People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada 1982
Source: People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada, 1982; obtained from Caribbean Labour Solidarity - UK;
Transcribed: for marxists.org by David Adams.
Message from the Prime Minister
Dear Friends:
On March 13, 1982, the people of Grenada and the People's Revolutionary Government will celebrate the Third Anniversary of our Revolution. We wish to take this opportunity to welcome the many visitors who have come to share in our celebrations of these three years of freedom and people's power.
In three short years, our Revolution has achieved many successes in bringing material, cultural and spiritual advancement to the mass of our people.
Despite worldwide economic crisis, we have accomplished an accumulated growth rate of 10 percent over three years, which has meant substantial increases in employment and the real wages of our working people.
In addition to increased "real" wages, a new component has been added to the total national income, in the form of the growing social wage. Our people now enjoys free education, free basic medical and dental care, free milk, loans for house repair (with an interest-free repayment schedule of $5.00 (EC) per month) and financial assistance for the purchase of school books and uniforms.
Since our last Festival of the Revolution, progress has been made in developing our infrastructure, strides have been recorded in the areas of agriculture, agro-industries, fisheries, and tourism. Despite the unfortunate setback resulting from the destruction of our leading hotel by fire more people came to Grenada in 1981 than ever before.
Our Revolution has declared 1982 as the "Year of Economic Construction" and in keeping with this objective, we have given as the theme for this year's festival three simply but vital tasks: "Work harder, Produce more, Build Grenada."
Centuries of colonialism and 28 devastating years of Gairyism have left us virtually nothing. We have to start from scratch to build our economy and that is why we talk of economic construction and not about reconstruction.
That is why we are committed to involve all our people in the economic planning and activities of our country because it is only through the people that a tiny, resource-poor country such as ours can hope to achieve any real growth and economic progress.
Last year we began consolidating participatory democracy in our country, with thousands of citizens joining the various mass organizations of workers, farmers, women, youth and children and coming together regularly with the leadership to solve community and workplace problems in the workers' parish council and the zonal council meetings.
In the first part of this year, these new democratic organs have been devoting much of their time to debate the National Budget/First National Plan which will be presented as part of the festival celebrations and will truly reflect the views of all the people on how economic construction should in fact be implemented.
Dear friends, we are living in dangerous times, when imperialism, faced with its most profound crisis since the 1930's is seeking to solve its problems with preparations for war and threats of war.
Grenada, as a small but proud country, which refuses to bow to the threats and bully-boy tactics of imperialism, is faced with a continuous campaign of economic and propaganda destabilisation and direct and indirect threats of military intervention.
Despite all this, we will uphold our right to develop our country, in our way, free from all forms of outside interference, threats and aggression. At the same time we will always given our fullest support in a principled way to all just causes, and all struggles for peace, disarmament, détente, independence, national liberation and social progress for all the peoples of the world.
While we consolidate our revolution at home we look to our friends and allies abroad, particularly those of you who have visited our country and witnessed the gains of the Revolution for yourselves, for help in countering the destabilising propaganda cooked-up by the detractors of our country and in exposing all attempts at economic sabotage against our process.
In closing, I take this opportunity to wish all our friends, and particularly those Grenadians visiting us from abroad, a warm and fraternal Third Anniversary of our People's Revolution and to express our Party and Government's gratitude for your continuing friendship, solidarity, and cooperation.
LONG LIVE THE GRENADA REVOLUTION!
FORWARD TO A SUCCESSFUL THIRD FESTIVAL!
FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER!
Cde. Maurice Bishop, Prime Minister
"We need your solidarity, Comrades, because this revolution is increasingly a light, a beacon of hope to the poor and exploited masses of the Caribbean. The aims, objectives and achievements of this Revolution are a crystallisation of the most profound human aspirations of Caribbean people towards a better life. For 400 years the exploited masses of the region have struggle with dignity for bread, jobs justice and peace. Today in Grenada, today in Free Revolutionary Grenada, this struggle at last is beginning to bear fruits. And this fruit is not for us alone. It is not the property of ourselves alone. Just as our struggles have been a part of the broader struggle of the working people of the Caribbean and the world, so now, our Revolution is an integral part of the forward movement of working people regionally and internationally."
