King presents first term report card

Retired educator Curtis King has presented his first term report card as he seeks re-election as MP for West St. George.

“One, of the first things I did when I got into office was to make sure that Cabinet offered to the residents of Upper Queens Drive the lands that they have been living on, some of them for over 30 years, at a price of 50 cents … per square foot.”

King said at the Unity Labour Party (ULP) rally in Calliaqua on Sunday that his second project focused on the “spa” (mineral water spring) in Gomea.

“… that spa that we talked about forever and wanting to do something about it, the second thing I did was to deliver a project that moved the spa from a heritage site to a community integrated project with opportunities for small business.”

King said his whole life was spent in the classroom, adding that the ULP delivered a project at the West St. George Secondary School that built on the school’s efforts in agriculture.

“We introduced, by retrofitting classrooms, by getting the moneys to purchase the necessary equipment to put in place, a food preparation laboratory.”

The MP said this was important, adding, “We have to ensure that we provide our young people with the skills that are necessary as we expand our tourism product.

“But more than that, that lab will not only be catering for students, it will also be catering for young people and others who want to develop a skill.”

He said that for the ULP administration, education is about quality, access, and is lifelong.

The MP noted that the government is building an hospital in Arnos Vale, adding that it is within range of both East and West St. George.

“But we have not stopped there. As we speak, we have commenced a $3.7 million project in upgrading the Belair Health Clinic. I tell you, Labour is working for we,” King said, repeating the party’s campaign slogan.

King said he talks all the time about West St. George being one of the fastest growing constituencies in terms of population size and economic activities.

“And we have certain anchor projects that we have in place as we put in place the groundwork for the establishment of a city in that lower part of West St. George.

 He said that for years, everybody wanted the Arnos Vale Playing field lit.

“They couldn’t do it, but we went and we delivered it. Now you could go and sit down in Arnos Vale and watch cricket, football, or whatever.”

The playing field, which is located next to the former ET Joshua Airport, which was decommissioned in February 2017, was lit in June 2024 for the Cricket World Cup.

The ULP, like the New Democratic Party (NDP) administration before it, had said that the field could not be lit because of its proximity to the airport.

As regards upcoming projects for the constituency, King said that the government is preparing the Daphine Playing Field for lighting.

“We are also delivering, after a long while, the Dorsetshire Playing Field in West St. George,” the MP said.

“So, I could go on and on, the point I want to make …, is that leadership is duty to the next generation. It is not making deals for an election,” he said, repeating an expression he used throughout its speech.

“And this country has seen significant improvement under the Unity Labour Party, so much so that we have articulated now we have carried our vision higher.

“… We want to develop St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the level of a first world country in terms of the quality of life for our citizens. And believe me, with your help, we are going to do it,” King said.

“Let me tell you, you are not going to get there by promises. You’re going to get there by the leadership of this country that is intact right now, that has, over the years, delivered, and we’re going to deliver again,” King said.

He said that attending rallies at other campaign events is important.

“But the most important thing to do is to turn out and vote, and you can’t vote if you’re not registered, so go out and register and put your ‘x ‘next to the Unity Labour Party, put your ‘x’ next to the star,” he said.