NDP leader says ULP administration has underperformed economically

The New Democratic Party (NDP), is of the view that the governing Unity Labour Party (ULP), has failed the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

NDP leader Godwin Friday said on the party’s New Times radio programme yesterday, Monday April 23, 2024 that “the most significant failure of this government is its failure to deliver economically for the people- economic progress for the country”.

He charged that the ULP administration has failed to build a viable economy in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), adding that there is decline in major economic pillars such as agriculture and fishing.

Although it has much potential Friday shared the view that fishing “is still a miniscule component of what it should be”.

Further, that “fishing is a lucrative industry that can be developed”.

He said the present administration is only boasting about its time in office “rather than demonstrating the accomplishments they have made”.

The leader of the NDP, which has been in opposition since 2001 when the ULP won the general elections, said the Ralph Gonsalves-led administration is “limping along, without any real plan to accelerate the development of the country.”

He stressed that his party has developed a plan, which is based on the four pillars of the economy: agriculture, tourism, the new economy and the blue economy.

Friday said if the party is elected into office at the next general election they will repair the shipyard and marina at Ottley Hall and make it operational again.

That facility was built under the Sir James Mitchell administration, and is now in a state of disrepair.

Friday said nothing is wrong with the concept of the shipyard and marina, and if repaired, it can create jobs for Vincentians.

“It will provide very good jobs,” he argued. The Northern Grenadines representative in parliament pointed out that the Ottley Hall Shipyard and Marina was meant to be “ an important economic engine to diversify the economy around agriculture.”

He expressed the belief that the Ottley Hall project can still be put to work to improve the lives of Vincentians.