Cde. M. Bishop
Extract from 1st International Conference in Solidarity with Grenada - Nov. 23-25, 1981
Cde. Bernard Coard, Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Finance, Trade and Planning
"Our Agro-Industrial Plant is a brick, our fisheries school is a brick, every new feeder road is a brick, every move forward in education from free secondary education to NISTEP, every new housing estate, every co-operative, every new hotel. These are our bricks, Comrades. The sand and cement is our unity, our commitment, our work, our collective strength, our determination to solve the problems and sit down to plan together, our huge energy and our consistent struggle. If we put all this together there is nothing that can stop us..."
Cde. B. Coard
Extract from Report on the National Economy for 1981
Cde. Hudson Austin, General of the Armed Forces
Minister for Construction and Public Utilities
"Comrades I feel proud this morning to see here 26 new buses, bought by the People's Revolutionary Government for the people of Grenada. Comrades, I want to tell you this morning that this was no dream and this was no guess, but this is the constructive planning of our Government looking at the interest of our people and looking to see how the Revolution could serve the people.how many evenings, how many nights our people have to be walking in the ran, when they come from work because the Bus Service we have in Grenada inadequate? Comrades, the purpose of these buses is to relieve our people from this kind of agony."
Cde. H. Austin
Extract from Speech given at welcoming Rally for the Buses on the Docks
Feb. 13, 1982.
Cde. Norris Bain, Minister for Housing
"I think we have wasted a lot of time, but with the advent of the Revolution, a new beginning has emerged, the Government working with you, will in a short time bring pride back to this great little land of ours.Brothers and Sisters, good health, higher productivity, social and political stability, all require good housing. With this in mind, the P.R.G. has placed this important commodity as a priority... so that in less than nine months, several housing programmes are now being implemented to house and to assist in the provision of better housing for the entire population."
Cde. N. Bain
Extract from Speech given at Teachers' Seminar
January 9, 1980
Cde. Jacqueline Creft, Minister for Education, Social Affairs, Rural Development, Women's Affairs, Youth and Sports
"Comrades, when we declare in our slogan that 'Education is a must!' we are declaring that for everyone in our country it is not only a right, it is an imperative. For without it we can neither grow nor develop, we can only regress - as we did under the gloom of the dictatorship. With it, we can and will transform ourselves and our children, and become a catalyst for the growth of people's power right through our region..."
Cde. J. Creft
1st International Conference in Solidarity with Grenada
November 23-25, 1981
Cde. George Louison, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Co-operatives
"The Revolution was clear that we had to move rapidly to give agriculture a new role in order to create the wealth to bring a higher standard of life for our workers, farmers and all the people of our country.
This means that agriculture must:
(1) Supply Food for our people
(2) Be a Major Foreign Exchange Earner
(3) Provide raw materials for building of agro industrial development
(4) Create more jobs to end unemployment
(5) Development self-reliance through fully utilising our land
This work is fundamental Comrades, Agriculture is the motor of our economy."
Cde. G. Louison
Extract from Speech given at 1st International Conference in Solidarity with Grenada
November 23-25, 1981
Cde. Kendrick Radix, Minister for Industrial Development and Fisheries
Minister for Justice
"We see that in 1973 we said that we must have in Grenada an agricultural sector, and we are building that agricultural sector - we said that in 1973 also that in order to develop our agriculture that we must start to process the things that we produce, and today 2 ˝ years after our glorious Revolution - a revolution which has begun to transform and touch the lives of every single citizen of our country - we see today another glorious chapter in our revolution - we see the accomplishment today of a task that was begun on the morning of March 13th - we see today the formal opening of our Agro-Industrial Plant in True Blue Grenada."
