CATEGORY:COMMENTARY ----------------------- INSIDE GRENADA THURSDAY August 16,2007 by Lloyd Noel (Editor's note: The following article represents the views/opinions of the writer and not necessarily those of Grenadian Connection). To ensure, as far as it is possible, that justice and peace prevail for the benefit of all the people - in any nation state where democracy and the rule of Law and order mean what they say - there must be honest and transparent leadership at both the spiritual and the material levels of the lives of the people. Way back in 1967, when Socialism of the Soviet Union type was beginning to raise its ugly head in most Third World Countries, a Catholic Pope wrote that-----“Development cannot be limited to mere economic growth. In order to be authentic, it must be complete, integral; that is, it has to promote the good of every man/woman and of the whole man/woman”. And that truism is just as applicable and even more relevant to-day, because those with the power to aid development - have a huge vested interest in the perks and services they provide to the people, who will be responsible for returning them to power the next time around. But in addition to that vested interest to gain favors and political support - to maintain the power base - those in control have a far more sinister motive, and that is to further enrich themselves while they wantonly sell out the people’s property, and pocket huge kick-backs and outright bribes, under the very deceitful pretext of encouraging foreign investment to aid economic development and provide employment. We got a belly-full of that brand of ole talk and empty promises, in the build up to the World Cup and all the propaganda about the economic salvation to follow. The self-praise from those in control was that the event was a big success, and later on they said some Millions were received or forthcoming from the Cricket Board. To-date we have yet to hear how much was actually spent to facilitate the games in Grenada, and how much was in fact received in return - in any comprehensive financial report laid in Parliament or made public elsewhere. And as for the development on stream in the Lagoon Basin and Mt. Pandy areas in St. George’s - it is becoming very clear that what is in fact taking place in those areas - in terms of displacing people without adequate compensation or alternative home sites, and the dis-regard for the heritage of our people that they have enjoyed for decades - that kind of so-called development is certainly not in the best interest of our people. On the contrary, the employment creation is minimal and would be very short-lived - once the Marinas are built and the land re-claimed as is now ongoing. Whereas the developer would be sitting back making huge profits for years - and all protected by concessions for twenty-five years without benefiting the people. Against that back ground, our un-employed youths are sitting and liming on the blocks, by the roadsides up and down the Country side and in towns. And the latest brain child of the Ministry of Health, leading up to Carnival Monday and Tuesday was to parade truck loads of those youths - seemingly identified as gang members from wherever - in a motorcade described as a peace parade, to assure the public that the Carnival Season would be violence free. Goodness knows that was the hope and daily prayers of us all, for the sake and welfare of the very youths whose lives are being wasted away. But the bigger question remains to be answered - and that is - “now the Carnival over - what next?” When we look back at what has been taking place in our Tri-Island state so far this year - in terms of sustainable investment to create needed employment, or any development programme on stream that can be viewed or considered as geared towards alleviating the problems facing our youths in particular, and the people in general - it is difficult, if not outright impossible, to see any light at the end of the dark and dismal Tunnel that represents our Fiscal, Economic, and Social scenario. As we await the judgment from the Arbitration proceedings in London - involving the Grynberg Corporation and the Government of Grenada, and pertaining to our Gas and Oil reserves and explorations in our Off-shore waters; as well as the other Cases in New York involving our Prime Minister and his deputy, Hon. Gregory Bowen, we know that the very scarce resources in the Treasury will be further depleted to meet legal fees to U.S. Lawyers. So that on the financial front, unless those in authority get further loans to bring our fiscal debt well above the Two Billion dollars level, we are in for some very hard times ahead - as schemes are initiated to try and raise additional Finance here at home. The already increased prices across the board - in shops, transport, cooking gas and kerosene, school books and uniforms - are causing more than enough hardships to the suffering masses as it is, and any further financial burdens will create or produce severe consequences. And in the vicious Circle where prices are going up and up for very basic necessities, while wages and Salaries are standing still, because Employers’ businesses are not generating sufficient returns in most areas to be able to pay increase wages; in fact, a lot of employees are being sent home lately because business is so slow - and the turn around or local movement on the economic front is grinding to a snail’s pace as a result thereof. On the other side of that coin, some cynics are pointing out that despite the hardship cries Island-wide, all the big Carnival shows and fetes were getting very sizeable crowds, at prices in the $30.00 to $50.00 ranges. And the obvious question follows soon after - where is the money to pay those prices coming from? True enough, a lot of relatives and family members, and long-standing friends are visiting for the holidays, so some assistance are coming from those avenues. But am sure those are not nearly enough, so there must be some other sources to fill the gaps - and therein lies the danger of some of the mis-deeds and immoral practices, that are frequently rumored to be taking root in our once considered old-fashioned society. Talking, or preaching, or lecturing to those in need, who cannot see the correct and above-board means of escaping form their long-standing dilemma - will not by themselves make a big difference, and therefore more concrete measures are needed urgently to try and stem that downward trend into social decay, and human degradation. Trying to score political points, or doing all in its power to curtail or diminish freedom of speech and criticism in the public interest - will not help those in control of the Nations public affairs. The time has long since come by and moved on - and we are now in the midst of expecting and demanding more from those who are offering themselves for public office. And it matters not whether one is on the Government side, or that of the Opposition - the same principle applies across the board. We have to set standards and maintain them come what may; because once you start going down that slippery slope of cutting corners, and taking un-necessary risks and chances, and ignoring the danger signals as they crop up - then the rapid descent to disaster, and destruction of all that was carefully put together before the downward trend began, is only a matter of how soon - and not how can one escape. Another fallacy in seeking to find solutions, or in providing alternatives or remedies - is the concept of doing things that look popular, or exposing those who are in need of help or relief on the public stage, so as to look good and be seen to be facing up to the problems affecting John Public. Take the Ministry of Health brainchild, to parade those identified “Gang leaders or members” in a Motorcade - the Saturday before Carnival, in St. George’s and out districts, as a peace gesture to re-assure the public that violence will be on hold for Carnival. The few persons who saw the parade and spoke with me about it - they were shocked that those “Leaders or members” were wearing Jerseys or what ever, with the names of their “gangs” printed thereon for public viewing. As those persons put it, from the exposure they were getting it was an occasion to proudly show off their involvement - rather than be ashamed to let the public know, that they are part of the Gang violence and criminal activities that are maiming and killing other youths in similar gangs. These young and impressionable minds are more likely to view those occasions as advertisements to show off their standing powers in the society than anything else - and the last stage could be much worse than the first good intention that was badly executed. Only time and the un-folding events will tell in the months ahead. And while our Constitutional issues, surrounding our Members of Parliament Citizenship and their right to be elected to Sit in parliament, are making headlines and bringing about more and more Court Cases to spend more money in the court House - an M.P from St. Kitts has apparently taken the initiative and resigned from the Parliament, because he is a U.S. Citizen and the Constitution does not allow dual Citizenship to Kittitians. The report disclose that he is an opposition M.P., and he is now calling on those Government MP’s whom he says also hold U.S. Citizenship to follow his example - unless, of course, they can prove their renunciation through the proper channels. It would seem that our actions and investigations in these Spice Isles are having the required correct effects in CARICOM - although not in Grenada. However, we can take some comfort from the fact that our efforts have not been entirely in vain. And, who knows, maybe the Statesmanlike Behavior of that CARICOM Colleague, could very well rub off on our M.P’s in these Isles to enable them to simply come clean and level with our people, one way or another. The months ahead are not going to be any easier then those of this year thus far - and will very likely be much harder. The frolic and the fun and the jump up are now over - for those sitting at home in idleness, the big question is, what can they expect?