CATEGORY- COMMENTARY
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By Mr. Lloyd Noel (Attorney-at-law)




“I must remind all those OECS Leaders, in case they are apt to forget at times - at least some of them - that the amended Treaty of Chaguaramas was not meant to promote the modern-day crop of politicians…”



It sounds very strange, in my view, to hear a Minister in our Parliament last week - in the process of upbraiding another M.P., who was quoting the St. Vincent Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonzales, for expressing concerns and misgivings about the implementation of the CSM(E) - comparing or referring to the MP’s contribution to that of a political football.

The inference was that the issue of the CSM(E) is so serious and important,and a football is so insignificant, that in a Parliamentary debate of such significance - the M.P. should perhaps have simply accepted the Minister’s proposal, and pay tribute and even homage to him for promoting Grenada.

On a lighter note, the Minister could not have been watching his T/V these past three weeks, or even following the scenes in Trinidad and Tobago and
Germany over the performance of the Soca Warriors - who have been putting Trinidad and Tobago, and by association the entire Caribbean, on the World Football and Tourism map - all over and about a ‘Football.’

I dare say, that if our very immature Political behaviour, in Grenada and the Region as a whole, could even come close to the lofty standards and
considerations of ‘Football’ as displayed in Germany - half of our problems in these parts would disappear overnight - and playing ‘Political Football’ would be an honour rather than the intended disgrace.

But on that very serious note that the CSM(E) embodies, we seem to be getting some even stranger mixed messages, here at home and from across the OECS Region. I heard two Government Senators, in the debate at that level last Friday, saying how important the CSM(E) is to Grenada, and that the Government who cares about the people and the development of Grenada, would not do or undertake anything that was not in the best interest of the people and Country.

I am prepared to buy that line of argument, and give them the benefit of any doubt there maybe. But having done so, I am forced to ask those Senators - how is it, that such an important matter only came to the Upper House on the last day of the extended time, agreed by our Prime Minister along with his colleagues in the OECS, to put the System in place to access the new Treaty?

And more to the point, we have been hearing all manner of concerns coming from other OECS Leaders, about the probable effects of the new System, but
almost deathly silence from our Government Ministers, until the last few days before the deadline expired. And even then, nothing was forthcoming from those Ministers about the very issues that have been causing concerns to others; like for example, the free movement of labour and Capital - and the limited categories to begin with - as well as the Special Treatment procedures and the Regional Development Fund (RDF), to assist the less developed Mini-States in upgrading their investments to be able to offer some competition to the more developed States.

And only the week before, the Minister for Finance was saying that we stand to loss Millions from Customs and Excise duties, because of the Single
Market under the Revised Treaty concept; and even the VAT System, that the Government is again going back to, as a replacement for the expected losses at the Customs, that would not be able to make up for the losses we would suffer under CSM(E). Yet here were Two Senators, one the Minister of Tourism, saying to the Upper House, that joining the CSM(E) was the best thing for Grenada and its people. So who is fooling who, and who is really playing around with the issues like a Political Football?

And when we are looking at the Regional picture, on the same subject matter, we seem to be also getting very conflicting readings from the pronouncements.

I am sure we were highly represented in St. Kitts, during the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of the OECS existence - because I saw our Prime Minister in print signing the Declaration of Intent to form the OECS Economic Union. And at that meeting, the incoming Chairman of the OECS, Hon. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of Antigua and Bermuda, was singing a very different theme song, on the CSM(E) implementation and functioning among the participants in the future.

In fact, he said that the coming on board of the OECS members was now on hold until December 31, 2006; and moreover, if the pieces were not put in
place by that time - to the satisfaction of those smaller States - then the Treaty, or Scheme, or new Institution, would be considered null and void.
And even the outgoing CARICOM Chairman, Hon Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago, was saying only last week - that the concerns and reservations of the OECS members were very real and must be addressed, if the CSM(E) is to be a success and truly serve all its participants in the years ahead.

