Gov't acted with integrity to help people with stimulus grants – Premier Fahie
These were the words of the Leader of Government Business, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) during a press conference held on May 20, 2021.
At the time of his statement, Hon Fahie was replying to questions from the media on a list of farmers and fisherfolk who reportedly received stimulus grants from the government. The list; however, has been deemed inaccurate and incomplete as it was provided only to the Opposition Leader in response to information requested in the House of Assembly.
“We cannot be held responsible for that list that is being circulated because that is not an official list.”
“We were doing this to help with the food security, the food production, but all the persons that received that grant received a letter stating to them very clearly, and I said it before in the House, make sure you can account for every dime,” he said.
In further explaining about the leaked list, he said Opposition Leader Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) was the only one who received a list after he asked a question pertaining to the grant in the House of Assembly.
“The Leader of the Opposition asked the question, and he was given the list, but right after that the Leader of the Opposition asked more questions with names, and a ruling came into the House of Assembly stating clearly that in the House we should refrain from names because persons will not have a chance to defend themselves,” he said.
“So the list that the Leader of the Opposition received, he was the only one that received that list was the one, not that there is nothing that you should hide, but it should never have been disseminated in the way it had been; disseminated by anyone, I’m not saying it’s him, but he is the only one that had a copy, the list wasn’t shared with anyone else.”
Parts of the list are correct
The Premier stated that the list was not an accurate and complete list of recipients of grants.
“When we look at the list, there are persons on that list that was circulated is in question for us, so that is why we are saying some of the information clearly is inaccurate, but there are some parts of the list that we have validated that is so, but there are parts of the list that is not so.”
He also said how the list was leaked into the public’s domain is under investigation.
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16 Responses to “Gov't acted with integrity to help people with stimulus grants – Premier Fahie”
As of the point we are unconvince. Remember this. Integrity is not without genuine infirmation.
The reason why a turtle is so securly wrapped in a net is because had tryed vigorously to free itself. It would have been better had it not got caught in the net in the first place.
This is a matter where the only reveal needed is the identity of the leaker to be charged.
Certain information is for internal official usage only.
The whole Covid stimulus included business & individuals including seniors.
In pre-Irma days people got help from district fund all the time when they are in need of assistance especially seniors & pregnant women.
Public funds yes they gave the break down but we put them there to represent the public and be the ones privy to their private & personal information.
If they offer aid for persons living with HIV & AIDS & Cancer, tomorrow who will sign up for it knowing their info will be demanded to be published?
Stand your ground gov don’t release a thing, unless you want to drop the whole entirety including business & others. But those big business they will probably sue.
We have too many leaks over the years in many areas. Don’t reward their mischief.
People spitefully pass on info that should be for official use all you got to tell them is
“The list is incomplete/incorrect and while I can break it down generally by district, no we are not at liberty to release confidential financial information in detail.”
Now to think about it those robbers that got locked up might have had a long list to choose from if they didn’t get arrested.
of publicly funded Government Assitance in a democracy imust be available upon request.
That is the common sense reality.
Freedom of information in a democracy is ar right whether or not
a bill is passed . To do otherwise confirms suspicions of corruption or worse.
Struggling people literally gave up waiting for help while watching the US & other nations get theirs.
Too much jealousy distracting but the real problem is lack of confidentiality in government with handling sensitive information.
We are just as much to blame for this foolishness.