Politics
Grenada elections 2013 update: Ruling National Democratic Congress releases manifesto
The ruling National Democratic Congress of incumbent Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, yesterday launched its manifesto for the February 19 general elections, outlining new initiatives in various sectors of the economy and telling voters it is the best party to continue the socio-economic development of Grenada.
“We are the best party to build a nation that is free, a land of equal opportunity, a land of tolerance, fair play and prosperity,” Finance Minister Nazim Burke said at the launch of the manifesto, which indicates that Grenada’s future lies on five pillars of development including tourism, agri-business, energy and education.
“We believe it is possible, we believe the foundation, the most important prerequisite for achieving it is a government that is honest, that is committed to the principles of good governance, a government that is committed to transparency – a government that is committed to account to the persons who elected them, a government that believes in integrity in public life, a government that will show respect for the institutions of the country and a government that will show respect for the rule of law.”
He said the National Democratic Congress would seek to maximize the island-nation’s human resources, to achieve fiscal stability and sustainability, as well as ensure that the government “ in its operations through sound management would get value for money.
“At the end of the day every time we spend it is your money and we must ensure that it is well spent and that we get value for money,” he said.
Burke told an audience that also included Prime Minister Thomas, that when the party came to office in 2008, it found an economy in shambles and high unemployment.
He said the policies of the government over the past four and a half years have resulted in safety nets for the disadvantage and vulnerable, adding “we are able to say with pride that today Grenada is the country that has the largest allocation on social development programs per capita in the Western hemisphere”.
At the launch, the National Democratic Congress also released a booklet on its achievements, indicating that it had introduced prudent macro-economic management policies and practices recognized by international organizations and countries as well as simplifying the tax system with the introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) and Excise Tax.
Burke said that the National Democratic Congress is promising to “create new possibilities for all our people” and that more than 10,000 new jobs would be created in various areas of the economy over the next five years.
Burke said that the five pillars of development would also be dependent on improved public sector infrastructure as well as the development of public institutions to ensure good governance and a safe environment for investors.
The National Democratic Congress is seeking another five year term in power, but faces a strong challenge from the main opposition New National Party of former prime minister Dr. Keith Mitchell.
Both the National Democratic Congress and the New National Party have names candidates for all 15 seats at stake in the coming elections. – (CMC)