How Skerrit’s 2025 Budget Is Quietly Changing Dominica

I’ve sat through a lot of budget debates, some filled with high talk, others barely worth tuning into. But this year’s address hit differently. Not because the Prime Minister raised his voice, or made sweeping promises. It was the data, the scale, and the pace of what’s already in motion that caught my attention.

Let’s start with growth. A projected 5.91% real GDP growth for 2024, tapering to 4.2% in 2025, might not get everyone on their feet. But in a region still struggling to rebound from COVID shocks and global inflation, these numbers mean we’re not just holding our own. We’re moving. And if these targets hold, they point to a kind of quiet momentum, something we haven’t had in a long time.

For once, the debate wasn’t just about what we’re hoping to build. Projects like the new ferry terminal in Roseau, the cable car, and the Goodwill Secondary School aren’t pipe dreams. They’re in progress, with money already in the budget. I’ve heard “transformational” before. But this time it felt grounded.

When Housing, Roads, and Schools Stop Being Abstract

It’s hard to get excited about numbers on paper until they show up in real life. The mention of $44 million for housing this year hit home for me, literally. In places like Colihaut and Castle Bruce, families are already seeing new homes go up. And these aren’t just walls and galvanized roofs. They’re proper structures that can stand up to what Dominica’s weather throws at us.

Add to that the $119 million in infrastructure projects, roads, retaining walls, bridges, and it begins to feel like the government is finally getting around to what we’ve been asking for. Not overnight, not everywhere. But enough to notice.

The education investments felt more than performative this time around. The government’s commitment to free access at the Dominica State College, and support for students studying abroad, is something I wish had been there when I was younger. Still, it’s good to see now. And paired with efforts like the National Apprenticeship Programme, it gives me hope that my younger cousins, and their children, might find opportunity without needing to migrate.

Youth and Work: Something Feels Different

What struck me most was the shift in tone around youth and employment. We’ve been hearing for years about brain drain, underemployment, and young people slipping through the cracks. But now there’s a plan with teeth.

The apprenticeship programme isn’t just about giving kids something to do. It’s linked to actual work experience, proper certification through CVQ and NVQ, and even guidance for those who want to start businesses. That last part, supporting job creators, not just job seekers, felt like a turning point.

And it’s not just policy on paper. The budget includes resources to make this happen. It’s backed by the Dominica TVET Council, which has the track record to move things forward. For once, this felt like it was crafted by people who’ve actually spoken to unemployed youth and asked them what they need.

Health and Help Where It’s Needed

Healthcare reform in Dominica has always been a slow climb. But this year, I noticed something. Instead of just repeating “healthcare is a right,” the Prime Minister laid out where the money is going and who it’s going to help.

The Social Health Insurance pilot programme is active. People are using it, especially mothers, those with disabilities, and seniors. The plan is to monitor and expand it once the kinks are worked out. That’s not fast, but it’s smart.

Meanwhile, health centers in rural communities like Vieille Case and Grand Bay are getting attention. Not announcements. Actual upgrades. This matters. Because for a lot of us outside Roseau, good care has always meant long drives and long waits.

On social support, increased public assistance and National Employment Programme (NEP) funding help keep struggling families afloat. But paired with skills training and housing development, these aren’t just handouts. They’re part of a ladder out.

Still Work to Do, But Something Feels Earned

Look, no budget will satisfy everyone. And no government gets it all right. I still worry about how long it takes to roll things out. I still think transparency could be stronger. And there are questions around procurement and oversight that never seem to go away.

But when I compare Dominica to what’s happening in some neighboring islands, debt spirals, frozen public wages, protests in the streets, I realize we’re not stuck. In fact, we might be inching ahead.

The Prime Minister spoke for over two hours, and what came through wasn’t bluster. It was detail. It was numbers. It was a picture of Dominica being built not just for now, but for a generation from now. That’s what made me listen.

It’s still early in the fiscal year. Things can shift. But if even half of what’s in this budget gets delivered, we’ll be standing taller by 2026.

And maybe, just maybe, that long-promised “new Dominica” is no longer something we only hear about in slogans. It’s starting to show up in our communities.

This article is copyright © 2025 DOM767