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Friday,
October 10th, 2008:
The first
working session of the Eigth Parliament
was very interesting and gave an
indication of what lies ahead. The
following are some interesting
highlights:
Hon. Nazim
Burke, Minister of Finance, tabled a
motion to reaffirm the $40 million
dollars overdraft for the everyday
running of the government and called on
the opposition for support. All Members
of the Opposition supported the motion,
but they called on the government to
stop their wasteful spending on
extensive travel, the purchasing of
furniture and the hiring of advisors and
coordinators known to be close
associates of the NDC.
The
opposition called on the Government to
use the money to help the poor and
vulnerable people of the society to cope
with the rising cost of living.
Honourable
Roland Bhola, called on the Government
to use part of the money to pay the
Imani trainees, who have been waiting
for their stipends since July. He also
strongly recommended that the government
use some of the money to pay the $400
promised to senior citizens during the
election campaign earlier this year.
[Watch Hon. Bhola's Presentation]
Parliamentary Representative for St.
Mark’s, the Honourable Clarice
Modeste-Curwen, added to the
opposition’s plea by calling on the new
Government to resume the debushing
programme, so that unemployed men and
women throughout the country can have a
source of income.
The former
Minister for Communication and Works was
responding to criticisms by Hon. Joseph
Gilbert, that the Keith Mitchell
administration overspent on the
debushing programme by an estimated $12
million dollars.
In her
defense of the programme, Dr. Modeste
explained that programmes like these
offer a dignified way to address the
rising cost of living.
The member
for St Mark’s further explained that her
administration saw no problem with
spending additional monies on the
debushing programme, because they took a
special interest in the poor people of
the country.
While she
supported the self help programme which
has temporarily replaced the debushing
programme, she pointed out that this is
good and the people involved must be
applauded, however, she said her concern
is that they still have to find food to
put on their table in these tough
economic times.
[Watch Hon. Curwen's Presentation]
Leader of
the Opposition, Dr. The Rt. Hon Keith
Mitchell also added his concerns about
the economic situation in the country
and provided some advice to the new
government. Dr. Mitchell suggested that
Ministers, Advisors and high profile
supporters should think, before they
speak.
The former
Prime Minister illustrated his point by
explaining how recent comments by the
new Minister for Finance and other close
associates of the Government were
helping to worsen the economic situation
in the country.
Dr.
Mitchell outlined the damage which was
done by the comments made by Finance
Minister Nazim Burke, who described the
country’s economy as a mess and said
that the treasury is empty. Dr.
Mitchell said these statements have
driven economic opportunities away from
Grenada and are frightening away
investors.
The former
Prime Minister also pointed out that the
recent attack on the previous
government, the Governor General and
Grenada’s racing superstar, Lewis
Hamilton will do even further damage to
Grenada’s image and by extension the
economy. He said it is unfortunate that
the poor people of Grenada are the ones
that will pay for this irresponsible
behaviour.
[Watch Dr. Mitchell's Presentation]
Refering to
the poor and vulnerable, the Minister
for Social Development Hon. Glennis
Roberts said that if there are persons
suffering in the various constituencies,
the opposition must write her a letter
so she can become aware of those cases.
She noted that a number of the
programmes implemented under the
previous Government to help reduce
poverty are now on hold for review.
Members of
the opposition noted that while they
have no difficulty with the programmes
being reviewed they believe that the
pace at which this is done is affecting
too many people. However, Roberts noted
that despite comments made to the
contrary, all persons on the public
assistance list are receiving their
monthly allowance of $150.00.
While the
Minister did not comment on the increase
which was promised during the campaign,
in his maiden speech to the Parliament,
Junior Minister in the Ministry of
Works, Hon. Sylvester Quarless said that
his party had promised in its manifesto
that they will provide $400.00 to the
people on public Assistance. However, he
noted that since the NDC manifesto is
for a period of five years this means
that the promises made are to be
implemented within a five year period.
Commenting
on this statement after the parliament
debate, one senior citizen said the
Junior Minister’s statement does not
coincide with what was said during the
campaign as they were made to believe
that they will receive the $400.00 as
early as July 2008.
The
opposition has been expressing concerns
about the spending pattern of the new
government and how it was preventing
them from implementing important safety
net programmes. A number of questions
were therefore tabled during Thursday's
sitting of parliament. Opposition
Leader Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell
called on Prime Minister Tillman Thomas
to inform the parliament of how much was
spent on refurnishing the Prime
Minister’s residence.
In
responding, the Prime Minister indicated
that over 20 thousand dollars was spent
on the new furniture for the Prime
Minister’s residence and said over 20
thousand was also spent for the office
of another Minister. The opposition was
not in support of this expenditure since
it is felt that the furniture replaced
were only about three months old and had
cost the government thousands of
dollars. However, Prime Minister Thomas
explained that he had to purchase new
furniture because those used by Dr.
Mitchell were not of his standard.
Dr.
Mitchell said he was surprised that the
Prime Minister will be thinking this way
in light of the statements made by the
Minister for Finance that the country’s
economy is a total mess. Dr. Mitchell
said he never requested new furniture
for the office of the Opposition Leader
on the grounds that the country was
experiencing tough economic times. He
said he would have requested new
furniture if the economic situation was
better. Dr. Mitchell also made reference
to Government Ministers traveling first
class to various countries at a time
when the country is said to have no
money. He said while he held the office
of Prime Minister his Cabinet took a
decision that only the Prime Minister
will travel first class in an effort to
reduce spending at a time when they did
not describe the treasury as empty.
Parliament
was not without humor as the Speaker of
the House referred to Hon. Nazim Burke
as the Leader of the Opposition, and the
Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas
referred to Dr. Keith Mitchell on two
occasions as Prime Minister.
[Watch Hon. Nimrod Presentation]
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