One of the hallmarks of a sharp political party…in opposition… must be evidence that it is able to analyse in terms of issues with a mind of securing advantages with the public. The Tribunal award on the subject issue of Grenlec presents a major political opportunity to the NDC. Now look to see whether they have themselves determined that that is indeed so.
The Tribunal’s award has been given almost one month ago. Prior to that a government minister told the media that Government had four Chinese companies lined up to buy the shares and that a few Grenadians had expressed interest in sharing in the pie. Just a few days ago the PM told the Parliament the shares will be sold to locals and not to foreign entities.
The NDC held a Press Conference a few days ago at which the PRO by intent or just being naive uttered words to suggest that the NDC was pleased to offer a solution to Keith and Gregory by recommending that they go back to the negotiating table with WRB.
So, the NDC does not wish to see the NNP (Keith and Gregory) fry in their own oil. Why are you offering them a solution? Speak nice words to them and lose/squander a potential political advantage. Calling for a transparent process is correct, but it does not assist in winning support. That is achieved by showing the mischief, the motives behind it and the massive cost to the people for the misdeeds of two rich men in the NNP. By the way, both have enough resources to buy the shares and they are locals. Ought they to be allowed to do so?
In other words, you must bowl the shining political ball and take the catch…Politics 101.
But there is more!
Firstly, is Keith to be believed or is he setting up the public to say… well he offered it to Grenadians, but they could not come up with the money, so he has no choice but to offer it to foreigners. Very plausible!
Incidentally, there is little to be said for legal process regarding the acquisition and disposal of the shares by Government. If they do not have the money, they simply enter into an agreement by which the money is provided by others, on security, which money enables Government to pay WRB and then step two is triggered whereby Government then fulfils its obligations to those who provided the money by transferring the shares to them.
But all that stuff is for the Supreme Court Registry, not for the political arena. So why go there in your Press Conference? That yields no votes.
Secondly, is the NDC not insinuating that local money people owning GRENLEC is a bad thing for Grenada? In that event, they must be saying that local owners cannot be relied upon or do not have the good sense to hire the best management services to keep GRENLEC at its exceptionally reliable level of performance.
Really? Is there no availability of managerial competence, technical skills and a market with machinery and technology which local owners can access? How does the NDC justify a settlement with WRB where the latter continues to be the main shareholder in GRENLEC?
Furthermore, given the premises, the NDC now has a task on its hands to explain to the people why it is against local ownership in this instance. Is that the best uses of your time and resources?
Time to be bright and smart on the right points.
National Watchman