The newest national budget presented to parliament by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit for 2019/2020 is $20 million above the figure presented for last year. This year’s budget is $1.02 billion while that of the previous year stood at one billion. Skerrit, who is also the minister for finance, said the budget focuses more on building a new Dominica.
“My Government and I have carefully reviewed what has been done and crafted a way forward to a better Dominica for all,” the prime minister told parliament.
Less than two years ago we were a nation and a people fearful for our future, written off by many as without a hope or a chance, living amongst the rubble of broken homes and shattered dreams,” Skerrit said. “Our businesses and lives were bruised and battered. We had fallen, thrown to the ground by one of the most powerful weather systems the world had ever seen. But God has picked us up. Today I say ‘Glory’ for broken spirits reborn, for a recovering Dominica, for a renewed Dominica, for a resurgent Dominica.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
When broken down, the budget broadly addresses the following allocations among others:
- Recurrent revenue – $818.1 million
- Local capital revenue – $5.1 million
- Capital grants – $117.3 million
- Current grants – $4.1 million
- Loan receipts – $72.3 million
The total expenditure together with debt amortization and sinking fund stands at $1.1 billion, and this figure represents a combined recurrent expenditure inclusive of debt amortization and sinking fund of $611.3 million and capital expenditure of $481.8 million.
However, the primary balance (after grants) is said to be at negative seventy-six million thirty-eight thousand eight hundred and twenty-six dollars (-$76,038,826).
Various government ministries in the countries were allocated the following amounts –
- Ministry of finance – $244.6 million
- Ministry of education and human resource development – $77.5 million
- Ministry of health and social services – $72.4 million
Further allocations were made for tourism, agriculture, housing, education, agro-processing, and manufacturing among others. Skerrit said in his budget address that he looks forward to a $104 million grant which the World Bank promised for housing projects post-Maria in Dominica – this funding is separate from the budget allocation made for housing projects.
Meanwhile, the Windsor Park Stadium will gulp $3.3 million and another $3 million set aside to construct a National Multipurpose Sports Complex which will include basketball, volleyball and swimming facilities among others in Stockfarm.
Skerrit said the budget is aimed at building a New Dominica as well as ensuring that the country is the first in the world to achieve climate resilience.
“The theme of resilience means stability and sustainability,” he said. “It must become the Dominican way of life. It means building properties and infrastructure that are hurricane resistant, so that our lives, society and economy are not devastated every time a powerful weather system comes calling. It requires us to build using methodologies and technologies that make them strong enough to stand up against the effects of climate change. Climate resilience is not a fancy term. It has to remain central to everything that we do. It will ensure Dominica’s survival.
This is Prime Minister Skerrit’s 14th budget as the prime minister of Dominica.
This article is copyright © 2019 DOM767
