UWP will continue NEP but differently, says Linton

Lennox Linton at a UWP press conference

Opposition Leader Lennox Linton has promised to continue the National Employment Programme (NEP), but in a different way, if his party wins the upcoming general election.

“We have said we will continue the National Employment Programme, but the National Employment Programme, overtime, will become a lot more than what it is right now in terms of preparing people for the world of work,” Linton said recently. “The way the National Employment Programme runs right now which, essentially, is providing employment for people to clean the sides of the road and certain beautification initiatives, that’s not new.”

According to Linton, the Public Works Department was taking care of that responsibility all over the country.

“All of a sudden we have a National Employment Programme that is paying people to clean the sides of the road because public works has been disbanded, so that ministers of government and their friends can get the work that public works use to do…,” he stated.

The UWP leader went on to say that his party will create in Dominica, 12,000 new jobs by the year 2025.

“So then, at that point, the National Employment Programme will take on a completely new meaning and perspective,” he said. “It will not be the same anymore, but there has to be a role for preparing people for the world of work in Dominica.”

Prime Minister Skerrit has consistently accused the UWP of intending to do away with the NEP once it gets into government.

The NEP was launched in December of 2013.

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44 Comments

  1. L power
    May 26, 2019

    Mr Linton please do not fix it, let them continue to cut the lawn in front my yard, plant my flowers for me and pay me to look after my ageing mother.

  2. Ms. Markle
    May 26, 2019

    The more I read of UWP’s plans the more I’m inclined to vote them. Honestly the NEP program is working at a detriment to all young Dominicans and those searching for a job. (Why try to find someone suited for a job when you can just get someone who has had a string pulled for them, to work for you for half the price??) This is what the NEP does currently and they pick and choose -who they know- to get jobs. Things like this keep the country backwards and everyday Lennox Linton is looking better than Melissa and Skerrit who are trying to be the ‘king and queen’ of Dominica. We as a people cannot keep being given things for free or little cost by the Government when they see fit. Why not have the country so that people work for good salaries and we pay for what we want? This cant happen when most or some issues are taken care of by GIVING A MAN A FISH FOR A DAY. Skerrit needs to teach the people how to fish by implementing some worthwhile things here otherwise he needs to get out!

  3. Anthony P. Ismael MInister of Free Pampers
    May 24, 2019

    Reading the comments tells me how Skerrit and the Dominica Labour Party has infiltrated the minds of Dominicans and reduced them to a level of simplicity never seen or heard of before. We need to reduce bureaucracy, taxes and fees, while creating a safe environment for locals and foreigners to invest in the country. Prices for goods and services need to be regulated by government thus creating a stable environment to do business.
    The time has come to create a Dominican Silicon Valley. Foreign Direct Investment creates good sustainable jobs, and allows the government to concentrate on creating and revising policy to sustain and foster continued economic growth. The NEP Program has to focus on skill building and skill development that young people will need to grow later on in life. Finally, we need a productive, efficient public sector.

  4. BB
    May 23, 2019

    What a horrible choice. Either one will grow the government. A bigger government will ultimately mean smaller citizens. But sadly this is the harvest to be reaped after sowing to please the sinful nature. Leftism has too firm a hold on this Earth. Slavery is making its return in a new and vicarious form. Freedom is fading for each individual, a process that is further bolstered by every handout.

  5. Bob Denis
    May 23, 2019

    Everything that Mr Skeritt is presently , will be the same Kaki Pants on Mr Linton . Like Mr Skeritt , Mr Linton will be the Defacto face of the UWP , are We looking to SWAP ? Dominica deserves better , don’t you think ?.

  6. Man bites dogs
    May 23, 2019

    People don’t trust that guy Lennox Linton, he is on his last leg and his main concern is to become prime minister of DOMINICA also to control our money in the treasury, we must not let that happen. Edison James did it to us once before by fooling us once beaten twice shy. That’s why I ‘m asking all Labour supporters to be aware of that Wolf in a suit trying to convince and talk as if he is a good guy, and the next minute he’s shouting at them shut up when trying to say a word. Linton guy you are a loser a Lair and a pithole go away and do us all a favour.

