St. George’s, March 14, 2010 – Former Grenada Prime Ministers George Brizan has offered himself as an advisor to current Finance Minister Nazim Burke.
Mr. Brizan, also a Minister of Finance and Agriculture, was a founding member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which was the governing party from 1990 – 1999.
During the period of governance, the NDC administration implemented what was known as a “home-grown structural adjustment’’ programme.
Speaking on the “Sunday with George Grant’’ show, which is broadcast on radio and the internet, Mr. Brizan touted his efforts in government, including his work with the European Union (EU), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World bank.
He said Grenada is now in need of “fundamental fiscal reform,’’ and he is willing to assist Finance Minister Burke, who is also Deputy Leader of the NDC.
“If the Minister of Finance is serious, what he would do is ask the advice of someone who sat in the chair and had the respect of the EU, the IMF and the World Bank,’’ Mr. Brizan said. “I would tell you because of what we did with this home-grown programme, the EU was committed to us succeeding and they provided considerable financial assistance..’’
The EU assistance included US$6.5 million that was used to fix the Eastern Main Road, said the former PM and secondary school teacher of history and economics.
Mr. Brizan, who was quizzed about frequent commentaries in the New Today newspaper attacking some government ministers, and seemingly advising NDC Leader and Prime Minister, Hon. Tillman Thomas, described one his sources of information as “informative and authoritative.’’
He said he does not consider himself as an advisor to Prime Minister Thomas, nor does he “sense’’ there is division in the present NDC government.
“I don’t have any information to tell me that there is division,’’ said Mr. Brizan. “There may be different views; that’s different to fundamental division.’’
He described the Prime Minister as “good for Granada,’’ saying he wants Mr. Thomas to succeed. Mr. Brizan added that he lacked confidence in some of the Prime Minister’s cabinet ministers. He refused to identify them or explain why he lacked confidence in them.
However, he promoted his own achievements and what he believed was the necessary qualification to be a political leader.
“I am a distinguished author,’’ he said, “not of one book or two books, but close to 20 books – published.’’ To be a leader, he suggested that one must have “an analytical brain, an analytical mind. I was trained in that by the Canadians many years ago. I would tell you, there are many journalists in Grenada but very few, maybe not more than one, with an analytical mind.’’
Mr. Brizan served four months as Prime Minister before losing in general elections in 1995. He resigned from active, frontline NDC politics in 1999 after the party suffered a second consecutive election defeat. The NDC failed to win any of the 15 seats contested in 1999.
Former Prime Minister Brizan was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2009 New Year Honours.
