Budget day is July 24; health to get increased allocation

budget1Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has revealed that the island’s national budget will be presented to Parliament on July 24.

Speaking on state-owned DBS Radio on Thursday morning, the prime minister described the budget as “important for the country” and said there will be an increase in monetary allocation to health.

He said several pieces of medical equipment will be bought for the Princess Margaret Hospital as part of an “exhaustive priority list” for the Ministry of Health.

“For me as the leader of the country, I take great offense to our people having to go to Antigua to do MRIs and to Barbados or to Martinique just for an MRI,” Skerrit said. “So we have made provisions for the purchase of an MRI and also I believe for the acquisition of an additional CT Scan because we have one that is of age, which is still useful, but we believe we need to enhance our CT Scan capacity.”

Additionally, he pointed out, a mammogram machine will be purchased. “So you will see an increase in allocation to health,” the prime minister said.

Skerrit also noted that “all safety nets” for education, the elderly and the vulnerable will be protected and there will be increased assistance for agencies such as the Grotto Home and the Infirmary which provide care for them.

He pointed out the the issue of unemployment will be addressed in the budget. “In the budget you will see a number of measures which will seek to address the issue of short term unemployment but also additional policy measures to address long term unemployment.”

Skerrit said there will be a number of continuing and new “capital projects” which he said will create “much needed jobs” in the rural and urban areas of Dominica.

The budget will be presented at 10:00 am on July 24.

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56 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    July 12, 2013

    Did it have to take the near death of our close family member and the issues raised fo such a sudden concen about scan machine?

  2. IluvmyPm
    July 12, 2013

    Budget day. Who cares? We have no say in developing Dominica.

  3. indigenous
    July 11, 2013

    When will these parliamentarians and cabinet collogues learn to improve the investment climate we have to boost the productive sector, agriculture production processing and marketing, tourism promotion, marketing along with a foreign policy that fuses them together, a good infracstructure, roads and beach access
    mining- proper policy to manage the mineral resources that is given to the foreigners for next to nothing, them we will have s atrong foreign exchange base, jobs will be created but until the government do not take steps to to put the afore said in place it will remain a catch a vote budget.

  4. hmm
    July 11, 2013

    that government is hopeless 13 years of no progress ! the budjet not going to make a change we need a change of leadership thats what we need .. too much loans for infrastructure none for production or agriculture … all you cant see tourism has not develop Dominica too any level

  5. lang mama
    July 11, 2013

    What we have in Dominica right now is not a budget but a Baget – thin, still hungry after eating the baget, dry and meaningless.

    Baget sequet and Buns for sale

  6. Not a herd follower
    July 11, 2013

    It appears that the presentation of the budget is getting later and later. This time it is carded for in the last week of the first month of the new fiscal year. Is work discipline breaking down?

  7. yam Babawoolais
    July 11, 2013

    DNO sorry but I must ask what hs hspoen to PEEPING TOM. Alk you where the man with the lying tongue. Tell me weh he gone. He left IPO in the septic tank to figure his own way out. Allah IPO be of good cheer

  8. gregg
    July 11, 2013

    WTF are you saying. ARE you on crack IPO. Only a crack head stoop so low

    • Joe
      July 11, 2013

      Gregg what did IPO say that have you so upset??

      If you are not upset then forgive me but am confuse, can you just tell us the readers why you believe IPO is on Crack? and what blog made him stoop so low??

  9. Anonymous
    July 11, 2013

    this man knows what to say and when. he is really concerned about winner elections and not human independent but dependent on him. I think what this people is doing is clear 3 and and a half year you do not see or hear you pal rep now they do everything nonsense. this has 2 stop.

  10. african queen
    July 11, 2013

    much needed at the hospital mir ct scan.

  11. Morihei Ueshiba
    July 11, 2013

    The poorer u get, the more dependent u become on the Government. The more u depend on the Government the less individual independence u have, which makes it easier for them to control & manipulate you.
    Skerro budget is about making Dominicans dependents, making them poorer with higher taxes & regulations. :mrgreen:

  12. Tumble, back kick
    July 11, 2013

    At least something good came out of TimTim being rushed overseas for treatment. Leh ou vwe bab camarader ou pwi dire worse sawe !!

  13. PetProjects
    July 11, 2013

    What a thing.. I tell you boi when will this So called PM stop his propaganda…MR Skerrit we need to export.D/ca hav enough land for clean factories..If we do not start to export n manufacture products this country aint going anywhere. Until then i will NEVER support ur reckless Government…It’s time u stop with the handouts n start do the PEOPLES work”make life better for ur citizens”….Wotless we say…

    • hmm
      July 11, 2013

      agree with you!

