St. George’s, March 14, 2012 – A senior government minister has called for the establishment of a mechanism that will bring together the nation’s “best brains’’ with a view to finding solutions to the country’s problems.
Tourism Minister Peter David told parliament Wednesday that an end must be brought to political tribalism and an effort made at reaching national consensus.
“The time might be right for us to establish a bi-partisan extra-parliamentary forum; a forum in which we seek to bring some of the best brains Grenada has available to sit and chart a path forward for our nation,’’ David said his contribution to the debate on the 2012 budget.
The “dire need for national solidarity and national consensus’’ is particularly important in Taiwan’s current attempt to seek repayment of a Grenada debt of about US$30 million, said David.
“The way the Taiwanese have sought to strangle our country by effectively declaring economic war on this proud and sovereign nation must appeal to the sense of Grenadianism in all of us,’’ said David.
“I have heard all the arguments and debating points about how this has come to be,’’ he added. “And if we are looking to play the blame came, there is enough of it to go around. But if this does not cause us to band together; to stand together and to find a solution together; then perhaps nothing will.’’
According to David, “we must stop pointing fingers and face this challenge with a rare breed of nationalism and a determination to defend the homeland from economic ruin. This is a Grenadian problem that requires a united Grenadian solution.’’
David, who is also Minister for Civil Aviation and Culture, said after the passage of the budget, steps should be taken to incorporate the concerns and criticisms leveled against it by government and opposition MPs during the debate.
“We ought not to shoot down the message because of a lack of camaraderie with the messenger,’’ said David, who is also General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress.
“A good suggestion is a good suggestion and this government, I strongly advise, must be open-minded in its management of criticisms going forward.’’
David, who has often been the target of attacks from his own party members, said he expect them to continue because of his appeal in the House of Representatives for national unity.
“There are those who relish the tribalization of this country and I expect to hear from them very soon. But that will not deter me,’’ he said. “I believe we can build a better Grenada; but it can’t be built on an infrastructure of tribalism.’’
At Wednesday’s sitting of parliament, David presented the report of Labour Minister Glynis Roberts.
Roberts, who has been caring for an ill family member at home, was overcome with emotion shortly after beginning her budget presentation on Tuesday.
She left the lower house and the day’s session was adjourned shortly afterwards by the speaker, George McGuire.
