(Excerpts of Lavern Velox’s presentation at a virtual Meeting)
I have a plan for East St. George; to get people working and to bring new investment to upgrade our deteriorating infrastructure. In return for a vote for me in this upcoming election; I, as part of a Dr. Friday led New Democratic Party (NDP) government can offer you jobs, jobs and more jobs.
The first thing I will do, when elected as your representative, is to provide skills and training to our young people so they have the expertise needed to build a thriving career, here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. For too long young people graduating from school have not been able to find work and have resorted to leaving our shores in search for job opportunities.
I will work with local businesses to develop internship and apprenticeship agreements. This will open up job opportunities for recent graduates and provide them with the skills needed for them to thrive in the workplace. Every young person deserves the opportunity to learn new skills, develop and provide for themselves and their families.
Our children deserve the best education. That is why the NDP’s plan for jobs and growth will equip our children for successful futures and careers. This includes improving the delivery of education at the Calliaqua Anglican School, which will also be expanded to facilitate day care and early childhood development.
This education thrust will not be limited to our young people and children. I believe everybody should be given the opportunity to grow and develop, if they want to. Therefore, I am going to open a program of adult classes on Information Technology (IT), providing adult the skills needed to navigate in a digital age.
This will open the door to new career prospects for the people of East St. George and give them new skills that can be used to better their lives. We cannot hope to grow as a nation if we do not help our people develop.
To help our plan for jobs and growth we need upgraded roads to help travel and trade. I have been out door knocking the length and breadth of the constituency and people are fed up with the condition the roads have been left in.
In order to help ease travel and trade, we will rehabilitate the road network in East St. George, not in a superficial way that will require constant maintenance. We will do it right. No more choosing which hole to brave. All of this will create opportunity, as the NDP wants to employ locals to help fix local roads.
The Unity Labour Party (ULP) have said they will oppose our constituency development fund, because they do not trust local people. They would prefer to give the contracts for minor local works to their friends or overseas company.
We, in the NDP, trust the people of East St. George to do what is best for East St. George.
Furthermore, the NDP will construct covered bus sheds throughout the constituency, including Fairbairn, Brighton, Belmont, Villa and Glen to provide shelter from the heat of the sun and tropical rain, so that people can get to their place of work no matter the weather. With better transport infrastructure, less damage will be done to vehicles, goods and to our health, saving us from the cost of unnecessary bills.
The ULP has also neglected the healthcare of local people in East St George for too long. It has never been more important to ensure access to quality healthcare. The COVID pandemic and the outbreak of Dengue Fever across the land are prime examples why the healthcare of our people is a priority. That is why we will improve the Enhams Clinic and upgrade the Calliaqua clinic into a fully-fledged polyclinic, so the constituents of East St. George have access to the best facilities available.
The people of East St. George have been neglected by the ULP. That is not the sign of true leadership. This is compounded by the fact that the Minister of Finance, your soon to be former representative, lives in East St. George and allowed the constituency to deteriorate. Camillo, I want your vote too! You really don’t want to be on the wrong side of history.
The NDP will work to ensure that each and every person in St. Vincent and the Grenadines feels safe and secure. We will protect homes from the climatic conditions our islands face. In East St. George we will introduce several measures, including improving the drainage system and river defences in Calliaqua that have been left unattended.
The NDP will address the high levels of crime that have left so many people worried and concerned about personal safety and protection of property. We have a plan that will reassure residents of their safety, so they do not feel vulnerable whenever they engage in social activity away from home. No need to rush home and lock yourselves away like prisoners in the place you’re supposed to feel most relaxed.
Furthermore, we will refurbish the Calliaqua Police Station and residential quarters to ensure our officers have the best possible facilities to make sure we are safe. After 20 years in power, Ralph and the ULP have grown complacent, leaving the people East St. George and the rest of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to fend for themselves.
Our Dr. Friday has a clear plan to create new jobs, and the determination and the leadership skills to build a brighter future for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He is passionate about bettering the lives of Vincentians and committed to achieving this goal.
In the upcoming election, you have the chance to change the course of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ future, to build a brighter future for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where our young people have the opportunity to work and thrive.