My Friends
As we the people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique
mark the end of one year and the beginning of another, I
take the opportunity, on behalf of my family and my party,
as well as on my own behalf, to extend to all our Grenadian
nationals at home and abroad, and all who are resident with
us at this time, my very best wishes for a bright and
prosperous 2012, a year that we look forward to in great
anticipation in the hope that in many respects the state
of our economy and country, in general, will begin to show
meaningful improvement.
My fellow Grenadians, I believe that it is fitting and
proper to express this wish because it actually reflects the
burning desire of our people to escape from a life of
poverty and want, and, to enter into a whole new era in
which there is promise and hope for them and their
children. For it makes no sense to take the position that
things are bad and better cannot be done. If leaders and
people in the past took that kind of position and adopted
that kind of defeatist philosophy, we would not have made
any progress. Certainly, we would not have experienced the
prosperity and betterment that we have been blessed with
over the years.
History tells us that mankind as a whole has always gone
through tough times, but has always been able to emerge
victorious through good leadership, determination and hard
work. In fact, overcoming the odds is the central feature of
human history. We the people of Grenada, Carriacou and
Petite Martinique have overcome significant difficulties in
the past and I firmly believe that we will do the same and
even better, in the future.
We cannot make progress, we cannot succeed without vision
for as the Good Book says “where there is no vision, the
people perish’.
With that in mind, I wish to give a message of hope to
people all across our nation, that in spite of the troubles
that we now see and the burdens that we now bear, WE SHALL
OVERCOME. We will rebuild our lives, repair our country and
establish a sound foundation for the future. In so doing, we
will at least help to ensure that our children will be able
to enjoy the fruits of the land as well as secure a
prosperous future for their children.
Yes, my fellow Grenadians, around us we see troubling signs
and indicators such as the worsening state of our public
finances resulting in delays in the payment of salaries and
pensions. It is of great concern to us, that while many
people were paid late during the Christmas season, there are
some, particularly among the poor and low income segment of
the population, who were not paid at all leaving them with
nothing with which to ensure that their families were able
to join with others in experiencing the joys of the Season.
We share the pain of these people as well as the promise of
a brighter future.
We also note with concern, the unexplained delay in the
presentation of the budget after quite a few years of
on-time presentation. This and other developments already
mentioned can only serve to sap the confidence of the
people.
But as had been said time and time again, we are a resilient
people, we are a people of true mettle and in spite of these
demonstrations of poor governance and ineffective economic
management, we as a people, will prevail against our
difficulties and rise again, to new and higher heights.
And so, I join with you, my fellow Grenadians, in welcoming
the year 2012. Of course it will have its difficulties and
trials, but it will also have its opportunities and it will
be up to us to make the most of these opportunities, or let
them go to waste. For what makes the difference in many
cases, is the extent to which a people are able to discern
and embrace opportunities, and build on them in the process
of ensuring a brighter future.
Let us all move forward in the hope that 2012 will be a year
of national renewal; a year in which we will truly get on
the road towards restoring our present and securing our
future.
To each and every one, I again extend sincerest wishes for A
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND a BRIGHT AND PROSPEROUS 2012.
I THANK YOU!
