No political budget – PM

Skerrit said the budget will not be political
Skerrit said the budget will not be political

Prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, is vowing that the upcoming national budget is not going to be political but will be based on the “prudent and responsible approach” to managing the nation’s finances.

In an interview with state-owned DBS Radio, Skerrit said the island is in an election years and some “people believe that we will be presenting an election budget.”

“I can say to the Dominican people that we will not going to be presenting an election budget,” he said. “We will continue to maintain the prudent and responsible approach to the preparation ofthe budget and the management of the finances of the people of Dominica.”

According to the prime minister, there are “elements within the opposition who would want to do otherwise.”

“But this is why the Labour Party is in government and that is why they are in opposition because I do not believe that they have been taking the responsible approach towards the intention and of course the management of the country,” he stated.

He noted that a number of “critical measures” will be looked at in the budget including the tax system, relief for pensioners and the tourism sector.

He stated that Dominica has been through some “turbulent time” and it took the Labour Party to rescue the country and in the process “losing two prime ministers.”

“So while we we will be responding to the needs and concerns and expressions and requests of the various groups in society, we also must be mindful of the need for us as a government, as a people to be exceptionally responsible,” Skerrit stated. “Because as the minister of finance of this country, I am not prepared to throw away or to dilute the sacrifices of the Dominican people over the last ten years for any short term political gain.”

The national budget will be presented in parliament on Wednesday.

The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has said it will be presenting its own budget on Tuesday in an effort to make Dominicans aware of the party’s plans for the Dominican economy.

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45 Comments

  1. Papa Dom
    July 22, 2014

    Kwak kwak, u fool where is he going to get the money to give to the unemployed and pensioners if he doesn’t provide employment or provide the environment where businesses can flourish to enable them to provide jobs? Are you saying that all we deserve as Dominicans is a little hand out from skerritt? Everyday take your bucket to the well, one day the bucket bottom must drop off. It is time you people understand that the current trend is not sustainable and that sooner or later it will all come to a grind halt.

  2. More Votes for Lugay
    July 21, 2014

    It will be a go Hell and None of your dam business budget, I will not be surprised if the whiteman has already sent this blackman’s budget to a syril volney.

  3. longtong
    July 21, 2014

    Boy look roro!!!

  4. JIM
    July 21, 2014

    Given life, LENNOX LINTON will deliver our 2015 budget address. The end of wicked rule over our country is slowly coming to end.. THANKS BE TO GOD!.

    • AS - IS
      July 21, 2014

      Man stop talking nonsense and go read a book.

  5. dafriend
    July 21, 2014

    Tell us how much money you throw out of the window every month in your Red Clinic. This money, since it comes out of the states coffers should be made public in the budget as well. Or how do you account for it Sir? Perhaps the same way you account for the income from selling passports. Boy, oh Boy what a banana republic. Worst of all, we’ve allowed this man to foul is now for 15 years. We really get all we deserve!

  6. Sun
    July 21, 2014

    Can you afford to pay police officers for their over time? Even if there basic rate was $8.00 hour x by a whole day which is 24hrs=192 x 23 days =4416

    • Anonymous
      July 21, 2014

      who works 24 hours a day?

  7. The Times
    July 21, 2014

    election is in the pipe line so people get set

  8. patriot
    July 21, 2014

    PM you were given to Dominicans by GOD FOR A REASON and until such time there is nothing that anyone can do. YOUR SEASON HAS JUST STARTED and there is much left to be done.
    Fear not for god is with you.

    thus declared the Prophet

  9. Ben Haynes PsyD.
    July 21, 2014

    Either this man is the biggest fool in the nation, or this is one of his political blunder. Really, how is a budget not political? Who is this man thinks he is trying to fool?

