The Unity Labour Party - a record of achievement. a path of progress Images of a decade of progress in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2001 2010
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The Unity Labour Party
a record of achievement. a path of progress
Images of a decade of progress in
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
2001 - 2010
The Unity Labour Party
a record of achievement. a path of progress
Images of a decade of progress in
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Contents ULP – Building a better SVG 2
The Education Revolution 5
The National Library Project 11
The Rabacca Bridge 12
Affordable housing for all 15
Tourism development 16
The Argyle International Airport 20
Safety, security & rehabilitation 23
Quality roads & infrastructure 25
Health & wellness 26
Water & waste management 29
Youth, sports & culture 31
Agriculture & fisheries 34
Then & now: 2001-2010 38
2
ULP – building a better SVG
he Unity Labour Party was elected course, the ongoing construction of
T to office in 2001 after a landslide
12-3 victory at the polls. In 2005,
the people of Saint Vincent and the
the Argyle International Airport.
Under the ULP government, 10,000
jobs have been created; the national
Grenadines expressed continuing con- wealth has almost doubled; poverty has
fidence in the leadership and vision of been reduced significantly; indigence has
the ULP, renewing the party’s mandate practically been wiped out; average per-
with a similar majority. sonal incomes have risen, taking SVG
As our great nation approaches from the bottom of the independent
another election contest, no right- OECS countries to #3; and our finances
thinking Vincentian can deny the are the best managed in the OECS.
tremendous progress that we have This small booklet contains just a
enjoyed under the ULP administration. tiny sample of the over 230 major
In a mere 10 years, the signs of projects completed and in-progress by
progress and development are every- the ULP administration. This sample is
where: Fisheries projects in Owia; a sufficient, we believe, to demonstrate
Jetport in Canouan; the Education the ULP’s record, vision and commit-
Revolution sweeping the nation; A ment to the people of SVG.
new prison in Belle Isle; Low Income This election, we nah turn back!
Housing developments nationwide; Look at what we have done in 10 short
the historic Rabacca Bridge; and, of years! Vote ULP again!
Straker Resource Centre in Layou: Built by the ULP Government
The New National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Building in Kingstown: Built by the ULP Government
“Fellow Vincentians, our country is a blessed one.
We are a small nation but a great people. The
burdensome challenges before us cannot be
wished away; our large possibilities cannot be
realised by mere wishful thinking. Hard, smart
work is required.There must be no let up on our
individual and collective endeavours to progress”
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves
Prime Minister of St.Vincent and the Grenadines and Political Leader of the ULP
South Rivers Primary School (Above) & Troumaca Early Childhood Education Centre (Below)
5
the education revolution
hen the ULP came to office in lars to the University of the West Indies.
W 2001, education was in a dis-
mal state. Even the previous
administration admitted that “educa-
The ULP administration moved
swiftly into action, making education a
priority, and setting forth a sound
tion was in crisis” under its leadership! vision and plan for progress. Today, we
And what a crisis it was. In 2001, have universal access to secondary
only 39% of eligible students were education. Over 400 primary school
being admitted to secondary school. teachers are university graduates.
Lack of opportunities for advance- Learning Resource Centers have been
ment meant that only 4 primary school built in almost every constituency.
teachers had university degrees. Early New schools have been built.
childhood education was inadequate. Hundreds of students receive scholar-
The national library had been sold, and ships, grants and government-backed
its books moved to a cramped ware- loans for tertiary education. And a
house. Very few students received National Library has been built that is
scholarships for tertiary education, and the envy of the Caribbean.
the government owed millions of dol- What a Government!!
Students at Bishops College Kingstown
gaining technical skills outside of the
traditional classroom environment
A new primary school at Fair Hall (Top); A new secondary school at Peter’s Hope (below, left); and a new secondary school at Edinboro (below, right). Just three of the new facilities built by the ULP administration.
