ST. DAVID, GRENADA, OCTOBER 16TH- Opposition Leader Emmalin Pierre has accused Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of lacking the “moral authority” to criticize the New National Party’s proposed cost-of-living relief, arguing that his administration has spent millions on celebrations, travel and other expenditure while families struggle.

Addressing supporters Thursday night, Pierre defended promises to remove taxes on sugar, abolish the water levy and reduce electricity charges within 90 days of an NNP government taking office.

“The prime minister of this country has no moral authority, no moral authority to talk about the measures that we are going to implement to bring relief from the pressure that they have placed on you,” she said.

Her response follows Mitchell’s criticism of the opposition’s relief proposals, which he has characterized as misleading.

Pierre countered by itemizing what she described as excessive spending by his National Democratic Congress administration, particularly on Independence celebrations.

She alleged that spending included more than $1 million on decorations, $1 million on food and drink, $400,000 on a drone show, $1 million on event production, and $1.5 million on fireworks. She said equipment and venue rentals exceeded another $1 million, with a further $1 million spent on entertainment.

“And he is talking about VAT on sugar and a levy on water,” Pierre said. “No moral authority to speak on this.”

She also alleged that the government spent $11 million on an oil and gas committee, $58 million on land for the Polaris hospital project, and more than $1 million to purchase 15 vehicles.

Pierre criticized what she said was $300,000 in annual rent for the prime minister’s residence, alongside helicopter travel between parishes and chartered aircraft for overseas trips. She provided no expenditure figure for those flights.

Promising a different approach, she said savings from ending what she called reckless expenditure would support relief for households.

“Every cent that is saved will go back to you, the people,” she pledged.

Pierre also sought to reassure voters about how they would finance the commitments.

“We are going to find responsible ways to ensure that we can deliver on every single promise that we make to you,” she said.

The exchange sharpens the campaign debate over household relief and public spending ahead of Grenada’s November 5 general election, following Thursday’s nomination of candidates.