Last night while listening to a radio program, I was appalled at the fact that persons really said that the UPP has done nothing for young people in Antigua and Barbuda. Some may say Im a choir member, others may think differently but where in the history of Antigua has anyone seen so many social programs initiated by the Government? Let us go back a few decades to the PLM. I hear many Labour Party sympathizers and supporters rally around The Later VC Bird, claiming that all the Government Secondary Schools were built by his Administration. As we say in Antiguan dialect NUTN TALL GO SO It was actually under the Sir George H. Walter Regime that the vast majority of Government Secondary Schools were opened. Additionally, Social Programs such as the Medical Benefit Scheme and Social Security were the brainchild of the PLM, contrary to popular belief. It was the Labour Party who ran these two programs into the ground. Let us fast forward to the UPPs term in office from March 2004 to present. In this first term. Here are some of the initiatives that were put in place: School Meals Programme Guarantees no child goes hungry. Over 500,000 nutritious meals served since 2007. $350 yearly grant for school uniforms for every primary school student $500 yearly grant for school uniforms for every secondary school student National Student Loan Fund offers students low interest loans for higher education. 65 students have already benefited in 2008 More than 350 new computers placed in Primary Schools with 12 more primary schools coming online in 2009 Upgrading of child care facilities across the nation Peace Ambassadors Programme creates job opportunities for the youth More than 260,000 uniforms have been given to 21,000 students in 81 schools in 2008, creating employment for over 30 local suppliers and vendors Mobile I.T. Classrooms ensure students in all corners of the island are online *Winner of the regional ‘Connect the Caribbean’ Award in 2008 No taxes on all baby food and supplies Scholarships for thousands of students since 2004 Antigua and Barbuda now ranks high in the development of Information Communication Technology in the Caribbean. In the UPPs digital quest, however, we are looking beyond leadership in the region to being at the leading edge in the world. High Connectivity More than 50% Internet connectivity in homes More than 70% Cable TV Connectivity Nationwide More than 97% of homes with a TV More than 120% mobile phone penetration Nationwide Modernisation and upgrades to hardware and software in over 75% of Central Government More than 75 secure well-paying ICT jobs Cutting edge technology in a new Data Centre Websites for Government departments and agencies ICTFEST- established as the premier technology showcase in the OECS Modern telecommunications division with professional cadre of telecommunications engineers and project managers Flagship collaboration with top Government Ministries and Agencies Extensive training and re-tooling for senior and middle-level management across all divisions And not forgetting the GATE Program --------> gateantigua.ag/ictcadets_programme_cabi.php I am challenging a Labour Party can list for me 10 things that the Labour Party has done for young people in Antigua and Barbuda. Post them right here on this page and validate your claims and prove me wrong.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 15:46:40 +0000
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