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An economist and opposition politician says that almost half of the population of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is living in poverty, or off approximately EC$14 per day.

“Poverty in this country right now, 48.2% of our population … that is about 50,000 persons, living at or below the poverty line,” Fitzgerald Bramble, the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) candidate for East Kingstown told a recent virtual campaign rally.

“What that simply means is that almost 50,000 persons in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are living on EC$420 a month or less.

“Just think about that for a minute. That’s $14 a day; $14 a day, almost 50,000 people in this country. And those are just the official statistics.

“When I walk around in my constituency, I am convinced that we have many more than 50,000 people living at or below the poverty line,” said Bramble, a newcomer to politics.  He said this is the case because people do not have jobs.

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 “The economy is not growing; the economy is stagnant,” he said, adding, “And if we don’t produce, we can’t go anywhere.

“…the level of indigence in this country is just so heart-breaking. When I go and I look at some persons, where they live, and how they live, oh God, man. You mean to tell me we don’t have a heart? There are certain things which supersede politics; there are certain things which require human decency above politics.

“How could you tell me that you’re a decent human being, and you have 50,000 people-plus living under those conditions? And you’re asking for another opportunity to mismanage this country further.

“It is time to make St. Vincent and the Grenadines working again. And a New Democratic Party, this New Democratic Party administration will make St. Vincent and Grenadines work again, under the leadership of Dr. Friday and the talented team of candidates that we have,” he said, referring to party president and Opposition Leader Godwin Friday.

Bramble said that the government talks against citizenship by investment, a programme that an NDP administration plans to reintroduce if voted into office.

“…when I walk around and I talk about some of the programmes and people say, ‘Bramble, how alyo going to finance this?’ And I say, ‘Well, we have several options, several avenues. One is the citizenship by investment programme.’

“The Prime Minister bandy around and talk about selling passports and come up with this choreographed presentation about, ‘Oh, how our citizenship is worth more than that.’ Give me a break. Fool ah talk buh nah fool ah listen…”

Bramble said the CBI programme “is not only endorsed by, but strongly recommended” by the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Timothy Antoine.

“He recommends it because that is how you’re going to be resilient, that is going to contribute significantly, and to you being able to do a lot of the things that are required to be done in this country.”

The candidate said that St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Grenada, which have CBI programmes have debt to GDP ratios of 66%, 57%, and 59%.

“What that simply means is that every dollar that you produce in your country 57 cents out of that dollar goes to the debt for St. Kitts, 59 cents in Grenada, and 66 cents in St. Lucia.

“In St. Vincent and the Grenadines you know what it is? Every dollar that we make from our level of production, from our GDP, 72 cents go towards our debt. And there is no coincidence why St. Kitts, Grenada and St. Lucia have a lower debt-to-GDP ratio than we do; it’s because they have a successful CBI programme.

“So facts don’t lie. And if they want to challenge me, I am ready to challenge any of them. Let’s talk economics. That’s my forte; that is my area of expertise. I could speak with authority on it. Because when I speak, I speak with the backing of the data, the information and the facts. Let them go and fight up with the IMF and the World Bank about these figures. So what is the solution to all of these? Jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs,” he said.  

4 replies on “50,000 Vincies each living off $14 per day — Bramble”

  1. Look Citizenship by investment program alone cannot spure economic development. The reason why half of the population live on $14 is attributed to laziness. Half of our arable land that was cultivated in the 70sare uncultivated. There are some areas in North Leeward where farmers can no longer cultivate because of the fear of the tanga men.

  2. Why doesn’t the NDP talk about the secret CBI program that Dave Ames and others took advantage of? Why don’t they ask about all that secret OFF THE BOOKS unaccounted for money gained by that program?

    The NDP will not win if they do not get “on the ball” and keep reminding us about all the wrongs of this government and at the same time tell us how they will be different.

    MANY GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN UNSEATED FROM OPPOSITION CONSTANTLY AND REPEATEDLY EXPOSING THE CORRUPTION. IF THE NDP CANNOT UNSEAT THIS GOVERNMENT, (PROVIDING WE HAVE A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION) THEN IT WILL BE THEIR FAULT. THERE IS ENOUGH INCOMPETENCE AND CORRUPTION AND HYPOCRACY TO CAUSE THE ULP TO RUN FROM THIS COUNTRY RIGHT NOW IF THE NDP CAN OVER AND OVER AGAIN EXPOSE IT RIGHT!

  3. No wonder why they steal because times are tough. Jails are full, predilection larceny is at its
    Zenith. Does the NDP has a medicine for all these?

  4. Leonard Slater says:

    Mr.Bramble,I would like to know where you studied economics? If 50,000 Vincentians are living on $14.00 a day , then who is to be blame for such conditions. Did you study what went on during the previous administration. I do agree with you that St. Vincent needs a change in governance, however I am of the opinion that the NDP would not improve the economic situation on the Island. There is too much infighting in your party. Everyone wants to be the chief. secondly the current generation don’t want to work , just want hand -out. Where are you going to get the money to give the people . ? are you going to over tax the hard working Vincentians to do so. Think before you speak.

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