Vincentians facing hard economic times – Eustace

A number of shops in St Vincent and the Grenadines are becoming pawn shops.{{more}}

This statement was made by Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace during his address at a town hall meeting in New York on May 17.

According to Eustace, poverty in St Vincent and the Grenadines is so high that persons have resorted to taking their tools to shops and allowing the shopkeepers to keep the tools as insurance until they are able pay for food that was taken on credit.

“People are unable to buy basic goods. Bring…tools and he keep it there so he could get some groceries and when he get something, he come back and take the tools,” he said.

“I am saying this for you to understand the nature of poverty … that is taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said.

Giving several other examples that he said he has encountered, Eustace stated that persons are facing hard economic times in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“You check with the shops and check with some homes. The fridge is off from Monday to Friday. You check with the supermarkets. You would find that 70 per cent of the food items that need refridgeration are purchased only on Friday or Saturday. That’s the reality of people’s condition. All these are signs we must understand, when you looking at what is happening to our economy. There is despair on the faces of people,” the Opposition Leader said.(BK)