The New National Party is deeply saddened to learn about the devastating fire which occurred last night at the Grenville Vendors’ Market. The leadership of the NNP understands the difficulty that this incident has brought upon so many families at this very difficult economic period in our country. We sincerely empathize with all the vendors and persons who are adversely affected by this tragedy. Words certainly cannot express the severe trauma and intense heartache that they are going through at this time. Many of these vendors have numerous financial obligations in the face of today’s austere economic challenges and their tremendous loss as a consequence of this destructive fire will certainly compound their already difficult situations. We further understand that many of these vendors have recently purchased their supplies in preparation for the upcoming Rainbow City Festival and Carnival. Many of them depend on these festivals to earn an income thereby enabling them to prepare their children for the upcoming school year. For many years these industrious persons would have used their creativity and entrepreneurial skills to start little businesses which enabled them to take care of themselves and their families. The NNP has always encouraged such initiatives and was on the verge of starting the Greater Grenville Project, which would have included booths for these vendors, but this does not seem to be one of the priorities of the almost two-year old NDC administration. This project was supposed to start in August2008, but like every other major project conceived by the N.N.P, none has been given serious consideration hitherto because of the continued politics of spite, hate and vindictiveness by the present administration. We therefore call on the Tillman Thomas Government to take immediate action by assisting these vendors financially so that they can restock in time for the upcoming festive season and continue to take care of their families and loved ones. From The Office of The Leader of the Opposition