  10. Star
    July 21, 2014

    Say that the country is developing but at the same time trying to cripple the police that protecting the country. Some of them spend 8 days out of a month in an out station away from their families, plus they have to provide their own food, buy their own cooking gas and whatever they need to survive in an out station. When you remove that amount of money from their salaries how are they going to survive with their mortgage and family.
    Parliamentary representatives got 50% increase and the crippling public servants.
    Government should start by cutting all salaries above $5000.00 and $4000.00. That’s the only way to explain to public servants that the country is facing a financial crisis. Not police officers.
    The population is much larger than the police force, so why expect so much performance from the police with little equipment.

    • man
      July 21, 2014

      i like that i really like that but correction on days spent in a month for out station police men. they spend to the total of 20 days in one month tending to the security of the country.
      looking after other peoples family while theirs are in danger and at the mercy of thieves, rapist an many other things.
      some persons a getting money just to seat in and office and shop online. police officers are out there in the day and the same one thats there have to wake in the night to go out there and respond to other reports. man the gov gives people, organisation all type of money before they tend to their bill, why don’t the pay what they owe and the remainder see how they can share it. is that not more logical than what they want to do.
      these people want to put people in poverty, the money police getting is just to survive what will happen when the cut their salary.
      they say we a the best in the Caribbean when it comes to corruption. it seems to me they want Dominica police to go into corrupted practices to survive. tell them i said so.
      when i see madness i saw it as i c.

  11. wats dat agian
    July 21, 2014

    oh oh……….. WAT THAT AGIAN .!

  12. ?
    July 21, 2014

    this is such a lame report……..soo much said but really saying NOTHING!!!!
    PM not giving any details of de proposed budget!!!
    Last year’s budget was an embarrassment by your government.
    This year you not trying to come better and clean up your act? GIVE ME DETAILS???????????
    relief for pensioners, tourism sector and tax system.
    huh……..
    as minister of finance you afraid to mention de word VAT???
    so you talking about tax system……….and you and labor party lapdogs will try to sell dat on Kairi as a relief for VAT……nice try….i watching…..and listening too
    what about de tourism sector you want to deal with?…….you could have easily made a co-relation with recent comments by the head of the Hotel Association regards de burden of VAT…….what about de further details of de International Airport
    About pensioners…….can you relate that to social security please????????can you please ELABORATE??????????
    Oh, i will never forget de neglect of de construction industry in last year’s budget!!!!!!!!!!
    only new thing i recall is a 1.5 km access road in de carib reserve……when i think back on you St. Joe rally you had alot to say about works to begin within WEEKS far less for MONTHS……
    Last year i heard of a 6millionEU for disaster mitigation on Bois Diable to White River Road….nothing happened.
    Again recently i heard de PM mention 130millionEC for disaster mitigation works AGAIN MENTIONING roadworks proposed for Bois Diable to White River including other areas locations like Castle Bruce to Kalinago Territory to pagua

    Honestly i thought you would highlight Road construction in light of de recent damage and deterioration that we have been experiencing through de effects of tropical storms…….you made a big hoopla about it and pump up your chest to inform on de amount of money that you could attract as finance minister…
    Also, i thought you would highlight de BAM….
    Future prospects for Agriculture……
    election coming up wi garcon….inspire me nuh
    incompetence!!!!!!

    ONCE AGAIN YOU HAVE DISAPPOINTED ME

    MR SKERRIT I CAN SEE RIGHT THROUGH YOU!!!!!
    BE AN HONEST MAN PLEASE!!!!!!

  13. July 21, 2014

    To be honest, I am one of your strong supporter mr pm, however sir you lied to Dominicans at home and abroad regarding the information which was made public blaming others, even going as far as asking to arrest linton, send police to search the man’s home, only to find out that the person responsible is your senior counselor Tony, to remove the shame and embarrassment you lied to us at home and abroad saying that you gave Tony permission to send the said info to one person

    Mr pm you know that is a big fat lie from both of you, as the saying goes one a thief is alway a thief, therefor once a liar is always a liar, so I do not believe nothing coming off your mouth, this SC and his lies is causing you to loose many supporters

  14. %
    July 21, 2014

    They will listen well to Team Dominica’s budget. Then they will work overnight to include some of the elements in their own, even the bunch of DUNCE CATS parading as a Labour Party will not be able to implement them.

