By Hermisha Rolle, Staff reporter
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has officially reported on the status of a 100-day plan, which contained measures promised during his party’s election campaign, to have been introduced within the first 100 days his administration was sworn in on January 4, 2010.
At a pre-election rally at La Plaine, Skerrit had outlined those measures to improve the lives of Dominicans, if his Dominica Labour Party (DLP) is elected.
At a press conference this morning, he said that such measures are intended to primarily tackle cost of living concerns and unemployment among others.
Six key issues were highlighted as the areas targeted. They include the creation of an employment agency, and 150 positions for temporary teachers and 100 for nurses.
Cost of living
“There were four actions designed to bring relief with respect to the cost of living… Port charges have been reduced by 20 percent. Goods can now remain on the port for up to seven days before incurring port charges. Cabinet has approved the removal of customs duties and port charges on gifts, including barrels valued up to $150…,”the prime minister said.
He also stated that there has been a removal of duties on number of items and do not attract payment of the Valued Added Tax (VAT). He stated that the government has considered some additional items for inclusion on the list of zero-rated items.
Creation of employment
One major accomplishment in the race to fight unemployment, according to the prime minister, has been cabinet’s approval of the establishment of an Employment Agency which has been merged with the Small Business Support Unit.
He said that the an employment agency that seeks to help find employment and allow job seekers to acquire skills among other benefits, the Prime Minister stated.
“ The ministry of Trade is currently engaged in finalising staffing and operational arrangements and preparing budget estimates for the reconfigured Unit,” Prime Minister Skerrit said.
Minimum pay of 1000 per month to full time Government Employees
The prime minister said that Cabinet has also directed that the hourly rate of all established employees be increased to a minimum of $5.77 per hour with effect from April 1, 2010.
“As a result, no non established worker who works forty hours per week, will hence forth receive less than 1000 a month,” he said.
The teaching profession
Cabinet has approved of 144 positions for teachers at qualified and graduate levels. The prime minister noted that government is currently finalising the administrative arrangements for this to take effect.
He also mentioned, “Cabinet has further directed that the training program for teachers be vigorously pursued so that the remaining 56 positions of “qualified teacher” can be filled at the earliest.”
The nursing profession
Prime Minister Skerrit said that the creation of 100 nursing positions have become a reality. He said that this is intended to fill the gaps within the service.
The police force
The Leader of government also mentioned the approval of 50 new positions at the level of Police Constable where 35 are to be filled within the current financial year.
“A second batch of recruits will commence training in the next financial year. This development comes on the heels of the provision of 30 positions at the rank of Corporal. Twenty of these positions have been filled with the remainder carded for the next financial year…” Skerrit said.
Poor taste stop the giggling this is serious business. As the leader of the Govt the Prime Minister should be more frofessional so his comrades can follow. Poor reponses. A contract is a contract and you stick to it or amend it if need be.
What is the next level? Does anyone know that answer.The Minister of Health place the responsibility on the drivers causibg accidents and then using the services of the hospital. He missed the point.If their is an eartquake in Dominica do you blame nature for the injured having to use the services of the hospital,We are only concerned about the responsibility and function of the hospital.Base on his response he has no knowledge of the services at that hospital. Things that must be considered are namely time, qualified dedicated technicians,proper equipment and supplies a real disaster team at the E.R including Mds including a surgeon, nurses ,xray tech,and emergency room technicians.To save lives there must be a team effort, otherwise as soon you arrive in the E.R you have just arrived to die. Sad but true. The motto is to( save a life at all cost.)
Although I applaud the PM for his attempts to stimulate economic growth, I wonder how our economy will continue to sustain the potential for jobs when our debt burden has leveled off at 85% of GDP. We had a GDP growth of 1.1% in 2009 ( some will say it was close to 3%, but that is not true). That is expected to grow slightly in 2010. If you really look into it, you will see that our expenditures have outpaced our revenues for the past years. The PM is taking steps to avoid the type of economic stagnation that covered us for the decades prior to 2006.
Somewhat ambitious? Yes. However, if our production base ( Offshoring, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, etc) does not generate the revenue necessary to sustain what has been promised, then the promises will remain what they are.
It is in our best interest to pray that the economic restructuring and programs being put in place actually work. If not, we will have to raise property tax on all west coast residents once the west cost road has been completed…..just kidding.
THIS IS SO LAUGHABLE…..MAN I CYA WAIT TO GET OUT OF THIS PLACE
Finally you are leaving for greener fields yonder.
What great news. And don’t come back.
i agree with u AMEN….. the reason why the economy is like this in Dominican is because of the Dominicans they are so negative down there and when ever one person sees someone doing good they will do anything to bring that person down….. that’s one of the reasons i left D/A to came to the states….. more opportunities
to all those talking against the pm ;what are u doing to make our country better ? do we think by staying and cretical of every effort that is made will fix da, ? lets seek to build da together our leaders have their part to play with our help and we have ours to play so let work and find solutions to problems and not seek to create more problems. if da goes undre we all go under. and to the person whopo said that gas went up only in da and no where else get facts befor e u make folish comments i am in st martin now and the price of gas went up also so stop being a fool
Sorry Sirs but nothing concrete has been done…
Response to the 100 day report:
-Cost of living: We saw the record breaking cabinet size…how many Dominicans could be employed instead of having a LOL ratio of ~1 (minister/ senator) : 1500 persons in the population?.
