Former Prime Minister and current opposition figure Ralph Gonsalves has launched a blistering critique of the NDP government’s fiscal priorities, accusing them of a gross misallocation of funds that favors elite comforts over the livelihoods of the nation’s most vulnerable workers.
Speaking on a local radio program, Gonsalves highlighted a jarring contrast in the government’s recent financial decisions. He pointed to the expenditure of 600,000 for a new vehicle for the Prime Minister and 1.5 million allocated for house repairs, which he claimed was intended to “remake” the official residence rather than simply fix it.
According to Gonsalves, these luxury expenditures are occurring simultaneously with widespread layoffs in essential sectors. He noted that workers in the agricultural sector—specifically those at Raboka farms and in areas such as Orange Hill, Dumb Barton, Wal Labu, and North Leeward—have been “fired left, right, and center”. Gonsalves argued that while the government claimed there was not enough money to retain these workers, they found ample resources for the Prime Minister’s personal comforts.
The criticism extended to the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) program, where Gonsalves alleged a “clearly political” purge of staff. He stated that the government fired approximately 28 out of 30 coordinators and mobilizers, replacing them with NDP supporters. These actions, he said, have put families and children on the “bread line,” forcing people to halt construction on their homes and struggle to pay for land.
Gonsalves characterized these moves as part of what he termed a “fiscal austerity retrogressive transition program,” or the “F program,” which he believes is leading the country into a “dead end”. He described the government’s attitude toward the poor and vulnerable as “mean-spirited and contemptuous,” suggesting that the state has ceased to be a “force for good”.
“The pressure is real,” Gonsalves warned, noting that while the upcoming Carnival season might provide a temporary “pressure valve release,” the underlying economic fundamentals remain dire. He cautioned that the “lid” would eventually blow off the pot as the public’s anger over rising prices and job losses continues to boil.