  7. May 23, 2019

    Linton keeps confusing the minds of his followers, by making all sorts of promises which is already in progress, through the Labor Party Government. He will keep, this thing, that thing, and the other thing.

    International Airport by 2024 (maybe he means 3024); 12 000 jobs by 2025; that would have to be two thousand jobs a year (2019 to 2025 is 6 years). To count our 2019 that would only be 5 years, in that his party is not yet function–God forbid that it ever will.

    Among all those other copied promises, which he cannot change; where, how, and what is the real changing functions of Government coming from?

    For crying out loud! Is this man well?

    • RandyX
      May 23, 2019

      He is very well but for sure are very unwell! I keep on telling you, you are a hypocrite trying to serve two master. You are definitely not well, Lady!

      • May 23, 2019

        @RandyX, thank once again for reading my comment, this time I see that you have read right to the end.

        However, you cannot tell me who I am; because I am the only one on this comment board, who knows who I am. And being a hypocrite is not part of me. And I will never choose your side against mine. NO WAY!

        • RandyX
          May 26, 2019

          You are the biggest hypocrite on this forum! You try and serve two totally different masters. Guess what, you are failing miserably… You are a hypocrite!

  8. Revo
    May 23, 2019

    Will you be handing out cash to people every week, or will you do that slightly differently too ? Politicians all the same. We need a new system of running things. That would be a real change. Vote Labour, vote UWP, it doesn’t matter – you voting for the same thing – a bunch of people who call themselves politicians but who are just in it to line their own pockets. And after 15 years, Skerrit has become the grand master at it. Politicians in power are crooks, politicians seeking power are wannabe crooks. We need a different way of doing things.

  9. May 23, 2019

    @# This is a good and true observation!

    Lennox is a person who desires to stand on a high pedestal for the World to see and admire; Lennox does not care about what he will or can do for our Dominica–it is all about himself.

    I perceived that ego from him on the day he was officially appointed as the Opposition Leader.

    I can still read the words on DNO with Lennox saying “I don’t like it” But why?

    He expected that this function would be in the media to be seen by both regionally and internally, not in the box of the President House where it took place.

    Lennox is a fleshly & mind-proud individual, that character that does not sit well with God’s Laws. Lennox wants to be seen, admired and listened to; except that all he does is to make loud noises which deafen the ear

    Lennox is not a person of God, who only works with the humble. God will qualify those whom He calls, for His glory; He does not call those who think they are qualified.

    • Dominica needs us!
      May 23, 2019

      And what about you? Do you call out all the ills, wickedness and evil going on the labour side. stop using God’s name in vain as if somehow people will believe your nonsense because you put God name in it. Call out the other side too and stop calling on Lennox. Be an independent thinker and power others to do the same. you are so blind.

      • May 23, 2019

        @Dominica needs us! How much more foolish can you be? I cannot call out the evils, etc against the other side because I don’t see it there. Your rebuke is senseless

    • Joseph John
      May 23, 2019

      You mean he is an illusion of a leader. Your slant is that of a person who is well informed. Can you say what are his qualifications, experience , competence, ideology ? What contribution he has made to the socioeconomic development of his community, his constituency or his country ? What did he contribute re Maria ( (Dominica’s biggest disaster and challenge) . Has he been recognized internationally or regionally. WHAT COMPETENCE HAS HE DISPLAYED THAT WILL MAKE HIM A CANDIDATE FOR PRIME MINISTER. What will make him a better PM than any one ? What will make him a better PM than Skerrit ?

    • Hello
      May 23, 2019

      What are you really saying? Are you the one determining if Lennox is a person of God or not? That’s your perception of him and many times our perceptions of others are so wrong. Only God knows the heart of man. I’m really attracted to this gentleman for his honesty dating way back to the Layou River saga. May God have mercy on us!

  10. JBaptiste
    May 22, 2019

    The NEP was created as an ad hoc reaction to UWP’s economic forum held at the Fort Young Hotel where Linton promised the creation of 5000 jobs in 3 years, so thank Lennox for it. The NEP was ill conceived and it is just another welfare expense to the tax payers @ 6 million annually. Some NEP workers give care to their mothers and receive as much as $1000 for it. Smh.