  14. jahh
    July 11, 2013

    Employment is not all about government. it mainly depends on the private investors and small business owner. so I say focus on small business owners and investor. AND ALL THE PEOPLE GRADUATING SHOULD LEARN TO MAKE JOBS NOT BEG FOR JOBS… GOVERNMENT HELP THEM MAKE THERE IDEAS WORK!!!

    • IPO
      July 11, 2013

      Great post

    • Yam Babawoolais
      July 11, 2013

      Focus on the Chinese business owners. Run the local entrepreneurs out f business. Provide special import consideration for the Chinese. Government ministers to compete with small businesses on government contracts. Let the VAT reign supreme. Continue to grow mendicants and red bug Laborititist;

      Jahh you see it is conventional wisdom that small businesses is the engine of an economy. We were once a people who took pride in business ownership. We have done it in the past. For small businesses to grow and prosper our elected government must keep building and reinforcing the platform for these small businesses to operate. Under this lame government we have seen more businesses disappear and less interest in small businesses development. Ask yourself why.

      The last 10-12 budget addresses have spoke about small businesses but pawol en bouche se pas met.

      Jahh what this country need is less imposters in government , a new administration ,one that understands what it takes to develop a country and people. We need leadership that can motivate people. We need an administration that people can trust. Who wants to invest in a country where the people are not sure what business arrangement that exist between the ministers and Chinese special interest group. Who wants to invest in a country where the justice system is broken, corruption is rampant and the cost of energy is way to high.

      • Joe
        July 11, 2013

        Mr. Yam what about the funds that are being pumped into the NDFD and the Small Business Unit, what about the government investment in the Youth Business Trust where young persons are trained to create Business Plans and management? Do you know the Government actually serve as a co-maker for them upon completion of the program? Yes the government secures the loan for them at various financial institutions including the Credit Unions.
        The Agriculture Investment Unit is another great innitiative by this Government, Farmers take these “Interest Free” loans and refuse to pay back so the funds can revolve, is that the government fault too?

        This is a good working government and we are not ready for CHANGE!!! Change into what anyway? ARROGANCE?? SELF GLORIFYING VAIN INDIVIDUALS?

      • go i going
        July 24, 2013

        i agree u do see it doh have more Dominican owned stored in Roseau… every where u go is a Chinese a Chinese a Chinese… it have more than 50 Chinese stores in town now wi… so yes he is helping small businesses but not for the right set of people…he helping his Chinese that build his stadium roads etc for him …. me go i going i leaving that god forsaken country… before my children start learning Chinese in school too…….n joe yes u making a point but that is not enough…. dem pple there gettinh their big salery @the end of the month… wat we need is a forum that teaches people for example school student and adults alike how to make business plans etc how to go about managing finances etc and a body to give them a listen ear for them to voice their business ideas for free for free i say … because we have a lot of bright sparks with mulitmillion dollar businesses but only in their minds… so we need a workshop on that …. no a budget that increasing the begging industry here…

    • hmm
      July 11, 2013

      jahh you not making any sense people who have just left college cant just make businesses where would they get start up capita and collateral for a loan .Also businesses in Dominica are generally not doing too good because Dominicans do not have spending power to buy services and goods when unemployment is sky high , so most times making a business will not be so successful. The Government need to invest in the production and agriculture sector get dominca economy booming and on the rise

  15. Mamizoo
    July 11, 2013

    What exactly is meant by “short term unemployment?” I take this to mean that graduates will be employed soon after graduation ornthose recent layoffs will soon be employed- I am trying to make sense of this statement. Now there are many Dominicans on the unemployment line for many years, there are those who have been laid off, those who graduated one year ago, two years, three years etc.
    I ask the question with sarcasm cause we all know that our budget cannot solely tackle the massive poverty and unemployment situation in Dominica. Those of us without memmoire poule will recall the various budget addresses by this government that was suppose to tackle the unemployment problem. The functional minds and memories will also recall the 100 day implementation plan that would have alleviated unemployment, provide unemployment checks to those unemployed citizens etc.What the heck – Did we see any of these promises fulfilled.
    What I see in Dominica today is a situation whereby a people so gullible and docile are being repeatedly conned by the same conmen. Thee conmen walk into the villages with their fancy suits and SUV’s they buy a few bottles of rum, they butter the finger of a selected few, spread false promises knowing well that a promise is comfort to fools, the conmen then walkaway occasionally returning for fete St Pierre, St Antione, Fete Isidores,La Kodwais.

    At this stage in our existence we need a national budget to replace basic life saving equipment at our main hospital? This is a vivid indication of our economic status and our fiscal management. Need I say more.

