Grenada-Ruling Party Manifesto Promises Cost Of Living Relief

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada, CMC - Grenada's governing New National Party (NNP) last Wednesday evening unveiled a series of new measures to reduce cost of living, which it says will be implemented if it retains the Government in the July 8 general election. 

The measures are contained in the NNP's 52-page manifesto, released during a special ceremony at the Trade Centre in St George's.

 "We are cognizant of the fact that rising food prices pose a serious challenge to our people, especially the poor and vulnerable," said Economic Affairs Minister Anthony Boatswain. 

The party said it wanted to remove or reduce duties on essential supplies and identify alternative sources to those available in the Caribbean. 

The manifesto says consideration will be given to pooling the purchase of items, such as food and text books, as well as improving feeder roads to reduce transaction costs to farmers. The incumbent party also wants to introduce an incentive scheme to boost agricultural output, such as the creation of a land-bank, that would give citizens access to arable land for cultivation. 

Plans to provide seeds, planting material and fertilizers to persons in agriculture and encourage home gardening through training and awareness have also been outlined.

 If re-elected, the NNP said it would open a special window of financing to assist small farmers and fishermen access capital.

 Earlier this year, Government launched separate food distribution and free milk programmes to help families combat the rising cost of living. 

"Now that we have created the basic foundation and the solid foundation on which to build our economy, I wish to assure you that the next five years will be primarily dedicated to the development of the productive sectors of our economy,” Boatswain said. 

The NNP manifesto also outlines plans to revitalize a major farm school to deliver program such as agro-business, marketing and contract farming, and to launch a public education campaign to raise the prestige of agriculture as a profession. It also promises that if given a fourth consecutive term, the NNP will build and repair 1,000 homes a year.

 The party added it would expand the Government's low-income housing program to deliver 5,000 units over the next five years and establish a family court as well as a youth rehabilitation centre.

The NNP also plans to tackle white-colour crime and its new manifesto promises to initiate a special corruption unit within the Royal Grenada Police Force to tackle this problem.

The manifesto also promises a comprehensive review of the tourism master plan and the development of a similar plan for the ward islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique. It includes plans to reopen the airport in the eastern parish of St. Andrew's and construct the second phase of the new General Hospital. 

"I can assure you that our manifesto is not a wish list; it is not a bag of empty promises. The plans and projects we present to you are realistic and implementable," Boatswain told the large crowd, made up of party supporters and invited guests.  "We will not promise you what we cannot deliver. This is our social contract for the Grenadian people.” 

 Boatswain said some EC$4 billion (US$1.5 billion) in local andforeign investment will be injected into the economy over the next five years, creating 4,000 new jobs and resulting in a growth rate of about four percent over the next five years.

 

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