“Education and health are thus not social luxuries or
appendages as in a colonial economy, which demanded
abundant unskilled labour, but vital production requisites
for the modern, competitive economy.”
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves
The state of the art Automotive Repair Training Centre at Arnos Vale: Built by the ULP Government
(Left) The New Secondary
School in Union Island,
including living quarters for
teachers: Built by the ULP
Governmentdid you know? The ULP administration has built 13 Learning Resource Centres nation- wide, three others are under construction, and four more are planned: Built: Sandy Bay, Chester Cottage, Colonarie, South Rivers, Evesham, Sans Souci (North Union), Biabou,Villa, Upper Cane Hall, Questelles, Layou, Fitz Hughes, and Union Island Under Construction: Lowmans (Leeward), Barrouallie, and Canouan (a Marine Learning Resource Centre) Planned: Troumaca, Central Kingstown (Lodge Village), Bequia and Langley Park
The National Library; YWCA Building; Technical Training Centre: All built by the ULP Government
did you know?
The ULP administration has established in 2009 nine State-owned
Early Childhood Education Centres, and plans to establish nine more:
Established: Owia Government School, Langley Park Government
School, Argyle Government School, Marriaqua Government
School, Cane End Government School, Troumaca Government
School, Kingstown, Bequia Anglican School, and Fair Hall
Government School
To be established: Sandy Bay Government School, Spring Village
Methodist School, Lowmans Windward Anglican School, Calliaqua
Anglican School, Colonarie Government School, Park Hill
Government School, Dickson Methodist School, Rose Hall
Government School, and Belair Government School11
the national library project
he National Library Project is one for the National Library. At the time,
T of the signature successes of the
ULP administration and the
Education Revolution.
the site was home to a dilapidated tech-
nical education facility and a crumbling
YWCA building.
In 2001, Saint Vincent and the The ULP administration relocated
Grenadines did not have a national and rebuilt both the Technical School
library. The previous administration and the YWCA, which now also
had sold the building which housed the includes a modern Early Childhood
library, and relocated the books to a Education Centre.
mouldy warehouse. It was an embar- With the help of Taiwan, we then
rassing state of affairs! went to work constructing a magnifi-
The ULP administration recognised cent National Library. The opposition
the importance of a national library to mocked our efforts, and questioned if
the educational, cultural and psycho- it would ever be built. Today, it is the
logical makeup of a civilised Vincent- grandest national library in the OECS,
ian people. We quickly went to work in which anchors an “Education Row”
erecting a monument to the Education that includes the Curriculum Develop-
Revolution that the entire country ment Unit, the National Archives, UWI
could be proud of! Extra-Mural Centre, and three schools.
Richmond Hill was chosen as the site What a Government!!
(Top, Left) The Curriculum Development Unit; (Top, Center) The National Archives and
Documentation Centre; (Top, Right) The New Intermediate High School; (Above) The
Information Technology Centre of Excellence at Diamond: All built by the ULP Government12
the rabacca bridge
hey said it was impossible: To build explained that it would never work.
T a bridge across the deadly and
destructive Rabacca Dry River. To
make travel across the gorge safe and
But the ULP dared to dream for the
people of North Windward, and today,
the Bridge stands as testament to the
routine. To reconnect the people north ULP administration’s care for the peo-
of the Dry River to the mainland. ple of rural SVG.
The ULP made it happen! Ten short years ago, people were
With a vision, leadership and a cre- swept to their death by the unexpected
ative, can-do spirit, the ULP adminis- surges of water when the river “come
tration devised a plan to build an down.” Today, such incidents are,
affordable bridge to span the Rabacca thankfully, a thing of the past.
Dry River. How many lives have been saved by
The opposition mocked the idea. the construction of this Bridge?
They openly hoped for it to fail. They What a Government!!
The Yurumein Taiwan Bridge over the Rabacca River:Built by the ULP Government
Low Income Homes in Peter’s Hope, Fitz Hughes and Byrea: All built by the ULP Government
did you know?
