Every time we seek to make a major change, backward people try to pull us down – PM Gonsalves

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says that the distribution of lands to Vincentians has improved the lives of many persons, but every time the government seeks to make a major difference in people’s lives, there are people who oppose it.

“Every time we seek to make a major change, a major initiative, you can rely on certain backward people in this country including some organised in a political party, not the ULP, where they try to pull down,” Gonsalves told a gathering at Rabacca on Monday.

The Prime Minister said that persons opposed to the Unity Labour Party (ULP), including New Democratic Party (NDP) politicians, have bad mouthed almost every project the government has undertaken since coming to power.

He said that for years at Rabacca, the northeast of the country was cut off from the rest during heavy rainfall because of the wide expanse of the Rabacca Dry River, but the government fixed that with a bridge.

“….and when the rains came down it was treacherous, it has taken lives, taken property. When I announced we are going to build a bridge over Rabacca River, they say I was crazy and I will buss the treasury to build a bridge over Rabacca the size of two football field,” said Gonsalves.

He said that during the construction process, persons wished the bridge would wash way but it opened in February 2007 and has stood strong through some terrible weather conditions.

“The truth is this, is that the way some people, backward people, disregard the people over Rabacca they should be shame to drive on that bridge for the type of bad mouth they put on that bridge,” Dr. Gonsalves said.

He added also, that several persons had reservations over the Government putting the Modern Medical and Diagnostic Complex in Georgetown.

“…they say in Parliament how I could build a thing like that there, suppose Soufriere blow,” said Gonsalves who noted that if the La Soufriere volcano were to erupt, it would affect the entire country and not just Georgetown.

The Prime Minister said the services offered at the facility in Georgetown prevent persons from going to Trinidad and Barbados for medical attention, and it is important that medical facilities are decentralized.

“We were able to provide medical services to over 10,000 people and we are extending services,” said the Prime Minister while noting that 170 persons work at the facility, including 22 Cubans.

He added also that many negative things were said about the Argyle International Airport (AIA), but it must be noted that it was built during the middle of the global economic melt-down.

Gonsalves said also that persons were opposed to the education revolution but that has allowed every school aged child to attend secondary school, community college and persons who want to go to university can do so.

“We have never had as much advanced tertiary education in the history of this country. The poorest man’s child can get the opportunity to improve…,” Gonsalves stated.

“Anytime we have done something good and positive, a game changer for the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines, the backward set want to pull us down and try to take us from the path, but I am strong like lion in me head,” Gonsalves stated.