NDC TO UNVEIL VISION FOR ST. PATRICK

SAUTEURS, April 1, 2008 -- The National Democratic Congress, with better than even odds of forming the next government, will unveil a key part of its platform for advancing the country's social and economic development at a special meeting this Sunday, April 6.

The meeting, dubbed "Vision for St. Patrick's,'' will be held in River Sallee, beginning at 5pm.

Thousands of NDC supporters from across Grenada are expected to attend the highly anticipated event, which will feature executive members of the National Democratic Congress led by party leader, Tillman Thomas.

It will be a significant moment for the Opposition Leader and solicitor, who is the current Member of Parliament for St. Patrick East.  His re-election and an NDC victory at the upcoming general elections will make him the first person from the parish of St. Patrick to become Prime Minister of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

Among the highlights on Sunday will be the joint presentation of a development plan for St. Patrick to be unveiled by Thomas and Joseph Gilbert.

A civil engineer, Gilbert is the NDC candidate for St. Patrick West.  He is seeking to unseat Anthony Boatswain, Minister of Economic Development.

Gilbert said that with cost of living constantly on the rise, the NDC is re-committing to easing the burden on the poor, especially those living in the northern part of Grenada.  "One of the NDC's initiatives would be to offer services to people right in their communities in the north", explained Gilbert.  

The NDC proposes the establishment of a government services' department, as well as setting up a branch of T. A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) in northern Grenada.
 
"As far as possible,'' said Gilbert, "we will attempt to provide all the services that are now rendered in St. George.  Brother Tillman has been mentioning time and again the issue of TAMCC, saying that we need to establish a branch of TAMCC in the north of the island.  That will be a tremendous benefit to all the parents who now have to find money to send their children all the way to St. George's to seek higher education.''

The overall objective of an NDC government will be to find "ways and means to make it easier for the people of St. Patrick and, in general, the north of the island, to get services that are now being given only in St. George,'' Gilbert said.

This Sunday's meeting in St. Patrick will also provide the NDC an opportunity to reveal its governmental plans for tackling other pressing issues that affect the nation in areas such as education, agriculture, healthcare and youth development.