{"id":146737,"date":"2022-02-17T12:46:09","date_gmt":"2022-02-17T16:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=146737"},"modified":"2022-02-17T12:46:09","modified_gmt":"2022-02-17T16:46:09","slug":"honorable-asot-michaels-contribution-to-the-2022-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/honorable-asot-michaels-contribution-to-the-2022-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Honorable Asot Michael\u2019s Contribution To The 2022 Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"
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February 17th<\/sup>, 2022<\/p>

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Honorable Asot Michael<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Member of Parliament for St Peter\u2019s<\/p>

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Honorable Sir. Gerald Watt, Speaker of the House of Representatives<\/p>

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Honorable Members of the House of Representatives<\/p>\n

Country men and women of Antigua and Barbuda<\/p>

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I thank the good Lord for the great joy and honor of being able to serve the people of the St Peter\u2019s constituency in particular and the people of Antigua and Barbuda in general.<\/p>

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Mr Speaker,<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is very difficult to stand and speak freely on anything in this Parliament, let alone the Budget Statement, because whether you agree or disagree, as I have learnt in recent years, you will be attacked and vilified in the most brutal manner.<\/p>\n

Nonetheless Mr Speaker, this where the people expect to hear the voices of their elected representatives on national development issues of concern to them. And so, I must speak.<\/p>\n

Let me first of all commend the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and his teams in Cabinet and in the Public Service for the 2022 Budget Statement under the theme \u201cSetting the Stage for Economic Rejuvenation\u201d.<\/p>\n

This statement detailing the plans for spending the funds of the state in this financial year offers hope that better days are coming for the citizens of this blessed land challenged to survive and struggling to thrive in difficult, unforgiving economic circumstances.<\/p>\n

The 2022 fiscal strategy prescriptions are presented with an optimistic future outlook and in the context of claims that the performance of this government exemplifies the high ideals of good governance.<\/p>\n

For example, Mr. Speaker, we heard much from the Prime Minister about:<\/p>\n

\u201cSwift and responsible action by government, which put the health and well-being of all our people first\u2026 good, effective governance (that) puts our people at the front and centre of our policies and programmes\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

According to the Budget Statement:<\/p>\n

\u201cOur people\u2019s well-being comes first, second, last and always\u2026 government continues to promote and protect the best interest of our people. And we do so by deed, not by words. We do so by evident action, not by making empty promises\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Prime Minister said that in handling the affairs of Antigua and Barbuda in 2021:<\/p>\n

\u201cSolid leadership and sound direction paid off. There is no substitute for them, no matter how loud may be the noise emanating from the banging of empty drums. This, is creative and beneficial leadership that comes from financial expertise, experience and a successful track record in finance and investment\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

Mr Speaker, <\/strong><\/p>\n

It is against this background of what the Prime Minister considers to be the visionary and creative thinking that this government brings to the economic advancement of every Antiguan and Barbudan\u2026<\/p>\n

It is against this background of what is presented in the 2022 Budget Statement as leadership that has advanced our country and improved the lives of our people\u2026 that I address once again in this Honourable House the pressing infrastructure, health care, sporting, education and other vital interests of the people of:<\/p>\n