May I suggest You Pay the civil servant the increase they have sacrificed for… then you will have a multiplier effect and more VAT collection.
-Creation of employment: We saw last week More Dominicans (Colas workers) were being laid off to please the pocket of a fellow French Citizen/national who has been given the multimillion $ colas contract, road construction contracts….
Should not Stimulus packages be contracts to local companies?…or is it a French stimulus package?
-More Top heavy Government: “ The ministry of Trade is currently engaged in finalizing staffing and operational arrangements and preparing budget estimates for the reconfigured Unit,” Besides since it took so many of you more than 100 days to do this should we hold our breath?…certainly more than 100 days
• “Minimum pay of 1000 per month to full time Government Employees” Good move as the Government actually pays the worst in Dominica. How many civil servants are being tortured in acting positions so that they can be easily victimized if they express their professional opinion?
Do you mind if I ask What is the hourly rate of the ministers?
-The teaching profession: I won’t hold my breath…certainly more than 100 days
“Cabinet has approved of 144 positions for teachers at qualified and graduate levels. The prime minister noted that government is currently finalizing the administrative arrangements for this to take effect.”
He also mentioned, “Cabinet has further directed that the training program for teachers be vigorously pursued so that the remaining 56 positions of “qualified teacher” can be filled at the earliest.” I won’t hold my breath…certainly more than 100 days
-The nursing profession
Prime Minister Skerrit said that the creation of 100 nursing positions have become a reality. He said that this is intended to fill the gaps within the service. …certainly more than 100 days
-The police force
The Leader of government also mentioned the approval of 50 new positions at the level of Police Constable where 35 are to be filled within the current financial year. …certainly more than 100 days
“A second batch of recruits will commence training in the next financial year. I won’t hold my breath…certainly more than 100more days
Absolutely None of the steps taken have done anything in the 100 days nor have they shown any way of revenue generation…
Miserable failure for a 1:1500 ratio….What is the budgetary estimate? or do you need another 100days to calculate this?
Come on guys it is better if you cut the cabinet to ¼ its size and let all these inefficient ministers and senators go create employment in the private sector.
Give them (Dominicans only) each a 1.5% interest Alba loan to create employment and prove their worth in the real world. Those with dual citizenship can seek employment in the country of their allegiance as they already have employment agencies setup.
They simply are not needed.
Every ministry already has a trained /educated team led by the permanent secretary…they are qualified in their field of employment but the ministers are not. They simply are obstructions to the efficient and equitable service of the nation.
Use their current salary to give the civil servants the return on the salary cut so they can in tern also create employment through a multiplier effect in the economy.
certainly more than 100more days
Stop being critical and pessimistic. Look on the brighter side and you will sleep ok. Stop the fretting, no need for that. We are moving to the next level. Good job Prime Minister.
PM Please put something in place to put speed limits on the roads. Otherwise we will have more untimely death
You mean the PM has to go to traffic department and instruct them to put signs on the road.. But just now you all will want him to take the paint and go paint the crossing and other markings on the road.. People have jobs the PM should not have to call traffic and say aye i driving through town and i think we need a (no left turn) sign in the corner of Independence street and Cork street.. People have jobs in traffic department to make sure that our signs on the roads are right and present not only to drivers but pedestrians.. Lets not blame the PM for it all..
Wow. Dominica thriving? Serious. And gas go up in Dominica and no where else. Eduacated fools tell your pm to create investment opportunities and stop tryin to run the country on loans and tax. Not one item price has gone down. Lies lies lies
I was very dissapointed with the press conference. Our local press persons are just PATHETIC to say the least. It was a complete shame to listen to Senior journalist like Matt Peltier.
Our so called journalist are just too political
100 days of talk. Thats all I am seeing. I listened to the speech…. We plan on doing this…. we plan on doing that…. we are in the process of talking about planning on doing that….. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITHIN THE FIRST 100 DAYS MY BROTHER? THAT IS THE QUESTION WE ASKING.
The Saga Continues…..
Stop taking Dominicans as a joke..The 100days plan is a dismal failure..
The electorate must be proving by now that they were taken for a ride by a bunch of people who feed on lies.The ministers who spoke were at the least hopeless and at the least unimpressive in their delivery. We are in trouble in this country.
The first 100days achievements can only be seen by the blind and the promises again are all set for the next financial year which has been in effect since 2000. Where is the meet on the bone? Lies and more lies. The guys have no vision and cannot do better– they are lost!!!
What is Dominica main export? Do we have foreign exchange or we depending on the relatives in foreign to send home something? Can a country survive on a dead airport, dead stadium, poor infrastructure, nO adequate health system – Princes Magaret is now HOSPICE…where is the country going? competing with Haiti to see who will be poorer and who more corrupt? PLease help us……The people who see differnt please tell me where is the difference……Assuming their pockets are not all filled with the poor people VAT money and some of the Venezuelan tax payers money—-Next Level to the GATES OF HELL
I’m laughing so hard … man,i can’t stop! Why didn’t i see this comment before?