Cde. K. Radix
Extract from Speech given at the Opening of Agro-Industrial Plant
September 13, 1981
Cde. Selwyn Strachan, Minister for National Mobilisation and Labour
"We had to provide a genuine democratic alternative. It was an unquestionable truth for us we had to create organs of a new democratic power that would fully realise all the hidden, submerged strengths and beauty of our people, that would grow, prosper and finally explode in the face of the dictatorship, as it did on March 13th, 1979. There was no other way for us. Democratic organisation was inevitable for us, it was a necessity and a guarantee that we were serious, that we truly loved and respected our people and wanted to draw out all their strength.we were unfurling our banner of direct democracy, revolutionary people's democracy, whereby we were not seeking to act on the people's behalf, but our aim was essentially to engage our people in the process of building their own liberation, and in doing so they would transform themselves and free their country of the quivering grip of the dictator."
Cde. Selwyn Strachan
Extract from Speech given at 1st International Conference in Solidarity with Grenada
November 23-25, 1981
Cde. Unison Whiteman, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism
"Grenada intends to take the struggle of small-island developing states to overcome the disabilities of "Smallness" to every fora on the globe. We are part of an exploited South in the North/South traditional relationship of a master and a slave, but our disabilities are special and our disadvantages far more numerous, Grenada, in concert with others of our number, shall lay our plight and our situation hard on the conscience of our traditional exploiters and on the good-will of true Friends of suffering humanity."
Cde. U. Whiteman
Extract from Speech given at 1st International Conference in Solidarity with Grenada
November 23-25, 1981
SOME ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE GRENADA REVOLUTION IN 1981
AGRICULTURE, AGRO-INDUSTRIES, FISHERIES, FORESTRY AND TOURISM
* Agriculture has made the largest contribution to the Gross Domestic Product in 1981. Its contribution rose from 24.3% to 29% of the Gross Domestic Product of the nation.
* 1981 saw an increase in the production of nutmegs, cocoa, bananas, avocados, cabbages, egg plants, citrus, sweet potatoes and corn.
* Twenty-five agricultural projects were on the way during 1980-1981. Some of these projects provide greater knowledge of farming skills, some will provide information about farming, some will provide storage and caring facilities for agricultural equipment, others will actually increase the amount of agricultural produce. These projects include the Mirabeau Training School Development Project, State Farms, Sheep Production in Carriacou, a Sheep and Pig Farm in Mt. Hartman, Spice Grinding Plant, Agronomy and Soil Conservation in Madigras, CARDI Field Station and an Agro-Industry Multi-purpose Plant.
* During 1981 the Ministries of Planning and Agriculture worked jointly in conducting a census of farmers in the nation which provided information on problems facing markets where farmers sell most of their where the major cocoa, banana, nutmeg, citrus, vegetables and livestock farmers are located.
* For the first time, agricultural workers in the Public Sector are involved in profit sharing.
* The first Aerial Survey was conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture. Photographs were taken from the air to show the actual use of lands at present. This information will assist in agricultural efforts.
* The Revolution's first Agro-Industrial factory was opened; the industry employs 42 persons.
* Agro-Industries purchased 205,498 Ibs. Fruits and other produce like ginger, turmeric, nutmeg and pepper from local farmers. The farmers earned about $30,820 from the sale of these products.
* Agro-Industries Plant earned $286,000 from sales of nectars, jams, jellies, hot sauce, and turmeric powder.
* The Sugar Factory paid farmers the highest price for cane in 1981.
* National Fisheries Corporation started its operation in April 1981. Cuba donated six to our fishing fleet.
* During 1981, 108,000 lbs. of fish were landed, 300 Ibs. of lobster were also landed. All of this netted $164,000 after it was sold to the people, hotels and other institutions.
* Frozen and salted fish became available through the Fish Processing Plant, which employs 21 workers.
