This present NNP administration is on a path to effectively deny citizens of the right to exercise their right to dissent. The sustainability of a democracy is anchored on a consensus that differences in political opinion is accepted by all.
The present attitude by the NNP is one of increased intolerance and downright repressive conduct that is not only unacceptable but must be actively resisted. It seems that their monopoly of seats in the House of Representatives has given them the right to undermine state institutions at their whim and fancy.
The Public Service Commission has now become an arm of the administration in that it has been converted into a rubber stamp for the nefarious decisions of the Cabinet which is in fact the decision of one man, Prime Minister Mitchell. Are we now confronted with an emerging dictatorship?
In an unprecedented development, the Head of the Physical Planning Unit was sent packing by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance. The then Head of the Public Service Commission said when interviewed that he knew nothing of that development. He went on to say that that issue was never an agenda item of the PSC under his watch. Yet One Mr. Frederick is now acting head of the Physical Planning Unit. Suffice it to say that the said gentleman was abruptly removed from that position some years ago and he holds the position of Treasurer of the ruling party.
The illegal deduction of teachers’ salaries and the payment to a select group of police officers in lieu of vacation leave shows clearly that the financial rules are flouted with impunity.
The deception is now so crass that after all the hullaballoo about National Health Insurance, not a cent was allocated for its capital budget for 2020. Oil and gas have disappeared from their lips since his dramatic announcement about encouraging results from GPG exploration efforts. The irony is that when PM Mitchell made the announcement days before the last election, the exploration vessel had vacated the area since October 2017.
While this terrible state of affairs has descended over our dear country, the regime has rolled out an elaborate plan to strike fear among the population.
Their motto is “ If you are not with us, then you are against us” Scholarships are denied, contracts are given to the chosen few, public officers are transferred on the basis of the last rumour and journalists are scared stiff to report anything that can be deemed unfavourable to the regime.
Their nefarious ways have now led them to even more devious ways to brow beat, cajole or otherwise, using the resources of the state to intimidate the citizenry. The recent actions aimed at dividing our nation’s teachers bears testimony to this.
It has become commonplace to “canvass” names of public officers to determine their political preferences. Reports indicate that the Office of the Prime Minister was “cleansed”. Moreover, public officers have been warned not to speak to or relate to “them people’, this is the state of affairs in Grenada which the Prime Minister referred to as the place where “everything nice”.
As we celebrate our 46th anniversary of Independence, there is a clarion call to all patriots to save our country from the evil hand of this administration. This country has a democratic constitution in name only it seems while many are fooled to believe that elections once every five years guarantees democracy.
Stand up and fight back, we have nothing to lose. For Grenada to Grow NNP must go!!!
Freedom Fighter