  15. tech
    July 21, 2014

    Pm we killing dem flat. alas workers lol.

  16. ....................
    July 21, 2014

    It is really a SAD SAD SAD thing when so many people are perceiving the PM as a LIAR.
    SAD INDEED!
    I am a UWP Supporter!

    • Ben Haynes PsyD
      July 21, 2014

      It is sad also when a politician especially the leader of a party, and the PM to booth says that a budget is not political. Imagine a budget is not political. I guess D/ca is a fairy tale country. Either the PM is playing games with the electorate heads, or he does not understand politics. Regardless of when it is presented, budgets are political whether we want to believe it or not. I thought I heard it all.

  17. Me again
    July 21, 2014

    You hear lie? Teacher say if you tell a lie you going to hell as soon as you die.

    • Doc. Love
      July 21, 2014

      Skeritt can lie as much as he wants, political or not, concerned about the pensioners or not, I hope he is honest enough to budget something for the public workers. I cannot understand why he is concerned about the red clinic and the pensioners then all the public workers.

      • kwak kwak
        July 21, 2014

        u fool there are more pensioners and unemployed on the voters list… who do you expect him to appeal to? you lazy public servants…lmao :lol: :lol: :lol:

  18. truth
    July 21, 2014

    OH,,, I tought elections was next year;,

  19. truth
    July 21, 2014

    that’s what u best at skeritt, LYING

  20. bumble
    July 21, 2014

    You have been fooling ppl for so long!! And still believe you are fooling the majority… What comes from your mouth are a bunch of lies… Over 13 years in government and no long term development in our country

  21. AA
    July 21, 2014

    But all you fellas good wee boy talking about prudent management of resources, do you all actually understand what you all are saying?

    This government have squandered the resources of the country focusing on capital projects with no long term benefits instead of on the productive sector which can benefit the country long term. They are shortsighted looking at their benefits rather than that of the country. The national debt even excluding the petro carib debt is unmanageable and not sustainable.

    If you was exercising prudent management of the states resources you would see that you cannot continue to neglect the productive sector because that is what will bring you long term foreign exchange. This government have been thinking only political and have brought the country right back to the edge of the precipice.

  22. shaka zulu
    July 21, 2014

    Every time skeritt speak all I hear is blahh blaahh blahhh blahhh blahh. So where in the budget last year you allocated 500k to the church or money for the NEP where you partnered with private sector on a whimm.

    Where in the budget did you account for funds related to the sale of passports and what and where the money was used. It is on record that over 15 k passports were sold at 100 k a piece. As minister of finance the people need to hold you accountable for missing funds and you bogus travel expenses.
    I will not say more but this: In this election year its about time a set budget is put aside for each party for political campaigns and campaign financing needs to be monitored and regulated. To much money coming from unanimous sources some of which are questionable.

    • Anonymous
      July 21, 2014

      Can I predict on Wednesday, we are going to either hear a budget with a lot of reference to what the UWP presents on Tuesday. This will tell me two things. The PM adjusted his budget presentation and secondly it was prepared overnight just like the ideas he suddenly comes up with.
      We will know how much attention was given to the country’s finances.

  23. Forever Amber
    July 21, 2014

    Looks like Team Dominica’s budget presentation scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, has provoked Skerrit’s pre-emptive strike on DBS. The above article serves no real purpose.

  24. Anonymous
    July 21, 2014

    I note the PM said “will be looked at in the budget including the tax system, relief for pensioners and the tourism sector.”

    I am very interesting in hearing how their tax system will be different from what has been proposed by the UWP.

    Tourism sector – I wait to see what is being offered and for what categories in the sector. new or existing hotels, vendors, taxis, tour operators?

  25. lego beast
    July 21, 2014

    like a parrot..parlay sa la ka fe moi foo…

  26. July 21, 2014

    I can’t believe anything coming from the pm mouth.

