Government Neglects Social Programs, Says UPP’s Richard Lewis
At a rally in All Saints West last night, United Progressive Party (UPP) representative Richard Lewis sharply criticized the Gaston Browne administration for its handling of social programs, particularly the People’s Discount Voucher Program (PDVCAB).
Lewis pointed out the inadequacies in the program, which he argued is failing to support struggling households in Antigua and Barbuda.
“The threshold for the PDVCAB is set at $800, meaning that only households earning less than this amount can qualify for assistance. This figure is not just below the minimum wage; it’s outright madness,” Lewis declared.
He went on to explain that with the rising cost of living, many households earning more than $800 are still struggling, yet they remain ineligible for the program’s benefits.
Lewis revealed that the UPP had previously recommended raising the income threshold to $1,500, in line with the minimum wage, but claimed that the government has been unwilling to act on this suggestion.
“Antiguans deserve better,” he said, emphasizing that many families are left out of much-needed support due to an outdated system that fails to address current economic realities.
He also shared a personal account from a constituent who recently complained about being denied assistance due to earning just over the $800 threshold.
“This is not how we take care of our people,” Lewis asserted, calling the government’s management of social programs insufficient and disconnected from the needs of citizens.
According to Lewis, the administration’s neglect extends beyond social programs. He expressed concern over the failing infrastructure in local communities and the deplorable state of healthcare services, arguing that Antiguans are being shortchanged across the board.
“The government is quick to talk about a construction boom, but the reality is that many of our people are unemployed or underpaid,” he said, calling for a more comprehensive approach to address social and economic disparities.
He ended by urging citizens to stand up for their rights and demand better from their government.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
look at that BALLS-less, WEAK, SPINELESS, COWARD of a “man”
You and your JAMAICAN WIFE gonna know who really in charge of UPP. Why staty where you are barely tolerated??
When CHAOS DEMON done wid you, you will wish you had left sooner! BALLS-less idiot!!!!
Richard, go hide your face.
Trupz.
It’s not just the number of people on the program but the amount of money placed on the card monthly; the cost of living is so high that shopping for food is like just hoping to have a week’s worth and then praying for the month to end.
I am not texting or out the program down as many people need it, and it is a lifeline that will break even when an ant is using it.
“The MASS EXODUS AND QUIET QUITTING IN THE UPP IS TOO LOUD! WE CANNOT HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING SIR! FIX THE HOLES IN YA BRIEF BEFORE U PUT ON SHIRT AND SHOES!”
SPINELESS , BALLSLESS , Richard Lewis , go hide your DAMN face. Michael Joseph will kick your ARSE. This is your last time in office. UPP does NOT like your Jamaican wife.
How can Richard Lewis stand on that podium and spew garbage ? SPINELESS RICHARD LEWIS.
CHUPTZ. CHUPTZ. CHUPTZ. on Richard Lewis…Jack Ass.
RICHARD LEWIS a the father of the people who quit the UPP. LEWIS can tell Dr. Mansoor or Damani Tabor what to do. Some of you UPP supporters are such IDIOTS.
Richard, People spoke I’ll of Jesus though he fed, healed and saved them
Blessed are ye when men shall tevilebyou, and persecute you and say all manner if evil FALSELY for God’s sake! I know you love the Lord! Will He not hear you and stand up for you? Of course He will! Let Him fight your battles! Remember Job? He got more than he lost because he trusted God and never charged him foolishly! He suffered criticism from his so called friends, but God WAS ALWAYS IN CONTROL, and STILL IS!
Gisele WAS ALWAYS IN CONTROL AND STILL IS!!!! richard too “soft” and he fraid Gisele. He not leadership material!
The downright IRONY of the message against the backdrop 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
“WEAKER THAN EVER” !!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Antigua people are u watch that clwon face in the photo above? He look just as clueless and confused as he really is. Harping on and on about gaston thinking that would make him win, but still REJECTED BY UPP FOR LEADER!!!
The stupidity of many of my fellow Labourites when it comes to understanding the true nature of poor people plight is beyond comprehension. God damn this is about poor people not about wiping our politicians ass with the tongue for some crumbs.
How much ass you done wipe to get that little space to rent in the basement in NY? Undocumented immigrants will be deported!!!
