There is a well-known book called Sense and Sensibility by author Jane Austen, and I strongly believe that those are two words we may do well to pay attention to in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The day we begin to evaluate the things around us for what they are, untainted by political lens, is the day we can have a proper conversation, and make decisions that are in the best interest of the country, and truly aligned with where we want to be as a developing and progressive island.
I say this after reading the story you carried about the recent meeting between Prime Minister, the Honorable Dr. Godwin Friday, along with Tourism Minister Dr. Kishore Shallow and senior executives of the Sandals organization. Coming out of which there was a clear indication on future investment, how many millions it would be, as well as timelines for the start of projects, including the Beaches hotel at Mt. Wynne which they say will start in 2028, directly contradicting some of the ‘reporting’ and commentary we have seen lately.
It is enlightening that this comes right after the country was bombarded with a whole heap of negative commentary these past few weeks by certain individuals – who ironically have expressed support for the NDP in the past – trying to drag the name of the investor through the mud. Only for the Prime Minister and his team to demonstrate the kind of statesmanship we have come to expect from Dr. Friday, and reaffirm his commitment to working with the country’s largest direct investor regardless of who was in power when they came to town. That is what true leadership is all about.
I hope these ‘experts’ take a page out of Dr. Friday’s book, and realize that the election is over, that sensationalism and grandstanding is unwarranted, and that if they truly cared of or were concerned about the citizens of this country, that they get their facts together and present an informed discussion, not one seasoned with hearsay.
In fact, I think these commentators owe the Prime Minister and his colleagues an apology, unless of course, they are saying that Dr. Friday and his administration are also supportive of or involved in these so-called questionable arrangements that they alone seem to know about.
Indeed, I saw one of the so-called ‘whistleblowers’ dredging up all sorts of old stories to try in some way to cast more mud on our friends at Buccament Bay, only to have the Head of State reaffirm his confidence in Sandals to be a strong economic and social development partner.
To tell you the truth, I must now question the motives of these commentators. Are they somehow trying to undermine the administration of Dr. Friday? Is there more afoot here than meets the eye? Why are they trying to drive a wedge between the current administration and the investor? What are these double-agents really up to? I think we need to keep a close eye on what they do next.