  27. Gasparo Contarini
    July 21, 2014

    Relief to pensioners, the tourism sector and the tax system.
    Thank You Hon. Lennox Linton for entering politics, u are bringing much needed relief to the Dominican people.

  28. youth Leader
    July 21, 2014

    it looks like workers throw a rench in labour plans, elections soon my people keep ur ears posted.

  29. ()
    July 21, 2014

    Skerrit those of us who love Dominica are tired of your insult and incompetence. Give us an election date please.

  30. Red clinic option
    July 21, 2014

    Lol Mr pm can’t wait to hear you.kill them all an let them die :twisted:

  31. Van
    July 21, 2014

    I am so impressed with Lennox and his team Dominica. I am waiting for their budget presentation on Tuesday.
    This team is most surely the government in waiting just as soon as Tony and Alick Lawrence decide when the elections will be called.

  32. Umm
    July 21, 2014

    “Because as the minister of finance of this country, I am not prepareed to throw away or to dilute the sacrifices of the Dominican people over the last ten years for any short term political gain.”

    So says the man who runs a ‘Red Clinic’ from his office, so says the man who has amassed wealth which his salary cannot justify (nor will be allow the IPO to), so says the man under whose watch several members of his team have been distributing hard cash in an effort to entice voters….I could go on and on but Charlie Jong is the paid consultant, not me!

  33. %
    July 21, 2014

    I really can’t wait for you (Skerrit) to deliver your last budget as Prime Minister of Dominica, because the electorate is impatiently waiting to KICK YOU OUT IN DISGRACE. The era of poverty, insult, squandamania, ineptness, waste, nepotisn, lies, thievery and cronyism will finally end AS SOON AS YOU ARE SENT PACKING.. Did you mention the budget will be a prudent and responsible appproach to managing the nations finances?
    OMG! What an inslt to those who know better! Mr Skerrit it is during your reign as Minister of Finance that this country has taken the turn for the worse. The smallest economy in the region, the economy with the smallest rate of FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT, lowest Ecomnomic Growth, the country with the biggest cabinet. A minister of Finance who is the dummiest and duncest in the region. A Minister of Finance who does not understand not even basic ecomomics parlance. THAT’S WHY CHANGE IS A MUST! Good citizens must come together and boot Skerrit out next election, before the country is further cursed because of one man!
    the Labour Party which Skerrit heads represent enslavement of the poor man, perpetual poverty for the poor man, enrichment of government ministers, GREEDINESS of government ministers, pollution of our institutions including the POLICE and a new philosophy “Some Shall Eat All”.
    HOW LONG?
    NOT LONG!

  34. B Lion
    July 21, 2014

    Very good measure. Its about time life becomes more than an expense rather an experience of natural growth and organization. To responsibly gear our budget towards the nations finances is to set us in gear for growth by prioritizing positive financial outcome in all decisions, rather free support. Its a change to become more intellectual and educated in our daily affairs. Our only backdrop is the ill effects of quick growth. It sometimes takes proper management on all sectors to handle responsible growth. Environmental pollution is a sin. Therefore we must grow naturally. Natural farming to supply organic food and herbs to the world is one of our great strengths. Tastes greeeaaat!

    • Trute
      July 21, 2014

      Sorry, you referring to what party? Did I read you right? Percent, your ideas are good but not for this ruling party, as far as I am concerned, they had fourteen years to turn things around for this country and instead they wasted it and look where we are today.

  35. Jahchild
    July 21, 2014

    “Because as the minister of finance of this country, I am not prepareed to throw away or to dilute the sacrifices of the Dominican people over the last ten years for any short term political gain.”

    I will certainly be holding you to those words MR PM especially as it pertains to VAT& service charge within the Tourism Section.

  36. linky
    July 21, 2014

    old record again and again

    • kwak kwak
      July 21, 2014

      the record not old… it just skrach… it have skerry skrach skrach :lol: :lol: :lol:

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