St. George, Grenada, January 20th, 2012: Prime Minister Tillman Thomas has begun a series of meetings to update stakeholders on important national developments. This morning the Grenadian leader met and held discussions with members of the Inter Agency Group of Development Organisations (IAGDO) while members of the religious community, including the Grenada Conference of Churches and representatives of the Moslem faith in Grenada, met with the Prime Minister this afternoon. “We have always held the view that the NGO community and our religious leaders are critical to the governance process. I know the contribution you have been making to the social stability of our society and we must find ways to re-engage if we are to succeed in transforming our country,” the Prime Minister said Friday. He took the opportunity to update both groups on the recent events in Grenada including the death of Oscar Bartholomew and the government’s role in the impasse between the Grenada Breweries and the Technical and Allied Workers Union (TAWU). In his meeting with the religious community, the Grenadian leader said while his government is making every effort to change the island’s economic fortunes, his administration is committed to a governance process that reflects integrity and honesty. The leaders told the Prime Minister they supported his position against the introduction of Casino gambling to Grenada since gambling is against both the Christian and Moslem faiths. Both the NGO representatives and the religious leaders shared with the Prime Minister ideas which they believe can assist the government in reducing poverty and increasing the involvement of people in national development. They praised the administration for its support for agriculture and education. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Ministry with responsibility for Information and Mobilisation, Sen. Glen Noel.