NDP chicken parts on the way – Francis

As the New Democratic Party (NDP) continues to accuse the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) of bribing Vincentians with building materials for political gain, the NDP themselves have been hit with an allegation.

Appearing as a guest on the BOOM FM “OMG” radio show yesterday morning, general secretary of the ULP Julian Francis said he has knowledge that the NDP has three containers of chicken parts for distribution to Vincentians.{{more}}

“If we are being accused of that as their tactic, I’ll give you breaking news. The breaking news is that the NDP has three containers of chicken parts.

“You think it’s a joke? If you’re accusing us of that; I wasn’t accusing them of any chicken you know, but because we are helping people’s lives and what not – there is a merchant in Kingstown, from that source and other sources, I have confirmed that they are going in the back of neck and chicken parts distribution very shortly in this week coming up.

“So, I am warning people out there, watch out for the chicken parts,” Francis said.

Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace had accused the ULP of allocating $10 million for the purchase of building materials from a Jamaican company to be used as political bribes.

According to Francis, the materials that are being distributed cost just over $4 million and are solely for repairing houses damaged during the passage of storms and for persons on the Lives to Live programme.

He added that they have been distributing materials long before the lead up to the general elections.

“Ever since 2013, in fact Tomas in 2010, which was the last election, we were accused of this. They said we knew Tomas was coming and we got this material to give away before the election.

“We have had repeated storms and damage to the infrastructure and the last shipment was delayed… This is the fourth or fifth shipment of materials we have had since Tomas,” Francis stated.

Additionally, he said the claim that materials are being distributed from constituency offices; is a lie.

He explained that when there is a request for materials, the Ministry of Housing, through its programme, sends assessors to either approve or disapprove who will receive materials.

“So, somebody may say I need 10 sheets of galvanize, 50 plywood; the assessors will go and say I don’t see the need for 50 sheets of plywood for this person; what they need is 10 sheets of plywood,” Franics said.

He said it is clear that the NDP are saying that the Government are not assisting people and will stop the programme if they gain power.

“They are saying we are not helping people. So, those persons who are expecting to get lumber because of their situation and if they do not get before the election, if the NDP takes over, that’s the end of that programme.” (KW)