The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) says it would like to see a budget that pays attention to the productive sectors in the country.
Opposition leader Hector John is expected to articulate the party’s budgetary position in parliament following the budget presentation by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the country’s finance minister.
Ahead of that coming event former prime minister Edison James, the UWP leader, has been telling DNO that much greater focus should be placed on the productive sectors – agriculture, tourism and manufacturing ”so that we can earn as much of our own money as possible”.
“That would involve a structured approach to facilitating the farmers to produce their crops under a programme which would involve assistance, financial assistance, technical assistance, marketing arrangements in place,” James said.
The UWP leader says proactive action is necessary as opposed to knee jerk reactions to complaints or protests.
He also wants the question of an international airport put on the front burner.
James says this would benefit tourism, agriculture and other sectors.
“We took our eyes off the ball and talk about night landing, an international airport will include night landing,” the UWP leader said, arguing that to date the country has not seen the benefits of night landing.
There is some concern being expressed on the streets about an alleged move by the government to increase the current value added tax (VAT), which is currently at 15 per cent.
UWP Leader James doesn’t think the VAT should be increased because “as everybody says things are tight”.
However he isn’t prepared to say categorically that the 15 per cent VAT should be reduced.
“I am not in a position now to say that the VAT should be reduced – we must recognize that a country will have to impose taxes. But it is how you impose taxes and you cannot impose taxes in isolation,” James told DNO.
He thinks there can be some relief if the economy picks up and people have more spending money that helps them deal with “higher prices”.
“We should be taking action to increase income to the people and revenue to the country,” the UWP leader said.
This is the man that oppose the call from the then prime minister Charles that farmers should plant other crops , he told the farmers that the prime minister did not like them now look who’s talking . what a shame.
You know had Eddisson never sat IN government just maybe I would try to understand him abit when comes to the international airport,but its very difficult for me to, because Eddison’s government ACTUALLY paid DRY CASH dollars to hundreds of people for their land up in the Woodfordhill Area and today these people STILL OWN the land, therefore Mr James, you puzzle me.
DNO you must start serving rum too…..
” He also wants the question of an international airport put on the front burner.
James says this would benefit tourism, agriculture and other sectors.” (Edison James).
Well boy Edison, now you talking me language:
I love the subject of me International Airport, I want me International Airport!
When are we getting we International Airport?
Now the China-man delegation in we country, now might be the time to solicit a loan to be used in the construction of we International Airport, we man!
Tell Athie, now ain’t the time to address any VAT issue, him need to say him sorry for closing down the International Airport you were building.
The only conversation I go have for de rest of me life is about me International Airport, I doh joking eh!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
yes eddie your;e right it’s time for u.s. to build an international airport. we don’t need no night landing on melville hall.
UWP just playing with the minds of the people. UWP was in power and they never touched the International airport issue and they never started any ground works or had a plan, why now? It was there for UWP to implement and it never materialized, why now??
Put them in power now and they will just take people for a wave ride.
Why is Edison allways upstaging Hector John his picture is allways present when the UWP is written about.He may be the leader of the UWP but not the leader of the opposition,he must come to grips with that fact and take a back seat to Hector “Spaggs”John.Or is it that he cannot accept the fact that Spraggs is on stage and he no longer is.Eddie give it up you love the spot light too much
@ Gary below, to your point, politics is what it is. Why do you want the government to govern as lying corrupt politicians but you want the opposition to behave as naïve non-politicians. Sorry, this is the nature of politics and sadly as all politics is local-one first has to win the trust and confidence of the electorate before you enter government to govern.
So you see, Mr. James is not engaging in any conduct or practice that is foreign to anyone who is politically mature and astute. There is no need to go wondering why this or that. In politics, you have to tell people what they want to hear sometimes so that they can believe in you in order to get their votes. Incase you may have forgotten, unlike the behaviour of King Skerrit, political leaders are suppose to be servants of the people. Let’s not pretend we don’t understand why politicians speak how they do, just like diplomats would sugar-coat their statements with praise of our leader even when they are closely monitoring him for his transgressions.
As you yourself has stated, “This is the most basic, crudest from of Politics telling the people what they want to hear.” In the instant case, however, the UWP and those who raise their voices actually have a plan and have proposed alternatives. In fact, in the limited 4 year period I which the party was at the helm, they did a lot. As everyone knows, not much can be achieved in 4 years.
