NDP surpasses $20,000 radiothon target

The opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) said it surpassed its target of 20 thousand dollars in a radiothon on Tuesday night to raise funds to cover the cost of import duties and other charges for overseas relief supplies sent to the party for distribution.{{more}}

The party, in a release, said “callers from across St Vincent and the Grenadines and those from the UK, US, Canada, Tortola, Anguilla, Grenada and even Taiwan – including those pledging via email, text and social media, gave various sums, meeting and exceeded the 20K target set in contributions to be delivered in a variety of ways to the NDP.”

The NDP had announced it was staging the radiothon after Government refused its request for duty free concessions on the relief supplies.

Government had advised the NDP that the request for waiver of duties must be made through the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) – the state agency coordinating the relief effort.

However, NDP Leader Arnhim Eustace said the party would not involve NEMO in its relief programme.

“I don’t trust them (NEMO) to be involved in the distribution,” Eustace said at a recent press conference.

“The Leader of the Opposition Hon. Arnhim Eustace was an early caller to (Tuesday night’s) programme,” the NDP release said.

“Eustace pointed to the generosity of St Lucian shippers KLC to send relief items to St Vincent free of cost and condemned the actions of the government in denying the duty free concession to the NDP,” the release added.

“Eustace pointed out that the government intended instead to profit from the humanitarian aid sent to the NDP for distribution to those who continue to suffer since their homes and property were lost in the December floods”, it said.

“He indicated a target figure of twenty thousand dollars which it is estimated would cover the duties and taxes attached by government to the quantity of items shipped to the NDP from Vincentians in the Diaspora.”

The party had earlier said it was expecting about 45 barrels and cartons of supplies, mainly from the Canadian diaspora, for which it had submitted the application to Government for the waiver of the Customs fees, VAT and other charges. It said some of the supplies were expected in the country on Tuesday.

“The Leader … called again at the end of the show to express to all contributors and facilitators of the programme his profound thanks for their determination and assistance rendered to ensure that nothing will stop relief items from the Diaspora from reaching those persons who need it most in the affected communities,” the release said.