The People versus the ULP Government — 16 Charges

This piece is an attempt at listing out some of what made for national discussion in the last five years, and what might happen when the ballot box presides over the case against the ULP government. All rise!

The charges, as we remember them, not necessarily in any specific order:

Charge 1 – Crime: Local media and an analysis report published by the police have put the count at about 462 murders from 2012-2024, with 54 in 2024 alone. Young Precious Williams was found in a sack at the side of the road, while hundreds of young men were cut down by bullets across the country. You, the people, have accused the government of not doing enough on this matter of crime. 

Charge 2 – Healthcare: You, the people, took issue with the authorities upon news of the death of 3-year-old Rayden Davis. From the unavailability of basic medication and supplies to the inconsistent availability of imaging equipment, you have accused the government of not doing enough for the health of the common man in SVG, while government officials get to fly out for treatment.

Charge 3 – John’s Shooting: The story of this incident took the country by storm and led to protest actions around Kingstown. Somehow, this man was shot in his own yard, apparently over something to do with protecting women. He ended up on charges in the magistrate’s court. You, the people, accused the authorities of a massive cover-up. 

Charge 4 – Vaccine Mandate: The decision of the government to require COVID vaccination for public sector workers to keep their jobs, shook the core of the country. This led to massive protests around Kingstown. Even janitors at schools were dismissed. Sanitation workers were categorised as “frontline workers” just so they were required to take the vaccine. All pensions accumulated over many years were suddenly lost. Families suddenly had no income. Some lost their homes as the mortgages went past due. Even to enter evacuation shelters, evacuees were threatened with forced vaccination. All this while the government appealed against a decision at the local courts, on a case brought by the trade unions. You, the people, have charged the government with being callous and cold-hearted towards the citizens.

Charge 5 – The Quarry: The people of a North Leeward village woke one day to find their agricultural plants and crops, worth thousands of dollars, being bulldozed. It turns out that the government had signed an agreement with a quarry developer without consulting the people. You, the people, have charged the government with being disrespectful in its actions towards the people. 

Charge 6 – Cjae Weekes: This story is another one that shook the country, where this young man died, allegedly after he was run over by a police vehicle. You, the people, were outraged and accused the authorities of a massive cover-up. 

Charge 7 – NIS and Pensions: Time and time again, the issue of the stability and abuse of NIS funds has come up for discussion. We have an investment in the Holiday Inn Express hotel. In June 2024, the contribution rates were increased, while the unions objected to a pension age increase from 65 to 67. You, the people, have accused the government of abusing NIS funds and jeopardising retirement benefits.

Charge 8 – “Sinking Port”: The issues surrounding this port project are numerous. In one of our previous pieces, we wondered if this project would become the ULP’s version of Ottley Hall. You, the people, have accused the government of spending unnecessarily on this project, while the existing port could have been rehabbed for much less. 

Charge 9 – National Debt and Borrowings: In the latest audit report of 2022, the amount of money the country owes to lenders was reported to be understated by over 37 million dollars. You the people, have accused the government of excessive borrowing, while you cannot see where the money is going.  

Charges 10-16 include roads, cost of living, unemployment, salaries, temporary schools, disaster recovery management and efficiency, and the arrest and charge of protesters citing an archaic law. 

Disaster recovery is included in the charges since you, the people, accused the government of political grandstanding by finding what might be close to $1 million to put on a political cricket “festival”, while people are still struggling to recover from disasters. 

You may have your own list of other charges. One thing for sure, this case (election) will be called. There will be a trial, and the ballot box will decide the fate of the ULP government. What, you the people, have on your side is an ace trump card in the form of an “X” on a ballot paper. 

You have the single opportunity to be judge, jury, and executioner. Obviously, that depends on who oversees securing and counting your votes. However, but this is by far the most powerful position you will be in for the next five years, with the ability to hire and fire a government. 

It won’t be long before we see what the judgment is. 

Observer

The opinions presented in this content belong to the author and may not necessarily reflect the perspectives or editorial stance of iWitness News. Opinion pieces can be submitted to [email protected].