But the real problem that I have with your argument is that you want the opposition to present plans and alternatives and even implement them without having the mandate and authority to do so. Even when the opposition tries to make a simply suggestion or proposal in parliament- the Speaker obstructs and humiliates them.
Gary, nothing that you said is laughable and certainly not the last sentence of Mr. James’ statement “we should be taking action to increase income of the people and revenue to the country”. Mr. James made this statement mindful of the fact that the UWP did in fact succeed in raising the income of the people. The UWP was voted out because Dominicans chose to respond to propaganda, lies and untruths, which now rule them with an iron fist today and dragging us into the economic abyss.
By the way- if I were to take your figurative language literally, allow me to ask whether you have visited New York City, Miami or even our next door neighboring Island of Guadeloupe? Well, you will note that sometimes it may be necessary build massive bridges where there is no river to allow for better and more efficient flow of traffic.
I would nationalize Domlec before an international airport!
Makes more sense…..but who put us under the misery of Domlec in the first place?? hmm, I vex.
Mr. James why an international airport was’nt
build when you were power? I am not for no party
please you were there before this PM don’t be
a hypocrite.
I am not against assistance for farmers, however if it has to be like those years of UWP when farmers were given galvanize and other money and instead of using it for agriculture they bought big fridges and sold the galvanize. No No. My idea: Have the farmers hire farm hands(through extension officers) Let the farmhands help on the field. When they are finished the government will pay for the labour for the farmer. If the work done does not match the days given, have it assessed and pay the value. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN AGRICULTURE IS NO SUPERVISION AND ASSISTANCE FROM THE EXTENSION OFFICERS. NOW MR. PM BUY THE BOAT TO SHIP THE PRODUCE.
Edison,Talk is cheap.Remember you and your administration was once there.Didn’t you see the need for all that you talking about now?
you and you, move on, that was over 12 years ago, you have voted for your heroes over 3 times now so stop with the why didn’t you do it then and correct me if i’m wrong, but wasn’t your lot who introduced vat? if it wasn’t you sure love it since.
@ I and I….You are sounding so ignorant and stupid, it is no wonder that Dominica is struggling as the poorest country in the region. Why don’t you go to school?
You who is so intelegent and smart why don’t you uplift Dominica to be one of the richest country in the region? Good for you,you are going to school….Damn a..!
Yes, they saw the need and in fact they actually did take appropriate action but as you may be aware, just the planning of development at the national level requires 2 to 3 years. Therefore, the truth is the UWP administration did not have the luxury of time to implement the planned projects such as the construction of the international airport- valuable governing time that the Labour party has enjoyed and is now abusing to our detriment.
They didn’t have the luxury of time because they were not fit to govern the country.
All of you who responded negatively to I and I comment are a bunch of UWP JOKERS…The fact remains Edison was in power so all he is talking about now he should had done them.
As an intelligent and experience leader, Mr. james was able to move this country to prosperity as Prime Minister. Had Mr. james not been thrown out of office,I am sure Dominica would have had an international airport. I believe that the vat of fifteen percent should be reduced to eight percent.Presently,I believe only Mr.Edison james has the capabilities of removing this country from an economical disaster.We must not forget that it is was Mr. James who had saved Dominica from the banana crisis some years ago,therefore,I wish to recommend his proposals because he has shown that he is more then capable.
You serious. Mr. James was the one who asked for 100% increase in salary when the industry was stuggling. When Mamo said no he form UWP.
Well said Doc. Well said.
wright on q
u so right sir
Its good to see the oposition is finally coming up with points to improving the country instead of just critisising government keep it up u might win one more seat in parlement next election
Brilliant points by the former PM.
But again, the idiots are lined up to come on here and find something wrong with what the man is suggesting.
Just give them room, while ADMIN enjoy approving them.
You are an EDDIEOTTE!!!
@ Correction. Do you know of a book called a dictionary? I am sure that Honourable James knows about that book, and its use..
Mr James, You have shown Dominicans that Government can improve the life of it’s citizens. When you were in office people had money in their pocket and money was meeting money.
Tou Patooism…people never vote for what is not in there benefit…never
Something was just not adding up…
Can I say Ponzi Scheme ala Allen Sanford/Bernie Madoff
A kind mirage/virtuoso that things are good only to be fooled.
If Dominica was so good from 1995 to 2000, how could the IMF be in Dominica in 2001-2002 putting Dominica under serious structural monetary and loan policy
Sometimes we are too quick to talk
Please do some critical thinking before you speak bro
IMF WAS NOT in dominica from 2001 putting Dominica under any policy you spoke of.