The ULP administration has built almost 650 Low-Income and
“No-Income” homes in the following communities:
Brighton Green Hill
Byrea Langley Park
Clare Valley Ottley Hall
Colonarie Peter’s Hope
Diamond Petit Bordel
Fitz Hughes Sans Souci15
affordable housing for all
any administrations have made income and “no-income” homes for
M promises of affordable housing
to Vincentians. Before the ULP
government, none delivered on those
Vincentians, with housing develop-
ments in Fitz Hughes, Petit Bordel,
Peter’s Hope, Clare Valley, Green Hill,
promises as we have done. Ottley Hall, Brighton, Diamond, Sans
Under the previous administration, Souci, Colonarie, Byera, and Langley
the only attempt at developing a hous- Park.
ing policy for Vincentians was the In addition to these ongoing housing
failed “Colonial Homes” debacle, in developments, the ULP administration
which foreign investors ripped-off the has also pioneered specially-designed
government without completing a sin- “100% mortgages” at the State-owned
gle housing project. National Commercial Bank. These
The ULP administration has suc- 100% mortgages bring home-owner-
ceeded where the previous government ship within reach of civil servants who
failed. In 10 short years, we have con- are first-time home buyers.
structed over 650 high quality low- What a Government!!
Low Income Homes in Sans Souci (Left) and Diamond (Right): Built by the ULP Government16
tourism development
aint Vincent and the Grenadines invest wisely or sufficiently in develop-
S is the most beautiful and diverse
country in the Caribbean. We are
blessed with beautiful black and white
ing our tourism product. Our air and
sea ports were inadequate. There were
few major hotels on mainland Saint
sand beaches. We have lush mountains Vincent. And there was little invest-
and an awe-inspiring volcano. We have ment in infrastructure or legislation to
crystal-clear fishing, sailing and diving boost tourism nationwide.
waters. We have waterfalls and rivers. The previous administration also had
We have a rich cultural heritage. We no credible plan to build an interna-
have unique animal and plant life. And, tional airport in SVG, which is critical
most of all, we have a warm and friend- to our future tourism development.
ly people. Today, all of that has changed. The
We are, in short, uniquely positioned ULP administration has invested heav-
to harness our tourism potential as an ily in tourism infrastructure, legislation
engine for national development. and promotions. Our plan for tourism
The previous administration did not will benefit the entire nation!
New Tourism Sites at Rawacou (left) and Belmont (right): Built by the ULP Governmentdid you know?
The ULP administration has built and/or upgraded 14 tourism sites
across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.These sites are:
Rawacou Recreation Park, Rawacou
Layou Petroglyph Park, Layou
Wallilabou Heritage Park, Wallilabou
Dark View Falls, Chateaubelair
Cumberland Beach Recreation Park, Cumberland
Vermont Nature Trail,Vermont
Black Point Heritage and Recreation Park, Black Point
Owia Salt Pond Recreation Park, Owia
Cumberland Trail, Cumberland
Belmont Lookout, Belmont
Youroumei Cultural Village, Orange Hill
Falls of Baleine, Windsor Forest
Botanic Gardens, Montrose
Soufriere Cross Country Trail, Soufriere MountainsThe first LIAT lands at the the new Canouan jetport and the Luxury Resort at Canouan
LIAT + jetport = Canouan development
he photos above show three results tion wanted LIAT to fail. If it did, we
T of ULP policy: Continued LIAT
service; a jetport at Canouan; and
the survival of Canouan’s luxury resort.
would have no airline serving SVG
today!
The ULP administration built a jet-
It was the ULP administration’s deci- port in Canouan to accommodate
sion to invest money in LIAT that LIAT and flights from Miami. Because
allowed it to survive its competition of expanded air access, the Canouan
against Allan Stanford’s predatory resorts managed to stay open during the
Caribbean Star Airlines. The opposi- financial crisis. What a Government!!Buccament
Bay Resort
he Buccament Bay
T Resort is the second-
largest employer of
Vincentians on the main-
land of SVG, with over
1,000 persons working on
building the high-rise hotel
rooms and luxury villas.