“Observers noted fewer than 65 vehicles and an estimated attendance of less than 100 individuals, a stark contrast to the robust turnouts seen in previous years.”
WHO WAS HE TALKING TO? LAZY ASHWORTH AND LOSER BARBARA?
And the mudslinging, gutter snipe,character assassination Labourites are out in full force. I tell you,these people are carion of the nastiest kind.
Taken on its merit,what Richard Lewis highlighted is simply factual. Noone should know this better than the beggarly Labourites, but it’s an indictment against Gaston Browne and this corrupt ALP government, so it’s stirs up the vultures.
Take note folks. Anything the UPP implemented or started, the DAWG allows to falter or go into disrepair. If he can’t steal the benefits UPP initiated it is allowed to falter,to the detriment of the citizenry. How can anyone rational individual support this clown?
We,the few,the proud,the patriots, will continue to highlight the scourge this man is on our country until he’s removed from office.
what a load of BULL CRAP RICHard talking. y he dont donate some from the MILLIONS HE MADE from texbook content????
He hiding his MILLIONS from the people when they go to ask for help, he makeing excuses eh?
in the words of the VISIONARY GASTON A. BROWNE:
DEM FLAP, DEM FLAP, DEM FLAP DEM FLAP
DEM UPP BOYS DEM NAH READY YET!! #DEMFLAP!
@ Watching, these ‘political’ mercenaries care not one jot about our poor housing stock (or lack thereof); the highest cost of living prices since records begun; our roads, water and the eyesore which is St John’s leaves a lot to be desired. Fact!
But their main concerns are within the UPP. Go figure boss …
NASTY VINDICTIVE SET AH PEOPLE DEM
@Bernard Warner October 11, 2024 At 8:36 am
Bernard you were one of the first batch of persons that regulated the program and decided who was approved and who wasn’t. The criteria was set by the then Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer. It is also known that you were very dishonest, by having a debit card for yourself and one for your wife. When you know that it was to be only one per family/household. I would like you to keep very quiet when it comes to this program. I have said to the then Prime Minister that the program was flawed because giving money to someone like Bernard who has a permanent job with the government, he sits on the committee and is paid I believe it was $100.00 per day that he took part in the committee. This exercise last about two to three hours and lunch snack is provided. A person who is disabled and has a job is not in need of any government assistance. I really understand what Baldwin was trying to achieve, but he didn’t think this through. You needed to do a means testing as well. Not just a card blanch disability criteria. At least those economically challenged had to prove that they didn’t earn per household more then that. And even that had many loopholes, as over the years I have seen people whose children are well of and support their parents, however these parents withhold this information when they apply. And their seem to be no consequences for lying on these application forms. Anyway. The UPP is very good in spending money without thinking about where the money must come from. They do not give two hoots about the funding of the school meal program, the school uniform program or the People’s Benefit Program and the Senior Citizens Utility Subsidy Program. But they brag each time about them. There is nothing called a free lunch, or free money. Someone has to pay for them in the end. And the IMF is very critical about these social program that has no means testing. Lets take myself. I’m a pensioner and well off too. Why should I need a utility subsidy? But since they are giving it free why not take it. It took me years before I signed up. People just told me I was stupid not to. And even the PDV CAB programs are not free money. Yes they use the funds from Venezuela and invest them and try as much as possible to use the interest they earn on the program. But in these days investment vehicles have dried up. The profitable companies to invest are few. Like WIOC. And investing in Government Bonds is not really giving you any Cash Flow. Government will sign IOU bills with you. And next those Government debt will become write-offs. So in the books you have years of accrued interest, but that never translate into actual cash. But luckily enough or circumstances have it, that we cannot even pay back Venezuela because of the sanctions that America has placed on them. And our smart PM was able to get Maduro to write off hundreds of millions of our debt. America is really a big bully.
So when you see Lewis crying for more money to be spend, he doesn’t care where the money should come from. Nor does he has a clue. And no one will ask him those questions either. Good sound bites. That’s all. I feel sorry for the government that has to find the money every month to pay for social programs. In the end mainly local contractors and suppliers will not get paid. Cause you can only spend a dime once.
Comments are closed.