ST.GEORGE’S, GRENADA 2010 - Fellow Grenadians… It is with the greatest honour that I address you this evening on a number of significant and critical developments that will continue to move our country forward. Just one week ago we completed the historic signing of a maritime boundary delimitation treaty with our neighbour, Trinidad and Tobago. The completion of our negotiations, in such a short time frame, is in itself, a major achievement. This maritime treaty is in keeping with the deliberate policy of our administration, to build a solid foundation as we move to empower our people. The signing of this treaty signifies one of the biggest developments in Grenada since our independence in 1974. This initiative, more than any single development, has the potential for far-reaching, long-term, positive effects for our country. Our sons and daughters will look back at this agreement, as a defining moment in the history of a modern, prosperous Grenada. Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Citizens, we have been heartened by the support for the agreement, from a wide cross section of our population. Every fair-minded person, who has listened to the discussion, has regarded this agreement as a great achievement for Grenada. The support of our farmers, businessmen and women, workers, youth and NGOs, has made us more determined to push ahead with our plans to transform this nation into a prosperous, stable and corruption-free democracy. A democracy that eliminates backwardness, dependency, under-development and poverty. We were proud to have an inclusive and competent team of Grenadian patriots, ably led by Dr. Carlyle Mitchell, to negotiate on our behalf. The work of that team, in ensuring that Grenada got the best deal under international maritime law, is note-worthy. The transparency of the process, has demonstrated in real terms, that for us, the issue of good governance is not an option – it is simply the way we do business. I wish, on behalf of all Grenadians, to commend the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Peter David, the team and all support staff, for their stellar work during the negotiations. I have since directed our Ministry of Foreign Affairs to move speedily ahead, to conclude similar agreements with Venezuela and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Ladies and gentlemen, it was during my first official visit to Port of Spain in August 2008, that I raised with Prime Minister Manning this important matter and the need to commence negotiations. I knew that Grenada’s future hinged on settling our maritime boundary. We were always clear in our minds, that for Grenada to achieve its full potential, the completion of these negotiations was paramount. Fellow Grenadians I am pleased to announce that our Foreign Minister Hon. Peter David and the Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon on Wednesday, exchanged instruments, thus completing the ratification process. This has now formally established the treaty between our two states. In an attempt to play politics with a serious national issue, there are those who have embarked on spreading misinformation. Many of the statements and claims are unfortunate; untrue and misleading. One of those claims is that my administration signed an agreement that many previous governments refused to sign. Ladies and gentlemen, the fact is, that until now, there was never any agreement to sign. The issue of our maritime boundaries was never pursued for 17 years. During the entire rule of the last administration the issue was never addressed. Something that was so fundamental to our future, was never addressed by an administration that boasted of winning three terms in office. They either lacked the foresight, the will or the skill to conduct negotiations on such an important matter. The Grenada opposition must decide if they want to be on the side of the people of Grenada and fight for the country’s future development – or if they want to gang up against the people of Grenada, in order to satisfy their narrow political interests. There will be many issues on which we can and should wage a robust local political debate – but let’s not do so with the future of Grenada. In the interest of nation building, we must be patriots first and politicians after. I urge the handful of naysayers to return to being patriots. Thankfully, we are moving forward with you, the Grenadian people. My government continues to live up to its promise to keep you informed and engaged every step of the way. The completion of this historic agreement bears testament to this. Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Grenadians, I also address you at a time when our economy has begun to show signs of recovery, after a tough period associated with various global crises. During that difficult period, you have shown understanding, patience and maturity. These qualities will serve us well, as we move ahead together. All the key economic indicators have begun to point in the right direction. As we projected in our 2010 budget, we are positioned to see the jobs that so many people are yearning for. We believe the employment situation will begin to improve by the middle of the year. Government is playing its part in job creation with a number of small and medium sized projects due to begin soon. Some have already started. I must remind you that when we came into office almost two years ago, the Grenada economy was already in decline and at the brink of collapse. It was stifled by corruption, low productivity and the highest debt in our nation’s history. As one of our senior business managers put it, if we received just 50% of the value of the monies we borrowed in the past 13 years, Grenada would have been a different place today. The problems in the world economy further compounded the situation at home. Our administration has spent the past two years implementing measures designed to ensure our economy survive the difficulties and lay the foundation for consistent growth. We have strengthened our fiscal discipline, improved the management of the economy and set the right tone for expansion in construction, agriculture, tourism and the services sector. We have made the right decisions and we have had good reviews from all the major financial institutions including the IMF, the