Prime Minister Godwin Friday has warned his Cabinet against neglecting their constituents while focused on their ministerial responsibilities.
“Even as we are being sworn in as ministers of government, we must remember it all started for each of us by first being elected by the voters of our respective communities,” he said at the swearing-in of the Cabinet in Arnos Vale.
“They elected us, not as ministers, but as their representatives. We must never forget this, and if we do, we do so at our peril.”
Friday led the New Democratic Party (NDP) to a 14-1 victory at the polls on Nov. 27, ending the Unity Labour Party’s 25 years of governance in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“So, my colleagues, I remind you again, stay close to the people, be accessible, be attentive, be a friend before you are a minister.”
He thanked the people for the “immense trust” they have placed in the NDP’s team.
“I am honoured to serve as your prime minister. I am humbled by the trust you have placed in me. I know I am here to serve you. I beg you, don’t ever let me forget that,” said Friday, who was elected to a sixth term as MP for the Northern Grenadines.
“High office should not increase the distance between the people and those whom they have chosen to represent them. Rather, it should provide opportunity to affect more lives for the better.”
The prime minister said it is important that parliamentary representatives remain “close and connected to people, seeing their problems as our own, taking their hopes and expectations as our marching orders, making their priorities our priorities.
“If we do so, our country will be better for it. Our democracy will be strong and vibrant. It will not just be a five-year exercise, but will be continually renewed through our contact with the people and will be vibrant and responsive.”
Friday said there is “a new dawn” in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“There are so many possibilities ahead of us to provide jobs and good pay for our people, to build our communities and make them safe, to improve our health care infrastructure and services, to give our children a hopeful start in life and to look after the elderly and the vulnerable as if they were our own. Because, in truth, they are.”
He said the new administration was there to continue the work of government rather than to reinvent government.
“Where there are things that have been done and need to be completed, I will complete them. Where there are lessons from the past to be learned, we will learn them and put them into practice for the benefit of the people of this country,” the prime minister said.
“These things we can do by working together, by each being our brother’s keeper, our sister’s keeper, by placing faith in God to know that with prayers, all is possible, and we must never, never lose hope.”
He quoted Isaiah 40:31, which says those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.
“I was reminded last Sunday by my parish priest … that hope is not passive. It requires courage. It requires work. I know we have the courage for we are, after all, children of Chatoyer, and we are ready to do the work. So let’s get it done,” Friday said.
It has begun I told you. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves was able to uplift this nation to a very high level with a cabinet of 12 now we need 17. By the muddle of next year you all will be regretting what you did.
Was it wisdom to neglect an entire community because the ULP candidate received less votes there? What about those who voted for him? Abandoning an entire community for 25 years must have contributed to the turn. Even supporters would become frustrated if they have to walk in mud or buy shocks or whatever, and then some. Represent everyone. That’s wisdom. I agree with the prime minister. Be accessible to the people. This is now a democracy and it feels good. We are hopeful. Step by step we will rise out of the gutters of oppression. The air is already fresher.