Getting our priorities right
THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY of St Vincent and the Grenadines met last week to once again carry out what is becoming a familiar task, that of approving a supplementary Budget following yet another damaging natural disaster – the destruction wrought by the passage of hurricane Beryl at the start of this month. We here warmly welcome the full endorsement of the emergency measures by the House and congratulate the Opposition for its support for those measures.
Given the scale of the damage and the unfortunate lack of appreciation of too many people of the critical economic challenges brought about by the hurricane, it is important that every effort be made to provide as much information as possible to the Vincentian people about the scale of the tasks facing us all. A crucial part of this is that notwithstanding the political differences between the political camps represented in the House, a broad platform of unity should emerge to enable the country to tackle the tasks ahead.
The meeting of our Parliament therefore was important not only for the passage of the supplementary Appropriation Bill but also in providing vital information not only on the damage and the measures proposed, but also on the need for all our people to give absolute priority and support. Now, we understand that the House has its own traditions and rules but surely, in times of emergency, the interests and needs of our people must be given priority.
So, did we have to place non-priority discourse, the increasingly lengthy “congratulations and condolences” for instance, on the order paper before the presentation and debate on the emergency measures? Did we have to entertain Question Time before the crucial raison d’etre for the meeting?
It has increasingly become apparent to even the Parliamentarians that what began as a novel and popular idea to connect with the Vincentian people through extending congratulations and condolences, has become too lengthy and unwieldy, often taking up unnecessarily lengthy time. Clearly while maintaining the novelty of the idea, time management is essential.
On the matter of the Question time, could these have not been deferred until after the debate and approval of the Bill which really occasioned the sitting in the first place? In addition, some of the questions on the order paper, seemed out of place in the context of current priorities. Surely, the crucial debate and perspectives of the Opposition on the Bill needed to get maximum exposure, allowing as many people as possible to gain a fuller appreciation of the need for sacrifice and a united approach to the national effort.
It is sad that too many people still place their partisan political interests before all else. National unity in emergency situations does not mean abandoning one’s political preferences, we can still maintain these while working together to rebuild our damaged country. It is important that our Parliamentarians and political leadership lead the way in this. Getting our priorities right must surely be high on their agenda.
Comments
