Gonsalves rap for failure to develop any meaningful policy that would aid in the development of the country. - FILE
KINGSTOWN (CMC):
THE MAIN opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) on Saturday urged supporters to ensure the defeat of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves in the December 7 general election, saying his administration's policies over the past four and half years had retarded the socio-economic growth of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
TIME TO GO
"It is time for them to go, it is time for them to go, it is time for them to go," NDP leader and trained economist, Arnhim Eustace, told cheering supporters at a rally in Calliaqua, south-east of Kingstown.
Eustace told supporters that the opposition, which celebrates its 30th anniversary on Election Day, is rejuvenated and ready to take back control of the government.
The NDP, like the ruling United Labour Party (ULP), will contest all 15 seats in Wednesday's elections that political observers say will be a keen contest. The small SVG Green Party, which has nominated four candidates to contest the polls, is not expected to have an influence on its outcome.
Eustace, a former Prime Minister, told supporters that the ULP had failed to develop any meaningful policy for the future development of the island state.
He said his party had produced an 86-page economic plan that, if elected, would form the blueprint for the island's socio-economic development over the next five years.
He said the Gonsalves administration is yet to present 'a sound economic programme", accusing it of destroying the island's economy.
The NDP 'Economic Plan' deals specifically with issues of development and aims at improving the living standards of Vincentians by ensuring that at least one person in every household is employed over the next five years.
In the area of education, the NDP is also promising to pay fees for all students taking the British-based General Certificate of Education and the Caribbean Examination Council.
He said few students were able to meet the fee requirements for those examinations.
