‘We will be here beyond 2020’ –Harmon

By Bibi Khatoon

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Thursday expressed confidence that the Coalition administration will retain the seat of government at the 2020 General and Regional elections.

Harmon said: “Based on how we see things and the way in which the population is now responding, we will be here beyond 2020.”

He was at the time being questioned on the government plans for revenues from oil production which also begins in 2020, at his weekly post-cabinet press conference.

He noted that the projects will begin to be rolled out before the next elections and will cover a range of developmental projects that seek to ensure “our people enjoy this good life.”

“First of all, the infrastructure that has to be done.

“Secondly, the investments that have to take place in agriculture to make this country the breadbasket of the region.

“Thirdly, the investment in power for domestic use or for industry.

“Fourthly, our investment in our eco-system –that is to say the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) which involves our tourism in the hinterland, our protected areas system; all of these things are what we see could benefit from oil in-flow and the people of course are our principal concern that the people are the ones that must benefit from all of this,” he outlined.

The other issues with respect to health and education, Harmon says will be part of an overall strategy which the administration will begin implementing before 2020.

As it relates to policies, he said “the policy is basically part of what we call our Green State Development Strategy. All of our developmental mode will fit into that.”

The Government has tabled a Petroleum Commission Bill which is currently before a select committee while the Bill on the Sovereign Wealth Fund is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly by the Finance Minister in the first quarter of this year.