Opposition leader Marlon Penn has made claims that there are still some fishers and farmers who are yet to receive any money from the government’s fishers and farmers’ stimulus initiative which was launched back in 2020.
Penn’s comments came during a National Democratic Party radio programme which was aired on Monday February 7.
He claimed that as recent as last Sunday, persons within the agriculture sector who according to a leaked document were said to be recipients of grants, were still empty handed and yet to receive any money.
Penn said that these occurrences, as well as the over budgeting of the stimulus initiative, was as a result of the government not having an initial plan.
The Opposition leader said he believes the government rushed the initiative after his team published a comprehensive plan for the territory, which at the time was the only plan publicly made available by elected officials.
Minister responds
284News also reached out to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Agriculture Dr. Honourable Natalio Whealtey to find out if according to his knowledge, whether there were any outstanding persons who were previously approved for the stimulus grant that had not yet received any funding.
Dr. Wheatley said he is aware of past situations where persons did not receive funding, but said those persons were later successful after inquiring to the government on the status of their application.
The minister also expressed that applying for a grant does not guarantee an approval, but did encourage those fishers and farmers who originally applied, to contact the Premier’s Office to query on the matter.
Meanwhile, Dr. Wheatley said that moving forward the focus is on having as much consultation from fishers and farmers on the proposed Food Security and Sustainability bill, which seeks to establish an Agriculture and Fisheries Authority.
He said this statutory body will have the authority to approve grants to in need farmers and fishers to help develop their business.
For the full details of this story, tune into to 7pm newscast.