Minister optimistic about Grenada – a “land of hope’’

ST GEORGE’S, December 26, 2011 – A senior member of the ruling National Democratic Congress administration has called for a refocusing and regrouping of the “the coalition of patriotic individuals and groups’’ that assisted the NDC in winning the July 2008 general elections.

NDC General Secretary Peter David, who is also Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, made the appeal in a reminder of what he has described as “the promise of July 2008.’’

“Delivering on the basic human needs and eradicating the scourge of poverty and unemployment were fundamental to the promise of July 2008; the promise that was embodied in the coalition of patriotic individuals and groups that joined the National Democratic Congress in bringing victory to the Party in the general elections of July 2008,’’ Mr. David said in a national address marking the celebration of Christmas.

 Grenada, said the MP for the Town of St. George, “remains a land of hope and I’m optimistic of a better tomorrow and of a better New Year, if we work co-operatively; and if we regroup, refocus and recommit to the ideals that were central to the promise of July 2008.’’

According to MP David, work will proceed “at full speed’’ on several projects in the Town of St. George in the New Year.

“These include the St. George Market Square and the rehabilitation of the Roy St. John Recreation Ground at Tanteen,’’ he said. “We are grateful to Government and people of Venezuela for funding both projects. The Venezuelans are also funding numerous other projects across the country.’’

Here’s the text of the 2011 Christmas Message delivered by MP Peter David, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture.

Fellow Grenadians, and in particular residents of the constituency of the Town of St. George, it is a pleasure and a delight to greet you and to wish you a Christmas filled with joy, peace, love and God’s richest blessings. I encourage one and all to use part of the Christmas holidays for introspection; to reflect not on our shortcomings or failings but on how we can improve on our individual, family and community lives. Despite the tough times we face – individually and as a Nation – there is much for which we ought to be thankful and there is plenty in which we can take pride.

For example, I remember vividly the pride of our Nation – the pride of Grenadians from coast to coast, in town and country, rich and poor – as Kirani James blazed the tracks in South Korea to be crowned the world’s 400-metre champion. A number of us recall important milestones such as births in the family and celebrated when our sons and daughters graduated from college and university and succeeded with distinction at Common Entrance and at CXC Examinations.

At the community level, I witnessed with great satisfaction as people in various villages – including the Town of St. George – volunteered their time and contributed in cash and in kind to various causes. They did so as we continued with the refurbishment and rehabilitation of the Old Trafford Playing Field, which is once again a premier venue for frequent competitive sporting activities. They did so when we embarked on community projects in places like Darbeau, River Road and Sans Souci; and when decided on preparing and presenting gift baskets and meals to senior citizens during the observance of the Month of the Elderly in October.

There are some groups, with little or no resources, which have played a critical role in these efforts. Among them are the Organisation for Community Enrichment, the Carenage Organisation for Recreation and Entertainment, and the River Road/Darbeau Community Development Organisation. I say thank you on behalf of all those who have benefitted from your work.

I am pleased that this Christmas, like Christmases of the past, has seen an intensification of donor contributions from Grenadian at home and abroad. These donations have enabled us to host children’s Christmas parties in different communities and to distribute dozens of hampers to families. In meeting with young people and adults at these parties and other Christmas-related events, I have listened attentively to your concerns and suggestions. They serve as a reminder of my solid commitment to you, the resident of the Town of St. George in particular, and the Grenadian people in general; that my first and most sacred duty for seeking your vote and getting involved in politics has been, and always will be, fighting for the marginalized, empowering them and ensuring that no one is lacking; ensuring that no one is left wanting in the most basic needs – food, clothing and shelter; and that through education and training, every national of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique has the skills and capabilities to find employment or to be self-employed.

Delivering on the basic human needs and eradicating the scourge of poverty and unemployment were fundamental to the promise of July 2008; the promise that was embodied in the coalition of patriotic individuals and groups that joined the National Democratic Congress in bringing victory to the Party in the general elections of July 2008. Grenada remains a land of hope and I’m optimistic of a better tomorrow and of a better New Year, if we work co-operatively; and if we regroup, refocus and recommit to the ideals that were central to the promise of July 2008.

As well, the love, care, kindness and charity we show each other at Christmas must be practiced in January and through all the months of 2012. None of us will ever have all the material things we desire; but each of us must strive to live as comfortably as we possibly can.

With God’s grace, I will continue to do whatever I can do assist you as a Member of Parliament and as a servant of government in the role of Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture. It is part of my Christian value and one of the characteristics of Christ – whom we honour at Christmas – that we help those who are least able to help themselves; that we be our brother’s keeper and a Good Samaritan at all times. We must make a special effort to reach out to the most vulnerable, especially the unemployed, the very young and the elderly.

I know how much it means when someone reaches out to you in a moment of need. I know because many of you, over this past year, reached out to me in my moments of need. Your phone calls, text messages and personal visits, offering words of encouragement, mean so very much to me. Thank you. The prayers of many others have also strengthened me. Please continue to remember my family and me in your prayers.

I would need your prayers and support as I shoulder my governmental and parliamentary responsibilities. For 2012, the people of the Town of St. George can look forward to work proceeding at full speed on a number of important projects. These include the St. George Market Square and the rehabilitation of the Roy St. John Recreation Ground at Tanteen. We are grateful to Government and people of Venezuela for funding both projects. The Venezuelans are also funding numerous other projects across the country.

We also will be completing and opening the community centre in Queen’s Park; installing more facilities at Old Trafford; moving families into new Chinese-built homes at Mt. Gay; building more important by-roads in communities that improve safety for pedestrians and also provide employment for residents; and will intensify our efforts at getting a community centre for Melville Street and naming it after the late popular broadcaster, Anthony Jericho Greenidge.

I want to offer special thanks to the hundreds of people from the Town of St. George that have volunteered and assisted me in one way or another, including members of the NDC Constituency Group. I also express my gratitude to all the many others from the Parish St. George, as well Grenadians across the nation and in the Diaspora, who have supported me as an MP, a Minister of Government and the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress.

I also owe a debt of gratitude to the Permanent Secretary and the rest of the staff of the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture. The Ministry, and particularly the tourism sector, has a central role to play in the economic development of the country in 2012 and beyond. In this herculean task, the ministry and I will continue to work closely with the Board of Tourism, the Airlift Committee, hoteliers, taxi operators and other tourism stakeholders. Just over a month ago, we unveiled a strategic plan for moving tourism to another level. It is up to each of us to play our part in the implementation of the plan to the benefit of the Grenadian people.

Brothers and Sisters, please do have a Christ-filled Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year, 2012. Let’s unite and work together; let’s keep faith in God who has promised that he will not fail us or forsake us.

Thank you and May God bless each and every one of you now and forever more!