Member of Parliament, Jennifer Wade, during her National Budget debate presentation, strongly criticized the previous administration for neglecting the people of Region Five. She also spoke of the Government’s plan to improve citizens’ well-being.
Wade was heckled by several Opposition MPs, but did not hesitate to slam them for prematurely blaming the current Government for what they as government, failed to fix in 23 years.
“Let us come away from the ‘blame game’ and give us space to govern,” Wade told the House, noting that the Government inherited a mess and thus must be given time to resolve the issues.
Noting that Region Five is an agriculture based economy, Wade said the Region copuld be the backbone of the local economy. She said the former administration failed to develop the necessary infrastructure to support agriculture development in Region #5
Wade noted that the new Government inherited a ‘broke’ rice industry, and a sugar industry that is dependent on subventions. “It has not been easy for the new Government to deal with the mess it inherited from the last government,but we have made good strides”, she said.
Wade highlighted that farmers have been complaining of the high cost of seed paddy, fertilizers, labour, transportation and spare parts, and yet they receive low prices for paddy. She said that the Government will ensure that rice farmers are protected. “We will provide the very agricultural bank that the farmers want so badly,” said Wade.
“The multimillion dollar Skeldon Sugar Factory is ‘sucking’ the economy dry,” Wade stressed. She said that the Government will work to resolve the issues affecting the sugar industry.
According to Wade, the former administration had promised residents in a certain area in the region, to provide them with electricity. However, almost a decade has passed and persons are still using ‘flambeau lamps.’ She also spoke of the crime situation in the region, and how police officers have limited resources to carry out their duties.
The Government Member of Parliament noted that the APNU+AFC Government will formulate new strategies to ensure productivity and sustainability of the agriculture sector. “The new Government will take the industry forward,” she firmly said.
