Housing Units at Warner will provide affordable homes to public officers: PM Roosevelt Skerrit

Roseau, Dominica: Prime Minister of Dominica Dr Roosevelt Skerrit stated on Sunday that as the government works to present the 2021-2022 Fiscal Budget, there are no cuts expected in terms of services. PM Skerrit made the remarks during his weekly episode of Anou Palay on Sunday. He also stated that the government aims to announce the "Future Housing Development Programme" at Warner, targeting public officers, private sector employees, and the diaspora. He said there would be zero interest for public officers on the purchase of the respective residences.He said that the public decisions that the government took last year would remain in place. Prime Minister also stated that steady growth in revenue is experienced in the past several months. "We have been seeing a steady improvement in the revenue collection, which tells us there is some activity, pre-pandemic situation is coming back," stated Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.The prime minister further stated that Dominica is preparing for the return of cruise ships. He said the tourism ministry is also considering a change in some travel policies, so coming to the country gets hassle-free. PM Skerrit stated that American Airlines made a test drive to Dominica to check the possibilities of operating a direct flight from Miami to Dominica. Besides this, Prime Minister also stated that the government continue to invest heavily in the agriculture sector to ensure food security. The Dominican leader noted that $27 million dollars from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) would be lent to small and medium business enterprises at a three to five percent rate of interest. He said the amount would assist them in expanding and sustaining their businesses.Nevertheless, he noted that the Citizenship by Investment Programme of Dominica is going very well, but the government never used it for current expenditure except after Hurricane Maria and during the pandemic.