Dear Editor,
Good day. I was recently at a supermarket in town where the vouchers given out to citizens in need were being accepted.
The lady who used the voucher to make the payment for her items did not appear to be in need. She picked up a few things clearly meant for a lunch for two people.
Her bill came up short by $1.10, and when the cashier told her, she started cussing, saying that she only has this problem at that specific establishment when she uses the voucher.
After she left, I asked myself if that’s what the vouchers are intended for and if it’s fair that those who really need the vouchers are not receiving them.
I applied for the voucher last year and stated that I was working, earning minimum wage, had school fees to pay, groceries to buy, and was a single mother.
The next day, after submitting the application, I was denied because I am working.
I asked the person on the other end if the voucher was not meant for people who are struggling and really need the help.
He said no, it is meant for those who are not working. I remembered telling him that many of those who fill out the forms lie, and there is no proper check to verify the information on the form.
How can someone be young and using the voucher for years? There should be a specific age group allowed to receive the voucher for a limited time because there is work available.
Go find work and give someone else who really needs it a chance.
I do not think the Social Protection Board is doing its job properly, and it shows when you see the number of people using the vouchers and what they are using them for.
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Could the recipients of those vouchers be selling them to others for cash at a discounted price.
The writer observe this, and came to the conclusion that the voucher belongs to the individual. Presumptuous, hmmmm. Not saying it isn’t soo, but let’s say for Jesus sake, she is picking up groceries for that person who cannot visit the supermarket. Let’s not assume ALWAYS. 😏
@DJ: I did not assume anything.There are too many avenues for Bobols in those Government Programs,in Antigua and Barbuda.
I was thinking exactly the same thing!
The same applies for the uniform program & other social programs…. The authorities need to carry out a proper feasibility study of these programs and only have those who are need on the program… Institutions like Social Security, Inland Revenue & Medical Benefit are places where the authorities can data from and filter out those who are not in need
The people that really need the help is not getting the help at all, also I know some one that was getting every month the p.c voucher and they were working above min wage. These things need to be organised properly. Person, vouchering cases of sodas while the real needy people go hungry😡
These vouchers are not given to the right people. Imagine waiting in line at a supermarket looking at a ageable well known lady in society paying for an entire basket of curtains with a book of voucher. Also a man and a lady buying valentines gifts with the vouchers. I once witnessed a young lady with two children genuinely using the voucher to the point that she did not have $2.80 to pay the difference. So some people are genuinely in need and making good use of the vouchers while others are just wasteful with it. I saw my neighbors got cash for them at a Chinese shop then used the cash to get a rental for the weekend. They need to vet these people, try placement employment for the young to age ageable people who are able to work and give the vouchers to the elderly people who can’t get their pensions on time and those who just can’t afford at all.
Like every thing the government is involved with, there is no oversight, and only Bobol. Folks, this is the country you have.
I saw someone in line next to me using a voucher with the latest phone with all the bling and she was not buying essentials. We can argue it’s her right to buy what she wants to and it’s her right to carry any type of phone, and I try not to make assumptions, but reading this it cemented what I originally thought. The vouchers are NOT in the hands of those who need them.
The voucher, PDV program, implemented by UPP, (though ALP deceives it people into thinking otherwise) was well-designed, and saw minimal reports of abuse. At least, the incidents were at a minimum. However, anything that this Gaston Browne administration touches turns to dirt.
We have heard them publicly advocate for the use of the program to rescue their supporters. It has become Antigua and Barbuda’s equivalent to welfare. This is what happens when a government is unable to find sustainable employment for its citizens other than the already bloated public sector. We know this government lacks transparency and is not interested in due diligence if a kickback is forthcoming.
These vouchers are handed out to friends and cronies without prejudice. I know this for a fact.
Last Christmas they were on display like Christmas lights.
This will never improve. The idiot DAWG knows of skulduggery and corruption at the port and elsewhere and refuses to do anything. Molwyn Joseph is destroying Health and he will do nothing, because his hold on power hangs by a thread.
This is a LIE!! the insipid “sugar puss”, one of Baldwin’s many minions, ABUSED this program for YEARS!! She had a card, her mom had a card and her Dad had a card to which she was authorized (on both) to use!! She used to come to CMC and pay for person’s groceries with the card(s) and collect cash from them. Again, ONE OF MANY!!!!
The lady is so right them give them to party hacks I see persons in high paying jobs using them I just shake my head
One must not judge,the lady claim she apply she didn’t get through but she is working ,but she complaining because she didn’t got through.
my Aunt apply because she is sick and is not working she can’t walk and i go and do her shopping.
why watching someone else basket we in Antigua is to nosy .what we to watch we are not watching like our health care study of a way and a solution give ideas so we can make it better.
Better roads ,how we can get water every day u dont see water is going to increase,low wages talk about these things go and demonstrate every day and u will see and increase in those areas.instead studying someone else basket.its a voucher of $200 not $2000 .
Alot of the people who got the vouchers are SICK and they can’t move some are blind ,if they stop it alot of these people will suffer because thats what they depend on some of them children go away and leave they parents and its the program they depend on. So you see dont study peoples basket its a story.In Antigua alot of people having it very hard.i am not saying they should abuse the system. Could be its more than one person the lady helping out .because they have people who will Medical benefit,Social security and Apua for these people. again one complain they see people in high paying job they could be doing it for they neighbor who can’t go the shop they can’t walk .we live in a nosy society and we need to stop.Don’t judge
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