Conference notes that Strabane was, and
continues to be an economic black spot in terms of investment and job creation
by Central Government. Conference calls on the Northern Ireland Executive to
deliver a major public jobs initiative to the Strabane district area in order
to tackle the legacy of unemployment in that part of the Northwest.
The current state of the
Northern Ireland Economy is so fragile that 2015 will continue to spell
disaster and desperate struggle for the survival of many small to medium sized
businesses particularly in retailing, construction and the service sector.
Across 2014 we have witnessed the end
of many such businesses who simply could not sustain themselves in such harsh
economic times. As months pass we continue to witness the end of many large
construction companies as they struggle to survive, and more retail business
ceasing trading in town centres such as my home town of Strabane. This
devastating recession of depression has unfortunately driven well established
businesses, in families for generations into administration or bankruptcy.
This devastating economic struggle is
being endured by many businesses at this time, continually leading to further
bankruptcies, increased unemployment and a growing deprivation throughout our
struggling communities communities.
The austerity measures in terms of
increased charges for public services and less public sector capital projects
being initiated means that the downward spiral of the local economy is only
adding to the already very high levels of unemployment and reduced economic
activity locally. This will not be helped by the DUP/SF agreed austerity budget
which is bad for people and bad for politics.
The big challenge now is for the Northern
Ireland Executive to manage its financial resources more effectively in order
to focus on some regeneration and targeted capital works programmes to create a
local stimulus, particularly for the construction industry. The test now for
the Executive is to see if regional Government decision making can be pursued
more vigorously in order to get better economic performance.
Tackling the depressing reality of
rising unemployment is the biggest challenge ahead for politicians and
Government agencies. This is indeed a rising trend in Strabane and has been for
decades. Many industries closed its doors and new opportunities of prospects
failed to come. Strabane and its people have been abandoned by Government under
direct rule and continue that trend under the Assembly.
Last year under the Department of Agriculture’s
plans to decentralise 800 jobs from Belfast. The people of Strabane thought
delivery had finally come, or so they thought!
In the assessment criteria carried
out by DARD, the Strabane district area topped the poll, yes for all the wrong
reasons, unemployment, social deprivation, welfare claimants etc. The people of
Strabane acknowledged this report as an appreciation by Government of the
difficult reality the Strabane people suffer. This report should have meant
Strabane was to be the new home to 800 Government jobs, especially considering the
area scored a massive 14 points ahead of the Minister preference in Ballykelly
with 73 points to 59.
The Sinn Fein Minister decided
Ballykelly was the more suitable location yet has failed to explain why in any
justifiable way; no business case has been provided after a number of Freedom
of information requests.
The people of Strabane are now
certain that a dirty deal was struck between the DUP and SF in their continuing
efforts to carve up power for party political advantage at the disadvantage of
local people.
My message to SF and the DUP is this, the
people of Strabane deserve better and will have better, the days of neglect and
being shafted by Government must end and this party, we a party for social
justice and equality must act to ensure Strabane gets the delivery it has been
starved from and an end to this blatant discrimination. The SDLP can deliver
for Strabane and I urge this conference to make that a priority. I urge
conference to lobby the Executive to deliver a major jobs boost to Strabane.
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