Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell is confident that Grenada\u2019s 2022 Budget will bring significant relief to a wide cross-section of the population.<\/p>\n
In presenting the budgetary measures last Friday, Finance Minister, Honourable Gregory Bowen outlined key initiatives including the lowering of electricity costs for domestic usage of up to 500 kilowatt hours, through a reduction in non-fuel charges and the removal of VAT and the Environmental Levy; a $15 cap on the price of gasoline; VAT exemption for five additional food items; an increase of $150 for all households benefitting from the SEED programme; and additional pay for public officers during December, in recognition of the extra sacrifices made necessary by the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Reacting to the budget on Wednesday, Dr. Mitchell said it was presented in a very unique context, characterised by the harsh economic reality brought about by the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mitchell said, \u201cWhen presenting a budget, particularly in the context of a pandemic where everyone has suffered, there are some critical questions that must be deep in your thoughts. Where is the country? Where are my people? Who am I serving? What are my responsibilities? How will the budget affect them?\u201d<\/p>\n
The Parliamentary Representative for St. George North-West said the impact of the pandemic means that the marginalised and the poor must be given special attention and Government must honour its obligation to do so.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mitchell noted that the budgetary measures reflect Government\u2019s love for people.<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cThe Minister of Finance showed that he understood the pain of the people and he empathised with what is taking place in the country.<\/p>\n
As such, he came up with a number of solutions and ideas to deal with that pain. We cannot be all things to all people, but I don\u2019t think there is anyone who can honestly say that the initiatives outlined by the Minister of Finance do not offer some form of relief to them.<\/p>\n
The greater good for the greater number Mr. Speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister indicated that a priority area for Government is empowerment, particularly for young people, arming them with the ability to take care of themselves.<\/p>\n
Here he referenced the many skills training initiatives spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth Development and the $10 million allocation to facilitate soft loans to the small business sector.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mitchell said, \u201cWe don\u2019t focus on giving a man a fish, we prefer to teach him to fish.<\/p>\n
The role of Government is to create an enabling environment for people to take risks, to capitalise on opportunities and to be able to provide for themselves.<\/p>\n
The true measure of our success could very well be determined by the amount of people who
\nno longer need a helping hand because we have empowered them.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cThe track record of this Government speaks for itself. We are a Government of the working class, the poor and the less fortunate.<\/p>\n
What motivates me is the ability to make a difference in the lives of people.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his contribution to the debate which lasted more than two hours, the Prime Minister also highlighted a number of other areas in which the Government continues to demonstrate that it has the best interests of the people at heart.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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