Tillaman Undeterred

Sourced: cananews.net

In a brief statement, Thomas, 66, said that he remains “undeterred” in his resolve to continue his government’s policies, “aimed at continuing to build a foundation for genuine prosperity in the longer term, with a more immediate need for the creation of jobs”.

He said that he is of the view that Cabinet ministers upon taking office, “ would have acted diligently to promote the interests of the people of Grenada.

“The government has set the platform for our economic transformation and we are just beginning to see the benefits of our policies. My focus remains on the implementation of the government’s development agenda,” he said.

Thomas, who is facing a vote of no confidence filed by the main opposition New National Party (NNP) when Parliament meets next month, said “our success at the last general election came as a result of the trust the Grenadian people placed in us and our message for development. 

“ As Prime Minister I am still committed to that message and the promise we made to discharge our duties in a fair and even handed manner. The business of government continues as we seek to improve the lives of every Grenadian man, woman and child,” he added.

The Prime Minister’s statement said that he had expressed appreciation to David “for his service during his period in Cabinet”.

Earlier, David hinted at the possibility of other ministers joining the exodus from the four year-old Grenada government.

“This is a matter of conscience which I felt I must act on, and will leave it up to other cabinet colleagues who have been similarly maligned and unjustly characterized to deal with it on their own way,” he told reporters at a hastily called news conference.

A number of government ministers have either resigned or dismissed and last week, Information Minister Glen Noel in a video posted on the social networking site, Facebook, accused some of his colleagues of seeking to overthrow Prime Minister Thomas.

“My withdrawal therefore affords the Prime Minister the opportunity to mould a cabinet with members he feels he can trust or who will tell him the things he approve,” said David, warning “it is clear that this entire matter is becoming too much of a distraction and this gathering cloud of uncertainty is hampering the economic and social development of Grenada”.

David, who refused to take questions from the media, said that he would make a comprehensive statement when he addresses his constituents in the town of St. George on Thursday.

Over the weekend, five senior members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), said they were “working hard” to mend the party’s expanding rift, possibly by “shedding” some dissident members.

“We give every assurance that as senior, long-standing and committed members of the party we are working hard to find a solution,” they said in a statement.

“It may mean the emergence of an NDC that may have to shed some individuals who refuse to abide by the democratic principles which govern the way we carry out the business of the party,” the elders said, adding “we recognize that polarisation has set in and while the party is functioning according to the democratic norms enshrined in its constitution, there are others in the party who are on a divergent course”.

The NDC is due to hold its annual convention on July 8.