Caribbean News Now!

By Ian Francis

Many voters in Grenada have not embraced the gossip and promises of the Thomas administration that there is $760 million to spend ten months before going to the polls, a broken party and non-functional Parliament. It is unfortunate that Thomas and his spin doctors have chosen to embark upon such another glaring “All-Fools” joke as Grenadians continue to buckle under Thomas’s failure and the steady erosion of their quality of life.

Ian Francis resides in Toronto and is a frequent contributor on Caribbean affairs. He is a former Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Grenada and can be reached at ianf505@gmail.com

The Thomas/Burke/ Noel misinformation strategy was hatched during the handing over ceremony of 300 low income homes that were donated by the People’s Republic of China to the former administration, which now forms Her Majesty Opposition, but are in the formative stage of re-gaining governance power in Grenada.

Many Grenadians at home and in the Diaspora have become very perplexed and confused about this information. Many are asking if it is an election ploy to attract voters as the party prepares for general elections within the next few months if it survives a second no confidence vote within three months.

The popular feeling across the tri-state is that the NDC’s sudden prosperity announcement could be an election hoax that they are not buying. Apart from individual Grenadians asking serious questions about the political hoax and the battered economy, the tourism sector is also asking very serious questions about the intent of the NDC with respect to tourism development in the state.

Sector representatives recognize and accept the fact that some re-branding of the industry is necessary. They are also in full concurrence about the need for added room space but are not certain that it can be achieved by government going into further debt to erect a large hotel which is being dubbed “five stars”.

A few weeks ago, the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA) met with representatives of the Thomas administration. As the records indicate, at the conclusion of the meeting, agreement was reached to establish a joint committee that would look at all future tourism development in the tri-state. Unfortunately, many of the GHTA members who participated in the meeting have begun to throw scorn, given that Ministers Burke and Vincent were quite reluctant to discuss government’s obsession about “the five star hotel”.

Now that unsubstantiated rumours have entered various corridors about government’s success in obtaining a loan from China to build the hotel, GHTA members are asking the Ministers of Finance and Tourism to confirm and clarify the rumours of receiving a loan from the government of China for a hotel construction. To many, the administration should come clean by responding to the concerns of the GHTA.

From a development point of view, I do not have any problems or concerns about government’s ownership of a hotel. The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and many other CARICOM governments are the owners of hotels and tourism facilities. However, the GHTA concern about the Grenada government's direction on tourism development is justified.

It is clear to all and sundry that the Thomas administration is very dysfunctional at this stage as all national efforts are clearly geared to the NDC convention and Thomas’s thirst to rein in the leftist essence; this is more of a priority for the three. It is not difficult for anyone to understand why the convention has taken priority over national development.

But there are also many other disturbing issues pertaining to governance and democracy in Grenada. The NDC, like any other political party in Grenada, has the right in a democracy to seek re-election. However, the desire for re-election should not be on the basis of abusing the names of foreign nations and attempting to fool voters with misinformed announcements. Thomas and his cast have entered a new low by blatantly lying to the Grenadian voters. Greater contempt and mistrust of the NDC continues in a suffering tri-state.

Assuming that there is $760 million to be spent by the faltering administration, voters must not get caught up in thinking that Grenada’s economic woes will be solved overnight. First, I must continue to conclude that the cupboard remains empty. While some election goodies might be around, it is not $600 million. Grenada is wrapped in debt and other financial mix up. It is sad, however, it is Burke and Thomas who brought us to this situation. The bell will soon toll for the NDC’s burial 13-2.

Grenadians, the cupboards are empty and stay cool for more all fool’s jokes until the general elections.

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Art:

Android boy, I glad I am not the only one who realize the lies this fella tells almost daily. I have said it before and will say it again. Him and Helen Grenade are Keith Mitchell apologists who may be angling to get a big highficial job when Keith come back. They want to pull the wool over peoples' eyes. The facts are the facts. Keith ran up the bill and left. Uncle Tilly trying his level best to pay off the bill and of course, the worldwide recession is not helping. If thiefing Keith and his cronies come back into office,they will finish off what they started, namely, to sell of Grenada. Ah praying hard boy.

Android:

Ian,
It is true Grenada is wrapped in debt and other financial mix up. It is sad, however, it is Burke and Thomas who brought us to this situation. Nah nah doe give me dat. We all know who put us in this great fiasco and it is not Tillman Thomas, it was Keith Mitchel and we will eh forgetting dat. So who is lying now. Me, Tillman or you and Helen Grenade? I know wid your lying self, you will say its anyone but you.

Ian Francis:

The NDC said three weeks ago they have the money in the CUPBOARD. I repeated what they say. There have been no official comment or DENIAL FROM from ST.GEORGE

I am not actively seeking any HIGH POSITION. If I am invited to do anything, I will consider.

I do not know HELEN GRENADE. SHE APPEARS TO BE A GOOD WRITER AND PARTY ACTIVIST.

SO TELL ME, IS THERE $760 MILLION IN THE CUPBOARD? WHY DONT THEY PAY OFF THE CREDITORS? PAY CIVIL SERVANTS ON TIME, PAY SUPPLIERS,PAY ARREARS IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, PAY BACK THE ECCB and COMRADE.

Oh no, blame NNP for the woes. These GOONS MUST GOVERN. STOP ACCUSING MITCHELL. VOTERS WANT NO MORE OF THIS CRAP

TELL NAZ AND TILLY. THEY ARE FINISHED,FINISHED,FINISHED,FINISHED

Android:

Art, Ian is a joker. These fellas think they can give us any kinda story and we have to believe them.2+2=4. I keep telling Ian and he is not believing anyone but himself. Sure Mitchel left us in debt, and he ran it into the ground knowing he was doomed and would not win any election. Whats more, he thought by doing some of the things he did with the GG/Hamilton and Antoine the day before the last election would ruin it all for Tillman, but we know better than that and Ian eh getting any job because his boy eh getting in, and ah waiting to see Queen pocahontas Helen Grenage get a fork and spade and do some real work besides pencil pushing for Mitchel for a change.