Pringle blames Browne Administration’s under-resourcing for alleged under-production at Dunbars

Leader of the Opposition Jamale Pringle is critical of comments
made by Prime Minister Gaston Browne in defence of the Cabinet’s
decision to destroy the Dunbars Agricultural and Research Station
and turn the area into a housing development.

In-the-ground crops and trees were destroyed by backhoes and
excavators, as clearing of the lands and cutting of roads began about
two Fridays ago.

In an obvious attempt to justify the decision, Browne has said there
was insignificant activity taking place at the Friars Hill location.

But Browne’s explanation is nonsense, Pringle says, since it is the
responsibility of his administration to provide the equipment and
resources necessary for the workers to do their jobs.
 
Therefore, Pringle says, the alleged non-productivity of the workers
falls squarely at the feet of the Browne Administration, which cares
little about the agriculture sector.
 
According to the Opposition leader, what the head of government
says smacks of hypocrisy.

Meanwhile, speaking from the picket line – where he joined the
Faithful Nationals and other concerned persons outside the Ministry
of Agriculture – Pringle says the decision on Dunbars should have
been discussed with the respective technicians first.

The staff reportedly showed up for work without any prior
knowledge that their efforts would come to nothing and be replaced
by a residential development.
 
Pringle – who represents a constituency where many residents
depend on the soil and the sea to make a living – says that acting
without the advice of the Ministry’s technicians is going to be the
Government’s unraveling.

That was Leader of the Opposition Jamale Pringle.