However, according to
the opposition, it does not
exist! They have called
Buccament Bay Resorts a
“phantom project!”
Do the photographs to
your left look like a phan-
tom project? Or do they
look like evidence of the
ULP’s visionary develop-
ment of tourism in SVG?
What a Government!!
The ULP administration has slashed
taxes on hoteliers by half, reducing the
top rate from 40% to 20%. Another
element of the government’s policy to
boost tourism development in SVGf you had to choose one issue that credible position on the Argyle
I perfectly highlights the differences
between the ULP administration
and the opposition, this would be it:
International Airport. Do they support
it? It depends on who you ask. Will
they continue it if they came to office?
The decision by the ULP to construct They do not know.
an international airport at Argyle. Just like the Rabacca Bridge, the
It demonstrates the ULP’s vision for opposition seems to be wishing the
development. Our ability to put plans project to fail. And just like the
into action. Our active foreign policy, Buccament Resort, the opposition
which gained us the necessary support would like to pretend that the airport is
to build the airport. Our confidence in not being built. In their latest party con-
the abilities of the Vincentian people. vention, the Leader of the Opposition
The Argyle International Airport will called the Argyle International Airport
be the single most important infra- a “phantom” project.
structural investment in the history of Are these photographs of a phan-
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. tom? Seeing is believing. Believe in the
The opposition has yet to enunciate a plans and policies of the ULP!Prisons, Police Stations and Technology: Bell Isle Correctional Facility (top).The Canouan Police Station; Biabou Police Station; Questelles Police Station; and Georgetown Police Station (under con- struction). Equipment in the state-of-the- art Forensic Laboratory: All built by the ULP government
23
safety, security & rehabilitation
n 10 short years, the ULP adminis- under the previous administration.
I tration has made tremendous strides
in enhancing the safety and security
of the people of SVG.
Almost half of all police personnel
have taken advantage of training and
educational opportunities made avail-
We have constructed a new correc- able through the government.
tional facility in Belle Isle. We have built But the ULP is more than prisons
new police stations in Canouan, Biabou, and police stations. We have pioneered
and Questelles. The new station in legislation to expunge minor infractions
Georgetown is almost complete. from criminal records after a period of
We have rebuilt stations at Owia, “good behaviour.” We have social ini-
Sandy Bay, Mesopotamia, and Rose tiatives like the successful “Pan Against
Hall. Every other station in the coun- Crime” programme. And our poverty
try has been repaired and refurbished. alleviation, education and social devel-
Today, someone entering the police opment policies steer more and more
service will earn twice as much as Vincentians away from a life of crime.
someone who entered the service What a Government!!
The ULP administration has recently
completed purchase agreements to
buy two P59 coast guard vessels (Top
left) and one P46 fast interceptor
(Top right) to bolster the Coast
Guard fleet and augment other
recent purchases (left)Roads in Argyle & the main road – part of the Windward Highway: Built by the ULP Government
25
quality roads & infrastructure
he ULP administration has built (which includes the Rabacca Bridge
T and re-built more miles of roads
annually than any government in
the history of Saint Vincent and the
and the Argyle Bypass Road) – The
best stretch of roadway in the entire
Eastern Caribbean.