* A Forestry Development Corporation was established in 1981. It has been established to oversee the development of the country's timber resources on a commercial basis.
* The Forestry Development Corporation employs 87 people and produces 35,000 cubic feet of timber.
* During 1981, various magazines and newspapers in North America began promoting Grenada as a very good tourist attraction. This was due to our public relations campaign which was launched to deal with the systematic propaganda campaign which has been launched against us.
* 1981 was the year an Interline Desk was established at Grantley Adams Airport in Barbados to facilitate tourists travelling to Grenada.
* Travel Traders who are professional people, who tell the public which international destination they should go to, are now coming to Grenada to see for themselves.
* Visitors from our sister Caribbean islands increased their numbers from 26% of total visitors in 1980 to 33% in 1981.
PLANNING AND INFRA-STRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
* A total of EC$38.7 million was spent on the International Airport at Point Salines.
* The Eastern Main Road Project was started in 1981. For this project over EC$4 million was spent in 1981, the majority of it donated by the European Development Fund.
* Over $800,000 has been spent to improve the road surface in Carriacou.
* Major repairs to Primary Schools amounted to $83,345 and repairs to Bernadette Bailey Secondary School costing $48,510.
* A total of $74,368 was spent on construction of seven Pre-primary schools and one nursery, as well as repairs to 14 other Pre-primary schools, through UNICEF Funds and revolutionary labour.
* In Health major renovations were undertaken. Three hospitals were renovated, amounting to $66,350.
* A total of $73,731 was spent on construction of a Fish Processing Plant.
* Central Water Commission constructed a Dam on the Peany River in order to provide seven million gallons of water per month.
* In 1981, Central Water Commission also undertook the restoration of a storage tank at Vendomme and the laying of 15,200 ft, of distribution lines, amounting to $420,000.
* In Housing, 32 houses were completed. These include 18 units at Grand Anse, and 14 at Telescope.
* Under the House Repair Programme, 973 houses were repaired at a cost of $781,682. The House Repair Programme during 1980 and 1981, benefitted 11,000 persons or 11% of our population.
FINANCE, TRADE AND PLANNING
* The National Commercial Bank (NCB) more than tripled their profits in 1981. Profits were $1.4 million.
* In 1981 NCB workers' share of the profits increased by more than eight times, to $212,000.
* A sub-branch of NCB was opened in St. David's.
* The People's Revolutionary Government (PRG) purchased the branch of the Royal Bank of in Grenville.
* The National Commercial Bank is now the largest Bank in St. Andrew's and the second largest in Grenada, with deposits exceeding $40 million.
* Export of clothing more than doubled in 1981 over 1980.
* Marketing and National Import Board opened a depot in Petit Martinique allowing the people to purchase food at prices they can afford.
* The MNIB during last was able to establish links with a number of importers in the U.K., Aruba, Curacao, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Trinidad, Barbados and St. Lucia.
* Export of fresh vegetables rose by 27% in 1981 over 1980.
* Over 70,000 lbs. of Aubergines were exported during the last six months of 1981 compared to 15,000 Ibs. for the whole of 1980.
* In 1981, the level of agricultural produce by the Board was 80% above 1980.
* The Agency for Rural Transformation (ART) was established in 1981. ART has a number of functions such as: assisting with planning and development of community-based programmes and projects; Fund-raising both locally and externally and to assist with the implementation of those projects funded.
* During 1981, a total of 14 co-operatives were registered with National Cooperative Development Agency, which includes the following: 9 Agricultural, 2 Bakeries, 1 Fishing, 1 Publishing and 1 Credit Union.
HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES
* Ministry of Health launched its first Primary Health Care Programme in St. David's in 1981.
* Anti-malarial drains have been laid down in Grenville. Also, a Seahead has been installed at Sendall Street, Grenville, to avoid the backing up of sand and debris into anti-malarial drains.
