Vincentians must work harder, smarter than before – PM

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has said that Vincentians would have to work harder and smarter than before, if the country is to develop after the recent Christmas disaster.{{more}}

Speaking on Monday at a press conference at Cabinet Room, the Prime Minister called for more individual discipline as the country faces the challenge of rebuilding in the wake of what is considered the worst natural disaster in the country’s history.

“The public service has to be more efficient, more effective. People have to be more law-abiding, the amount of money we waste with dealing with crime, vehicular accidents… when we having disputes we don’t pull the cutlass, we don’t pull the gun… the amount of drugs we have to buy to take care of that.

“The question of garbage disposal; to be more disciplined and careful the way we deal with it.

“Every single aspect of our lives, we need to be careful how we spend our money…. We seek to live in a way where we are not going beyond our individual or our family means….” Gonsalves stated.

Gonsalves also called on the media to play its part, saying that more focus should be placed on developmental issues.

“And as politicians, we lose some of our vanities and not argue about every little thing.”

The Prime Minster said that the challenge that the country has been experiencing economically is not expected to improve significantly, although there may be some progress in light of the disaster.

“What has happened is that in 2012 and 2013, we saw a slight pick-up taking place; it has taken place both in growth and in some jobs, but not quite yet sufficient….

“And then given the uncertainties in the global economy despite some pick-up, they are not looking at the global economy returning to its pre-2008 condition until the end of 2016.

“So, even before the damage by the storm, there were challenges ahead for us.

“But what do you do… you have a challenge upon you, immediately, you have to address this, and in addressing this very challenge, it possesses within it the potential to generate growth,” Gonsalves said.(JJ)