BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - HON. MARCELLA LIBRUD has challenged the People's Action Movement to show their plans to assist in the reduction of the national debt, and they should cease criticising government's efforts if they could not do so.
She made the call while at a Government Town Hall Meeting Thursday evening (Nov. 1) at the Cayon Community Centre, which was held in an effort to enlighten residents of that area about the land-for-debt swap plans that has become a concern for many.
Liburd said there is no dispute over the fact that the national debt is indeed high and needs to be reduced in order for the country to move forward, but noted that while the government has been making strides to have it reduced, the opposition has done nothing positive.
"We have all agreed, whether outside of the political spectrum or whatever it is, that the national debt is too high; there is no dispute over that. And we all agree that the national debt should come down, there is no dispute about that. We had to find a way to bring down the national debt, this was the way we decided to go," she said.
Librud made reference to the United States elections, stating that their national debt is exceedingly high, but also noted that both parties who are running for president have been putting plans forward to show how they could have it reduced.
She then stated that in St. Kitts, the opposition party has neither been doing or saying anything to the effect of how they plan to reduce the national debt if they get into office nor presenting the government with plans to assist in its reduction.
"Both sides [in the United States] are coming out with strategies as to how they think they can reduce their debt. Both sides! But here in St. Kitts only one side coming out. What is the other side saying?"
Liburd said the only thing the opposition has been doing is criticising every effort the government has made, which is not going to benefit St. Kitts.
"All they are doing is criticising, they have nothing to offer but criticism. Everything we do they criticise, but criticism is not strategy, criticism is not going to take this country forward," she passionately said.
Liburd then urged the opposition party to show their strategy to assist in reducing the national debt or quit criticising the government's plans.
