Fri, Dec 19, 2014

by DR THE HON RALPH E GONSALVES, PRIME MINISTER OF ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

At every Christmas season since I have been Prime Minister, I urge all of us to be good neighbourly, and to display in practice the human virtues, embedded in all universal spiritual teachings including Christianity, of hope, faith, and love.{{more}}

We remember solemnly, and joyously, our ongoing reaffirmation that our nation is founded on the belief in the supremacy of God and the freedom and dignity of man.

We remember, too, that one year ago when natural disaster struck, twelve of our citizens lost their lives, including my cousin Raymond from Byera. Hundreds of others had their houses destroyed or damaged at levels ranging from severe to moderate. In three hours of torrential rainfall, vulnerable families became poor; the poor descended into indigence; and the indigent were plunged into a desperate condition of desolation. Roads, bridges, river defences, the water system, the electricity infrastructure, and forests were severely battered and, in some cases, collapsed into destruction. The economy was adversely affected in an extraordinary way. The official estimates of damage and loss suffered by the country was a whopping EC $330 million or roughly 17 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

This Christmas Eve disaster of 2013 was part and parcel of climatic change occasioning four other devastating, unusual weather events: Hurricane Tomas of October 2010; the floods of April 2011; and the two prolonged droughts of early 2010 and 2014. In the aggregate, all the natural disasters from 2010 onwards caused damage and loss in excess of EC $600 million or some one-third of our country’s GDP.

Since the Christmas Eve disaster of 2013, and the extensive drought of early 2014, our nation has returned to normalcy. The resilience and productive work of our people, the active policies and strategic interventions by our Government, the material assistance and practical solidarity which friendly nations overseas have rendered to us, and the abundant blessings from Almighty God, have all together restored us to an acceptable level of living, despite continuing challenges. We ought to feel satisfied, though not complacent, about our achievements and the prospects for further upliftment.

Within the next twelve or so months, there will be a general election to determine who should govern our nation over the following several years up to the year 2020. I rely, as always, on the good sense of our people to re-elect a Unity Labour Party (ULP) Government. We have, since 2001, a highly commendable track record of accomplishments in a vast array of areas, including: Poverty reduction, job and wealth creation, education and health, housing and infrastructural development, information technology and airport development (Canouan and Argyle), water and electricity, sports and culture, citizen security and justice, good governance and sound fiscal management of prudence and enterprise, regional integration and foreign policy. These achievements we have chalked up in the most difficult circumstances of a global economic crisis, debilitating natural disasters, and home-grown criminal activities by a tiny minority of persons.

Still, there is much more to be done and unfinished tasks to be completed. So, with a fourth-term ULP Government in place, I expect by Christmas 2020, a further consolidation, expansion and deepening of the gains of the period since 2001. I reasonably anticipate, too, that by 2020, the Argyle International Airport would be in its full bloom of functioning after five years of productive, high-quality operation; the modern city of Arnos Vale would be in the throes of construction; the geothermal energy initiative would be producing at least one-half of our nation’s peak-demand for energy at a cost reduction to the consumer of between one-quarter and one-third; a modern, relocated seaport would be completed or nearing completion; our job and wealth creation would be markedly enhanced; and our people’s all-round quality of life would be substantially improved.

These further achievements are within our grasp if we continue to embrace the sensible and effective leadership of our Government and if we lift the level of our productive efforts at the individual and collective levels. As a nation we have coalesced overwhelmingly around a wise people-centred vision, a social democratic philosophy applied to our particular circumstances, a well-articulated framework to construct a modern and competitive economy in the people’s interest, a social-cultural rubric for the further ennoblement of our Caribbean civilisation and its magnificent Vincentian component, an uplifting regional and international solidarity, and a bundle of practical policies and programmes reflecting these principles, philosophy, and ideals.

At Christmas 2014, individually and as a nation, we must reaffirm in practice the virtues of hope, faith, and love bequeathed to us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ directly, and through the message of the Apostle Paul in his Letter to the Corinthians. We must have hope for our individual and collective salvation and redemption. Our faith must be steadfast and made complete in deeds; words alone will not suffice. Our love for each other must be enduring as all children of God.

At Christmas 2014, I pray for us as a nation. I reaffirm my adoration for Almighty God; I confess my sins, my trespasses and seek His forgiveness; I thank Him for His abundant blessings which He has delivered unto us; and I pledge our continued supplication to Him.

At Christmas 2014, we remember and pray for the sick, those who are in distress, the poor and disadvantaged. We ask Jesus Christ, on this Christmas celebration of His Birth, to help those who have strayed to return to His light and path, and for the law-breakers to turn away from crime and violence.

In practical terms, at Christmas 2014, each of us who is in a position to assist should help a needy brother, sister, or neighbour. Let moderation in consuming food and drink be our watchword. Let us stand askance from harmful excesses at Christmas 2014.

On behalf of the Government and on my own behalf, and that of my immediate family, I wish all Vincentians a happy, joyous Christmas 2014 and a New Year of a better life and living. We embrace Christmas 2014 and the New Year 2015 with hope, faith and love!