Grenadines. Our Road Rebuilding/Rehabilita-
We have spent more money on roads tion Programme of main roads, sec-
annually than any other Government in ondary roads, village roads, and feeder
history. roads (including bridges and drains) is a
Quality roads play an increasingly success, and we have created BRAGSA
important role in the development of (the Building Roads and General
SVG. In 2001, there were only 7,000 Services Authority) to consolidate
motor vehicles on the road. Ten years those successes.
later, greater income has led to 25,000 We have also commenced the his-
active vehicles in our country. toric cross-country road, which will
More cars means more wear and tear connect the Windward and Leeward
on our road infrastructure. It also sides of Saint Vincent.
means that governments have to To protect our shores, we have built
devote more resources to making sure the beautiful Layou Sea Defence and
that our roads are safe and well- Boardwalk, as well as sea and river
designed. defences at Arnos Vale, Black Point,
Today, Saint Vincent and the Colonaire, Langley Park, and
Grenadines can boast its most compre- Mesopotamia.
hensive road network in history. We Roads, bridges, and defences – the
now have the Windward Highway ULP administration has it covered!
Layou Sea Defence and Boardwalk: Built by the ULP Government26
health & wellness
he health of a nation is the wealth health services. We have established a
T of a nation. The ULP administra-
tion firmly believes that maxim.
In the 10 years that it has been in
National Health Policy, an HIV/AIDS
strategy and work plan, a “Lives to
Live” Project for the physically and
office, the ULP has invested heavily in mentally challenged, and the School
modernising and expanding the Feeding and Nutritional Programme –
decrepit and neglected health care sys- all part of our multifaceted Wellness
tem that it inherited from the previous Revolution.
government. With the help of Cuba, our “Vision
The ULP administration has restored Now!” programme has treated thou-
and upgraded the old administrative sands of Vincentians in need of eye
wing of the Milton Cato Memorial care, and a modern diagnostic Centre
Hospital, which we plan to relocate. We at Georgetown is scheduled to open
have built modern and well-equipped this year.
clinics nationwide, to decentralise What a Government!!
A crucial part of the Wellness Revolution is improving the quality of care to
elderly Vincentians. The ULP administration has built Golden Age Activity
Centres at Black Point (left) and Cane Grove (right).
We have also established the Home-Help for the Elderly Programme, which
provides quality care and companionship to elderly Vincentians in their
homes.(Top) The Modern Medical Diagnostic Centre being built at Georgetown by the ULP government.
(Below left) Some of the many Vincentians employed on the project; (Centre) Artist’s concept of the
entrance of the Medical Diagnostic Centre; (Right) The entrance to the Centre under construction
did you know?
The ULP administration is constructing a Modern Medical Diagnostic
Centre in Georgetown. Scheduled to open at the end of this year, the
Modern Medical Diagnostic Centre will revolutionise health care in
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with services such as:
Full-featured kidney dialysis programme with 10 “artificial
kidneys” for dialysis
Full-featured Emergency Room
Fully-equipped Operating Theater
X-ray and Ultrasound equipment
Clinical Laboratory
Electrocardiogram
Clinical Ophthalmology equipment
Analytical Ultra Micro System
Endoscopies
Intensive Therapy
Full diagnostic services and primary medical careStubbs Poly-Clinic, Greiggs Clinic and Biabou Clinic: All Built by the ULP Government
did you know?
The ULP administration has built, repaired and/or renovated 25 clinics
nationwide, to ensure the delivery of quality health care to all
Vincentians. We have:
Built a modern, well-equipped Polyclinic at Stubbs with an
enlarged range of services available twenty four hours per day
Built three modern, well-equipped clinics at:
Greggs, Biabou, and Retreat
Repaired and renovated 21 clinics nationwide, including pharma-
cies, at: Canouan, Biabou, Greggs, Retreat, Richland Park, Lowmans
Windward, Evesham (currently being constructed), Barrouallie,
Layou, Georgetown, Mesopotamia, Belair, Union Island, Stubbs
(currently being upgraded), Sandy Bay, Owia, Byera, Calliaqua,
Colonarie, Park Hill and DiamondWindward Water Project, Diamond Liquid Waste & Belle Isle Solid Waste: Built by the ULP Gov’t
water & waste management
he ULP administrations has made Programme are also successes of the
T tremendous strides in expanding
and protecting our water supply.
Over 95% of Vincentians now have
ULP administration.
