The Citizenship By Investment (CBI) Program in Dominica, particularly its housing component, has sparked a significant debate between United Workers Party (UWP) President Lennox Linton and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. Linton has raised questions about the legality and transparency of the program’s housing option, pointing to a “budget shortfall” of over $1 billion related to funds generated under the CBI program for the fiscal year 2019-2020. This inquiry has ignited calls for a more detailed accounting of the CBI revenues, especially those accrued during the 2018-2019 financial year.
Prime Minister Skerrit has responded to these concerns, emphasizing that the infrastructure projects funded through the CBI, including social housing and the upcoming international airport, are state-owned assets. He highlighted the program’s role in facilitating critical developments without financial risk to the national treasury, referencing the successful relocation project of Petite Savanne after Tropical Storm Erika as a model. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of these initiatives for the nation’s progress and urged against diminishing their value due to political differences.
The CBI Program, especially since the introduction of the housing option by Skerrit in 2016, has been a cornerstone for raising funds for major developments. This option, distinct from the Economic Diversification Fund and the Real Estate option, specifically targets housing projects like those undertaken by Montreal Management Consultants, ensuring a direct benefit to the state’s infrastructure without burdening the Consolidated Fund.
However, the program’s transparency and the introduction of the housing option have been points of contention, with Linton criticizing the lack of public awareness and official documentation regarding this aspect of the CBI. The debate highlights a broader conversation on the need for clarity, legality, and public involvement in the management of funds generated from such programs, as the government navigates the balance between economic development and public accountability.
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