NNP put Grenada in a Monkey Pants

In recent days, the Prime Minister has been making all kinds of noises about what he will or will not accept from the IMF as a Structural Adjustment Program. Like mouth open, word jump out!!

The Keith Mitchell led NNP government has little or no credibility with international creditors. In the 2005 restructuring exercise, they assured the creditors that Grenada will produce an annual growth rate of 4.7%. That was a “pie in the sky” assumption. Besides the effects of Hurricanes Ivan and Emily, the same NNP leadership gave a license to De Bourg to operate CAPBANK where Grenadians lost over $40 million. Reports indicate that SGL also soaked over $80 million from the pockets of we the people.

The recklessness of the NNP administration during the period 1995-2008 is responsible for this monkey pants that all Grenadians will be asked to wear. They neglected agriculture, not a single new hotel room was built (only promises); they left the country unprepared for when pay back day comes.

Now the Prime Minister is saying that he will reject whatever measure the IMF “impose” on the citizens of this country. When he was busy contracting high priced loans to pay for stadium and ministerial complex, he was not thinking whether we will be able to meet our commitments. Dr. Mitchell is reported to have said that “you can’t sell a country” so it seems that the old principle that “when you borrow, you must payback” does not mean a thing to the goodly gentleman.

The government is giving the impression that the IMF just barged into the country to impose their will. They were invited by the said government. The IMF makes recommendations but it is the government who will accept and implement any package of measures. Blaming the IMF for decisions taken by a government may be described as dishonest.

However given the fact that the current debt crisis is the principal reason why the IMF is here, the issue will surely take centre stage. The much talked about “Paris Club” group of creditors requires countries to have an active IMF program in order to qualify for a rescheduling agreement.

The government has few options. They can take a position that they will not pay the debts. That will have severe consequences. Grant funds and soft loans especially from Europe will dry up and international banks will refuse to lend money to our government. Grenadians we are walking down a road to be another HAITI. The government must adhere to some ground rules in the management this national crisis

·       Any package of measures must be discussed not only in the Parliament. The NNP monologue there is just not enough.
·       The measures must be discussed in the communities so the people’s voices can be heard.
·       The NGO’S must be consulted extensively even on policy issues.
·       Documentation must be provided through the press so citizens can be thoroughly informed about the process and any agreements reached. Selective disclosure is not acceptable.

·       The crises require a national consensus. The scope of the said crisis places an obligation on the NNP to be inclusive cognizant of the fact that opposition forces attracted over 40% of the popular vote.
·       The NNP must be willing to accept the fact that our present problems was  as a result of their actions and failed economic policies

The Prime Minister and his administration must be aware that the national interest stands tall over the narrow sectarian interest of a few NNP fat cats.


Is NNP time they say; we the people say is Grenada time.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

OPEN LETTER TO MR HAMLET MARK.

Image
Open Letter To Mr Hamlet Mark ‘Too little too late, your pen is stalling’ Dear sir I have been following your blog Notes From All Around and Caribupdate News Service for long time. I think that you are a very skilful writer who has a very good idea of the political happenings in Grenada, but lately I have realized that your poetic pen is stalling. Your blog and news agency has gone into semi-hibernation. I must repeat that your blogs were well written and they had a very magnetic effect on thousands of readers. As a result of this Notes From All Around and Caribupdate News became the talk of the town. People listen to your tunes religiously. You became the Grenadian ‘Pied Piper’. During that time the National Democratic Congress was in office. You spared no effort in crafting half truths, fairy tales and twists all in an effort to create mistrust in the masses and chaos in government and by extension the nation. You continuously speared the NDC heart with you...
Read more

The Prime Minister of Chaos

Image
When the NNP published a poster titled ”Jonah  is back” just before the 2013 elections campaign, even Dr. Mitchell himself never catered for 15- nil. Contrast that with 1999 when the NNP bellowed “not a damn seat for them” egged on by Joan Webley.  From then on the door to chaos was flung wide open. Dr. Mitchell was hard pressed to “allocate” Tobias Clement, Yolande Bain- Horsford and Clifton Paul. True to form, the Prime Minister broke all protocol and instructed that all MPs must get ministerial salaries. I guess that back bench is good for England but not for Grenada. The traditional NNP front bench came back in full force. Bowen, Bhola, Modeste – Curwen and Nimrod. The new kids on the block were given much of the limelight to the annoyance of the traditionals. The emergence of Delma Thomas as a significant minister left the nation shaking his head at what appeared to be cheap theatre. Many citizens could only muster a laugh when in fact tears for Grenada would have be...
Read more

VICTIMIZATION AT ITS BEST

St. George –  According to Labour Representative in the Senate, Ray Roberts, dozens of very ordinary workers c annot celebrate the new Government's one hundred days in office. Addressing a meeting of the Upper House, Senator Roberts read excerpts from dismissal letters signed by Permanent Secretaries and sent to more than 50 workers making less than one thousand dollars per month, informing them that their services have been terminated. However, Senator Roberts congratulated the Government backbenchers who he said, can all celebrate because they are all receiving Ministers salaries of more than $6,000.00 although they didn't have ministerial responsibility in our crisis economy. Senator Roberts said that when there is a change of Government, we expect the Chief of Staff and the 'big boys' to exit their jobs - that is accepted.   H owever, what the Government is now demonstrating, according to the Labour Representative, is the termination of the employment of some of...
Read more