That”s funny,real funny……..Finally,someone gets it……NICE!!!!!!!
Why aren’t there more people siding with this guy?……..
Nothing for the Dominica Prison service an integral part i keeping the country’s peace. We should be looked at because there are alot of things to to be implemented and we would more staff to be more effective.While all other departments getting more personnel we are falling short so please Mr prime Minister as head of security please look into it.
The gentleman that believes the Mat Peltier questions are foolish I have to say to him I disagree instead I would encourage him to look beyond party politic and try to open up his mind because we have a long way to go especially where our younger generation is concern, We have to repect each others points of view it will never be the same we also have to stop the trashing of others because they do not think the way we do.
I agree we have to respect each others point of views, but tell me why guys like Matt and the others just against everything this Government do?
a juvenile statement…no basis…no facts to support that….just a statement out of pure ignorance and ineptness…
I agree that some of the journalists sounded very unprofessional, untrained and even immature.The men really. I was impressed with the Ivona lady.I mean they should have used the opportunity to dissect what the PM reported on and ask further questions re the 100 day pledges. Instead they were blindsighted by their own predetermined agenda. Pathetic I tell you…
TELL THEM P.M…TAKE YOUR TIME..U DOING A GREAT JOB…DO NOT LET THEM MAKE U DAY-PAR-LAY..GOD BLESS U BRO.
more juveniles on DNO…oh brother..hahaha
A record high set of ministers and senators and that is all you did?
LOL a ratio of ~1: 1000 persons in the population…
LOLOLOLOLOL talk about talk…highly paid talk
we waiting for the actual achievements
absolutely nothing done but talk
when will the 1st one be actually achieved?
LOL LOL”….next financial year…” Skerrit said. ;-)
Matt Peltier needs to get his facts straight before asking the PM those stupid questions. He seems to run to the bank with every anti-government statement that is spewed on his show. Why doesn’t he spend more time seeking the truth rather than accepting all the crap that is expressed on his show? I’m happy this government doesn’t waste time responding to all these baseless and empty accusations. Continue Matt, this propaganda hasn’t work and will never work.
lol lol.. da next level… dominicans still a**
This just shows how much of a GOAT you are, Matt has all the right to question the Pm any time he want , where as you the little Goat will be lead away by the piper who knows nothing what he is doing . continue to sing for your super and … Skeritt behind , by the time you wake up to hear the questio Matt will be asking it will be too late. BIG BROWN NOSER
thats the main point of the show dumb F%$K TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR OWN VIEWS NO MATTER HOW DUMB IT SOUNDED LOL. wat u hear on the show is real dominicans calling in to put forward their own opinion. how dare u blame mat peltier for wat came out of the people’s moths.
Why are all these new jobs being created by the government? Why has the prime minister not focused on creating conditions to allow the private sector to expand thereby creating more jobs for young Dominicans.
I remember years ago hearing Pierre Charles make similar statements about finding government jobs during an address to graduating students. The thinking that government has to be in the job creating business is stive very much alive in Dominica.
Many more jobs could be created if they allowed to private sector to flourish. That is just not happening in Dominica. The government looms much too large in the lives of Dominicans.
They really need to bring back voting on the comments. I couldn’t agree with you more. All these new government jobs are just going to put more strain on the people. Yes, we need them, but where is the gov’t going to get the money for their salaries?
Right now the gov’t needs to make some radical changes to give our economy a chance. Customs duties need to be drastically reduced. There is way too much red tape in the ministry. Foreign investors have complained on this website that it’s too hard to invest here. Farmers need more incentives to keep producing. Explore new crops for export. Investors and farmers are supposed to be treated like royalty.
And is it too much to ask to be able to get something done with the gov’t by only visiting one building in town?
Paestina blind man.She is not aware of these things?
Canefield airport is a port, right? So why when I go an pick up my package from Aerpost, the custom officer does charge me some ridiculous fees… The other I received a birthday gift from my aunt hnd I had it shipped thru Aeropost and I was charged $100… Two pair of shoes wii my aunt sent me..
hmm
And your aunt still had to pay to ship it. Why pay to pick up a package that has already been paid for?
i know right!
Way to go, the first 100 days of the new DLP Government have been successful and there is even better things to come. It is amazing that in these times of global financial crisis little Dominica can not only survive but thrive! Even President Obama is struggling with job creation, employment and financial issues and he has all the resources of the USA.
Stay the course PM, and don’t let the few negative voices get you down! Dominica is going to the next level, and they are all along for the ride. Keep up the good work!
You making joke, right?
Hahaha….. you are a clear cut labourite….. you need to go through this very site and look at the news within the first 100 days…. people losing their jobs and all that….
get ur facts str8 man…a bunch o you labourites are just….its mind blowing how naiive you can be!. lol..oh well..expected..all the smart people already left the country
what about the international airport sir
Was building an international airport part of the first 100 day plan?
no international airport was in the first 100 day plan
no..finishing the night landing thingy wingy was but nahhh it aint even ready yet cuse of ‘safety concerns’