St. Vincent and the Grenadines will benefit from some generous donations and handouts from Japan in the coming weeks, as the Prine Minister stated in a media update on his recent State Visit to that country. Finally, Little Tokyo will have a facelift and enhance the environment in the Capital Kingstown City. That will leave the historic Central Police Headquarters for a complete overall and upgrade to compliment the Financial Complex which houses the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance among other “key” Government Departments.

The Ministry of Health and the Environment will also receive some needed equipment and one can only hope that there are improvements in the delivery of healthcare throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This with a shipment of supplies collected in Brooklyn, New York from the Vincentians in the diaspora. These are concerned citizens that are hard working and are helping the less fortunate. I will hope that there is proper security to avoid the items ending up in other people’s possession. It is a shame for hardworking people to hear about the larceny of items sacrificed to assist the country they love so much. I support every effort made by the Government and citizens alike for seeking assistance from countries that can afford.

I do not share the views of some that cannot see any improvements in the country of our birth. Everything cannot be wrong but because of a great political divide along party lines. While no one is perfect, that left us with flaws or some imperfection that can be remedied in time. What SVG needs are a completely new “political blood”.  There is time for a new and full replacement of the old guards. We need to educate the people about the real issues that are affecting the country and the way forward.

On the other hand, if the current programs are working let us improve them and spread the wealth. The Government should promote homegrown business and that will regenerate interests in further development and create employment. All the Government has to do is to create the business climate with some incentives and I am sure the young business will catch on. The Argyle International Airport can create lots of indirect jobs and that can put a real dent in the unemployment figures.  If only we can set aside the politics and work to create the environment for the development of our future and our children.

Sir Godfrey Gregg