Govt’s COVID stimulus monies were misguided, says Opposition Leader
Opposition leader Marlon Penn has argued that the monies distributed through the government’s COVID-19 stimulus grant programme were critically misguided.
He also insisted that there was an absolute need for a second stimulus package from the government.
Speaking on the Umoja radio show recently, Penn said: “The first one that we did didn’t even hit the mark because the reality is a lot of the businesses that needed that support did not get the support.”
Giving an example, Penn said there were businesses with 20-odd employees that have been shut down for more than 13 months and were given roughly $4,000 through the programme.
On the reverse side, he said fishermen who never fished a day in their lives were reportedly given $20,000.
“It doesn’t equate. So the money was misguided, I believe, based on the data that I’ve seen [and] based on the information that has come to me in terms of the kind of support the businesses got,” Penn said.
More targeted support was needed
Penn said conditions should’ve been attached to the grants that were distributed and called for more direct support for businesses, particularly for those in the tourism sector that he said were the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve been advocating for a second support for those businesses and I think we need to have deliberate and targeted support for those businesses which are now struggling just to get inventory to just operate,“ the Opposition Leader stated.
In suggesting what he would’ve done differently to make the stimulus more impactful, Penn said the Opposition had recommended a work-for-pay programme for persons that would’ve been out of work at that time.
This would have seen the burden shifted from employers to the government and employees working to prepare the BVI’s tourism infrastructure and schools for reopening after the COVID-19 lockdown.
Penn also said more direct support could have been offered to businesses that were unable to generate revenue but still had obligations to make to NHI and Social Security.
“You can’t take monies that you got from grants and give it to persons — and somebody made this point to me the other day — and give it to persons who even don’t pay Social Security, some of them,“ Penn stated.
He said term loans of up to $50,000 – $100,000 with negligible interest rates and strict conditions were also among some of the recommendations that were proposed by his Opposition. He said these proposals were favoured by several businesses.
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The VIP got the priorities all mixed up
All politicians need to sit down and shut the f**k up. Not a good one or honest one among them all. There is not going to be any parties for a while. The Governor needs to run the Territory and bring everything into order before the local crooks are allowed back in.
ANYONE KNOW WHEN COI WILL BE PLAYING AGAIN ? AM SO BORED
The trials will be next.
I want Willock to come back. It reminds me of watching YouTube videos of dreadful driving and car crashes. You wince cos you just know he’s going to mess up but there’s nothing you can do to stop him and he deserves everything that happens as a result of his arrogance and stupidness.
Molon is misguided with his comments because he had a chance to guide instead of blabaring is mouth on what could have been done and was not done.
That stimulus grant money was to be distributed evenly to everyone in the territory. Adults over 25 could’ve gotten at least $1500, children between 18-25 $1000 and those younger at least $600-$800. That money wasn’t to stimulate any one persons pocket but to stimulate the country. If we all had a piece of the cake we could then in turn spend at those businesses with 20 or more employees. I feel government went about this grant the wrong way as there was enough for everyone in the territory to stimulate the country. Most of that money given to the few fishermen and farmers would be spend outside the territory whereas everyone could’ve been chipping in to better the situation for everyone.
the only businesses that would of benefited then would of been Moneygram & Western Union
that was well put but according to what the COI has brought to light , we now know who we are dealing with/ and the are so BAREFACED in their DECEPTION of their own people ( so SHAMEFUL ?
Yes Penn yes…
It’s all in the open now Marlon
Still waiting my stimulus package for my company. I was 1 of the first to apply and still nothing. I had to borrow from bank and family just to survive. I don’t know how much longer I can keep the doors open.
Marlon Go sit down the Emore Stoutt High School wall….. rember lets not play I forget with your piss.
I don’t want to hear anything from that two faced Marlon.
I am suffering from COI withdrawal
Marlon is saying the correct thing . At this stage why are we fighting with him .Open your eyes . People have eye but blind , ears but still deaf . The mentality of people are mind boggling . Party politics has clouded their judgement
Yet you still got your cut. Or maybe you didn’t and is p**sed off about it.