As the Barrow Government moves towards its first 100 days in office, I take issue and raise public awareness on the many promises made by the then electoral candidate and leader of the Opposition Dean Barrow in his political campaign leading to the 2008 general elections.

After three months in office the UDP have made things worse. Almost every food item on the market has increased by more than 50% of what it was under the days of the PUP government. Single mothers are bawling; the price of baby formula, milk and pampers are through the roof and have become unaffordable. If things have deteriorated this fast in just three months under this inexperienced government, imagine the next five years.

When they were in Opposition they made a circus out of the National Assembly and in their first appearance as government they continued with the same old style instead of getting down with the real business of governing. Insecurity abounds, crime and violence is on the rise and is adding to the uncertainty and growing frustration over the cost of living. Our purchasing ability has now been reduced to the ground and stress is now the cause of headache in every household as we wake up to face each day.

Last week in Burma more than 22,000 people lost their lives and more that 40,000 are missing after hurricane Nargis struck that Asian nation. As we head straight into the hurricane season, Cabinet announced that they are allocating $473,000 dollars for cosmetic repairs to hurricane shelters throughout the country. This is the same UDP that criticized the past PUP administration on shelters, but this figure that the UDP will be spending on shelters is just a drop in the bucket to the massive construction of new shelters, repairs and renovations carried out by the previous government.

This week also, the ministry of health announced to its suppliers of pharmaceuticals and hospital supplies that they are reducing the already earmarked budget of $13m to $8m. They also cut off suppliers in Belize City, Belmopan and San Ignacio who provided quality medical supplies products in brand names such as Baxter and Becto Dickenson. It is grossly shortsighted to cut basic medical supplies products for cheaper generic and expired products.

Things are totally out of control and this confused government is spurring chaos with their lack of direction. The Prime Minister boasted last week in the House that they were given a special mandate to clean house and that is exactly where he has been putting all his priority, time and dedication while the more serious issues are only getting bigger by the minute.

During this infamous house cleaning, it appears that the UDP has actually swept the actual intelligence out of public service in order to bring in his much acclaimed brawn. Dean Barrow insists that “Belizeans should count their blessings”. What blessing? Belize has oil, he said. Yes indeed, thanks to the bold vision of the PUP, the oil industry is a reality. They boast about having credibility but they are quickly losing it because they don’t even believe in themselves. They promise to exemplify good governance but in order to do so they must demonstrate capacity to govern first and that is now farfetched. Insecurity is pouring down like rain and deception will continue as the system disintegrates.

As shrewd as it might sound it seems that we got shafted. But we must always aspire for that better tomorrow even though it’s like five years away. The clock is ticking Mr. Prime Minister, shape up or ship out. No more false expectations.

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