BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, November 6th 2009 (PAM Secretariat) - Deputy Political Leader of the People’s Action Movement Eugene Hamilton said that should he be elected as the parliamentary representative for Constituency Eight he would not slow down on a number of plans he has for agriculture.
Hamilton noted that despite being in opposition he has already been working to secure a number of investors. He said that under a PAM administration significant investment would be pumped into the sector because of lack of investment and systems that was failed to be executed by the Labour administration.
Hamilton said it is evident from the lack of performance of the current Minister and Constituency representative, the Hon. Cedric Liburd, that he wants to see farmers and the agriculture sector neglected, but this would not happen once he is given an opportunity.
“We just have to look at what Minister Liburd has done over the years and let his record speak for him, as it is evident that it is as miserable as it can get and therefore the public should no longer place their trust in a man who continuously fails to deliver.
“We within the People’s Action Movement have always underscored the significant importance of agriculture and, therefore, if elected, I promise to not be distracted and I will not in any way slow down in securing investors while making the requisite investment as a government to farmers,” Hamilton said.
The PAM Constituency Eight candidate stressed that during the last elections he and the Leader of the party had pointed out to sugar workers the intentions of Minister Liburd and the Prime Minister, and after being convinced otherwise they voted for Liburd. He however declared that this time around he is confident that with another five years going by with neglect and failure, rather than investment and growth, the public would place their trust in him.
“I would like to reiterate the commitments that I made to you the farmers five years ago, as I return to humbly secure your tryst. Once again, I urge you to make note of those who are trying to obstruct and interfere with the plans that we as a party have for you should we be elected, as while we are in opposition we have been working on a number of initiatives and plans to implement,” Hamilton urged.
He said that under his ministry they would place significant focus on the execution of creating strategic programmes and farmers’ interest would always be a top priority, as a PAM government believes that agriculture is pivotally important to the sustsined growth and development of any nation.
Hamilton reminded farmers that in 2004 he was labeled a liar by Minister Liburd and the Prime Minister while a number of unfulfilled promises were again made. He however urged them to not make the mistake they made in 2004 by not electing him, while warning the farmers to not to be distracted by misleading information being peddled by Minister Liburd and the Prime Minister who have returned again to seek their votes.
He pointed out that the PAM was strongly criticized by the Government for being honest with the public in addressing a number of critically important sugar industry related issues back in 2004. He noted that some seven months after wild and baseless promises were made, the industry was closed by the same individuals who had vowed to not lay a finger on it.
“We within the People’s Action Movement believe that agriculture should play a major toile in the Federation’s development, and, with our Government, you are guaranteed a source of income as we seek to repair and correct the numerous mistakes made by the Labour administration,” he said.
Hamilton added that he and his party are aware of the efforts by the Government to discredit him, thus there have been evidence of them spreading erroneous information on that project to the public. “These persons,” Hamilton stressed, “have no interest in the workers’ welfare and their intention is to influence the voters to make the wrong move. I want to stress however, that the voters will not in the least be swayed by their devious statements intended to see the sector fail.”
The PAM Deputy Political Leader said that his party would remain on the workers’ side and he would not allow the false and mischievous statements being peddled against him to detract him from his primary objective of bringing about change, foremost to the people of Constituency Eight and ultimately St. Kitts and Nevis.
