NDP has a plan to transform South Central Windward

(Excerpts of NDP’s Candidate for South Central Windward, Israel Bruce’s Presentation at North Union Rally)
The NDP has a plan, the NDP has a clear direction and the NDP has a government that is waiting to serve you. We have identified four important economic pillars for development: agriculture, tourism, the blue economy and the orange or the new economy. Let me take you through them very swiftly and show you South Central Windward, how you will benefit from this economic policy of the New Democratic Party.
My friends, agriculture has always been the backbone of the economy for South Central Windward. So whether you’re from Greiggs or Lauders, New Grounds or Diamonds, this is what we know very well. But guess what? The ULP has let down the farmers of St Vincent and the Grenadines and South Central Windward. Why? What have they done? This is what they have done to you the farmers. Poor access to roads, high fertilizer prices, no export strategy, and no connection between agriculture and an international airport and a new modern port in Kingstown. What the ULP does, is that it builds infrastructure but it never builds opportunity for the people of this country.
What is the NDP’s plan in this regard? We will re-establish a National Marketing Board. A National Marketing Board will help to guarantee markets to the farmers across this constituency and this country. It will guarantee you stable prices for your produce. And it will ensure that we are shipping your agricultural produce out of this country on a weekly basis. So every week there is money in your pockets.
I say to the farmers, expect a robust infrastructure program to be rolled out where the access roads to your farms will be fixed. And Hadley’s Village, I want you to hear me. Because the land acquisition and expansion in Hadley’s Village will ensure that you have more lands for agriculture, you have more lands for housing development, and your community centre will be a reality Hadley’s Village.
Under a New Democratic Party, agriculture will rise again. And together we will win. New Grounds, Sans Souci, South Union, you too must benefit from the expansion in the blue economy. We know that the waters are rough out here. And it reminds me of the heroic work that was done by Mr. Smart in saving the life of a young man. But I say to Mr. Smart tonight, that under a New Democratic Party government, we will ensure that you use your life-saving skills to teach it to others across this constituency. And that will be your job.
Fisher folks will continue to get assistance through the NDP. When you hear people talk tourism most of the times, you believe that they are only talking about hotels and that they are talking about the West Coast. Tourism is nature. Tourism is culture. Tourism is community. South Central Windward, we have enormous potential to benefit from tourism. So if you’re from Diamonds and you’re listening to me, Diamonds, you have spoken to me about your eco-tourism project. Using the old sugar mill that is existing there between Diamonds Proper and Cuffy Hill to make sure we leave some of the tourist dollar right in Diamonds, Greiggs and Pavement, I know that you have the true potential for zipline, for cabanas, and Greiggs as tour operators some of the tourist dollar will stay right here in South Central Windward.
My friends, I want you to hear this, Greggs. I have started discussion with a businessman who is ready to invest in a major eco-tourism project right in the Maroon Hill area. Jobs are coming to you Greiggs. Greiggs with your mountains and your eco trails, Diamonds with your rivers and adventure, New Grounds with heritage sites, South Union, coastal terrain, and New Adelphi, your beautiful scenic shapes and slopes will create opportunities.
The ULP has done nothing to unlock this potential in South Central Windward. Your a humble servant and the NDP, we will! And I go to the final, which is the new economy. And the young people of South Central, you will love to hear this. The new economy or the orange economy is where the future lies for my young people. This is where we will create hundreds of jobs for young people across South Central Windward and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Technology, creativity and innovation are just a few days away. A few days away on the 27th of November. Creativity, technology and innovation will be on the doorstep right here in South Central Windward. You see, under the ULP, they have no plans to help to advance our young people. No Development Bank access so you can borrow money to move on. No concessions, no digital hubs, nothing to help you. But here is the NDP’s plan.
A New Democratic Party will provide duty-free concessions for young people who are creatives in this country. So, as you import your laptops and your cameras and your software equipment, you will get concessions right at the customs so you, young people, can rise with us. Am so excited. I am so excited to get to work for the young people of South Central Windward. And hear me, if I start on 27th of November. Next day, I’m ready to work.
As I get ready to close, thank you. You are such a lovely people, thank you. As I get ready to close my friends, don’t forget that I exposed to you South Central Windward my 25 at 25 Plan. It’s not vague ideas. I have deduced what I think of for my people into black and white and I put it before you.