CATEGORY:COMMENTARY --------------------------- INSIDE GRENADA TUESDAY May 22,2007 by Lloyd Noel The build up to the CWC2007 had painted so many glowing pictures, about the great expectations to come from that event for the Region as a whole - and for us here in Grenada in particular - that now the event has come and gone, leaving more questions than answers, there is a void that had to be filled to take its place without too much delay. And true to form, the attempt was made with the NNP Rally at Progress Park on Sunday the Sixth of May. Despite the large crowd that turned out at the Rally - the questions coming out of the day’s frolic are persisting and increasing, with no available answers to stem the tide or reduce the tempo. The first reality that must be faced by the Region as a whole, and we in Grenada even more so than most, is that the CWC2007 was an economic failure, from the viewpoint of what was expended as against what was collected at all levels. And it must not be forgotten, that the powers-that-be were the ones who were vocally predicting the “Economic Salvation” that was coming from CWC. They were in control and they held the figures, so it was said, to back up their predictions. But the strange and very common behaviour pattern, of those who control our public affairs in these parts - is that they sound very good at making general statements, yet they never seem to be able to produce specific figures, or data, or statistics, to prove or substantiate the generalizations. To-date I have not heard nor seen any figures relating to what took place in Grenada for CWC2007. But from information gained from many who took part in the “Home Stay Programme,” for example, that effort was a huge failure. True enough, many who got concessions to improve or enlarge their homes, could claim that their properties have increased in value, but the expenses they incurred brought in no returns - and they are left with loans to repay in so many cases where they would not have ventured to tread but for CWC2007. In the similar programme in Antigua, I saw figures produced by those in control and it was a major failure. Whatever the figures are, however, those in control have concluded that the games in Grenada were a success story, and they proceeded to celebrate at that Rally in Progress Park in St. Andrew; at least that was the reason advanced for the occasion. But from all that was said and done at the Rally, and all that has been taking place since - the feeling has been widely expressed, and the actions taking place in support thereof seem to back it up, that the NNP Rally was the beginning of the coming General Elections campaign. And “E” day could a lot sooner than the constitutionally due date in 2008. A major pointer to the feelings expressed, has been the announcement by the Ex-Finance Minister Boatswain, the day before he was due to vacate that Ministry, that the major Tax provider of VAT - which is the replacement for GCT, and duties at the Customs in the coming on stream of the Caribbean Single Market, among other minor measures of Government revenue collection - will not be coming into operation in October this year, as was scheduled since early last year. And what is more, despite the urgency of that replacement Tax because the CSM is a reality - no other date has been given or suggested for its beginning. And that is significant, because the new Finance Minister - the Prime Minister himself - has pledged to reduce the high and rising cost of living as his number one priority. And a certain way of keeping prices down, is staying away from VAT in the build up to an Election; but no sooner the votes are counted, and the NNP is returned to power, then the desperate urgency will be highlighted to justify the new Tax. And no sooner the measures announced at the Rally were publicized, Regional support for Dr. Mitchell and his Government was on our door step in the person of Ex-Vincentian Prime Minister “Son Mitchell” - with the launching of his new Book in London and in Grenada. The campaign gimmick of offering salary increases to Public Service workers at the Rally, which sounded very generous at the time - soon back-fired, because the negotiating teams had not yet agreed on the figures, so the Prime Minister had to apologize for the premature intrusion by the coming Finance Minister. Also a great campaign potential, was the naming of several pending major developments around the Islands. The hundreds of Millions of U.S. dollars rattled off by the Prime Minister as being the value of those proposed developments, and the thousands of jobs they are destined to create for our vast number of un-employed - almost sounded like salaries and wages in their pockets already, while on their way to vote for “The House” in the coming-soon-Elections. But then again, we have heard about so many Economic saviors over the years that are yet to materialize - that the nice sounding figures and phrases were soon swallowed up by well-known reality. Yet no doubt, am sure, there were many who were so impressed by the rhetoric that they remain in their dream world and existing in a fantasy. And in keeping with the Cabinet Changes announced by the Prime Minister, the Ministers were duly sworn in to take charge of their new Ministries and or additional responsibilities; and in the case of the Prime Minister returning to the Finance Ministry - it was as though he had just won another Election, with the welcome flags and clapping by the Staff who left their desks to greet his home coming. What is more, my information is that the Prime Minister also resumed his meet the people tour in the Communities to greet them personally. And as soon as the various Constituency Candidates can be agreed upon, I would not be surprised to see them walking about the place to meet the people and introduce themselves - because from the reports circulating, many would be unknown in the political arena. So from all appearances, it looks as though the next events of excitement and heavy spending would be the build-up to General Elections - maybe before year end. Where the monies would be coming from to finance the rallies and buses and handouts, etc. etc. etc.? I understand that one or two very recent developers, who have themselves been given such generous concessions to cover their investments for the next Twenty-five years (25 yrs), have pledged to cover the expenses to ensure that the State power and control of the Nation’s affairs remain inside the “House.” And obviously, it must also be in those Developers self-interest, to make as sure as it is financially possible, that things remain as they are in the halls of Government control - because I cannot see any new bunch of controllers of the reins of power, taking over from the existing lot and tolerating that level and magnitude of financial giveaways, while the rest of the citizens have to fight daily to make ends meet. And as things go from bad to worse with the economy, with no valid and serious end in sight, we have to take notice of the happenings in our Sister Isles in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where the situation is deteriorating as fast as or even faster than in our case. The Opposition in that OECS neighbor has threatened to close down The Capital with a National Demonstration in June to highlight the escalating chaos and confusion. The issues causing the growing fears are so similar to ours, that they could be repeated here with no change. The new VAT at 15/16%, the rise of Criminal activities, the stagnant economy, the slow demise of Agriculture, the heavy reliance on Cuba and Venezuela in preference to their traditional friends like the U.S. and England and such like. And to add to their woes, the Kingstown Medical College - which is an off-shoot of the St. George’s University in Grenada - is soon closing its doors after Twenty-seven years in operation, and the loss to the economy will be tremendous. The old saying that when your neighbor’s house on fire start wetting yours, should not be ignored in this case because the similarities are very striking. In the meantime, as those in control get busy on the campaign trail, those in the wings hoping to take over the sinking ship and rescue our people, had better get their acts together to be ready when the bell rings or the starters gun goes off, because the task of “House” cleaning that will be left behind for any new-comers, would not be easy to achieve and they will be judged on speedy performance by their opponents. Not only must the individual party unity be settled quickly, and the new Executive be given the firm mandate to operate with confidence and trust from all concerned - but those Opposition parties must work towards finding the ways and means to face the people as a United front, on the lines of the People’s Alliance of 1976, when GNP, NJM and UPP joined hearts and hands to face Gairy’s GULP. Those leaders in the various parties in opposition must understand that time is running out on them, and because some of them do have valuable assets as individuals to offer our people and Country in Government, they should be big enough to bury the old hatchets and pool their resources for the good and welfare of our people at this time. No one should underestimate the situation we are facing in these Isles. The forth coming Election campaign, whenever it begins in earnest, will produce all the fan fare and glib promises and so forth. Should the opposition succeed in winning at the Polls, taking over the shambles that now exist and making it work in a reasonable time span, will be a formidable task that will need all useful hands on board. The time to put the team together is before and not after the event. What is decided and however it unfolds - the coming months will provide hot Election Campaign fever and ‘nuff excitement.’