As the world grapples with the Covid-19 Pandemic, small Islands Developing States like Grenada, largely depend on tourism and to a lesser extent remittances from the diaspora. Many of our friends and neighbours are now experiencing challenges with meeting their daily needs.
In light of the news of our first positive case of Covid-19 which we knew was inevitable, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) notes with deep concern. Government’s lack of serious leadership in handling the pandemic as it hits home here in Grenada.
It is now over a year since teachers quite properly embarked on work to rule in protest of Government’s illegal docking of salaries in retaliation for teachers exercising their right to take industrial action over the vexing issue of pension rights. These pension rights have been denied teachers and all public workers since 1983.
On Monday 20th January 2020, we watched as Guyana made history when it exported its first ever shipment of oil. Exxon Mobil exported one million barrels of light crude oil to the United States. Guyana’s economy will grow by 87% in 2020 as a result of returns just from oil companies bidding for blocks. That does not include revenues from the actual sale of oil.
Our country cannot be built without educationally empowering our people. Therefore, no stone must be left unturned in providing the opportunities and the resources to give every child a chance. Unfortunately, this budget is woefully inadequate in its allocations for education. Instead we see more empty, recycled promises of tablets for students.
“Grenada’s fiscal performance continues to be strong“, says the Minister of Finance, regarding fiscal performance. However, a different picture emerges when we examine the numbers for the first half of the year, January to June 2019.