“History is important. If you don’t know history it is as if you were born yesterday. And if you were born yesterday, anybody up there in a position of power can tell you anything, and you have no way of checking up on it.”—Howard Zinn. In our Vincentian society today, we continue to witness a lot of ignorance in relation to the political history of our nation. As a result, it appears as if we are doomed forever to repeat history.
This piece begins with an excerpt from Ralph E Gonsalves’s ‘The Making of The Comrade’: The political Journey of Ralph Gonsalves. Then it is followed up with a comparison by the author in relation to the views expressed by Mr. Gonsalves. The excerpt can be found in Chapter Five, page 170-173 of the above-mentioned book. The piece is titled “THE MESS WE MET”. Let this serve as a history lesson for those of you who need it! Here we begin with the words of Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves.
“This flurry of meritorious initiatives in my first nine months in office was absolutely necessary given the terrible mess in which the outgoing NDP administration had left the country and the government. The ULP Manifesto for the 2005 General Elections sketches all of this in summary from under the heading, “The Mess We Met”. Among the major items of mess, which the NDP left us to clean up, were the following:
Unemployment amounting to some 40 percent of the labour force and a poverty level affecting 37 percent of the population.
The worst poverty in the Caribbean after Haiti.
Declining economic growth which had St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the bottom of the OECS table and a widening gap between the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the rest of the OECS.
Non-collection of taxes from big companies and some highly placed professionals and other persons.
A poor educational system at all levels, including a limited access to secondary education which resulted in only 39 percent of the children leaving primary school having a chance of secondary education.
An illiteracy rate of 20 percent of the population.
A health system which was falling apart, and over $2 million owed to suppliers of medicine and pharmaceuticals.
Informal human settlements (large-scale “squatting”) without title to lands, and without electricity or water.
Inadequate housing for the poor and young persons.
A run-down, inadequate and limited, physical infrastructure including roads, bridges, sea and river defences, government buildings, schools, clinics, police stations, and other public facilities.
A dirty capital city, Kingstown, and no collection and disposal of garbage outside of Kingstown and its environs.
No international airport for mainland St. Vincent and no jetport anywhere in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
No proper Public Library for St. Vincent and the Grenadines nor any plans for one.
No National Stadium nor any plans for one.
No Centre for the Performing Arts nor any plans for one.
Poor and deteriorating physical facilities for sports and culture.
Poor governance, including a lack of popular democratic participation in the nation’s governance; rampant corruption and waste of public resources; abuse and misuse of government vehicles; a lack of openness and transparency in government; no focused approach to poverty reduction; and “sweet heart” mortgages at the National Commercial Bank.
Malaise in the public service, the teaching profession, and the Police Force.
A deep-seated nursing crisis.
A sharp increase in HIV/AIDS.
A massive take-off in serious crimes, and drug-trafficking, especially in cocaine, and no sufficient response by government.
Several “black-list” and impending “black-lists” including those from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) relating to money-laundering and the international financial system; from the international Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Convention on the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) relating respectively to merchant-shipping and high-seas fishing; and from the European Union regarding the ban on the export of fish to Martinique and Guadeloupe.
A bad hand in the management and state of government finances: no money in the Treasury; a massive unproductive public debt of over $600 million, including the Ottley Hall Debt of over $170 million or some one-third of the external debt; and aggregate debt of payables of over $70 million including debts to contractors and suppliers of goods and services; huge debts to the University of West Indies and other regional/international organisations; a $7 million debt in immediate payables for repairs on the Cruise Ship Terminal (This figure did not include the debt of close to $50 million to build it).”
In the words of Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, “the above items, among others were part of the awful inheritance which the former NDP government bequeathed to the ULP administration in March 2001. We in the ULP have successfully addressed each of them and moved our country forward for our people’s benefit”. – Ralph E Gonsalves (2010)
In conclusion, history shows that in 2000 the nation of SVG experienced the infamous ‘Road Block Revolution’ and the ‘Grand Beach Accord’. During these two events Ralph Gonsalves was in opposition and was instrumental in the outcome of the 2001 elections. As a result of these two occurrences, the ULP came into government on ‘All Fools Day’ in 2001. Since then, the Ralph Gonsalves led ULP party are still in power. Finally, again, in the words of Howard Zinn, “History is important. If you don’t know history it is as if you were born yesterday. And if you were born yesterday, anybody up there in a position of power can tell you anything, and you have no way of checking up on it.”
“You have to know the past to understand the present” – Carl Sagan. Also, “the more you know the past the better prepared you are for the future.” – Theodore Roosevelt.
Now, lets us compare “The Mess We Met”, according to Ralph Gonsalves while he was in opposition, with “The Mess We Are In” under Ralph Gonsalves now that he is in government. To date, Dr. Ralph E Gonsalves remains the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for some 23+ years since assuming office in 2001. During this time the country has gone through loads of ups and downs in relation to economic activities, poverty, crime, infrastructure development and a lot more.
