PM knocks Southern Grenadines Representative

Parliamentary Representative for the Southern Grenadines Terrence Ollivierre received a scolding from Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves at a public function over the weekend.{{more}}

Ollivierre was told by the Prime Minister to ‘understand his role with absolute clarity’, during the opening of the Canouan Administrative Building, last Friday, October 7, on the Grenadine island.

The Prime Minister was responding to comments made by Ollivierre when he (Ollivierre) addressed the gathering during the ceremony.

Ollivierre lamented that the students on the island faced difficulties in their quest to obtain secondary education, and there was a need to address the issue.

“I plan with the invitation of the Honourable Minister of Education, which has already been given, to visit her office and to start the process so that our children, despite all the development that is going on here, will be able to ensure they benefit from it.”

The Parliamentary Representative said that it was his dream to see the Administrative building fully staffed with residents of Canouan.

The Prime Minister, during his delivery pointed out that Ollivierre was in the legislature and not the executive of the government and was not in a position to initiate anything.

“I hear the representative for Southern Grenadines said that he is going to the Minister of Education to hold a discussion so they can initiate something for secondary school. We do not need him to go to her to initiate anything. That matter has already been initiated several months ago….

Of course the Minister is always open to receiving the representative. He can go and get information from the Minister as the Parliamentary Member, as to where we are about it. Let me make this point clear.”

According to Gonsalves, talks are already underway with the Canouan Resort Developers with regard to partnering with the government concerning secondary education.

He noted that a number of challenges had been identified and needed to be clarified before proceeding; these included the size and sustainability of the institution, as well as the sourcing of staff.

He said that he did not want the representative blowing smoke in the eyes of the public about initiating secondary school education on the island, as though his administration has been insensitive to the topic.

The Prime Minister also touched on other concerns raised by Ollivierre, particularly road conditions and the wharf.

He said that money was allocated to fix a number of roads on the island, and that the rebuilding of the jetty at a cost of over $11 million, was one of two major projects still to be done on the island.

“It’s easy for people who have not done anything to criticize those who have done.

There are two sets of people in the world: those who do and those who talk about those who do; and those who talk about those who do, really have done nothing.

I want the representative for Southern Grenadines to hear that because he seems to have amnesia.

Some people may not like what I say, but I am Prime Minister for every square inch of St. Vincent and the Grenadines…. There are certain things that were triggered in me to speak in this manner,” Dr. Gonsalves said.