As We Approach our 45th Anniversary of Independence Time for Serious Stock Taking

I HAVE BEEN trying to make sense of an unusual spate of activities, some of which seem to defy our limitations with skilled personnel, especially in the construction industry and also our human resources capacity.

This was made more so by our having to respond to the after effects of hurricane Beryl.

Our country has benefi tted from grants and different donations in response to the damage cause by the hurricane. At the same time, we have become heavily involved in borrowing, increasing our external debt. While all of that is happening, one wonders about how things are being prioritized and the fact that so little is being said about the importance of increasing the nation’s productivity. SVG is of course on the lower rung where Caribbean economies are concerned. Our readiness to continue to increase our debts will leave a serious burden on generations to come.

All of this must be put in the context of the Silly Season, with elections expected sometime next year. While the loan for the hospital was redirected to recovery efforts, could a similar thing not have happened with the loan for the new parliamentary building that was secured from Taiwan?

I am certainly not against having a new parliament building, but having use of a temporary one that was built not long ago should certainly not have made the new one a priority at this time. It is certainly good from the point of view of any government to have friends like Taiwan where, as seen with the loan for the hospital, the type of regulations required by international monetary bodies to secure their loans are certainly not put in place.

On this particular matter I am quoting from the parliamentary representative for East Kingstown who, in discussing the loan document, noted that the lender was not responsible for monitoring or ensuring the actual use of the proceeds or any part thereof, or any advance, or the progress of the project.

The implications here are serious because one of the issues that this country has to deal with is that of accountability for monies secured and used for projects. We still hear talk that there is still not full accountability for monies spent on the Argyle airport. Accountability is an essential part of our democracy.

Furthermore, it has always occurred to me that many of our projects are driven by political considerations rather than developmental ends. As we approach another election seeing a structure on the ground appeals to many rather than the efficient and productive use of that structure.

One of the highlights of the year so far has been that of Vincentian athlete Shafiqua Maloney getting to the finals in her 800 metres race and placing fourth in a race where she missed being on the podium by some 22 seconds, if I recall. This might not appear to be a big thing to other countries, but for us it was important. Not only did her run in the final bring this country together but we got added publicity. I am sure it is also an inspiration to our young athletes who have something to aim at.