Recovery plan should not only be about re-establishing - Shaina M. Smith
While a guest on the show, Umoja, with host Cromwell Smith aka Edju En Ka, aired Thursday January 4, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. on ZBVI 780 AM, Ms Smith said, “I went to the budget from last year, 2017 budget, where it was looking at the Medium Term Economic Framework and I really wish the recovery plan was based on that.”
Before the floods and hurricanes of 2017, a strategy was put in place to advance the territory in the coming years. According to Ms Smith, “We had a plan that we were working towards. What needed to happen was you pull that out and basically expand on it in terms of having to do repairs, replacement [and] renovations.
“We also need to make sure that those restoration is basically putting us back on track for what it is we were already planning for. So that we are not just planning for now but we are looking long term...”
During 2017, government held a series of public consultations with the aim of chartering the course for development in the next few years. However, much of those plans are not evident in the new recovery plan, that is to steer our development for the next five years.
Expansion & growth should be the focus
Throughout the document for the Recovery Plan published on the Government website late last year, the use of the term ‘re-establish’ is used and this Ms Smith believes should not be the case. When referring to the recovery plan, Ms Smith said, “Spending $721M we looking at more than re-establishing, we have to look at expansion and growth.”
Her question was, “How are we going to approach this? Is it going to be different to what we were doing before? Or is it something new?” Using Education as her example she said growth is necessary, “so that we don’t build back the school the same size it was before, we’re building a school that can take growth over the next 10 years.”
Ms Smith also advised that persons read the entire Recovery Plan, including the Appendix Section which explains that Short term means 0–18 months, Medium term indicates 18–36 months and Long term is greater than 36 months. This is important, she said, when considering the timeframe in which monies are invested in the various segments.
“If we look at the Business and Economy Segment and they are saying we are going to put in $4.7 million in short term, that’s 0–18 months and then nothing else for the next 36 months. There is no way that is going to get us back to where we need,” she explained.
Agreeing with Ms Smith, Mr Smith added that there must be a greater incubation period.
Again, persons were encouraged to read the draft document and submit their suggestions and concerns. However, she too is calling for public consultation. “It’s very important and I think if we have town hall meetings where questions can be raised so persons can clarify information.”
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13 Responses to “Recovery plan should not only be about re-establishing - Shaina M. Smith”
Moving train and I personally don’t give a f(@$....thereafter that incident he lost as the chairmanship and the the leadership of his party so you talk that and prove me wrong: history will call the order of the facts....keep the family th
Unless the government involve the people in the rebuilding process, there will difficulties. No government in the world can achieve progress unless it works in collaboration with the people. In the United States of America for instance, you will hear the president repeatedly saying that we the people of this great country will do, unlike in the BVI you will hear the Hon. Premier saying that my government will do this or the other. Where are the people?
It is about time we change the dynamics and organize community groups to assist with the restoration or development of the country or else we will continue to lag behind in these difficult economic times. There are people who are willing to assist, however, the government must come to the people for their involvement. The territory is small and the Premier could visit all the islands in a one day. I do not know why he is not visiting the people except at election campaign.
Least emphasis should be placed on population growth which would require more educational facilities, prisons ,police , housing etc. Lessons learned from Irmaria . A small population with a thriving economy and minimum crime should be the target as we regroup. Efforts placed in changing the current demographics would also move the VI towards a sustained upwards economy growth. Downsize the population, modernize the infrastructure, encourage and embellish tourism,build a thriving economy with zero crime.