VP declares that Gov’t exploring other relief measures amid rising costs

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo assured that the Government will be meeting with various interest groups, as it continues to examine numerous options at providing support to citizens amid the rise in cost of living.

Dr. Jagdeo made gave the assurance in response to a question raised during his press conference at Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive. The VP disclosed that the $5B set aside for relief measures is not yet exhausted.

Dr. Jagdeo pointed out that in the agriculture sector, with the additional cost on equipment, the government is working on acquiring bulldozers and excavators to conduct works on farm to market roads and canals.

However, he said that due to the disruption in the supply chain those equipment will be available until next year. “It is a tough period, there is very little that you can do. Look at the US, with their might and they’re having a rough time tackling supply responses. So we’re gonna keep working through this to see how we can help vulnerable groups as we go along and one way of doing this too, this is outside of the $5 billion dollars… We’re gonna probably spend another $5 or $6B for employing people,” Dr. Jagdeo explained.

The VP pointed out that the administration, in recognition of the rising cost in basic food and other items, is looking at supplementing income at the household level. “We will consult and so as we consult with different interest groups, we’re trying to do stuff, so we met with the fishermen. We met with people from the hinterland, met with the farmers. So we keep going, we’re meeting with older folks, the President met with people with disabilities, so as we meet with different groups, we try to extend the help through consultations,” he reiterated.

The former president explained that in response to the increase in prices across sectors, continues to provide support through the reduction and, in some cases, removal of taxes. Dr. Jagdeo revealed that recent interventions include $150,000 cash grants for fisherfolk, $25,000 cash grants for households in hinterland and riverain communities, $1B in fertiliser support for farmers and $100,000 cash grants and other support for children with disabilities.