St. George’s, Grenada: Members of Her Majesty’s Opposition is calling on the Government to refrain from using the Government Information Service as a propaganda machine.

The Opposition is forced to respond to a Press Release published by the Government Information Service which indicated that the Opposition failed in its attempt to organize a protest at the last sitting of Parliament in response to the signing of the Maritime Treaty with Trinidad and Tobago.

Leader of the Opposition, Dr. The Rt. Hon Keith Mitchell says he has made comments in the media regarding the Opposition’s intention to mobilize Grenadians to say to express their concerns to the Government about the process. However he noted that it was absolutely unnecessary to do so last Friday since this matter was not expected to be tabled or discussed at that sitting.

He said the statements made by the Prime Minister in response to this matter was nothing short of dishonesty as he should have made it clear to the media that this matter was not down for discussion at the last sitting of Parliament.

The Opposition sees this strategy of the Government as one used to distract the people of the country from the real issues affecting them such as the rising cost of living, the significant decrease in economic activities and the lack of employment opportunities. The Opposition further challenges the Government to stop the propaganda and do some serious work to move the country forward so that the GIS can be fully utilized to report the work of the Government and educate the public on matters of importance.

The Opposition Leader noted that if the Government had any respect for the people of Grenada after refusing to consult with the people before signing such an important Treaty, it would have used the first opportunity of a Parliamentary sitting to have the Treaty laid before the House.

The Opposition notes with concern that the Government continues to preach transparency, accountability and Good government but seems not to understand what these terms mean. He says the Government refers to the process of signing the Treaty as transparent knowing that they took the decision to sign without any consultation with the people. He said he is not surprised that Grenadians are refusing to turn out to the consultations which are now being held after the signing has taken place. This he says is a clear indication of how the average Grenadian feels about the way the NDC has dealt with this important matter.


From the Office of
Leader of the Opposition