We have also revolutionised waste
management in SVG! We have built a
pipe-borne water. Our massive $23 mil- land fill at Bell Isle for solid waste dis-
lion Windward Water Project at posal, extended weekly garbage collec-
Jennings Valley helped to save tion across mainland St. Vincent, and
Vincentians from the worst impacts of radically improved garbage collection at
the terrible drought that recently affect- Union Island, Canouan and Bequia.
ed the region. The Grenadines Solid Waste Project
The Dallaway Water Project and the and Bequia desalination programmes
Community Water Connection are ongoing. What a Government!!“The future for all children and young persons is
brighter than ever as the Education Revolution
ensures that they soar as eagles, with wings
unclipped, to the best of their abilities.”
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves
Prime Minister of St.Vincent and the Grenadines and Political Leader of the ULP31
youth, sports & culture
he ULP administration has invest- The provision of special micro-
T ed more heavily in the areas of
youth, sports and culture than any
government in the history of Saint
enterprise loans through the National
Commercial Bank has helped young
entrepreneurs start and expand their
Vincent and the Grenadines! small businesses.
The welfare of the youth of SVG, Sports have been revolutionised by
and the opportunities available to our the ULP administration. Sports facili-
young people, has been central to the ties have been built, expanded and
vision and policy of the ULP govern- rehabilitated nationwide, and our
ment from its first day in office. We are National Policy on Sports places sports
proud of our record of achievements and athletics in the forefront of our
for the youth of SVG! development plans.
The Education Revolution, which The ULP administration also quickly
brings the opportunity for educational elaborated a National Cultural Devel-
advancement to every young person of opment Policy, and inagurated new cul-
secondary school age, is a youth policy. tural festivals, remembrances and events.
We have sourced university scholar- The restoration and refurbishment
ships from Austria, Cuba, the Domini- of the Peace Memorial Hall as one of
can Republic, Malaysia, Mexico, SVG’s premiere cultural arts spaces
Taiwan, Turkey, Venezuela, and many was achieved with the ULP.
other countries. We have also increased Our Carnival and Nine Mornings cel-
the number of National Scholarships ebrations are bigger, better and safer
and Bursaries, and vastly increased the than ever before, thanks to shrewd gov-
loans and grants available to needy stu- ernment leadership and investments,
dents to ensure that young people have active engagement of the private sector,
affordable access to tertiary education. and the blossoming talents and energy
The creation of the successful Youth of our youth and creative community.
Empowerment Service (YES) Progra- We have recognised the importance
mme, is a youth development policy. of historical preservation and reclama-
The creation of at least 10,000 new tion, with investments in the Layou
jobs since 2001 has primarily benefitted Petroglyph Park, the excavation of
young Vincentians. ancient artifacts from the construction
The Children Against Poverty site of the Argyle International
Programme and the National Policy on Airport, and the compilation of local
Youth Development have guided gov- recipies, songs and folklore .
ernment policy for the Youth. What a Government!!Arnos Vale Sports Complex, Biabou Hard Court, & flood lights at Victoria Park: Built by the ULP
did you know?
The ULP administration’s commitment to sports and culture is visible
all over SVG.Take a look at some of our accomplishments and future
plans:
Renovated Victoria Park and installed floodlights for night games
Rebuilt, extended and modernised the Arnos Vale Cricket Facility
at a cost of $54 million
Rebuilt and renovated playing fields at Arnos Vale, Sion Hill and
Stubbs for World Cup Cricket 2007
Built two additional tennis courts at the Villa Tennis Centre
Renovated and rebuilt the Chili Playing Field
Rebuilt, renovated or resurfaced sporting facilities nationwide
related to cricket, football, netball, basketball and tennis
Planned or in-progress projects:The National Stadium;The
Performing Centre/Lecture Theatre (design stage);The Mas Tent
Facility in East Kingstown; the completion of playing fields at Park
Hill, South Rivers, Mt. Grennan, Cumberland and PennistonRenovated Peace Memorial Hall, carvings at Layou Petroglyph Park, & a bigger, better Carnival
“The vision of a further ennoblement of our Caribbean
civilization and its national components in a way which
provides for an appropriate historical reclamation,
cultural authenticity, a commitment to tried and tested
ennobling values rooted in our Caribbean experience, a
mature dignity, a sense of self-mastery which asserts,
not in theory but in practice, that we are no better than
anyone else, but no one is better than we are.”
