500 businesses will receive stimulus cheques by weekend
Amid recent complaints from many businesses that were anxiously awaiting their stimulus cheques from the government’s Small Business Sector Grant Relief Programme, Premier Andrew Fahie has announced that 500 businesses will receive their cheques by the end of this week.
“Last week we distributed 30 cheques to businesses and today another 60 businesses will receive their stimulus cheques. By the end of this week, we would have processed and released a combined total of 500 stimulus grants,” Premier Fahie explained in an interview with ZBVI on Wednesday.
“If I give a rough estimate, it would be close to about $700,000 worth of monies would have been paid out by the end of this week,” he added.
A total of 1,039 businesses had been approved for the programme. However, many business owners were complaining about the lengthy wait for the processing of the funds.
Bureaucratic processes delaying payouts
In his said radio interview, Premier Fahie said the distribution of cheques started two weeks ago and that the lengthy processing time is because of bureaucratic processes the government must follow when dealing with public funds.
“We have no choice in that. There is no option for going around the bureaucratic processes that are there to ensure transparency and accountability,” Premier Fahie added.
The government had received $6.5 million from the Social Security Board to assist businesses when the territory was forced to shut down due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in the territory.
Premier Fahie also said as of this week, the government will commence stimulus grants initiatives for fishermen, farmers, daycares, churches and private schools.
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Promise are comfort to a rasss
Typical word play! That 500 include individuals who applied through their reps. Its NOT 500 businesses.
It is all one big game to them. Drip dry and feed us crumbs, keep the masses begging!
As a female I thank the government for their assistance. I really appreciate.
All of sudden everything the gobernment do a few people finding faults. Some people really miss being in power.
Right! I feel the same way. They are acting like a bunch kids throwing tantrums. It’s like they expect millions! America only gave $1200 stim to most and these locals expect thousands! Come on be realistic and stop throwing tantrums like a child who didn’t get his/hers way. All of sudden they are bashing the premier. Some calling for him to step down? Just ridiculous. Step down for what? Because you didn’t get thousands in relief funds? Hmm . You people need to grow up! ?
aint about the amount its about the length of time its about stinging people along. why do a grand show and say oh today we will be giving out this and 2 months after nothing. That’s wa its about. It will make people feel ah type of way
Typical VIP brown noser. First of all most other caribbean islands managed covid without causing undue suffering to businesses so they didn’t have to pay stimulus. If the Government couldn’t afford stimulus then they should have just said that. You cannot promise businesses money and have them waiting for months and not expect them to be upset especially when funds are being spent all over on other stupid things. America gave individuals $1200 per month, no questions asked and gave businesses MUCH MORE THAN THAT! If NDP did this it would be different but it’s the beloved VIP and Lord Fahie so every one should shut their f***ing mouth and let him do what he wants. This is not about money it’s about a leader who is acting as if he is some big d****tor and messing up the economy more than it already is. Your turn will come don’t worry, your turn will come!
Why persons like you come on here lying and trying to create confusion. Your post is not factual. All countries have economic struggles so BVI is no different. STOP LYING. The government is doing good despite the struggles.
The Government donor don’t do people will blame the Government vs themselves. Now the Bars and LIT’s are reopen all of a sudden people will have money to turn up.
he smiling giving checks to bakery owners, the ones that have been open, operating all through every curfew, its a joke.
telling you they aint lose a beat mean while others done lose about 4-5 months out this year alone
Im saying crandle aint miss ah beat since covid but they at the front line boi this some real funny s**t. Gov will tax us to death but when its time to return hmm oh boi let see wa red tape we could put them tru
Will Fahie be at each presentation like it’s his money he’s giving away?
Gravy traiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just for a joke… Please list the names of these 500 business. You don’t have to give the amounts. I’m just conducting an experiment in common sense. How many of these 5 business have continued to function during this pandemic without batting an eye? Also, when these checks are given out to these businesses, how are you the government to know if funds are appropriated to the employees how have suffered? Shouldn’t this money have gone through Social Security??? Isn’t this the entity that should be used in this instance to make sure people are being paid?
Just for a joke… Please list the names of these 500 business. You don’t have to give the amounts. I’m just conducting an experiment in common sense. How many of these 500 business have continued to function during this pandemic without batting an eye? Also, when these checks are given out to these businesses, how are you the government to know if funds are appropriated to the employees how have suffered? Shouldn’t this money have gone through Social Security??? Isn’t this the entity that should be used in this instance to make sure people are being paid?
Rich getting richer
What about people that is still waiting?????
I received a text message that money was credited to my bank account since September and up to this day I don’t see any money in my account.
I calling social security and not getting true I even went in to them a lady in the glass booth take my name and phone number and say we will call you, I’m still waiting for the call
Stop lying to the ppl y’all only giving ayo friends and not the ppl who really needs the help, I hear ppl who are working get help and ppl who get lay-off ain’t get nothing total nonsense
I am still waiting on mine as a laid off worker for months now. I am not getting anything from SSB my dues are up to date. What is going on???
What about business that are closed for months now like all the charter businesses small businesses in the bvi maybe operating except for bars those charter business are not in operations are they getting anything from the stimulus package??
Strupes!
I Thought they was distributing according to application number? SMH!
Asking for Bank Infor Early Sept. No Call Or Email as of today. But 500 person will get by tomorrow!
Andrew stop fooling ppl you and your government!!
Business was hurt and you guys holding up this money that is promise!