MJP questions if Gibbs really has funds for new projects | THE DAILY HERALD

MARIGOT–Opposition party Movement for Justice and Prosperity (MJP) has taken note of the new format President Daniel Gibbs chose for his New Year wishes, preferring to address each of the four districts in turn, and described this change as turning to “campaign mode to reconnect with a lost population.”

  MJP notices that many new projects have become more important, but questions why administrative buildings are still not repaired; for example, the former hospital that housed the Sustainable Development Department, the new media and territorial archives building, workshops in the Lycée, and so on.

  “The second observation brings us to us question the financing of these projects,” said MJP President Louis Mussington. “There are emergencies related to the development of the territory, of course. However, our main concern is to know if the president really has the means to pull off his ambitions?

  “Does the Collectivité have an investment budget necessary to realise the various projects of construction? Has cash flow from operations increased sufficiently to fund the announced projects?

  “It should be recalled that the Collectivité budget of 2018 was that of economic recovery and the first phase of reconstruction. If we’re looking to know the rate of consumption of credit investment over the 2018 financial year, many are likely to be disappointed.

  “In any case, we hope to know the budget guidelines during the next Territorial Council meeting and the real budgetary priorities of the Collectivité and strategies that will be deployed to achieve the stated objectives.

  “Thirdly, it is worth noting that no strategy has been developed or revealed to address the growing social divide at the heart of the population. Take the case of hundreds of families who are in social despair. Everyone agrees that the budget allocated for rehabilitation of roofs in the different districts is a commendable gesture.

  “Nevertheless, we wonder what is happening in practice on the ground to relieve the suffering of poor families. What is the status of this system of rehabilitation?

  “The reconstruction of the territory is in a sorry state undoubtedly, but it has to be said that we are soliciting labour from elsewhere and no one is giving attention to the various training actions announced to increase the employability of our young people in a meaningful way. We say loud and clear that they must be central to the reconstruction process and not spectators.

  “Without transition, what measures does the President intend to take to improve the quality of service to the public, knowing full well that this improvement will pass inevitably through strengthening of services by framework and restructuring terms?  

  “At this stage, we would like to point out that the assistance, which we welcome, must not be translated into a ‘take-over’ of the territorial administration. The mission of Agence Française de Dévéloppement (AFD) must be clearly defined. Expertise must be provided to those who are in place to improve employee efficiency and efficiency of the administration.

  “In conclusion, we note that no emphasis is placed on the development of education on the territory, at a time when the Rectorat is considering measures that are irrefutably contrary to the academic success of the greatest number.”

Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/85274-mjp-questions-if-gibbs-really-has-funds-for-new-projects

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