The one-month old Tillman Thomas-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration has reiterated its commitment to reducing the current high cost of living in Grenada.
The commitment came from Governor-General, Sir Daniel Williams who delivered the Throne speech on Tuesday to mark the opening of a new sitting of Parliament following the July 8 general elections.
In what could be his last official duties in Parliament, Governor-General, Sir Daniel Williams addressed the session held at the Trade Centre at Grand Anse and attended by both members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
He told the sitting that the newly elected Congress government with its "strong mandate" of 11-4 in the house is determined "to transform the social and economic landscape of our beloved country".
According to Sir Daniel an important task for the administration of Prime Minister Thomas "is to enlarge our democracy by delivering new and concrete benefits to the people.
"Indeed, my Government's programmes will ensure that every citizen develops a sense of commitment and a spirit of sacrifice towards making Grenada better", he added.
The new Congress government committed itself to entering into an arrangement with interest groups in the country to help build Grenada.
Sir Daniel said: "In pursuit of these high ideals, my Government is cognizant of the democratic and strategic significance of partnership. In this regard, my Government will work assiduously to build a strong and meaningful partnership between Government, the Private Sector, the Trade Unions and other representatives of civil society.
He outlined the top priorities of the government during the first session of the new Parliament as ensuring there was good governance, reducing the cost of living and ensuring there was stronger economic management in the country.
Other priorities include improving the business climate, better health care, stimulating agriculture and improving food security, better education and human resource development, stronger environmental management, youth empowerment and development of the Grenadian culture.
On the issue of ensuring good governance, a major platform promise of NDC, Sir Daniel said it is the intention of the regime to soon establish the following:
* An Integrity Commission to ensure integrity in public life. The Commission will obtain declaration of the assets, liabilities and income of persons in public life;
* A Public Procurement Authority to regulate and harmonise public procurement practices in the Public Service to help reduce the scope for corruption and ensure value for money of public expenditure;
* An Investment Policy Review Committee to review all major investment proposals (local and foreign) before they are considered by Cabinet.
* A National Economic Council to consider and advise Government on macro economic policies and other major issues that are impacting or might impact on the Grenadian economy; and
* Create the office of Ombudsman with power to investigate the administrative actions taken by and on behalf of Government and other public authorities including statutory bodies.
Sir Daniel also gave details of some of the legislation that the Thomas government intends to introduce in Parliament as a matter of priority.
These include arrangements for the establishment of a Council for Carriacou and Petite Martinique, as well as setting up an independent body to manage scholarships and training awards which will enable aggrieved applicants to seek judicial review by the courts, while ensuring that there will be no politics in scholarships.
The Congress government also intends to establish a Social Development Agency to spearhead necessary social development initiatives and to achieve greater efficiencies in the delivery of services to vulnerable groups in the society.
Another will be the development of a Family Court, as well as amendments to legislation designed to strengthen regimes dealing with violence against women, child abuse and other social crimes.
Plans are also afoot to bring about a new Investment Code, repeal the controversial National Reconstruction Levy; and to give life to the Freedom of Information legislation.
