St. Vincent PM and NDP mark first 100 days in office

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Godwin Friday described his administration’s first 100 days as “a wonderful experience,” emphasizing steps taken to ease the cost-of-living crisis and deliver on campaign promises. Speaking on Hot 97 FM, Friday highlighted the NDP government’s commitment to both immediate relief measures and long-term policies to strengthen the economy.

Friday’s government, which swept the Unity Labour Party 14-1 in the Nov. 27, 2025 general election, focused on reinstating public sector workers fired under the previous administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. “We have also honoured our campaign… that the persons who were fired under the vaccine mandate, that they would be reinstated,” Friday said, adding that the government is working closely with unions to ensure a smooth and respectful process for returning employees.

The administration also implemented a successful VAT-free shopping day on Dec. 19, designed to put money back in consumers’ pockets and stimulate local businesses. Looking ahead, Friday confirmed plans to reduce VAT from 16% to 13% later in the year, saying, “This is not an election gimmick. It’s part of our strategy… Just watch me. You’ll see what I do. So we’ll deliver.”

Other measures included increasing public assistance to EC$500 per month, exceeding the previous government’s proposed EC$360, and paying a tax-free bonus package totaling EC$22 million to approximately 12,000 public servants, pensioners, and daily/part-time workers. Friday described the bonus as a “serious measure to ease the cost-of-living burdens” and a demonstration of the government’s commitment to supporting lower-income citizens.

Highlighting the government’s broader economic approach, Friday said Budget 2026 emphasizes opportunities for entrepreneurship and job creation. “The way in which you help people in the country most is by creating an economy that provides opportunity for people, that provides jobs, that provides business opportunity… Don’t be shy to come and tell [government offices], ‘Do your work. Here’s the thing I want to get done,’” he said.

Friday acknowledged the challenging fiscal situation inherited from the previous administration, with public debt at EC$3.5 billion or 110.3% of GDP, but said the NDP is focused on delivering tangible benefits to citizens while planning for longer-term development. “People are seeing it in their lives every day,” he said, noting ongoing infrastructure projects and social programs as part of a broader strategy for economic growth and social welfare.

The prime minister’s reflections on the first 100 days underscore the NDP’s emphasis on immediate relief measures, long-term fiscal responsibility, and support for both the public sector and private enterprise in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.