Allu must stop telling lies, and then have the guts the guts to even talk about critical thinking! People don’t do any critical thinking with lies. You’re a blasted liar me say. The country’s financies went bad after 2 years of Huricane Coaltion, leading us into austerity in 2003 with the 4% levy.
Stop allu blasted lies man
At what expense? Did you know they threw the economy into a recession? And that was why we had things like the Trinidad loans for the “white-elphant netball stadium” in Stockfarm where people could just hang their washed clothes on the fence. Also, that’s why austerity measures had to be put in place to ensure we bounced back. Remember the stabilization levee we had to pay to regain control of the economy?
However he isn’t prepared to say categorically that the 15 per cent VAT should be reduced.
“I am not in a position now to say that the VAT should be reduced – we must recognize that a country will have to impose taxes
Read the above taken from the Minister for Marigot consistuency.
I like those comments. Those who are readign should take note.
Do you think if Mr James become the next PM that he will remove taxes.
than man (d pass pm)just like remote control toys
I wonder sometimes why Politicians play games with people minds, when they have nothing to offer by telling people what they want to hear. This is the most basic, crudest from of Politics telling the people what they want to hear without having a plan or alternative to do what they say,is this how the UWP under such leadership wants to be elected as a Government.Mr James made the mention of hearing from the streets that the Government was planning on hiking the VAT. Why is Mr James being so deceptive with such statement,i guess that is his nature and kind of Politics.
It is so laughable reading the last sentence spoken by Mr.James.When his Party was in Government did they take action to increase income to the people and revenue to the Country. Mr.James needs to be reminded that when his Party was voted out, they left the Country in it’s worse state financially than any other previous Government in history.Mr James Politics has always has been same he promises to build a bridge even where they is no river.
You are A liar….
A BIG ONE LIAR TOO
Politics is a games of chess.
Edison fooled the poor farmers in Wesley/Marigot/Salibury with his banana nonsense and in so doin failed to implement a diversity economy plan left by the Dame.
When when when, I can see the problems you guys have, you don’t have a clue, I guess it’s true, that the best form of defense is attack. But say when as much as you like, fact still remains you lot have been there for much past 12 years now, so the blame game is a tad stale now.
Tell you what put vat up to 20% if you dare, who knows you might just win another 5 years.
Thanks James, but thats work in progress.You are out of Dominica Sir.
Stupes……………………….
If there is a complaint about the two leader thing of the UWP. How many leaders does the DLP have? Every time there is some controversy about 5 or more people defend the PM. Just an observation
You just answered your question, ‘they defend the pm’ they are not the leaders!!!
I thought that party was in power once upon a time. We as a people we talk way too much about things we had control of and did nothing about it.
**THE REAL LEADER**
“opposition leader Hector John is expected to articulate the party’s budgetary position in parliament……..
Hon: James,
The time has come “MORE THAN EVER” that you must regain FIRST leadership of the UWP. Hector John is not up to the task at this time. You should be the first leader and Hector John should be the deputy leader.
I just don’t understand why the UWP is not seeing that this two leadership style is just creating confusion,uncertainty and it’s killing the party.
I really think the UWP can regain its strengh and focus BUT not with this “two leadership style”.
By the way, Thank you for your concerns Hon. James. It is much appreciated.
-Thanks
In total support of your comment, as a UWP supporter, in this 21st century i am not able to spend one minute of my time to listen to Hector John, come on my party leaders why not move a motion in parliament seeking a waiver of the rules to allow the leader of the party to respond to the budget, this just happen in Barbados parliament last week where Mia Motley respond to the 2012 budget that was just passed in the Barbados parliament, DNO to prove my point you can log on to the Barbados parliament and see the entire video of Mia Motley response to the 2012 Budget just last week, I do hope the official opposition can do the same.
Okay CIA, let’s not be too hard on the young man. Hector is still climbing the learning curve. To a large extent, I agree with you and in fact I hardly make a distinction between the Leader of Opposition and the party Leader when referring to Mr. James. I believe Mr. James will do a much better job in presenting the position of the opposition owing to his accumulated experience, knowledge, astuteness, sharpness, excellent use of language, his unassuming disposition and diplomatic skills. I hope Mr. James and the UWP leadership will give positive consideration to your plea.