Penn concerned farmers, fishers grants not under subject ministry
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn has expressed concern that disbursements made to farmers and fisherfolk under the government’s COVID-19 assistance grant programme were not made under the relevant subject ministry.
Speaking on the NDP Radio programme recently, Penn said the payments were reportedly made under the Ministry of Finance which is helmed by Premier Andrew Fahie.
“I don’t understand how you could have a process – a policy decision made on farming and fishing – and the Minister responsible for the subject isn’t involved in the process. That is even more concerning to me and it should be concerning to the public in terms of how the process was followed,” Penn stated.
“There was a clear process based on the information provided [in the House of Assembly] in terms of how these funds should have been disseminated,” Penn stated.
Citing documents he received in the House of Assembly, Penn explained that the requirements for persons to receive a disbursement state that applicants must be registered with the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries. And if not registered with the department, the must provide a notarised letter of referral from a fit and proper person verifying that they have been engaged in farming or fishing.
The Opposition further shared that applicants must depend on farming or fishing as a source of income and must be engaged in commercial agriculture (as defined by the department), to be eligible for financial assistance. Persons have had to be engaged in commercial agriculture within the past three years and are required to provide sufficient information on their engagement in commercial agriculture within those years.
According to the information Penn received in the House of Assembly, these requirements were to be done specifically for the consideration of the Minister of Agriculture.
Around the time a leaked list of farmers and fishers who received the assistance began circulating on social media, BVI News reached out to Dr Wheatley for comment. He referred our news centre to the Premier’s Office.
Premier Fahie has since publicly said the list in question is inaccurate. Giving further information in parliament, Fahie disclosed that government pumped $6.1 million worth of economic stimulus into the local agriculture industry since the advent of COVID-19.
Farmers, fishers get $6.1M stimulus! Premier notes food security threat
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BE CAREFUL ( YOU MEK DAH FELLOW IMPLODE ) WHEN YOU ASKING ABOUT FARMERS AND AGRICULTURE / ESPECIALLY IF ITS NOT ABOUT GANGA
Can we have those persons who didn’t fit the above criteria reimburse the government coffers for sums dishonestly received?
Does it not seem unbiased to have the premier also the minister of finance, minister of tourism & I’m sure a few others??
How is anyone going to convince the government on good changes and how to move forward with plans for the good of the country when it is the same person who makes the decisions on all the accounts that involve money??
The boss is the one that gave away our money dont blame the recipient,,any paying back should be the boss and thats exactly what the COI intend to do, make them pay.
My Grandmother used to always say “the harbourer is just as bad as the thief”. That means, you know someone thiefing, don’t help him with his ill-gotten gains.
If you are not a farmer, don’t assist anyone in getting funds out of the Treasury under the guise that you are one. That is two wrongs and you cannot blame one person. If he was stealing for himself he would have to put it in his own name, not mine.
This is a Christian Community or it is not? All the so-called Christians out there doing this set of foolishness for what? A couple dollars? Just as quickly as it comes so it will go because what starts bad, ends bad. God help us all.
This is not only an area of concern it is definitely an issue to be fully vetted and investigated. Is this this kind of policy and governance the VIP campaigned on. The more they change the more it remains the same. I could not have believed in a thousand years that the champion of the people who uses God name at every speech would turn out this way. It is really an indictment on all his ministers. The deputy is not essential as the Premier gas no regards for even him. I therefore conclude that this lame government will never see power again in the foreseeable future as long as foy is the head. How can you take something so pretty and make it so ugly. Time for the minister of health to take over until the Brits take over. It can be the only logical conclusion.
The one man gang has did it again
That’s why the squad that get pick got picked… so that one man can run everything without nobody opposing or having anything to say.
Mathew mark and john !!!! Coi late
You are the one who put him back in there
THE GUYS AINT GOT NO BALLS AND THE GIRLS ARE HIS PETS ????
Lots of people already peeped that. The men have no mountain oysters and the women are his pets who he demand to serve him a cup of bush tea. HAIL TO THE BIG F**P**.
Mr death hmmm u mad take over …
The VIP radiator is running hot and boiling it will soon blow…A few of them are upset, frustrated and at the boiling pount..another few moths..
ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LOVE TO SEE AS A CITIZEN IS THE PREMIER GOES INTO EXILE AND NEVER BOTHER US AGAIN. HE HAS PUT US ALL IN STRESS AND ANXIETY MODE. I AGREE, IF WE GIVE THE PREMIER ANOTHER TERM WE WILL BE THE BIGGEST DUMB A**ES IN THE ENTIRE CARIBBEAN NATION. FOR A PIECE OF MIND, THE PREMIER HAS TO GO. NO COUNTRY CAN RUN OR SURVIVE ON A ONE MAN ARMY CALLING ALL THE SHOTS.
Be careful what you ask for. I say this from the bottom of my heart. The leader of the opposition is no angel. Ironic one blogger telling a snake not to worry someone else will turn into a scorpion. Just be extremely careful what you ask for. Remember the serpent came in disguise.
They are all going to turn on each other like a scorpion fighting with a king cobra very soon. A whole lot of them is going TO THE JAIL HOUSE SOON. MAYBE ONCE THEY HEAR THE CELL DOOR SLAM SHUT, COMMON SENSE AND REALITY WILL SET IN. IF I HAD ONLY KNOWN ALWAYS COMES TO LATE.
“Penn explained that the requirements for persons to receive a disbursement state that applicants must be registered with the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries. And if not registered with the department, the must provide a notarised letter of referral from a fit and proper person verifying that they have been engaged in farming or fishing.
The Opposition further shared that applicants must depend on farming or fishing as a source of income and must be engaged in commercial agriculture (as defined by the department), to be eligible for financial assistance. Persons have had to be engaged in commercial agriculture within the past three years and are required to provide sufficient information on their engagement in commercial agriculture within those years.”
What a thing to tell the King!!!. Now Marlon why you gone and let the cat outta de bag for? Now every body know the requirements for an application. and guess what ?…. school children say 90% of those who received ain’t qualify. Time to give that money back or face charges as well.
I know a fisherman who lost 3 boats and all his fish traps during the hurricane and I did not see his name on the list and he is a true fisherman. The world is indeed not level.