In our 144 square miles state with a population of approximately one hundred and ten thousand inhabitants, where are we heading as it appears that no less than one hundred vehicles are imported each month for which we must have foreign currency to import them.
Now! Where are we getting the foreign currency from? The quality of goods and services we produce to earn foreign currency is very limited so how is it that we are able to import those foreign products particularly gas, oil, tyres, vehicles and all other things that are necessary for the operation of these vehicles which emit so much poisonous substances, which contribute very much to climate change and have a devastating effect on our eco-system?
The fact of the matter is that with the limited resources one of our government’s main source of revenue is from duties, licenses and taxes obtained from the importation and sales of those goods, and with all the talk of pollution in its various forms our government fails to realise that there must be a change if we are to truly progress.
We must find improved ways and means to resuscitate our agricultural industry. A good example is the sugar cane plantation undertaken by that company, Cane Co. This administration has been giving lip service to the industry as it appears that there is no continuity in most of the initiatives by donor countries to develop the industries and also much corruption.
The failed pig farm, poultry farm, Marketing Board and recently the shrimp project, which the P.M has said there will be an investigation into. Would that investigation be as the one announced by the same Prime Minister in the case of the M.N.I.B or the Cheltenham inquiry of the infamous briefcase?
While it may be said that Grenada’s fiscal situation of the 1990’s made it necessary for a structural adjustment program to have been implemented, a program which was successfully accomplished and the populace was eventually relieved of the taxes imposed after the allowed time/period ,we have found ourselves further back in debts under this present administration and despite the tremendous haircuts, the imposition of several burdensome taxes, the period allotted for us to be out of such a situation and be able to have the desired spending power, it seems that it will never end as our Prime Minister has recently informed the nation that out government has now to pay tremendous sums of monies to persons/concerns who/which were wronged by the administration. When will it end?