‘Big Ticket’ projects and the small people

Only those who WILL NOT see or REFUSE to hear, would attempt to deny that development is taking place in this country. On the other hand, especially in the persons of Prime Minister Gonsalves and his Finance

Minister, continue to insist in their choice of local vernacular, that “plenty ah gwon”. Every week we are bombarded by Ministers of government on the virtues of some project, emphasizing the $$millions involved, and not shy of giving us in US dollars too.

But there is a third aspect to this, and it seems to be gaining currency, at least in some quarters. Government propaganda is curiously helping in this too, in that it raises expectations, often unrealistically. For instance, I have heard motorists complaining that the government is boasting about the many millions allocated for road projects in 2024 but yet there are numerous potholes in the road. It is as though one expects that these would disappear overnight with the mention of the $$ millions.

But overall, one keeps hearing that though the government has so many projects, these are not impacting on the “small man”. Even surveys conducted by media people bring out some of this. It is to be noted that many of the interviews have been conducted in Kingstown, which seems to have long been abandoned in a political sense, by the very government. But is this view, that “nothing ain’t happening for the small people” an accurate picture of the situation? And if not, what is responsible for this opinion?

In a sense this reminds me of the situation during the construction of Argyle International airport. Ignoring not just the significance of that project to overall national development, and given some early challenges, a sense of frustration developed and prompted by those of little faith and no vision, conclusions were arrived at that Argyle would turn out to be a waste of time. Today’s reality is very different.

In fact, there are some who are attempting to use the Port project for the same reason, claiming that it is not necessary now and will not benefit poor people. It is all well and good to raise questions and criticisms about any project and above all to insist that not only is it relevant, but that in the implementation stage the day-to- day lives of workers and poor people be kept in mind.

In the case of the port project, if one is familiar not only with the ageing state of our current port, but also with the changing demands in the modern nature of transportation facilities, then one would not raise such questions. All over the world, in countries great and small, there is constant need for upgrading infrastructure if one is not to be left behind. Ports, and airports, in the modern world can easily become obsolete, failing to attract business without regular upgrade. You cannot wait until you reach that stage before acting.

So why the local complaints? It may well be in the implementation of projects, the implementers get so caught up in the so-called “magnificence” of it, that the impact on working people is often ignored. The inevitable dislocation of people results in many being discommoded in one form or another. The complaints may arise in a negative sense, but this does not invalidate them. Government bureaucracy itself is a problem, in all countries, but when a party is in power for a long time, it is easy for some officials, Ministers and all, to give short shrift to complaints, especially when they do not come from your favourites. Even when you do not agree, do not ignore them.

A lot of free riders get away in such circumstances and lead to frustration among people that their concerns are not getting a fair hearing. Party bodies cannot just be there to ensure re-election, they must be the ones taking up the cries of the “small people”. While the grass is growing it is vital that the horses do not starve, provision must be made for them to be nourished while the grand architecture is put in place. We have made colossal errors in failing to restore local government bodies and relying instead on party supporters and bureaucrats some of whom get too big for their boots.

Add to that the absence of an independently organized civil society and you are courting disaster. That is why the promise was made to reorganize the National Youth Council for instance, not to give full support to an independent process of reorganization. Where have we ended? With a Prime Ministerial “Advisory Council on Youth”, a far different animal.

These weaknesses cannot be ignored, and it is never too late to address them. Failing to do so would always result in even the best efforts of government not always being appreciated.

• Renwick Rose is a community activist and social commentator.