Vividly, it appears as if our blessed Hairouna continues to fall apart under the leadership of Ralph Gonsalves. This is the general feeling on the streets of SVG, and even more so by the poorest of Vincentians. Are we in a better position now than in 2001? Were we able to dig ourselves out of the mess the ULP met in 2001? Below are some pointers that would indicate the answers to the questions asked:
According to World Bank data, as of 2022, the most recent statistic to date, unemployment ratefor St. Vincent and the Grenadines stood at 18.98%. This is a 2.12% decline in relation to the unemployment rate the ULP met when they took office in 200, and it was the highest unemployment rate in the Caribbean. In the absence of data for the years 2023 and 2024 it is left to mere speculation with regard to the current unemployment rate of SVG. Surely the rate has either gotten better or worst. However, in my opinion and based on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the volcanic eruption, the spill off has left more Vincentians out of a job. It would be great if we can get a clear indication as to what the unemployment rate is since the last statistics of 2022. Is the government too ashamed to make such an information public, or, is there something that they are hiding?
Youth unemployment rate according to World Bank statistics, show that, as of 2022, 38.18% of the nation’s youths were unemployed. The statistics for the years 2023 – 2024 continue to be withheld by the government. However, according to Dr. Friday, in an article published on IwitnessNews on the 23rd Aug 2023, “the youths of SVG are faced with a lot of problems”. Friday posits that, “you have all these problems that are facing young people for so many years 46% unemployment, they have made no effort to address the unemployment crisis in the country”. If statistics like this ought to be proven true, are our youths better off now than in 2001?
The most recent poverty assessment to date goes back to the decade ended 2008. According to the reports, poverty for that period was some 30.2%. Since then, a lot has happened to the ability of the poorest citizens of SVG to live a comfortable life, unlike the rich Vincentians. The situation appears to be so grim that the 2018 report on the poverty assessment had to be withheld from the public. Thankfully, the document got leaked and the public was then sensitized as to what the poverty situation looks like in the country. Based on the leaked poverty assessment report for 2018, the following are some key findings:
1% of the population was poor and 11.3% indigent.
The indigent population was about 12,421 residents.
Inequality was 48.5%.
If such a data is correct, then in comparison to 2001, almost 20 years after, poverty under the ULP has only decreased a meagre 0.9%.
In essence, according to the leaked report for 2018, it is clear that poverty in SVG has been increasing in comparison to recent years under the ULP government. It would be interesting to know clearly where do we stand in SVG since the leaked 2018 poverty data.
In 2018, Finance Minister Camilo Gonsalves said that the government was owed $169.9 million in unpaid taxes. Some notable mentions in regards to this includes:
In 2023, JAD (Mustique) LTD., owing close to $4 million on various ranges of taxes.
Courts furniture store was ordered to pay $12.7 million in taxes.
A forensic audit of a foreign company operating in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has netted EC$19 million in unpaid taxes – Gonsalves 25thNov, 2014.
In April, 2012, “Gov’t waives interest, penalties as taxpayers owe EC$221 million.
Quite clearly, data like these shows that under the ULP administration the issues of non-collection of taxes from big companies and highly placed professionals continues to plague the nation just like in 2001.
In relation to health care in SVG it is fair to say that after 20 plus years of ULP governance, the health system is in a state of intolerant mediocrity. The appalling conditions of the main health care facility Milton Cato is in need of serious attention. The level of health care attention is woefully inadequate for Vincentians in 2024. Milton Cato Memorial Hospital continues to be understaffed and underfunded.
In an article on IWitnessNews 6th Oct, 2020, “SVG health system on the brink of collapse” the writer opined that “Today, the country is lagging far behind most other jurisdiction in the region and the response of the health system is one that is best describe as reactive, spotty, poorly-coordinated, and lacking desirable outcomes to promote health and prevent diseases.” This is just one of the countless outcries in relation to the disgracefully bad and unpleasant health system in SVG after over 2 decades of ULP governance.
Our clinics continue to be plagued with issues such as lack of medication (tetanus, paracetamol), gauze, prescription paper, lab papers, termite ridden work spaces and the list goes on extensively. Let us not forget the numerous times when ministers of government and their families choose to fly to other countries for medical attention instead of utilizing the services of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. Given such a state of health system in SVG today, are Vincentians more confident now in our health care system than in 2001?
Life expectancy at birth in 2023 was 70.3 years, lower than the average for the Region of the Americas and 1.1 years higher that in 2000.
Do we really have an education revolution, or is it just more of the same pre-2001 scenario? Today, a lot continues to be left desired of our students of the ‘education revolution’. Students continue to enter secondary schools with ridiculously low reading scores and abilities. As a result, these students are often times resented by scores of frustrated secondary school teachers. This in turn results in the constant increases in the number of dropouts from our school system.