  11. #
    May 22, 2019

    Look how high and mighty this man is living. On a daily basis he is in front of a microphone talking the same bol crap. How can a country that’s so poor and backwards is enabling Lenox to live that dress up life that he is living? A man who gets a mare stipen, unnderemployed is living such a lavish life, what does that say?

    • Dominica needs us!
      May 23, 2019

      you have nothing to say, now you want to twist the lavish spending, lucrative life style and gross greed going on the labour side to UWP. It will not stick. My people are smarter than what you think. We are not that gullible. You are so right when you said, a country that’s so poor and backward. Even you know that and I applaud you for that. What you should have added is, and a very few that are so rich and are afraid to let go of power.

  12. 💕Me💕
    May 22, 2019

    Why do you embarrass yourself on a daily basis Lenox Lenton? Do you think before you talk, or your convient amnesia kickstart your thoughts. In the past you have denigrated the NEP program as a sham, there isn’t an adjective that you haven’t used to describe the NEP program. Now that you are intellectually bankrupt, you have nothing new to offer, you want to fix a program that’s working, why! If you want to fix what you didn’t create what does that say? Although you BSCA, Bull Shit Con Artist degree may qualify you to hold certain positions, it doesn’t qualify you to be the PM of Dominica %.

    • May 23, 2019

      @💕Me💕 Well said! And Lennox is still “denigrating the NEP” as he speaks about those who do the janitorial work in the city right here. Does that mean he is planning to take away those jobs from the needy people?

      He says: “It will not be the same anymore, but there has to be a role for preparing people for the world of work in Dominica.”

      “The World of work in Dominica”? How much more fictitious can this man’s mind be? Is he even listening to himself? And doesn’t the World employ people to do the janitorial works every place in both their urban and rural areas?

      Well, I see this work every day, both in Toronto and outside of it. Right now I have someone coming in to do the janitorial works in my own home–the Government pays for this. I qualify for this service because of my age–not my mind.

      A janitor may be receiving a small pay, but his/her work is just as important (healthwise) as that of a doctor/nurse.

      • Dominica needs us!
        May 23, 2019

        You should have worked hard enough in your young days so the government of Canada would not be paying the bills for someone to clean your house. You are even proud of this!! You cant clean your own house but you are on a computer talking nonsense.

        • May 23, 2019

          Well, I did not ask them for the service, they offer it to us, according to our age–another way of employing others, for the Government it is job creation–this has nothing to do with paying bills. Now be quiet! Whoever you are

  13. Joseph John
    May 22, 2019

    Do you have any originality. With no credibility, you will build the international airport, you will fix the NEP, you will fix the CBI , you will build the Marigot hospital , you will fix the immigration of Haitians and you will create jobs. You will complete the new hospital quicker and you will extend the deep water harbour. All your ideas copied from the DLP programmes . Do you have anything of your own to offer. That you can do besides copy You guys have guts oui. There is a calypso that says ” no originality only copying” . I guess you will have a blue clinic, you will put blue flushing toilets in homes and you will build homes for the marginalized and the disadvantaged.
    I think I will write the TDUWPOD biological history…..FROM CRITICS TO COPYERS.
    You have been there for 4 years getting paid for talking and have done nothing. You have one more year before election, do something impressive, DO ONE THING to display your competence to give you some credibility. WOW

  14. KID ON THE BLOCK
    May 22, 2019

    “IF”, for true. If his party wins the up coming election. That of course we know, you know and THEY know will never ever happen. UWP will not win this election so Lennox Linton idea of modifying the NEP shall not take place.
    The same NEP he criticizes now he thinking of modifying it.
    Lennox, THIS IS IT FOR YOU. Start thinking of something you can do at the college . Everything is free now. Skerrit has granted you a great favor, so make use of the opportunity.

  15. JP
    May 22, 2019

    Lennox, then explain to the people the different ways you will run the internship program. Dont just say it will be run differently.

    • Joseph John
      May 23, 2019

      J P , when I was young and strong I DID a lot. Now I am on the verge of retirement all I do is talk and write about a lot of old school stuff and dreams. Like I am dreaming out loud. “IF” I could turn back time ………?????.
      I realize that we are in the post modern era so I need to have a youthful futuristic vision to move forward. Depending on “IF” will not cut it. I do not need to criticize other peoples ideas but to come up with new credible ideas. But when you are on the verge of retirement your vision does not go very far especially is you have no competence or experience in areas you are pretending to be interesting in. I am trying to modernize my world view otherwise I will become a GREAT PRETENDER and make Margie with myself.