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves
Prime Minister of St.Vincent and the Grenadines and Political Leader of the ULP34
agriculture & fisheries
nce upon a time, the agricultural Food Security Plan. We have also
O policy of Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines could be summed up
with one word: Bananas. Today, with
implemented the Livestock Develop-
ment and Banana Rehabilitation
Projects. A National Fisheries Strategy
the erosion of preferential access to the has also been produced, as well as land
British market, we have been forced to management policies.
diversify around bananas. Our multi-million dollar investments
The ULP administration recognises in fisheries, arrowroot, cassava, and
the important role that agriculture plays coconuts are visible nationwide. So too
in the lives and culture of Vincentians, is our development of hatcheries, a
and we value its critical contributions to stud centre for livestock, and the
our economy, development and food implementation of legislation to tackle
security. praedial larceny.
The ULP administration has We have also subsidised farmers’
approached agriculture seriously and inputs and assured market access
systematically. We have developed an through Food City ad rural communi-
Agricultural Production Plan, including ty markets. What a Government!!
Animals & equipment at the Poultry Hatchery Centre & Rabbitry & Stud Centre in DumbartonOwia Fisheries, Lauders Packaging, & Orange Hill Arrowroot facilities: Built by the ULP Gov’t
did you know?
The ULP administration has invested heavily in diversifying agriculture
and enhancing fisheries with a number of major projects, including:
Built a modern, multi-million dollar Fisheries Complex at Owia
Renovated and modernised the Arrowroot Factory at Owia
Built a Cassava Factory at Rabacca
Built a Coconut Water Bottling Plant at Congo Valley
Built and operationalised a Vacuum Packaging Plant for Root
Crops at Lauders
Built a Chicken Hatchery at Dumbarton
Built the Agricultural Training Institute at Rabacca
Rebuilt, extended and modernised the Kingstown Fish Market
Renovated, extended, and modernised the Bequia Fisheries Centre
Building Rural Community Markets nationwide
Subsidised agricultural inputs, including fertilizer, for farmers
Passed legislation on Praedial Larceny, and hired rural constablesMayreau power plant, Union Island LRC, Bequia Primary School and Canouan Police Station did you know? The ULP administration is committed to the development of the Grenadines, with a number of infrastructure and policy accomplishments, including: The Grenadines Solid Waste Project Established the Grenadines Directorate The planned Bequia Learning Resource Centre Established an ultra-modern Primary School at Bequia Established an Early Childhood Education Centre at Bequia Anglican School Renovated, extended, and modernised the Bequia Fisheries Centre Renovated and upgraded the JF Mitchell Airport at Bequia Upgraded the Union Island Airport and resurfaced the runway Improved the Union Island water catchment facilities The Union Island beautification project Built the state-of-the-art Union Island Secondary School Repaired and renovated the Union Island Clinic Built the Union Island Learning Resource Centre Building the Canouan Learning Resource Centre (a Marine LRC) Repaired and renovated the Canouan Clinic Built a modern police station on Canouan Built the $54million Canouan Jetport Built the Canouan administration building Built the new Mayreau Jetty Built a VINLEC power plant on Mayreau Vastly improved garbage collection and disposal in the Grenadines Built and refurbished roads and sporting facilities across the Grenadines Improved functioning of the Tobago Cays Marine Park Authority Passed Isle de Quatre legislation Vastly improved Coast Guard service in the Grenadines
More pictures of progress: (Top Row) Agency for Public Information HQ; Reigate Office Complex. (2nd Row) New crane at the Camden Park Container Port; National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) HQ. (3rd Row) Kingstown Ferry Terminal; School for Children with Special Needs at Georgetown. (Left) the PetroCaribe LPG (cooking gas) bottling plant: All Built by the ULP Government
38
then & now: 10 years of progress
he past decade has seen such rapid Hopefully, these pages can remind you
T development for SVG that it may
be easy to forget how far we have
traveled in such a short time.
of the progress achieved with the ULP,
as well as the dismal record of the previ-
ous government. We nah turn back!
