CATEGORY:POLITICS --------------------- INSIDE GRENADA SATURDAY May 26,2007 (The views expressed in this article represent those of the New National Party and not necessarily those of Grenadian Connection) Grenada’s status, visibility and attractiveness in the international community as well as an improved quality of life are achievements for which Grenadians should proudly take full credit. Thankful for this and yet mindful of the road ahead, the NNP Government is steadfastly taking the necessary steps toward holistic development. Every effort and measure of contribution from our citizenry will further propel Grenada on the way forward. As we uphold our responsibility for good governance, this Government is duty-bound to inform, if not remind the public of our shared achievements. And it is our hope that the following will enlighten the misinformed as well as bring them some degree of comfort: • Gone are the post hurricanes days when we were locked in a cycle of despair. • Gone are the days when we did not have a National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). • Gone are the days when agriculture diversification was not an urgent necessity. • Gone are the days when investors were afraid of doing business with Grenada. • Gone are the days when electricity was only for certain areas of the country. • Gone are the days when pipe borne water was limited to a particular segment of our society. • Gone are the days when our roadways were constricted and filled with pot holes. • Gone are the days when our infrastructure was underdeveloped. • Gone are the days when our medical services were inadequate. • Gone are the days when the beautification of St Georges and our outer communities was only a pipe dream. • Gone are the days when there was a dump in Telescope creating a health hazard for residents. • Gone are the days when national scholarship opportunities were for a privileged few. • Gone are the days when a Secondary School education was only for the privileged. • Gone are the days when we did not have a National Stadium. • Gone are the days when we did not have first-class facilities at La Sagesse and Progress Park. • Gone are the days when it was considered impossible for Grenada to successfully host Cricket World Cup. • Gone are the days when our Port Authority could only accommodate/berth two cruise ships. • Gone are the days when we did not have a Ministerial Complex for convenience of service. • Gone are the days when our technology or lack thereof shut us off from the global village. • Gone are the days when monopolies dominated our business sector • Gone are the days when an average worker could not secure a bank loan. • Gone are the days when an average worker could not afford a nice home and/or vehicle. • Gone are the days when our public transportation was sporadic and did not operate in a state-of-the-art bus terminus. • Gone are the days when we did not have proper and clean fish markets. • Gone are the days when Grenadians were restricted by a “Curfew” command. • Gone are the days when we functioned without a Constitution and national policies were endorsed by the gun. • Gone are the days when it was OK to disrespect parents or guardians, religious authority, or anyone, for that matter, that were perceived not to support the Revo. • Gone are the days when hard-working Grenadians were scared into not owning a nice home and/or vehicle in fear of being mislabeled a bourgeois. • Gone are the days when we had no freedom of speech or freedom of press. • Gone are the days when intimidation and dictatorship ruled the day. Fellow Grenadians we have come a long way and there is no turning back. We are grateful for where we are now and by the grace of God, consider ourselves blessed. It has been said umpteen times: “that we can achieve much more if we all work together.” This Government has moved its focus from hurricane recovery to that of nation building.