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Ray Roberts |
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GIS Director
& MTV News Director |
St. George’s, Grenada, May 21st 2010: Members of Her Majesty’s Opposition is
calling on the Government to refrain from using the Government Information
Service as a propaganda machine.
The
Opposition is forced to respond to a Press Release published by the Government
Information Service which indicated that the Opposition failed in its attempt to
organize a protest at the last sitting of Parliament in response to the signing
of the Maritime Treaty with Trinidad and Tobago.
Leader of the Opposition, Dr. The Rt. Hon Keith Mitchell says he has made
comments in the media regarding the Opposition’s intention to mobilize
Grenadians to say to express their concerns to the Government about the
process. However he noted that it was absolutely unnecessary to do so last
Friday since this matter was not expected to be tabled or discussed at that
sitting.
He
said the statements made by the Prime Minister in response to this matter was
nothing short of dishonesty as he should have made it clear to the media that
this matter was not down for discussion at the last sitting of Parliament.
The
Opposition sees this strategy of the Government as one used to distract the
people of the country from the real issues affecting them such as the rising
cost of living, the significant decrease in economic activities and the lack of
employment opportunities. The Opposition further challenges the Government to
stop the propaganda and do some serious work to move the country forward so that
the GIS can be fully utilized to report the work of the Government and educate
the public on matters of importance.
The
Opposition Leader noted that if the Government had any respect for the people of
Grenada after refusing to consult with the people before signing such an
important Treaty, it would have used the first opportunity of a Parliamentary
sitting to have the Treaty laid before the House.
The
Opposition notes with concern that the Government continues to preach
transparency, accountability and Good government but seems not to understand
what these terms mean. He says the Government refers to the process of signing
the Treaty as transparent knowing that they took the decision to sign without
any consultation with the people. He said he is not surprised that Grenadians
are refusing to turn out to the consultations which are now being held after the
signing has taken place. This he says is a clear indication of how the average
Grenadian feels about the way the NDC has dealt with this important matter.
