The nation’s leader and Finance Minister, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit revealed to GIS that in his upcoming budget estimates, Dominicans will not face any major fiscal cuts.
This announcement, the Prime Minister says, is notable in these tough financial times as Dominica has not been spared by the global economic and fiscal crisis.
According to him, Dominica has seen a reduction in its revenue, however not one public officer has been sent home or experienced a reduced salary.
“We have not cut back on our social safety net programs or our housing revolution the latter which seeks to assist people with modern washrooms and having homes,” he said. “We continue to invest in agriculture, education and health. As a matter of fact our budget for education and health has increased in the last financial year. So we will not see any major cuts in any of those Ministries but you will see us moving ahead with many exciting plans and programs.”
Skerrit further stated that his Government’s policy of financial prudence will be maintained throughout the next financial year and will be evidenced in the 2014/2015 budget.
“We have to ensure that prudential limits and parameters are maintained as managing the economy of Dominica is a very difficult task,” he stated. “If we tinker with it unnecessarily or against the realities we will very well find ourselves in a situation where we have to go back to the International Monetary Fund and our other international partners. Therefore prudence and a responsible approach towards preparing the budget is key.”
Importantly, the Government leader emphasised, Dominicans will see no political tactics in the budget estimates.
“Notwithstanding the fact that we are in the election year and certainly elections will be held during this fiscal year 2014/2015, you still must not allow that consideration to lead you in preparing a budget,” Skerrit said. “We are not going to do any politicking in this budget. The country is too important and in too much of a delicate stage for us to tinker with it for any apparent political gains.”
Cabinet is expected to reveal the budget estimates sometime this month.
Skerrit: You cannot give public servants an increase after all those years while you were able to give yourself and your ministers a 57% increase. I do not expect any cuts in the budget since you cannot give a salary increase but one thing I know for sure is that our minsters will become richer and richer.
Carry your brief case of lies to the Bishop.
I think depending on who wins. The dreadful words. Our treasury is empty”. Dominicans hold tight in my opinion there`s some big surprises as it relates to the people`s money. You read it first on D.N.O.
no cuts, but electricity bill is rising , ISNT that a cut?
SIR ,not all donkeys ,are asses
“We are not going to do any politiking in this budget.” Wonderful news today from our sincere, credible, objective and Dear Leader!
Skeritt lies so much that nothing he says i believe.
Budget cuts are unavoidable. Barbados went through theirs, the IMF painted a bleaker picture for D/ca this time around than last, so whoever takes the reigns of gov’t in 2015 has an unpleasant task at hand.
Same record spinning over and over,very boring skerro.
Mr Skerrit, quoting from your own words. (Our housing revolution the latter which seeks to assist people with modern washrooms and homes)
Sir do you know that without employment/jobs people will not be able to pay the water for the modern washrooms. If you so believe in housing revolution, why did your administration demolished the homes of those who already had one instead of selling them the lot
All I see coming from your mouth is hot air again and again, hold on tight to that briefcase for the longest rope, keep on flying your kite for one day it will surely come to an end
Same old stuff again, what happen election calling before the budget of after, sakway maten’, change is a must.
Up this morning with hardly anything to feed my offspring, we gwayeh in these dreadful days under the most incompetent government the nation’s experiencing.
Cuts or not, the pending budget means nothing for my community in Grand Bay, we are hungry, badly in need of jobs and a deep political divide perpetuated by those selfish Labourites who care only about their interests..
speak for yourself cuz i not hungry!
you cannot feed your children but you on internet and that is skerrit and labour fault…. instead of puttin servicw or paying marpin for net you shuda buy 2 jakari for your kids
Good thinking PM.
There will be no cuts but there will be a much greater percentage of the budget toward the RED CLINIC!
Is that how we come????
Parry, I would like to congratulate the Prime Minister for not making cuts in the 2014 – 2015 budget. However, I would advise him to put something regardless to how small it is in the budget to assist the public servants. I would also remind the Prime Minister of the tremendous sacrifice public servants have made over the last fifteen years.
The quote “in these tough financial times” has become a mantra in everything he says concerning the budget or the economy. One commonality we must never forget is the lies and deception that are the hallmark in his speeches.
No cuts in the 2014-2015 budget while they the ministers enjoy a raise, the civil servants denied an increase in salary, cost of living sky-rocketing, out of control debt for a population that’s getting poorer under his watch. These are the reality and plight of a people who embraces corruption in government at the highest level. They love their PM weee.
****THE ECONOMY IS MUCH WORSE****
“According to him, Dominica has seen a reduction in its revenue, however not one public officer has been sent home or experienced a reduced salary”.
This statement says it all!!!
So how do we continue to meet our huge financial obligation!!!
Common sense tells us that if there is a reduction in any income, for a country that does not operate with a surplus then where is the money coming from to make up for the loss of income!!! Do we do it by grants, new loans?
Remeber now, our expense either remains the same or it normally increases. Loss of income does not mean reduction in expense.
In this case we can only imagine that our economy and financial status is much worse than the government is painting it to be!!
Still, I wish the best for us and country!!
-Thanks
the major fiscal cuts will come after elections
You mean increases Forkit. The P.M. already said that Govt. revenue is down so he must increase that if he does not want to cut expenditure. First he wants to win the election to give him a mandate to give us some tough medicine. My recommendation to him would be to cut costs instead and do so ruthlessly. Secondly, get people to work so their incomes can generate fiscal income, direct and indirect. That is the only long-term answer to our problems.