分类： politics

Prime Minister Godwin Friday has characterized his New Democratic Party (NDP) administration’s initial 100 days in office as “a wonderful experience,” citing significant progress on campaign promises and policy implementation. The NDP’s landslide victory on November 27, which ended the Unity Labour Party’s 25-year reign with a decisive 14-1 parliamentary majority, has ushered in a new era of governance for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In a recent appearance on Hot 97 FM alongside cabinet colleagues, Friday expressed satisfaction with his government’s ability to deliver on key pledges within the promised timeframe. “We said within 60 days we will do certain things to ease the cost-of-living crisis on the people in this country, and we did so,” the Prime Minister stated, emphasizing ongoing efforts to identify additional measures for public benefit.

The administration has implemented several cornerstone policies, including the reinstatement of public sector workers terminated under the previous government’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Friday described this as honoring both campaign commitments and principled positions, noting his government is “not mincing words with reinstating” and working with unions to ensure a smooth transition for affected individuals who “have been through hell.”

Economic measures have featured prominently in the government’s early actions. The December 19 VAT-free shopping day, which Friday characterized as “a serious measure to put money back in people’s pockets” rather than a gimmick, provided both consumer relief and business stimulation. The administration has also distributed approximately EC$22 million in tax-free bonuses to approximately 12,000 public servants, pensioners, and daily-paid workers as promised during election campaigning.

Looking forward, the government plans to reduce Value Added Tax from 16% to 13% later this year, a move Friday described as strategic rather than delayed, requiring proper implementation planning. Additionally, public assistance payments will increase to EC$500 monthly beginning in March, exceeding the EC$360 proposed by the previous administration.

Despite inheriting what some describe as a challenging fiscal situation with public debt at EC$3.5 billion (110.3% of GDP), Friday maintains a forward-looking perspective. His EC$1.9 billion budget presentation in February introduced no new taxes, focusing instead on efficient collection of existing revenues and creating economic opportunities through private sector development and foreign investment.

Camillo Gonsalves, former Member of Parliament for East St. George and ex-Finance Minister, has publicly expressed regret over his self-imposed prohibition against filing defamation lawsuits during his political career. The revelation came during his guest appearance on “Morning Comrade,” a program broadcast by the Unity Labour Party’s Star Radio, where he substituted for his father, Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves.

Gonsalves disclosed that before entering politics, he had committed in writing to never pursue legal action against individuals for defamatory statements, a principle rooted in his journalistic training and belief in press freedom. Having earned his first degree in journalism in the United States, he explained how educators “hammer into your head the freedom of the press and that you mustn’t have a chilling effect on people, on the freedom of expression.”

Despite maintaining this commitment throughout his tenure, Gonsalves acknowledged numerous instances of being defamed, stating: “Many times, I wish I hadn’t made that promise to myself, because I was defamed many, many, many times, and continue to be defamed.” He notably added, “Watch me, I ain’t in office now ah nuh. I go sue yo,” indicating a potential shift in his legal approach post-office.

The context for these remarks emerged from his criticism of the ruling New Democratic Party’s decision to withdraw state advertising from Star Radio, which has been operational since 2008. While expressing confidence in the station’s resilience, Gonsalves condemned the move as “grounded in spite” rather than fiscal responsibility, emphasizing that “you’re not going to balance the budget on the little $2 that you used to send to Star Radio.”

Gonsalves further articulated his philosophical stance on media ecosystems, advocating for diverse viewpoints to compete freely unless actors demonstrate malicious intent. During his broadcast, he reinforced his position by reading statements from hemispheric organizations that condemn using state advertising as punishment against government-critical media outlets.

In a landmark moment for institutional governance, the newly constituted board of the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) held its inaugural meeting on Thursday under the historic chairmanship of Luann Hadaway. This appointment marks the first time a woman has led the board since the authority’s establishment four decades ago in 1984.

Chairperson Hadaway, leveraging nearly forty years of expertise in banking and finance, articulated a powerful vision centered on restoring public trust and institutional integrity. She emphasized the profound responsibility bestowed upon the board to safeguard what she described as a vital public trust belonging collectively to the nation’s citizens, rather than any individual or political entity.

The composition of the new board reflects a deliberate emphasis on diverse professional competencies. Deputy Chair Bryan Alexander brings multifaceted experience as an entrepreneur, accountant, and musician. They are joined by Olson James (ACCA Certified Accountant specializing in financial reporting and auditing), Teressia Bruce (human resources and general management), Delisia Charles-Defreitas (business and project management), Sheena Child (administrative professional specializing in project coordination), and Esteban Hernandez (accounting and finance).

In her address, Hadaway acknowledged the contributions of former manager McGregory Sealey and the outgoing board while drawing a clear line under past practices. Without explicit accusation, she implicitly addressed historical concerns by stating the board would ensure management operates within “a strong framework of controls and ethical standards.” This appears responsive to previous allegations that the NLA had been utilized as a discretionary fund by the former Unity Labour Party government, which left office in November 2025.

The chairperson outlined a comprehensive governance framework built on four pillars: stringent financial oversight, responsible gaming practices, transparent communication, and absolute confidentiality regarding board deliberations. She notably framed the NLA’s mission as extending beyond mere revenue generation, defining success through “how responsibly those revenues are managed and how meaningfully they benefit national development.

The authority, operating under the Ministry of Finance, will continue its mandated support for sports and culture (approximately 80% of allocations) while maintaining its expanded role in education, healthcare, and community development (approximately 20%). Hadaway concluded by emphasizing that robust foundations in governance would ensure the institution’s longevity and public confidence, noting that “public confidence is fragile—earned slowly and lost quickly.”