progress.
Not just taking a calculator and punch numbers and say, “THEY have 4.1 billion someone holding for THEM so we want it. Let’s take the street to find it. $25,000.00 for every house hold. Stimulus now…” words of psychopath Leader.
APP, your approach is reasonable and sensible to solving matters. Keep up the good work. Not like the other one(UWP) that see WAR as their only way out. They that see destruction as their motive and oppose just for opposing sake. You are showing some form of appreciation to the people you intend to serve. You are concerned in their health and well being. Applaud you for joining hands with the government to help eradicate this deadly virus. Stimulus and Protest was not your first option and this you must be commended for.
People, if this guy ever tells you that you are on the right path do the opposite . He tells you go east go west. He tells you are right, you definitely know you are doing the wrong thing.
I’ll rather take directions from a sheep than this kid who didn’t even graduate from kindergarten. Common sense and this unlettered fellow are everlasting enemies. This infantile menace ( chronological age 53 but mental age 6) is averse to rational thoughts.
Ibo Malaprop France, I’m sure you will agree with me that put a PIG in a palace it still remains a PIG.
Your qualities are no different !
I know businesses today where the manager or management has NEVER advised employees to either get tested or take the vaccine and their business is affected by COVID-19.I wonder if these businesses should be compensated?
In a DNO article on August 20th 2021 captioned “”Convention Postponed and Covid response”, the APP went on to talk just about Covid, and totally failed to realise that Covid is inextricably linked with, closure of business, unemployment, suffering, stimulus, etc. There was no mention of relief to anyone..I was so flabbergasted that my comment then was “why no mention of a stimulus”..Whoever it is that’s crafting those releases must stop that piecemeal, ambiguous commentaries.. It clearly suggest that you all are not deep thinkers and you are prepared to leave your people in lurch.
I read that APP intends to have DISCUSSION with Skerrit re closure of non essential businesses? Really? In what capacity may i ask? I have known Skerrit to be a block headed nobrainer with dictatorial tendencies, who ignores dialogue in toto. Is APP affiliated to DLP?
I think that i am confused with the messages that you all are sending out, and you piecemeal approach on Covid is something that is…
This political party was formed by deception. The real founder, Alex Bruno, refused to admit when asked by Mathias Peltier if he was involved with this party in any way was simply in denial.
People, if a man lies to you once he is a LIAR. Once a LIAR always a LIAR. So all the fantastic promises they are offering now are just that, FANTASY.
This colloquial saying is so appropriate in this case ‘What start bad a mawning can’t come good a evening.’
Anyone can correct if I’m wrong. I listened to the putative leader of the APP on Q-95 Radio. She emphatically said that the focus of her party was solely on the reduction of the high number of COVID-19 cases for now. No other issue she insisted but just that one. Even when pushed by the host she defiantly insisted only this one issue her party is willing to deal with at the present moment.
The APP members seem not to be able to multi-task. They seem unable to walk and chew gum at the same time.
She (Talira Blanchard) in my humble estimation harmed the image of the party in the interview. Now this thing about agitating for stimulus package is all about damage control.
I’m going to repeat this. Dominica does not need more divisive politics, it needs more activists to champion the causes of the down-trodden, the many dispossessed and the most vulnerable among us.
Can’t you see what’s happening to our women? Where are the voices to halt this exploitation? Come on man!