by Devonne Cornelius
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): “I am a bit disappointed for the meeting in the house today because one would have hoped coming out of a lockdown and with at least four weeks of the spread of the COVID-19, we perhaps would have come to the house to put a stimulus package in place for the citizens of Nevis,” were the comments echoed by the Hon. Cleone Stapleton-Simmonds, Member of Parliament for Nevis 5 (St. Thomas’Parish).
The opposition parliamentarian in her presentation also stated that her constituents have raised questions regarding the economic relief measures, announced by Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris on July 08, expressing their uncertainty whether the measures apply to Nevis.
“A dear constituent last week asked if Bus Drivers on Nevis will get the same stimulus package that the Prime Minister announced for those on St. Kitts. Persons have been asking if that incentive of the economic stimulus package is also applicable to Nevisians,” Hon. Stapleton-Simmonds said, adding that “our people are seeking guidance on issues that are not only health related but also have an economic impact on their stability and their ability to live a comfortable life”.
Hon. Stapleton-Simmonds made those comments during her presentation at a sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly at Hamilton House on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, which saw the tabling of the Nevis Solid Waste Management Authority Bill, 2021, which was passed, and the introductions and first readings of other bills.
On Thursday, July 08, 2021, Prime Minister Harris announced at his press conference new economic relief measures aimed at assisting those affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the measures announced included a $15million Income Support Programme geared towards alleviating hardships of those unemployed since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. The programme will see a $1,000 stipend paid to qualified applicants for three months.