    Let us not be fooled the country is broke, we are at the brink of collapse – take my word. Don’t be fooled by this bunch of conmen. The truckers have not been paid in more than 7 months and are continuously holding that ” Big Stone” given to them by Minister Blackmore. A lot more to come

    • IPO
      July 11, 2013

      You expect someone to take your word on DNO where any and everything cab be said ….lol

      • Mamizoo
        July 11, 2013

        Here we go first person with memoire poule. Am I surprised that IPO is the first yard fowl or should I say Yard Foul

    • Natural Sister
      July 11, 2013

      Short term unemployment=contracts

      • hans
        July 11, 2013

        Really thst is what the PM mean by short term unemployment? Contracts? Seriously? Contracts where, how, in what, when, how so, on what. I don’t know what else yo ask. All you people eh tired of thid Jim Jones Coolade

  16. Citizen
    July 11, 2013

    Sounds good…because at the end of the day it saves YOU the prime minister the headache of assisting citizens financially to seek medical attention overseas which is in my opinion more of a burden on the Government purse. Now Dominicans, we keep complaining of better health care services…let us realize we have to PAY for HEALTH CARE. IT CANNOT BE FREE!! It is costly to maintain these machines, therefore we cannot make noise when there will be a fee. Same way we find money to pay the hospital in Barbados and Martinique, let us help ourselves right here in Dominica for better medical care services.

  17. WHAT
    July 11, 2013

    the PM knows we are crying about the hospital and jobs he knows excatly what we are thinking and complaining about and he also knows that alot of us think that the state house should not have been built in these economicaly bad times but he did it anyway and he also knows that the palace is almost complete so he his playing politicts with us by NOW promising what we have been crying for years about so maybe in our little fowl brains we will stop complaing about his palace when he moves in and partys all night long :wink: :wink: :wink:

  18. Budget Time
    July 11, 2013

    How about the new taxes.

  19. Vanya
    July 11, 2013

    Attention..Need to donate a Trophy/Plaque Award Please!

    To Present the award to the Dominica Labour Party Regime for it’s Highest Achievement of…

    Being Successful in Deceiving Dominicans!

    This is going to be another Fruitless Budget!

    Dominica will still continue to be the Poorest in The Eastern Caribbean, thanks to the vision of Labour Party!

    • %
      July 11, 2013

      @ Vanya All this is for a time. Their miserable job at governance is now staring all of us in our faces. Two key areas of their gross mismanagement are high unemployment and poverty among the common man. They themselves are both greedy and wealthy.
      THEY SURELY DESERVE TO BE KICKED OUT VERY FAR BY THE ELECTORATE!!!!!!!!

  20. jah knows star
    July 11, 2013

    A whole bunch of lies and empty promises that budget going to be just like the others over the years. I don’t believe nothing this prime minister says. Too many lies over the years, to many promises that have never came thru.

  21. Doc. Love
    July 11, 2013

    I have said it before and I will say it again, the press should boycott any significant news comming out of the Prime Minister’s Office unless all major news agency in Dominica are officially invited to a Press Conference where he can be questioned.It cannot be right for only two Radio Stations on island are always contacted by Skerrit to disseminate information that is pertinent to the well being of Dominicans.Why didnt Skerrit call a Press Conference to discuss matters pertaining to the Budget.What is Skerrit affraid off.Why doesnt the press vehemently put pressure on the Prime Minister to meet them in order to face questions concerning curruption,governance,electoral reform,foreign affairs, unemployment and the national debt.

  22. Williams
    July 11, 2013

    Looking at the 2009 manifesto you, PM, stated the same things. You’ve just dressed it up for the forthcoming elections.
    You as a PM has failed. New blood and mindset is needed for a new and better governed Dominica. Come on. Boots to the ground for a new and revived DA!

  23. N.V
    July 11, 2013

    what is in the budget for we the farmers?? are our roads going to be maintained ?? are inputs going to be sold to us at reduced prices?? what about we who run the hotels….are we going to see moves to give us our international airport …so we can have more people and cargo moving back and forth …what about we the public servants are we going to receive duty free on building materials so we can build our homes…what about we the quarry workers…is there going to be more benefits coming to us from the exportation of sand….is the government going to collect more revenue from the exportation of sand and redirect it into development for all…hmmm..

    • Anonymous
      July 11, 2013

      farmers you all have become lazy,drive bus durung the tourist season and farm on the off season,thats why all the landslides are happening,dominica has no more farmers,my our grandparents are all gone.

    • anonyme
      July 11, 2013

      well papa you are a jack of all trades good for you.

    • faithful
      July 11, 2013

      if we get an international airport, not every day the plane is goin to be filled with people. who is gonna pay for the empty seats? do u really want us to be in debt?

      • July 13, 2013

        Hi, just to remind you dear, we are in debt. International airport is no longer on the agenda, that was just another trick to build hopes up.
        Another political stunt.

        We wait for the other episodes we will be addressed with. Ie the budget stunt.

        I am going to run for power in DA. I am sure I could do a better job, with no political knowledge.

