The opposition New National Party (NNP) in Grenada has issued a statement criticising Finance Minister Nazim Burke for misleading the public by stating that the country's economy "Is in an absolute mess."

The statement said that the "Inflammatory statement is a ploy to deceive the public" and said that during the Keith Mitchell administration, the government was always in a position to pay its bills. It pointed out that even when Hurricane Ivan struck the country was in a position to pay its employees.

"The opposition is very concerned that while the Minister made this apparent disclosure, the goverment, not yet two months in office, has already contradicted itself by its own spending patterns."

It stated, "Ministers are already travelling extensively and regularly. In addition, new vehicles are being purchased for ministers and other officials while new furniture is being purchased for many offices."

Most surprisingly, the statement added, new furniture has been ordered for the Prime Minister's residence even though the furniture currently there was only purchsed about three months ago.

The NNP statement accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of being top heavy with 16 ministers and several advisors while the NNP administration only had 11 ministers

The opposition calls on the government to maintain some of the NNP practices such "Essential only travel" for all government staff including ministers, insisting that ministers use their own vehicles, except in special causes.

The statement calls for a halt to top heavy government appointments and lavish spending of taxpayers funds.

Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
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