The recent rally by the Unity Labour Party (ULP) was an attempt to distract Vincentians from its appalling record of broken promises and lack of progress.
After 23 years in power, Dr Gonsalves and his minions were at the rally blaming the former New Democratic Party (NDP) government for their failure. This is clearly a sign of weakness on the part of Dr Gonsalves and the ULP. Dr Gonsalves’ ramblings Sunday night has demonstrated that he is tired, out of touch with the people and bankrupt of ideas. His style of politics is archaic. His transactional leadership style is obviously not working for Vincentians.
Most Vincentians were eagerly awaiting to hear an action plan from the ULP of how it intends to address the critical issues that are affecting them. They wanted to hear the plans: to reduce the high cost-of-living; to combat crime; to reduce the massive unemployment rate, and to deal with the problems of violence against women and girls. Nothing was said about those issues nor their broken promises.
When the ULP gained power in 2001, it did so with a number of grandeur promises. In the 2020 general elections, its manifestos were also plastered with more promises. Promises which they have failed to deliver. Since conquest and settlement, this ULP government has the record for the most broken promises of any administration in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Vincentians cannot trust them anymore.
For instance, the ULP has promised the electorates the following and has not delivered: to construct an Acute Referral Hospital at Arnos Vale; develop a modern City at Arnos Vale; construct a tunnel under Cane Garden point to link the modern city at Arnos Vale with Kingstown as part of overall improvement in traffic; establish St Vincent as a leader in nature tourism and nature-based activities; develop the local performing arts as a vital form of cultural expression, and as a source of employment; develop a School for Music Arts. And, construct energy-efficient water desalination plants in the Grenadines.
The list of broken promises continues: making the Ottley Hall Project work in conjunction with private investors; increase export-led growth in traditional agricultural commodities and fishery product; building a performing arts centre; being tough on crime and the causes of crime; making job creation, especially quality jobs and sustainable economic development our main priority; move resolutely against corruption in government; deepening political democracy, strengthening individuals rights and freedoms; upholding the law and the constitution. And, modernizing and reforming government to better and more efficiently deliver all the services provided by the government. The ULP has deceived the electorates by not delivering the promises pledged in its manifestos of the various elections.
ULP Record
What have they achieved in 23 years? For the period, the ULP government has set records in all that’s bad. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has the highest unemployment rate among young
people in the Organisation of Easten Caribbean States. 46% of young people are unemployed. We are the lowest paid in the region. Poverty has increased significantly under the ULP administration. The poverty report of 2018 that the government shelved revealed that poverty in St. Vincent and the Grenadines had moved from 30.2% of the population in 2008 to 36.1 % in 2018. And the indigence level had moved from 2.9% to 11.3% in the country of 110,000 people
Agriculture has declined significantly under the ULP government. Agriculture now contributes just 6% to the Gross Domestic Product, at one time it contributed in excess of 20%. Crime is spiralling out of control. Last year was a record year for homicides, 55 homicides were recorded. So far this year, 13 homicides have been recorded which included the gruesome discovery of two charred bodies during the week. And, our health care system is in urgent need of attention. Vincentians must not forget the cruel and evil act by the ULP government to dismiss police officers, teachers, nurses and certain other government and state entities who did not take the COVID-19 vaccine.
This ULP government lacks accountability and transparency. There has not been an audited financial statement for the Argyle International Airport, the largest capital project in this country. Petro Caribe funds were spent without the appropriate legislation in place. There has been a significant difference in figures as it relates to the Overdraft at the bank and that of the Accountant General. From 2010 to 2019, the difference between the Overdraft at the bank and that of the Accountant General is $150,062,198.00. There is also the Special Warrant issue where the government on numerous occasions has failed to bring them to parliament in a timely manner, in one instance it took the government five years to bring them to parliament. And, don’t forget the US $1 million which was deposited at the former National Commercial Bank.
Further, it would appear that the government is not interested in statistics to plan effectively for the development of the country. Where is the report of the Labour Force Survey which was conducted in 2022? Where is the progress report of the National Population and Housing Census which began last year? And, there has not been an Agricultural Census for over twenty-three (23) years.
This is not good enough. After 23 long years in power, it’s clear that this is a government that has no energy, lacks creative ideas and is clinging on to power in the hope of ensuring that they do enough to secure the future for Camillo Gonsalves. St. Vincent and the Grenadines deserves better. Ask anyone in the country: have your lives really improved? Or, has the ULP done enough for the period in power? St. Vincent and the Grenadines deserves better. The NDP has a plan to deliver for our country.