And while Barbadians are expressing concerns about the Free Movement of people into their Island State, and that Country is actively sending back
Guyanese Nationals - although they both are members of the CSM(E) from the outset - our Ministers in St. George’s are ‘Mum’ on the issue. And it is a very worrying state of affairs already, that in the South of the Island around the Hotels, and Medical School, and more affluent homes - the incidence of robbery and theft and hold-ups, are way out above the
National average and nightly getting worse. And the very real fear, with evidence to support many cases - is that the types of criminal activities, and the methods being used in their commission, very clearly bear the hallmarks of outside experts from the South of Grenada.

So with those concerns, already becoming a reality in the most important area of our Tourism Sector, and in the absence of any audible expressions
from the powers-that-be, who is playing ‘Political Football’ with the CSM(E)?

Is it the case of those in authority that they want to be seen by the Big Four, and others further afield who have a hypocritical and deceitful vested
interest, in harnessing the CARICOM Bloc vote on their side, that we are so independent and able to cope, that we do not have to bother about all those
shortcomings that are staring us in our faces, almost to the point of suffocation?

I must remind all those OECS Leaders, in case they are apt to forget at times - at least some of them - that the amended Treaty of Chaguaramas was not meant to promote the modern-day crop of politicians, as the trail-blazers of Caribbean Unity and Integration, to make them look good. It is, and must always be, for the good and welfare of our Caribbean people - in the betterment of their lives, their social, political and spiritual upliftment, their humble need to live in peace and fruitful Inter-Island associations, so that their children, and those yet unborn, may derive a rich and beneficial legacy from their fore parents for all times.

We are seeing too many instances, where those in control of our affairs of State, and in essence the lives of our people, are saying and doing things,
and taking decisions that are quite obviously in the direct interest, and day by day living conditions of the people - yet they do not consult,explain, inform, or seem to even regard the existence of the very people in whose names they are supposedly acting, as servants of the people.

But no sooner anyone dare to question their actions, or point out apparent flaws or weaknesses, or enquire about the cost to the people from whatever
angle - the worn out, weather bitten, and arrogant response of playing ‘Political Football,’ come trodding out, to try and hide behind their
recklessness, and total abdication of their duties and responsibilities.

Now-a-days, despite the hell many people are desperately ‘ketching’ - to make two ends of a greatly devalued dollar meet, to buy their needs and daily necessities - the regular excuse by those in authority, when some part-time workers complain about not being paid for many weeks, is that the paper work or the administration was not fully in order, hence the delay.

It is bad enough with the youths who are struggling to get bus fares, to get to the Centers where certain programmes are being held to prepare them
for the World of work, or where they have actually started some form of work and promised a stipend - and for many weeks afterwards they are still
waiting for the little pittance. And I saw and heard the Minister for Youth Affairs making the glib excuse on T/V. But the Imani programme was due to come on steam since January this year, yet after Six Months paper work and Administration, is it still behind schedule? Who is playing ‘Political Football’ with those young ones, whose vote are crucial come the next General Election?

But the same lame excuse was also given, when workers at the Grenville CWC Training ground did not get paid for weeks, and the Sports Minister was called on their behalf to get them paid. And for those in the ‘de-bushing’ (Roadwork) Contract Work programme, that has become the story of their
working lives. And because all those people are so very dependent on the temporary hand-out, they are generally afraid to complain and take their ‘bad pay licks’ in silence. These are just a few examples; there are many more that clearly demonstrate that the Controller’s priority are upside down, and the victims are poor people.

So whether it is CSM(E),CCJ, CWC 2007, borrowing Millions from CDB to build bridges for World Cup, and then borrowing more Millions to pay Interest on the initial Millions, or those poor Workers and Youths not getting paid, - the game being played, I submit, is not ‘Political Football’ but gross irresponsibility and reckless abuse of State power.

I saw a statement, by Prime Minister Patrick Manning, a couple weeks or so ago, in which he was expounding on the wrong doings by politicians while in office, and the arms of the law catching up with them even years afterwards. I do hope that those with, or without, hearing aids are listening - so that if, and when, the table turns and the rule of law takes its natural course by due process, those who are caught in the legal net will not be crying out ‘Political Football.’



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