* The Ministry of Health organized and supervised a successful Anti-Dengue clean-up campaign.
* Public refuse bins are now being constructed in Carriacou.
* The General Hospital now has on staff an additional Physiotherapist and the only Neurologist in the seven OECS states.
* 1981 brought the opening of dental clinics to do fillings as well as dental extractions.
* There is an increase in the types of ophthalmic surgery being done at the Eye Clinic. There have been a successful repair of retinal detachment and six (6) corneal eye-transplants in 1981.
* Two fully trained Family Nurse Practitioners are now supplementing the District Medical Officers, as they are trained to diagnose disease and prescribe medications. They will also do basic laboratory tests.
* Public Health Nurses are now immunizing agricultural and farm workers against tetanus and other diseases, free of charge.
* In 1981 a 24-hour Casualty Service at the Hospital was introduced, with two doctors living in on the premises and always on call.
* The General Hospital now has a modern x-ray Department with machines which are working and producing good quality x-ray photos.
* 1981 was the year of Free Secondary Education for all, and free uniforms and schoolbooks for the lowest income families.
* The Centre for Popular Education (CPE) completed the first phase of the Literacy programme in 1981. 49% of all illiterates became literate in this phase.
* The first year of the National In-Service Teacher Education Programme (NISTEP) was completed, involving 2/3 of all untrained teachers.
* Community School Day Programme (CSDP) was responsible for increased attendance in some schools.
* Volunteers from the community for the first time began to participate in CSDP teaching subjects such as Arts and Crafts, Culture, Health Education and Nutrition.
* Water supply has risen from 4 million to 6 million gallons a day.
* The PRG now has majority shares in GRENLEC ensuring that we have a better quality Electricity Service.
* Grencraft was opened in 1981 giving our craftsmen a direct outlet to the public and tourists.
* "The Crucial Factor," a state owned restaurant was opened in St. George's in 1981. This restaurant serves a variety of local dishes.
* A Public Transportation Service was launched in Carriacou in 1981, making it less expensive and easier for our people to move around.
* Government employees, including public workers teachers and nurses received a 17.3% average wage increase, while port workers received a 15% increase and factory workers between 12.5% to 17.5%.
* In 1981 overall increased by less. These prices increased by 14.5%.
DEMOCRATIZATION
* Parish and Zonal (sub-parish) Councils including workers, women, youth and farmers council meetings took place monthly throughout 1981, involving some 80% of the adult population.
* Thousands of Grenadians responded to the United States invasion threat, "Amber and the Amberines" by registering with the People's Militia and participating in the unforgettable "Heroes of the Homeland Manoeuvre."
* N.J.M. Young Pioneers held its first Pioneer National Camp called "Pioneer Camp '81"-850 Pioneers attended out of a membership of 2,000.
* Pioneer Membership reached 8,012 on December 11th with 117 Pioneer groups formed.
* The National Youth Organization held its first Youth Camp in 1981, with a record turn-out of N.Y.O. members.
* The National Youth Organization held its first Congress in 1981, with delegates coming from Western Europe, Korea, North America and the Caribbean.
* The National Youth Organization held a successful Culto-congress in 1981.
* The National Youth Organization now has a membership of 7,186.
* On March 8 a massive turn-out to International Women's Day Rally, organised by the N.W.O.
* On December 6, the National Women's Organization held one of its largest Rallies ever in support of People's Democracy.
* The National Women's Organization reached approximately 7,000 women by December 1981, organized in 170 groups nationally.
* First Women's Co-operative opened in St. Patrick's in December, 1981.
* Seven (7) new Pre-Primary schools and one (1) new Nursery opened in buildings converted with voluntary labour from the community, organized by N.W.O, groups.p>
* Educational Programmes involving 3,000 women including courses on Grenada's history, economy, social problems, political and governmental structures, first aid, leadership and organizational training.
* A successful competition in Crafts, Culture and Agro-processing was held in March.