Only 10.8 percent of the recipients of the COVID-19 Economic Stimulus grants have responded to the feedback forms issued by the government.
This is according to the data presented by the Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew Fahie during Friday’s press conference.
He said there were a total of 1,796 recipients of the stimulus grant which was issued to farmers and fisherfolks, small and medium sized businesses, religious organisations and private, daycares and pre-schools.
Of that sum, the premier said only 195 recipients responded to the feedback form as of March 28, 2022.
Within the feedback forms, respondents are asked to provide details, with supporting documents, receipts and photographs where applicable, proof of payments such as statutory obligations, utilities, equipment, rent, mortgage, creditors, suppliers and staff.
They are also required to provide a statement of how the stimulus grant assisted their business or organisation in coping with the COVID-19 economic challenges. Farmers and fisher folk are required to submit details of their operations such as acreage farmed and crops, or catch respectively.
Premier Fahie also revealed that a total of $15,241,839 was expended in the COVID-19 Economic Stimulus out of the $40 million special grant provided by the BVI Social Security Board (BVISSB).
He gave a detailed breakdown of the respective categories which received grants.
The leader of government business said a team from his office along with staff from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will be conducting site visits to the farmers and fishermen within the next few weeks to begin onsite verifications.
Additionally, he said his office has allocated staff resources to call recipients who have not yet provided any data to remind and prompt them to get their information in.