  16. %
    May 22, 2019

    It, (NEP) can be restructured to productively serve the country, but this wicked regime led by lazy Skerrite is bereft of any modicum of good ideas, and simply can’t do it . Well said patriot Linton.These are the thinkings of a good leader, not a buggy be leader like Skerrit.
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  17. As I see it
    May 22, 2019

    I would like to see NEP workers fully become government employees that are able to take their paystubs to the bank, to negotiate for a loan, be it to build their house, fix their house, fix their parents house, send their children to college, buy a car etc. In addition to that, I would like to see them give value for money, where they work from 8am to 4pm and getting a minimum of $10.00 an hr. Honestly speaking the way it is right now is nothing more than government throwing money uselessly. You have NEP workers giving care to the elderly but they come to work when they want and leave when they want. Some suppose to take work at 7am but they don’t show up until 9:15 and by the time it is 11:30 they are gone. There is no accountability, no commitment and no responsibility. So I agree with UWP that it needs to be fixed. In fact some of them are being paid cash by a politician.

  18. Roy
    May 22, 2019

    Say what you want joker you eh never making it to government, you think we crazy

  19. Concerned NEP
    May 22, 2019

    We can’t take a loan at the bank to help ourselves and improve our situations rather they keep us underpaid, uneducated and dependent. The NEP isn’t today what is was set out to be and I am quite tired, there is no progress within the public service. There are no incentives and we work our asses off with little to no pay, no benefits, no representation and no room for elevation. Mr. Linton please tell me how do you plan on fixing this situation to assist those like myself.
    P.S There are qualified persons with Bsc and Msc suffering the same way with no benefits and are employed under the NEP.

  20. Concerned NEP
    May 22, 2019

    As a young voter it has been a concern of mine as to the sustainability of the National Employment Programme which I am employed under since its inception in 2013. I have been placed as an intern within the Government of Dominica and has served in three different ministries up to present. I have used this employment opportunity to further myself academically due to the fact that when I was employed I only had CXC subjects and I needed to be a competitor within the service and I am well on my way to receiving a BSc in Business and Finance. I have seen the way the present government operates and I am quite disappointed. I have never been given any regard towards my internship and the work that I have put in. The Program was set to give on the job experience and training and based on your performance you will be accepted into the Government Service after one year. It has been 7 years now and all I receive is good appraisals, no salary increase, no promotion, no temporary employment.

    • Joseph John
      May 22, 2019

      What ungratefulness and lack of appreciation. The programme has motivated you towards self improvement according to your own account . You should be on your own after 7 years. You should be creating opportunities for/with your fellow interns, not crying like a lost child.
      But I see you have drank the intervention blue cocktail. WOW.

      • time has told
        May 23, 2019

        Joseph John, you are so right, she SHOULD BE, but the environment on the ground is much different than your hypothetical theory. In the real world, NEP is not paid as much as everyone else. This young person is lucky to begin a Bachelors program to improve their situation, however, i am sure they are still struggling as schooling isnt cheap. The system is broken. just admit it. Or are you one of those people who believe that the half a bread we get we should be thankful for and just shut up, meanwhile we see the there are how much bakeries throwing bread away in the background. How must we feel when we know our national resources should be put to better use? i personally would hate to be under the NEP. Id end up selling drugs or something just to make my ends meet. Some people want to see you do good, but not that good. Just enough so they can still control you, enough so you dont complain as much, and if you do, they hold you in reproach as if you dont have a right to voice your conce

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      May 22, 2019

      YOU LIE SO MUCH, YOU have no clue of what you are saying.
      You said the inception of the NEP was in 2013 and YOU were then employed in it. We are in 2019,
      2013 to 2019 is how many years? (6).
      But you are telling us, it has been 7 years now and all I(YOU) receive is good appraisals, no salary increase, and a whole bunch of lies.
      It’s really a fact that YOU ALL UWPITES are TRULY a bunch of LIARS and can’t be taken seriously.

