Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today.
by Wayne T. Griffith
The United Progressive Party (UPP) is demanding accountability in the distribution of the care packages intended for the vulnerable citizens of Barbados.
The government has committed to disbursing sixty thousand hampers since early February. However as we head toward the end of the month many needy communities are yet to witness a delivery.
Furthermore, we have reports of numerous instances where individual households in visited districts are being bypassed while their next door neighbours receive packages.
Even after contacting the Helpline provided, their request for assistance remains unanswered.
The UPP wants to know:
• How many care packages were assembled?
• How many have been distributed?
• Which districts have been visited and those yet to be serviced?
• Why were some homes excluded within a catchment area?
• When is the target date for completion of this project?
• What is the cost of supplying and distributing these hampers?
• Will there be a second distribution scheduled if there is an extension of the “pause”?
We have grave concerns regarding the management of this programme as it appears not to be reaching its intended recipients.
Certainly a project of this magnitude could have been better organised and executed with NGOs, charities, church leaders and various community groups being formally drafted into this exercise.
Due to the shutdown, several Barbadians are unable to ply their trades to earn an honest living for their families.
Households already exhausted their savings during the 2020 lockdown and also many individuals are not entitled to NIS support. We expect transparency in this time of need.
Wayne T. Griffith is the General Secretary of the UNITED PROGRESSIVE PARTY.
