Mr. Speaker, I rise to contribute with a deep sense of humility and pride, to this 2022/2023 Budget, a budget that proposes ‘An Economy That Works For All…People, Opportunity and Prosperity’.
Mr. Speaker, central to the theme of this years budget is PEOPLE. Mr. Speaker, people is undoubtedly the most important resource in the economic and social development of any society and country. Without them Mr. Speaker, societies die. They are therefore critical to the preservation and future growth of a country. The question is Mr. Speaker, how to facilitate their participation in this process. Mr. Speaker, the word empowerment is often cited as the vehicle to achieve this, but we run the risk of deluding ourselves into thinking that it is instant and an overnight thing.
Mr. Speaker, empowerment must be accomplished through a process; it is not Mr. Speaker, give me a fish, it’s teach me, show me how to fish so that I can sustain myself. This Budget Mr. Speaker demonstrates how our people will become empowered; it is done through an honest and deliberate access to new and increasing initiatives and opportunities, so that our people will truly become the beneficiaries of the wealth that our Beautiful by Nature country has generated.
Permit me Mr. Speaker to highlight some of the ways in which this is to be accomplished. And I will frame it in the context of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Abraham Maslow was a 20th century American psychologist whose theory a ‘hierarchy of needs’ demonstrates how the basic needs of people must be met before they can actually progress towards satisfying their social, emotional and self actualizing needs and then realize their full potential. He grouped them into three categories:
Physiological which speaks to Basic needs – food, water, shelter, safety;
Psychological which incorporates ones self esteem, emotional and interpersonal relationships;
Self actualization where one achieves one’s potential.
Mr. Speaker, this budget reflects that careful and considered ascent up that hierarchy. Let us look at that first basic need. With respect to shelter, our people need the protection from the elements, they need to have someplace to house their children, they need someplace to call home. Under the proposed Crown Land review as well as a new Housing initiative, this will afford our people the opportunity to have access to a fundamental right..shelter.
Mr. Speaker, the past 2 years have presented some unprecedented challenges, not just here in the TCI, but globally as well. The Covid 19 Pandemic and the subsequent supply chain crisis, the war in Ukraine and the consequential rise in inflation, have impacted the cost of living in this country. Mr. Speaker, you are well aware that we import practically everything from the United States (even the sneeze ?). The price of fuel at the pumps Mr. Speaker, has hit the $7 mark. This Government Mr. Speaker sought to relieve the burden on our people by reducing the tax on fuel, reducing the Customs Processing Fee, and has positioned the necessary machinery to ensure that our people benefit from these measures. How Mr. Speaker can we survive without water? Impossible! So our Government has moved expeditiously to have the necessary infrastructure constructed and installed to meet that basic need. The residents particularly in Grand Turk will be relieved.
Mr. Speaker, when people do not feel a sense of safety in their country nor their homes, it has the effect of negatively impacting their physical and mental health. The escalation in criminal activity in this country is alarming. Mr. Speaker, our Government within this Budget has made significant investment towards Police services, public order ie border protection, immigration and repatriation, as well as fire rescue. A concerned and caring Government Mr. Speaker!
The psychological needs of our people Mr. Speaker, that are essential to build self esteem, build confidence, cultivate positive interpersonal relationships are mirrored in the social programs in this Budget. This Government Mr. Speaker, made it its cause to take care of the poor and most vulnerable in this country. The increases in home help, assistance to single mothers, to the elderly who are unable to care for themselves, and to victims of domestic violence is a testament to this cause.
Mr. Speaker, moving our people towards self actualization to achieving their full potential is a thread that runs throughout this Budget. We see it in the acquisition of strategic pieces of land where Vendors have the opportunity to house their businesses to benefit from the tourism industry; we see it in the proposed Crown Land review where access to commercial land will become less frustrating; we see it in the commitment to major infrastructure of roads and airport redevelopment; it is evidenced in the support to the investment arm Invest TCI; the support for Micro Small and Medium Enterprise program complete with financial and oversight assistance.
Mr. Speaker, you will agree that achieving ones full potential is impossible without education. Mr. Speaker, education is fundamental to the individual and the country’s growth and development. It is the tool that will ensure that our people access the wide ranging opportunities and initiatives presented in my Government’s policies. This education Mr. Speaker, is available ‘from the cradle to the grave’ with the increased funding for tertiary education for all irrespective of age, and in any discipline of their choosing.
Mr. Speaker, I am often reminded of why the ladder has rungs…to step upon to reach the top. This, Mr. Speaker, coupled with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, is a perfect analogy and guidepost for incrementally moving our people towards prosperity.
Mr. Speaker, talk about an all encompassing budget? This is it!
Thank You Mr. Speaker!
