CATEGORY:LETTER -------------------- INSIDE GRENADA TUESDAY July 24,2007 by Sandra C. Ferguson Hon. Kenny Lalsingh President of the Senate c/o Office of the Houses of Parliament Hon. Lawrence Joseph Speaker of the House of Representatives c/o Office of the Houses of Parliament Dear Sirs, Re Relocating Parliament and Other Matters ---------------------------------------------- Via various widely publicized newscasts, we the people learnt that both of you Honourable Sirs have recently hosted a visiting delegation from mainland China. We learnt that Grenada was reciprocating a courtesy, following your visit to China last year. We also got the impression that the delegation was about doing business in Grenada. I stand to be corrected but I understood that this delegation committed assistance to build new accommodation for the House of Parliament at Mt. Whedale. I respectfully ask, Sirs, WITH WHOM HAS THIS DECISION BEEN DISCUSSED? Has it been discussed in Parliament? Has the OPPOSITION been included in these discussions? Have the TECHNOCRATS in the Physical Planning Unit and in the Ministry of Communications and Works been consulted? Permit me to respectfully observe, Sirs, that Mt. Wheldale is an unsuitable venue/location to host the seat of Parliament. The House of Parliament is the PEOPLE’S HOUSE. It must be ACCESSIBLE and there must be adequate space for PARKING FACILITIES. I respectfully submit that Mt. Wheldale DOES NOT MEET these pre-requisites. Permit me to also enquire into the plans for the former seat of Parliament, the historic York House. To what purpose will it be put? I believe, Sirs, that I have heard ideas floated around that York House will be dedicated to the High Court and related facilities, thus remaining PEOPLE’S property. I believe, Sirs, that we the people will be pleased. We will of course expect the heritage aspect of the building to be respected and enhanced. Permit me to enquire, Sirs, whether you can SHED ANY LIGHT on plans for the repairs and restoration of GOVERNMENT HOUSE, the former official residence of the Governor-General. We the people are DISGUSTED at the lack of attention given to this building and its ARCHIVES. But we the people are even more concerned, Sirs, that one day we will wake up and hear, just by the way, that THIS PEOPLE’S PROPERTY has been sold to some foreign real estate speculator in the name of foreign investment. I appeal to you, good Sirs, to ensure that this fate does not befall Government House and that every effort be made to ensure its reconstruction and restoration. At very minimal, Sirs,THE PROPERTY MUST REMAIN PEOPLE’S PROPERTY. I take this opportunity to enquire of the President of the Senate, Hon. Kenny Lalsingh, on his plans for the development of a PORT IN ST. PATRICK’S – whether these plans are advancing and whether this proposed development was PART OF THE AGENDA/ITINERARY OF THE VISITING DELEGATION? Finally, Sirs, I noted that the head of delegation proudly announced assistance in agriculture and informed that seedlings had already been distributed to farmers. Permit me to enquire whether or not this co-operation in agriculture is within the FRAMEWORK OF A PLAN OF CO-OPERATION as elaborated with/by technocrats in the Ministry of Agriculture and will address the PRIORITIES of the country at this time? Or will this co-operation be simply a matter of expanding market opportunities for seed companies in China? I thank you, Sirs, for the opportunity to raise these observations and queries. Please receive, Sirs, my assurances of highest consideration. Respectfully yours, Sandra C.A. Ferguson