World Bank and the European Union. We have successfully implemented the Valued Added Tax, which has strengthened our ability to maintain our social services and invest more in the long-term future and viability of the economy. I want to recognize the work of Finance Minister Nazim Burke and his team for a great job in managing the economy in a difficult global environment. There are also positive signs in many other sectors of the economy. WINFRESH continues to work on the establishment of the Agro-processing plant at La Sagesse in St. David. This is part of a joint venture with the Marketing and National importing Board. The company plans to go into production in October of this year. Last Saturday, Baron Foods (Grenada) Ltd., officially launched its operations in Grenada with an impressive first class line-up of “MADE IN GRENADA” products. Our government has aggressively facilitated the setting up of this company, which is already making a contribution to the economy of St. Andrew and Grenada, especially our farming community. Initially, up to 75 persons would find employment at this food processing plant. I am indeed happy to observe, that our vegetable and fruit farmers are already delighted with the marketing opportunities provided by Baron Foods. I am calling on all our farmers to take advantage of these opportunities to improve the quality of life for their families and their communities. I encourage members of the Grenada Agricultural Forum for Youth (GAFY), to prepare to take advantage of the benefits of this programme. Similarly, I also wish to recognize the work of our administration in restoring the agricultural sector to its rightful place in our economy. We have already seen a marked increase in the number of students in the Mirabeau Agricultural Training School. In July 2008 there were only two students enrolled at that institution, today we have over 50 young persons attending classes at that establishment. We must also report another success as Gravel, Concrete and Emulsion Production Corporation, has just signed a contract to export gravel to St. Lucia. Since taking office two years ago, I have never been more convinced that things will turn around. Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Grenadians, our agenda is about putting people back to work. Starting from next week, the continuous Road Maintenance Programme would be intensified. Seventy-five more crews would be employed every fortnight until December. Over 400 people will be employed in this programme. This does not include the thousands of persons who will receive temporary employment under the special Road Maintenance Programmes in July and August, and in November and December. The Ministry of Works has also commenced its concrete works programme involving the construction of major retaining walls, concrete roads, drains, sidewalks and culverts. Government has committed to spend 4.5 million dollars during the next four months on that programme. Forty-five contracts will be awarded, providing jobs for more than 450 persons. The Greater Grenville Project will begin in earnest later this year. This project was further delayed because elements of the plan required adjustment prior to implementation. Already we have begun work on the temporary facilities for vegetable and meat vendors. Temporary facilities will be constructed to accommodate the displaced vendors of the Grenville market. Scores of persons have already found employment, even at this preliminary stage of this critically important project for the people of St. Andrew. The project itself will consist of a new market, a new abattoir, a bus terminus and drainage works. It will cost in excess of 20 million dollars. Hundreds of persons will be employed when the project gets fully underway. The reconstruction of the Crochu RC School by government is now well advanced. Major expansion to the physical infrastructure of several other schools is now taking place. New wings are being added at the St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School, the Anglican High School, the St. Mary’s RC School and the St Marks Secondary School. The twenty one million dollar Grenada Southern Water Project, implemented by NAWASA will be completed this year. This will improve our water infrastructure, especially to the south of the country. Nearly 100 persons are currently employed with that project. In addition to all of the above, there are many areas we are looking to expand, including our farm labour support programme, road improvements in St Patrick’s and a flood control project for south St George. Sisters and Brothers, we have always placed the health of our people as a priority of our administration. I am pleased to report that the Ministry of Health has completed payment of the outstanding balance owed to the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement System. This allows us to begin accessing drugs under the programme once again. In the area of housing, I am pleased to announce that only last week, 52 families received soft loans under the government’s home improvement programme. The long awaited Chinese housing project is well underway. Worked has already commenced at Mt. Gay, in St. George and Soubise, in St. Andrew. Sisters and Brothers - help is on the way. To our students and young people sitting the Common Entrance and CXC examinations in the coming days and weeks, my wish is that you reap the rewards of your hard work. I wish you God’s guidance and success. The nation supports and prayers are with you. Fellow Grenadians, our mission is to ensure that economic empowerment comes to you – in a solid and sustainable way. We strive for better days for the people of Grenada, especially our farmers and our workers. We work in the names of all the workers of this country, whom we join, this weekend, in observing the annual May Day celebrations, and whom we now salute. We have put Grenada back on the right track. We should have no fear of the future, as we aspire, build and advance as one people. We are confident we can meet every challenge and be stronger and better as a nation. It's the dawning of a new day; a bright, fresh morning is unfolding before us. Sisters and Brothers of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, help is on the way. Thank you and May God Bless Us All!