Government is no ‘open sesame’ for outrageous requests – PM

Government’s assistance to the poor and vulnerable in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is receiving the attention of Vincentians living abroad.

So much so that some of them have been making requests for assistance, or even for government to sponsor their return ticket to SVG.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves raised the issue on Wednesday, August 17 as he spoke on NBC Radio.

Effective July 1, some residents of the red, orange and yellow zones have been receiving money through the Volcano Eruption Emergency Programme (VEEP).

Recipients receive their disbursements by way of a Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines (BOSVG) debit card.

Gonsalves said “since we are giving out all these monies with these cards, our citizens who are overseas think we are awash with money to give to them too.”

The Prime Minister admitted that now, he is getting “more requests than ever” from Vincentians in the USA, Canada and other parts of the region .

These requests often come from Vincentians overseas who are in difficulty, those who are facing health challenges, who are all seeking assistance.

Additionally, there are those overseas who are left “high and dry” as a result of poor choices they have made.

“The way in which we are being very generous and strengthening the social safety net for our people; it creates in some people’s minds…the view that a tonne load of money is available for all and sundry.”

“That is not the case,” the prime minister emphasized.

Gonsalves said the resources which are now being distributed “are specifically targeted resources, as a consequence of COVID and the volcanic eruption, and to help cushion the effects of the convulsions arising from the global political economy.”

While government offers support to help Vincentians at home ease their pain and vulnerability, people are still responsible for the choices they make.

“People have to make good and sensible choices,” the prime minister urged.

Gonsalves indicated that as a result of government’s generosity, “people think this is an open sesame for some outrageous requests.”

He noted that some persons are asking for funeral assistance, the sum of which could build a one bedroom house.

Then there is the additional expense to livestream the funeral.

“You have to always cut your cloth to fit the size,” Dr Gonsalves warned.

He added that sometimes politicians are fearful of losing votes if they speak honestly, but “I’m not in that group.”

“People know that I am always there to help, but I always ask for good sense and balance and reasonableness.”

“It is good old fashioned advice.”

The prime minister added that there are cases where people want to have a party for a one-year-old child.

Whether or not persons have a lot of money, Gonsalves is encouraging the use of “common sense.”