Fri, Sep 20, 2024

(Excerpts of President of the NDP, Dr. Godwin Friday’s presentation at a public meeting in Central Kingstown)

“You have heard some of my colleagues speak about the situation with Hurricane Beryl. This is a crisis that the entire nation felt. Even though some parts of the country were hit much harder certainly in the Grenadines.

But the government has been dragging its feet in getting people back in their homes. Nobody is getting the assistance to rebuild their homes, to rebuild their businesses, from all the money that we have voted in the parliament, 136 million dollars, and from all the money that they got from elsewhere. Most of the work in helping people in getting back in their homes has been done by private entities, individuals and NGOs who have helped people. Why is it that the government can’t put the money back into people’s hand so that they can fix their own homes?

I said it at the time when we had the volcanic eruption and when we had the crisis with COVID-19, that the government has to put the money where the pain is. The people whose homes have been destroyed are suffering and they have not put the money in the people’s hands so that they can rebuild.

I want to call on the government here tonight, to stop dragging its feet, people are suffering. Get the people of Union Island back into their homes so that they can go back to school in Union Island. This stupidness of having some of the children going to school in Arnos Vale and some going to school in Union Island is creating more confusion and disruption for the people who have already been through hell, so get the money into the people’s hands! Give them the materials that they need to fix their homes. You don’t have to get them a contractor. They can find their own contractor to fix their own house. Let them get back into their homes so they can get back into their community, so that the school can reopen and function again. 

There is absolutely no reason why that cannot be done. It has been two and a half months now and still they have not fixed anybody’s home. What is the reason for that? Some say it is spite. But I think it is incompetence, it is negligence and it’s just simply they don’t give a damn because they are not the ones who are putting up with it. 

I know the hardship that the people have to put up with. When you go into their homes and it rains, they have to be sweeping the water out. The precious stuff that they have saved all their lives is always in danger. ‘Come on man’, we can do better than that and we must get it done.

This government has proven itself to be incompetent. My colleagues have mentioned their corruption. The fact that they have failed to deliver for the people. They liked to brag about twenty-three years in office. But, what do you have to show for it? I say give me ten years and I will accomplish more than what they have done.”

North Leeward Selects Dr. Shallow

We are excited to announce that Dr. Kishore Shallow has been selected by the North Leeward Constituency Council to represent the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the upcoming general elections. Dr. Shallow’s deep roots in the community and his proven leadership in organizations at the regional level makes him the ideal candidate to bring proper representation to North Leeward

Dr. Godwin Friday, President of the NDP said, “Kishore is a young man with a track record of leadership and overall excellence. We are happy that he has joined our team to represent North Leeward. His selection is a reflection of the NDP’s ongoing ability to attract quality candidates who are ready to deliver the change our country desperately needs. I now look forward to the ratification process by the party’s Central Committee, for the candidates for North Leeward and Central Leeward, which will be done very soon.”

In expressing his enthusiasm about joining the NDP and for the opportunity to serve his community, Dr.  Shallow said, “I am truly delighted to be part of the Dr. Friday-led NDP team, his unwavering dedication to uplifting the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines resonates deeply with my own. I look forward to bringing the representation that the people of North Leeward badly need. Our country is at a critical juncture– it’s about the future we owe to our children, our families, and our communities, and we need a change of government to put us on that new and better path. Together, we can get it done.”

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Etson Williams and Mr. Ronald Seaton, who both offered themselves to be the candidate. Their commitment and contributions are deeply appreciated by our team and we are grateful for their dedication to the future of North Leeward.

Former North Leeward candidate and Member of Parliament Roland “Patel” Matthews also voiced his full support for Dr. Shallow: “Kishore is the right man to carry the mantle forward in North Leeward. He has my full support and confidence. His vision and passion for the community will drive the kind of representation our people need, and I look forward to working with him to win the election.”

We believe Dr. Shallow’s selection advances the NDP’s mission to provide effective leadership and governance for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The NDP is building a winning team and there is room for all as we move forward to make our country better.