Resident rubbishes Premier’s claims of little price difference in St. Thomas
“I have to save up to go and to get what I need to get for my children to go to school because I did the math here and it don’t work out,” the resident claimed on the Speak Your Mind TV show aired on August 31, 2013.
According to the resident, after shopping locally and trying to buy food stuff they realised that this was not working, “when I go down in St Thomas is bulk…” the resident continued.
Co-host of the programme, Julio Sam Henry said, “You’re the right kind of person, bring your receipt so we could compare sometimes, so when the Premier saying that the price points are the same we could ask him in what category.”
“A case of tofu [in St Thomas] is $23.50, you know how much for a tofu [in Tortola], almost $4. Twelve are in a case… almost $50 for a case here in Tortola,” the resident said.
Host of the programme, Richard Courtney de Castro said the caller was on to something and reasoned that the ability to purchase staple food items was also an indicator of the state of the economy. “If that [food] basket cannot be purchased for a certain price we’re not in the game,” he said.
“If you would look at the prices in the supermarkets in the BVI and compare them with the prices in St Thomas and given all the factors combined, I think you would appreciate that there is very little difference,” Premier Smith said during a press conference last month.
The Premier, while admitting that there were other factors such as transportation costs which gave VI businesses less of an advantage, further stated that in some instances prices in St Thomas are lower while in others, prices in the Virgin Islands are lower. He also indicated that no new relief measures are expected from government for local shoppers.
“Apparently the economy is doing good for some people. It looks like it has two different classes of people living here in this country – the rich and the poor,” the resident asserted.
According to the resident, poor people in the Virgin Islands are suffering.
29 Responses to “Resident rubbishes Premier’s claims of little price difference in St. Thomas”
Even though we have been running to St Thomas to shop since the late 80's!
Gosh he need to get back to the streets as he will be better off being advise by the Bozy on the block!!! As he chatting a load of cocka-may-may!