        Anyone else, lets go.

        The hospital yes we need the items talked about, but what did it have to take, for the government to see that these items were needed, and the money spent already, sending Dominican to other Islands would be near to a cost of an MIR.

        You talking about airport. Dominican have paid over and above for an airport.

        Who coming with me to run for government, no experience needed.

        Tell Skirit the novelty has now run out.
        You have failed your people.
        It is time for new blood.

        I was a proud Dominican before, I am not sure I can say the same now.
        But still I don’t want to give up totally.
        I love DA too much to give up.
        :lol:
        :lol:

        “Tim tim you have made something happen in DA.”

  24. Marie-Ange
    July 11, 2013

    Good thinking PM, although well over due. These equipments are much needed for our people.

    • LOL
      July 11, 2013

      New equipment in a hospital that ready to fall down. The buildings are in a state of disrepair and sharbe looking. We need a new hospital too.

    • maindesk
      July 11, 2013

      So why do we have to wait for a budget address to get these equipments?

  25. %
    July 11, 2013

    Stuppessssssssssss. PM you should be ashamed to talk in 2013 about buying MRI and CTScan for our main hospital. This is an additional example of bad,lazy, greedy and incompetent governance, by a gang of greedy and wicked leaders.A well equipped hospital should have been functional by now in this country,if the states money was not squandered by incompetent leaders since 2004.Mark you PM when you do things for the country, you are paid to do so, you are not granting us a favour,as you are making your gullible red followers to believe.
    We need sustainable employment for our people, something this government cannot address.
    ONCE AGAIN THIS GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO BE KICKED OUT VERY FAR BY THE ELECTORATE. THEY CANNOT DO THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!
    ZOR PAR BONNE!

  26. Charles Coburn
    July 11, 2013

    So Rosey, do those “capital projects” include realistic funding for the Atlantique View project in Ans di Mai? It could be one of the largest employers in that region (high paying jobs) IF the Government/Bank didn’t keep leaving it with UNREALISTIC funding. The addition of a 48 deluxe room resort with two restaurants & two bars would greatly enhance Dominica’s tourism outlook as well!

    • Roz
      July 11, 2013

      Is that a government owned project? Since when is government that funding private projects? And it seems is grant the project want from the bank. If the loan the owner can realistically afford is insufficient to fund the project, how is the bank responsible for “unrealistic funding” to the project? and what are the prospects for attracting business? Is this an all inclusive resort? it’s not beach front property, and far removed from amenities that tourist generally use – banks, pharmacy, night club, hospital, restaurants. We have to be responsible for our investments. Everything cannot be in the government budget

  27. hmm
    July 11, 2013

    good job, however the budget, I would like to see increase in spending for production and agriculture. Since they are the best avenue which Dominica can explore to get financially stable.

  28. MARK MY WORDS
    July 11, 2013

    Mr Pm elections is close and believe me as a die hard labourite i fuming , but d margin dis time will not be large. Pm watch your toe, D/A vex

  29. MARK MY WORDS
    July 11, 2013

    I do believe the elderly at home who have their unemployed children taking care of them should be taken care of. Come on

  30. MARK MY WORDS
    July 11, 2013

    MR PM YOU ALWAYS COME WITH NICE WORDS, HOW MANY TIMES CAN YOU THINK WE WILL REMAIN SILIENT. I am from the north i have been reading and monitoring closely, you talk about unemployment, but when you go to the possie hospotal the staff wardaide to cook to cleaner is from the Paixbouche constituency why pm why. You go to the ports the staff is from penville mr pm why. And mark you their are ladies and men who are capable

  31. Feeling it bad
    July 11, 2013

    Pm Skerritt I do agree with wat you have said, but please let it not be just words to the country. On another note the places for the elderly are being highlighted, mr PM wat about the elderly at hom 80 and above who have to depend on one of their children for help , to me this should also be considered. Please look into it

    • BULLBERT
      July 11, 2013

      HA HA a promise is a comfort to a fool.

      dominicans are like fouls, 90 percent of the 2012/2013 bugets have not been accomplished yet you still swollowing the spittle they sending down your throat.

  32. Anonymous
    July 11, 2013

    I hope we going to stop go Guadeloupe and martinque..princess Margaret jus doh ready…

  33. Anonymous
    July 11, 2013

    mr. pm while i agree with all that u have said so far in relation to the budget i would also like to see in this years budget programs to improve productivity in the productive sectors reducing our food import bill increasing manufacturing activities.

  34. wow
    July 11, 2013

    Good job ! much needed and overdue improvements

    • BULLBERT
      July 11, 2013

      WOW, you get it already

  35. joe
    July 11, 2013

    Thank God, no major spending on trivial things like monuments(palaces). It had to take a major personal health scare to finally emphasize health facilities. woosh..duh.

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