THEN (2001) NOW (2010)
% of students in secondary school 39% 100%
Number of low income homes built 0 650
% of people classified as indigent poor 26% 3%
Number of primary school teaches with
university degree 4 400
Number of new schools built 4 (in 17 yrs) 11 (in 10 yrs)
Number of police stations built/rebuilt 1(in 17 yrs) 8 (in 10 yrs)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) $1.1 billion $2 billion
Per Capita GDP $10,000 $19,000
Average monthly amount paid in
public assistance (“poor relief ”) $50 $175
Number of motor vehicles on the road 7,000 25,000
Number of active cell phones 4,000 115,000
Number of learning resource centres 0 13
Rabacca Bridge? No YES!
Canouan Jetport? No YES!
National Library? No YES!
Bell Isle Correctional Facility? No YES!
Owia Fisheries Centre? No YES!
Buccament Bay Resort under construction? No YES!
Argyle International Airport under construction? No YES!the bad old days...
When the ULP administration was elected in 2001, it had to confront
the massive mismanagement, poor governance and directionless leader-
ship of the previous government.This is a sampling of the mess we met:
An unemployment rate of 40%
A poverty rate of 37%, and the worst poverty in the
Caribbean outside of Haiti
Only 39% of children who left primary school had a chance to
attend secondary school
An Illiteracy rate of 20%
$2 million owed by the heath care system to the suppliers of
medicines and pharmaceuticals
$8 million in arrears to the University of the West Indies
Remember the Istranka?
Do you remember the Istranka?
The opposition would hope that
you forget.This rusting, decrepit,
unseaworthy vessel took the
previous government for a $200
million boat ride!
An Italian man named Aldo
Rolla tricked the previous gov-
ernment into valuing the Istranka Ottley Hall Marina!
for a whopping US $18 million, When the dust cleared, the previous gov-
even though the insurers, Lloyds ernment owed nearly $180 million to build
of London, had refused to insure a marina that was only worth $16 million!
that vessel any more because it It took the ULP administration to negoti-
was not seaworthy! ate massive debt relief with the Italian cred-
This piece of junk then itors, saving SVG $165 million and rescuing
became the basis to borrow us from the disastrous mistakes of the pre-
US$50 million to build the vious administration.What a Government!!Then... NOW!!
(2001) (2010)
2001:The Park Hill Tunnel – barely 2010:The Park Hill Tunnel – wider,
passable, low, narrow and unsafe taller, resurfaced and safer
2001:The Byera Tunnel – narrow, 2010:The Byera Tunnel – widened,
unsafe and structurally unsound resurfaced and reinforced
2001:The Layou waterfront – low- 2010:The Layou Waterfront and
lying, prone to coastal flooding, lit- Board walk – modern coastal protec-
tered, dangerous tion, with a clean, safe promenadeThen... NOW!!
(2001) (2010)
2001: Street vendors in Pauls Avenue 2010:The George McIntosh
– unsightly, haphazard, dangerous to Community Market – clean, safe,
motorists, pedestrians and students attractive, organised and welcoming
2001:The Biabou “Public Library” – a 2010:The South Windward Learning
cramped, uncomfortable, with no books, Resource Centre at Biabou – modern,
no equipment, & little public access well-equipped, open to the public
Vote ULP for progress, prosperity
and development.
ULP: Building a Better SVGYou can also read
