CATEGORY:BUDGET SPEECH
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Presented by Grenada's Finance Minister, Hon. Anthony Boatswain.



13. CONCLUSION

Mr. Speaker, in the Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 Verse 1, it is written:

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the heaven.”

As a Government and People, we have experienced difficult and challenging times, but we have prevailed;

We have had to contend with both man-made and natural disasters, for example:-

• The effect of global recession in the wake of 9/11 attacks in the USA;
• The destruction of our economy by Tropical Storm Lily;
• The negative effects of rising oil prices, and more recently,
• The devastating effects of major hurricanes on our economy: Ivan in 2004 and Emily in 2005.
• Destructive criticisms even by our own people, here, and abroad.

Amidst all of these difficulties and hardships, as a Government we performed reasonably well. Lest we forget, let me remind our Nation of the following:

1. Grenada led all other OECS countries in economic performance, prior to Hurricane Ivan;

2. Grenada was the first and still is the only country of the OECS to receive a positive credit rating from Standard and Poors;

3. Grenada was the only OECS country to be ranked No. 1 in the world on two separate occasions for improved credit worthiness;

4. This Government has done more to improve the physical and social infrastructure of this country than all other previous Governments combined;

5. This administration has provided more scholarships for our youth to pursue studies, locally and abroad, than any other administration;

6. Under this NNP Administration, Grenada was the first OECS country to introduce computers in Secondary Schools, and we are taking the lead in the Caribbean in implementing the Caribbean Leaning Knowledge Network Project;

7. We have done more to help the poor and disadvantaged than any other administration.

Today Mr. Speaker,

- More Grenadians now have their own homes than at any other period in our history- thanks to our enlightened fiscal policy;

- There are more motor vehicles per capita on our road, than in any other OECS country - testimony to our new found prosperity

- There are more newspapers, radio stations and T.V. Stations operating in Grenada today than at any other period in our history - testimony to our new found democracy

These achievements Mr. Speaker should never be taken for granted, because in our eagerness to bring prosperity to our people some mistakes were made, and for which we paid the price.

But, Mr. Speaker, as it is said: “Show me a man or a Government that does not make mistakes, and I will show you a man or Government that does nothing.”

And to all those who are overly critical of the mistakes that were made, I admonish you to take heed of the words of Jesus Christ, Our Saviour, who said:

“Let him among you who is without Sin cast the first stone.”

Or further still as is stated in Matthew Chapter 7, verse 5: “First cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.”

Mr. Speaker constructive criticism should be welcomed by any Government that believes in the democratic process, since it is the mirror through which we can see our strengths and weaknesses.

On the other hand, Mr. Speaker, criticisms that are malicious and intended to destroy, can do our country no good.

When we criticize and condemn, it must be positive, based on facts and evidence and not on hearsay and rumors.

Mr. Speaker, today we stand on the threshold of a new beginning for our country!

The benefits to our country from hosting CWC 2007 can be tremendous; genuine investors are ready to invest billions of dollars into our economy.

These potential developments are sending shock waves into the “hearts” of a few. As far as they are concerned those developments should not take place under an NNP Government.

It seems therefore Mr. Speaker, that there is a sinister movement afoot to derail our progress train.

But let it be known to all Mr. Speaker that as a people we have seen our darkest days in October 1983. And one thing we know for sure Mr. Speaker, is that we are not going back there.

We have already crossed the Valley of Despair, having survived two major hurricanes. We are now moving up to the Mountain of Hope and with the protection of the Almighty and the commitment of the People, nothing Mr. Speaker will stop this train. The Promised Land cannot be far away.

I therefore put out a clarion call once more to all Grenadians to join together in building this beautiful Nation.

Mr. Speaker, this is not NNP time or NDC time or Prime time; it is the People's time; and the people are saying - time to settle down.

That is why we have formulated a budget that is people centered, one that reflects the hopes and aspirations of the vast majority of Grenadians.

We have to continue to demonstrate that togetherness and patriotism that got us out of the wrath of two major hurricanes.

We have to continue to remain focused and committed to our task of nation building. We need to have everyone on board. No one must be left behind. Each one of us has our part to play and we must play it to the best of our ability. In the end not only are we going to be proud of our efforts, not only our children and children to come would be thankful and grateful for what we would have done for them, but when the history of this country is written, we will be writing some of the most glorious pages of economic and political history in this country.

So let's once again join hearts and hands together and work and produce for the common good. In this budget we have presented the plans and programmes that would lead to continued growth and prosperity.

As the Lord declares in Jeremiah 29, verse 11: “For I know the plans I have for you, ... plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

May I take this opportunity to wish you all, and in particular, the brave and historic people of St. Patrick, a happy Christmas and a Bright and Prosperous New year.

May Good Bless Us All!