NDP READY AS MORE VINCENTIANS ASK FOR CHANGE

The ULP Government has failed to create meaningful employment for our people, they have used and abused the poor for political purposes and has failed to lift them out of poverty. To change this NDP has set out major Development Projects to create meaningful, long term employment for Vincentians:

1. A major international construction group will partner with the NDP to finally get the Argyle Airport into a state of readiness.

2. A major international development group will build a 1000 unit integrated residential and hotel resort complex on St. Vincent.

3. An important international banking group will use SVG as its base to establish a new chain of retail banks throughout the Caribbean.

4. A major international construction group, specializing in infrastructure projects, will establish a regional head office in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

5. A global player in the trust and corporate services sector will be involved in overhauling our financial services.

6. A global player in private aircraft services will set up a state-of-the-art aircraft registry.

7. The NDP is working with some of the world’s most experienced international tax specialists to establish tax treaties that generate further investments into our country.

8. The NDP will works towards each household in SVG having a minimum of one person with meaningful employment.

Crime

Under the ULP administration crime has increased drastically, and the ULP must take the blame and responsibility.   However, it would appear that the ULP administration either does not concern or does not have what it takes to stem the flow of criminal activities here.  We have not been hearing from the Minister of National Security who happens to be the Prime Minister as to how to deal with this serious problem.  We must not forget that in 2001, the ULP’s campaign was focused on crime.  They said that they would have been tough on crime and the causes of crime, eleven (11) years have gone and the situation remains the same, another failure for the ULP administration.

The NDP is concerned about the crime situation and believes that the following steps should be taken to enhance detection and develop a more responsive and accountable Police Service.

• Implementation of the spiritual, Social and Redemption Charter as the prime mechanism to deal with issues pertaining to our emphasis on the prevention of crime.
• Increased Police manpower to focus on beat and other patrols
• Establishment of visible police presence in communities, especially those with high crime rates.
• Reduction of response time
• Improvement in the collection and value of evidence in crime investigations to deal with crime and the causes of crime
• Establishment of a Crime Prevention Department
• Introduction of the Crime Stoppers Programme
• Introduction of tougher sentences for sexual offences

The NDP’s priorities are clear: better prevention and detection of crime, more effective prosecution of criminals and enhance rehabilitation to reduce the revolving doors offenders.

We will deliver tough action on drug dealing and crimes of violence, and will strike a better balance between punishment and rehabilitation and give our Police and Prosecutors the manpower, tools and financial resources they need to make St. Vincent and the Grenadines a safe and liveable community.

The Milton Cato Memorial Hospital

Those who visit the MCMH often talk about the deplorable state of the hospital. Some will even say they will not risk being admitted there. In the last 10 years, have you heard of a Minister of Government seeking medical attention at MCMH? Or is it just that there was never the need, because none of them were ever hospitalised?

The place is dirty. The fans and other accessories for the patients’ comfort are mainly broken. Sheets and pillowcases- you better walk with your own. Medicine- ask those who recently were there. Many essential medications are not available. In short the hospital needs attention.

The MCMH was rebuilt by the NDP. It was expanded, creating new wings, and a modern emergency room and operating theatre were some of the features. The roof of the operating theatre developed a leak. But rather that fixing it, a bucket was placed to catch the drip and the NDP was blamed for the leak which developed during the administration of the ULP.

WHAT WILL CHANGE

The New Democratic Party (NDP) will introduce a “Back to basics approach” in the delivery of health care in SVG.

Access to proper health care remains a fundamental right of every citizen and the NDP is committed to facilitating the delivery of this right.

An NDP administration will refocus its attention on the basic principles of decentralizing the primary health care delivery system. To this end District clinics would be refurbished and equipped to meet the immediate needs of every community, at source. The rural hospitals at Georgetown, Chateaubelair and Union Island which have been reduced to shells would be resuscitated.

In order to adequately meet the needs of our nationals as well as visitors to our shores, a new general hospital would be built and equipped. The specific site is within the zone of the major population centres.

NDP will maximize the use of the modern medical facility at Georgetown, despite its location away from the main population centre.

NDP will examine different models with a view to implementation of modern management techniques within the health care sector.

NDP will implement its already developed plan for National Health Insurance.

The NDP will ensure that by prudent management and accountability throughout the system, the availability of basic medication will always receive priority treatment. In addition, by putting emphasis on preventive medicine, a significant reduction in the need for hospitalization and lifetime medication will be achieved.

Apart from the easing of congestion at MCMH, the new state of the art hospital will free up the building in Kingstown to be used as other government offices and departments. It is to be noted that government has been renting many buildings in the city for office space.

The NDP is waiting

The NDP has done it before.  We can do it again.   We need to institute policies to facilitate development of our country for our people.  Our youths need to be given a path that engenders hope for the future.  We implore you to resist lies, bribe and false hope, and to stop voting against your own interest.  The interest of the majority, and not of the few, should take centre stage.