The previous statement may be questioned by the Minister of Education, Curtis King, because in December 2023, he boasted about the ministry experiencing a 75% fall in school dropouts in 10 years. Does this fall in dropout really shows a passing or failing education revolution? To the ULP faithful the answer may be “yes!” However, any right-thinking Vincentian would know that an increase in the number of students entering secondary schools does not necessarily mean a passing grade for the education revolution. In reality, real education is measured based on the skillset and quality of students once they enter the workforce.
Some of the most daunting problems of the education revolution include:
Schools across the length and breadth of the country continue to be fitted with inadequate tools to accommodate high efficiency and advanced learning.
There is not much offered in arts, crafts and trades.
The education system continues to yield little in everyday common sense living and life skills, missing remedial and rehabilitative learning, and special needs.
Shamefully, the system continues to breed students that do NOT possess the ability to think critically and make informed decisions.
University graduates continue to return to SVG only to be underemployed and underpaid. This in turn leads to an increase in the brain drain when they have to seek employment overseas.
Therefore, has there really been an advancement in our students’ academic performance since the inception of the education revolution, or is it just ‘more of the same’?
Today the figures for crimes in SVG continue to be hard to imagine. The country continues to experience increases in crime and violence since the ULP took office. In 2023 the nation under the watch of Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Ralph E Gonsalves recorded its highest homicides count ever in the nation’s history, 54 to be exact. The nation continues to show lack of trust in the police and security forces. The Prime Minister continues to fail in his efforts, or the lack thereof, with regard to arresting the crime situation. Are we safer now in 2024 than we were as a nation in 2001?
Today, we continue to see a run-down and inadequate physical infrastructure (roads, bridges, sea and river defences, government buildings, schools, clinics, police stations, and other public facilities).
The capital city of Kingstown continues to be dirty even though there is a system in place for waste collection and disposal.
It is 2024 and we are still without a national stadium. In fact, it appears as if the closest we will ever get a national stadium under the ULP regime will be the athletic track at Diamonds.
We are in 2024 and are still without a Centre for the Performing Arts and only false promises of one.
Physical facilities for sports and culture are still in a poor and deteriorating state.
Majority of Vincentians last election demonstrated a lack of confidencein the Ralph Gonsalves led government. Poor governance continues to plague the country. Corruption is rife and has infiltrated its ugly face in almost every aspect of our Vincentian society. Public resources continue to be wasted and used for political mileage. Government vehicles continue to be misused. The ULP administration continues to fail in displaying transparency and public accountability.
The teaching profession and other public service workers continue to be treated like animals. Disrespect that continues to be shown to our noble and hard working professionals is second to none in the history of government in SVG.
Sports and culture have been left to incapable Ministers and Carnival Development Corporation. This has resulted in a serious decline in indigenous cultural activities which ought to be developed to enhance our tourism product.
The treasury and the National Insurance Services seemingly continue to be abused and misused by the government for electioneering. Such acts have left both entities in disarray and the future of our pension fund at serious risk
The death of LIAT (1974) LTD, made its final flight under this ULP administration. This has left us in a perilous time when it comes to regional transportation.
Young people continue to be used as ‘election donkeys” only for the purpose of staying in power by the ULP regime. The National Youth Council continues to be dormant and suppressed under the Gonsalves led government. This continues to show how much the government lacks a proper future map for our young people.
Our regional and international prestige are at an all-time high. However, such a prestige is only to boost the ego of the prime minister, and not so much to benefit the ordinary citizens.
Lastly, and most importantly, let us take a look at our national debt. To assist in this regard, I leave you with this quotation from The Honorable Fitz Bramble on 25thJanuary, 2024, “our national debt has increased significantly from 2001 when this government came to office”. According to Bramble, “when the New Democratic Party was voted out of office in 2001, the public debt was $738 million. In 2023, the public debt was $2.4 billion- more than three time what the Unity Labour Party met when they came into office in 2001”.
If our debt situation is not a grave cause for concern then I don’t know what we as Vincentians should take seriously. The PM was right when he made mention that our liability to Taiwan is a “hook in the gill”. Clearly, such a massive debt would have to be paid back by the present and future generations of Vincentians long after he is dead and gone. Hence the reason for the constant increases in taxes every year the budget is presented to the nation.
In conclusion, are we really better off presently in SVG than in 2001? Has the prime minister forgotten about the mess they met in 2001 when they took office? Is it that he has become so comfortable in power that he does not realise that the mess he met in 2001, is, if not the same, worse off now in 2024? For those of you who read this with an open mind I trust that you may do your own research and comparisons. Then use it as your guide to your decision making in the imminent general elections. This is really the mess we are in after 23 years of governance by Ralph E Gonsalves.
