The Unity Labour Party (ULP) government has failed to deliver on the most of its promises it made to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines in the 2024 Budget. It was a budget of broken promises, half measures and an exercise in trying to gaslight the electorate.
This is a government that promises much but delivers little. We are in the eleventh month of the year which means the financial year is almost finished. Based on the track record of the ULP government, it is highly unlikely that the projects which were outlined by the Minister of Finance and have not started will be implemented.
Vincentians can no longer trust the government when it makes promises to them. So, we can say that the government has betrayed the trust of the people. The Minister of Finance promised to implement the following in his 2024 budget presentation and has failed to do so. He assured Vincentians that the: Thomas Saunders Secondary will commence this year, construction of the Kingstown Anglican School and the construction of two brand new secondary schools: the Sandy Bay Secondary School, funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and the Brighton Secondary School, financed by the Saudi Fund for Development. Upgrade of National Public Library, rehabilitation of the fisheries centre in Owia, and establish sanitary facilities for the fishers operating out of Lowman’s Bay and Shipping Bay.
He also promised that the Solidarity Fishing Fleet project would spend $4.4 million this year to purchase and equip 4 modern tuna boats, in the first instance, and to train fishers in the operation of those vessels and the business of commercial fishing. Where is this project? No progress has been made on it. Also, the construction on the Marriott Resort will begin. The Minister of Finance told Vincentians that around the same time that Sandals opened, we would also be opening the Holiday Inn Express and Suites hotel at Diamond. Eight months after the opening of Sandals, the Holiday Inn Express is yet to be opened.
Other promises were the development of 16 acres of land along the coast of Brighton into a recreational park and bird-watching retreat. Construction of cultural, education and production hubs in Belle Vue, Petit Bordel and Troumaca. The launch of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ National Orchestra and National Choir. Constructing, expanding and refurbishing healthcare facilities in Biabou, Calliaqua, Central Kingstown, and Diamonds. Begin construction of a SMART health clinic in Belair and begin construction of a Multipurpose Community Centre in Diamond. These projects have not started.
We recall that in the ULP’s manifesto in the general elections of 2020; they promised that they would create thousands of new jobs. We are now in the fifth year of this ULP’s term in office, and the jobs still haven’t been created. Moreover, we have the lowest wages in the region.
When the ULP gained power in 2001, they promised that they would be tough on crime and the causes of crime. Instead, we have seen an increase in violent crime in the country. The year 2023 was a record-breaking year for homicides where fifty-five (55) homicides were recorded. So far in 2024, forty one (41) homicides have been reported, closing in on the record level of homicides reached in 2023 most of which were gun related.
We have reached a point in our country where the government cannot continue to ignore the scourge of gun crime. People are losing their lives at an alarming rate. Yet, each incident which occurs the government remains silent. The Minister of National Security should present a detailed and prescriptive plan to reduce homicides immediately. We cannot afford further loss of lives. The failure by the Minister of National Security to implement measures to combat the crime crisis in the country has demonstrated that he is out of touch with the people.
Our Five Priorities
The NDP’s plan will fix the deeper issues which our country face. Our five (5) priorities are the key issues Vincentians care about. We will work to improve all of these areas, bringing a significant positive change to the lives of all people in our country. Our plan is realistic and achievable to improve the economy, reduce unemployment and underemployment, make the country safer, improve our roads and provide healthcare which can be trusted.
Build an economy that provides opportunity for all: The NDP has a new economic plan for our nation. This plan is built upon our four economic pillars, tourism, agriculture, the new economy and the blue economy., which will develop the economy of the country.
Create more and better paid jobs: we have a plan to create more jobs and cut the unemployment rate. We will raise wages across the country by investing in our people and creating higher value jobs through the use of technology.
Make our country safe again: Crime is out of control in St Vincent and the Grenadines, affecting everyone either directly or indirectly. An NDP government will uphold the law, invest in new crime-fighting techniques, protect women and children, and provide more training to the police so people can feel safe again in their communities.
Ensure that everyone has healthcare we can trust: An NDP government will ensure our people have a healthcare system we can trust. We will establish a National Health Insurance programme and ensure access to medicines and reliable care.
An NDP government will develop new projects such as a national skills training college, and a performing arts centre. Improve our roads and ensure our infrastructure works well and promotes economic growth.
Vincentians should not be bought by the empty promises of the ULP. The question that should be answered. Are Vincentians lives better after 23 years of the ULP in government? They are tired and out of touch and do not deserve another term in government.