      • A. Patriot
        May 23, 2019

        From 2013 to 2019 is actually 7 years. It amazes me that one cannot have an opposing view from that of the government and not be labelled an UWPrite, and a liar. Opposing views must be expressed and healthy opposition must be encouraged and accepted in any democracy. The progress of our beautiful country depends on active participation from the ruling party and the opposition.

        • time has told
          May 23, 2019

          Once you disagree, instantly you are a uwp. Fraid they fraid. Their biggest threat isnt UWP, its mother nature. See how Maria uncover a lot of their nonsense? wait for it when the rest of the counrty start to fall. The cliff going to canefield i waiting to fall for them to give more excuse. Next is the road to go to roseau valley and the cliff over it as well. But all they can talk about is UWP and lennox. That alone they can talk about, meanwhile hurricane season approaching.

      • May 23, 2019

        @Joseph John; Kid on the block; Those are the people who are receiving the fictions that Lennox is “throwing up” to them, maybe long before he became the Opposition Leader.

        Joseph, you are right. Most people should start whatever they are doing with a goal–that goal has to be self-improvement, in whatever way.

        But those people at home have no vision for themselves; they want the government to employ them: they want an increase in salary once a month; they want to own expensive concrete houses, cars, they want IP Phones, smarts phones, etcetera, and they want to be stretched up with their arms folded at peace and rest. All at the expense of the Government,

        How can they improve that Land itself, the best way that most countries receive revenue, with that kind of burden which the people expect them to take up?

        Still, for all, I give thanks to God that those ungrateful people belong in the minority group.

        • Dominica needs us!
          May 23, 2019

          You know the reason for this, it is because this administration has changed the culture of our people. People of Dominica knew how to work hard to acquire their needs and wants. You cannot blame the people if you are not blaming the leader who created and nourishing this culture of dependence. And it is 20 years, and a habit can be developed after 21 days. And you want the labourites and their leaders to have all you have outlined except the UWP supporters.

      • Joseph John
        May 23, 2019

        Kid, when you have to scam your people to pay your legal fees for lying about a private citizen does the qualify you for a doctorate ? Does that give you any credibility ? And if you have no qualifications no education or experience, does that make your followers sheep being led by a Judas goat ?

  21. time has told
    May 22, 2019

    NEP is a complete strain on the economy. The role of the government is NOT to create jobs. That is the role of the private sector. the role of the government is to create the environment that allows the private sector to grow and create employment. You cannot take a loan you cannot get a raise you are in a rut with NEP. It reflects badly on our gdp and shows a poor representation of national growth.

  22. ??
    May 22, 2019

    Mister will kybosh everything! Other than string together a few works and phrases that he pickup elswhere, he is totally clueless.

    • time has told
      May 22, 2019

      NEP was only inteded to be there for 1 – 2years. I cannot continue as it is. It is a strain on our national financial resources. It is the government that is paying for the thousands of workers (or at least a large portion of their salary). CBI money is being used to pay NEP workers when it should be used to build hospitals and health centers and roads and upgrade ports and airports and build proper sporting facilities and buy road maintenance equipment (instead of having 7 man fixing one hole with 3 ladies on the job just watching) and building new industrial sites etc. But that money is being used to pay unemployed people who the private sector is not able to employ in full. Im not even sure these people get social security paid on their behalf. NEP is a complete strain on the economy. How are they doing all they are doing now? a combination of donations and grants from the EU, world bank and other international financial DONOR agencies and what is left of cbi.

  23. Joe Linton
    May 22, 2019

    We have said we will continue the National Employment Programme, but the National Employment Programme, overtime, will become a lot more than what it is right now in terms of preparing people for the world of work,” Linton said recently. “The way the National Employment Programme runs right now which, essentially, is providing employment for people to clean the sides of the road and certain beautification initiatives, that’s not new.”

    That’s deliberate Lennox we all know that the NEP is an internship program and there are persons employed in leading companies as Accountants and other professions under the NEP. The concept is they, just graduating with their Degrees etc with no work experience will gain experience at these institutions in order to move on to higher heights!!!!!!! the beautification program also assist in creating employment…

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