Moses Kirkconnell wants more people, more jobs and cheaper living costs for the Sister Islands.
Too many times people are forced to leave Cayman Brac and travel to Grand Cayman to work. It’s a problem that’s causing a brain drain in the Sister Islands he told members of the Legislative Assembly Monday while making his contribution to the debate on the Throne Speech and Budget Address.
The Sister Islands Member said people say the Cayman Brac economy is stagnant, that the population has declined and that there is little opportunity for school leavers to find jobs.
He said basic services are available in the Sister Islands to support a larger population.
Those in the Sister Islands learned during Hurricane Ivan that the population could double in three days and that that growth could be absorbed.
It bred excitement in the community and in increase in retail activity, he said.
Those who had travelled from Grand Cayman found out that the schools were some of the best, he said.
But when the housing crisis in Grand Cayman started to recover people began to return there and back to their jobs, said Mr. Kirkconnell.
He said people told him they did not realise Cayman Brac was such a good place to live and said that if they could find jobs, they would stay there.
The government has to provide the framework to recognise the special needs of the Sister Islands and provide incentives, he said.
His vision is to create a balanced, crime free society with a sustainable number of people and a diversified, sustainable economy.
With the present budget, and its various projects for the Sister Islands, he said he believes those islands are on their way.
The problem of high fuel prices have to be addressed and they have to make sure they have access to fuel at the lowest possible price, he said.
A national energy policy should be set up for the efficient use of electricity and to decrease the use of fossil fuels, in favour or other sources of energy.
They have to sit down with Texaco and Esso to discuss options with them, said Mr. Kirkconnell. They also have to contact neighbours in the region to explore Caribbean options.
If the cost of energy could be reduced, the cost of living would be reduced in a significant way, he said.
He said Government has to drive down the cost of money to help encourage young entrepreneurs.
The spirit of entrepreneurship is being threatened and there is a need to re-ignite it, said Mr. Kirkconnell.
People have to be given access to the tools required for success, which include education, experience and financial backing, he said.
He suggested that pension funds could be asked to leave a percentage of the funds with the development bank at a low interest rate instead of the money being sent to money markets to be invested.
If it was invested in the local economy at special rates, the country would be stepping in the right direction and lowering the cost of living, he said.
George Town Member Lucille Seymour began her contribution to the debate shortly before the House was adjourned until today.
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