Government Announces Measures to Assist Citizens Affected by Hurricane Beryl
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell (second from right) and his other senior ministers and press secretary at Wednesday’s brief briefing
Government Announces Measures to Assist Citizens Affected by Hurricane Beryl
ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC—The Grenada government announced a raft of measures Tuesday aimed at easing the plight of citizens still reeling from Hurricane Beryl’s passage in early July, which left a trail of death and destruction.
The Dickon Mitchell government said that it would make payments amounting to EC$11.6 million (One EC Dollar=US$0.37 cents) to farmers and fishers while also waiving the Value Added Tax (VAT), the Common External Tariff (CET) and the Customs Service Charges, among other fiscal incentives.
Affected Areas
The northern part of the island, which encompasses Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and the parish of St Patrick, was worst affected. Still, a significant number of properties in the parishes of St John’s and St Marks were also damaged.
Incentives
The new incentive measures are specifically for reconstructing physical infrastructure. Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall told the news conference that the government will waive VAT on local purchases. As part of the rehabilitation exercise, there will also be relief for persons importing foreign products.
“For those who will be importing goods and materials from other countries to rebuild, the government will waive the CET or the Common External Tariff, VAT, and the Customs Service Charge on imports,” Cornwall said.
He told reporters that while the measures would cost the government significant revenue, the plan is to ensure that only people affected will benefit from the incentives.
“Beneficiaries must have been directly affected by Hurricane Beryl,” said Cornwall, noting that all beneficiaries must comply with the building code when constructing or reconstructing a building.
Support
Agriculture Minister Lennox Andrews said the ministry will provide income and livelihood support for people in Carriacou and mainland Grenada. Still, the focus will first be on farmers and fishers in Grenada.
“For income and livelihood support, in broad terms, the assistance will take the form of direct income support and material support,” said Andrews, adding that the grand total payout will be EC$11.6 million and that 960 farmers and fishers are expected to benefit.
Delaying Triggering the Escape Clause
Meanwhile, Cornwall said that the government would delay triggering the escape clause of the Fiscal Resilience Act and instead utilize the measures to assist in rebuilding Grenada without suspending the fiscal legislation.
Conclusion
The government has more than EC$210 million in financial support, including EC$118 million from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility. The measures are aimed at providing relief to those affected by the hurricane and ensuring that the country can recover and rebuild.
FAQs
Q: Who will benefit from the incentives?
A: Only those who have been directly affected by Hurricane Beryl will benefit from the incentives.
Q: What are the measures for reconstructing physical infrastructure?
A: The government will waive VAT on local purchases and provide relief for persons importing foreign products.
Q: How much has the government allocated for the reconstruction efforts?
A: The government has allocated EC$11.6 million for the reconstruction efforts.
Q: What is the total financial support available to the country?
A: The government has more than EC$210 million in financial support, including EC$118 million from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility.