The Government of Grenada will examine the possibility of providing\u00a0 additional relief support to the nation\u2019s taxi-drivers, a category of persons particularly\u00a0 hard-hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
At a meeting Wednesday with the Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable, Keith Mitchell and two of his Cabinet colleagues, executive members of the Grenada Taxi Association\u00a0 appealed for Government\u2019s support as they struggle to survive. The appeal was not\u00a0 simply for a handout but for meaningful ways to help protect livelihoods such as a\u00a0 moratorium from lending institutions and concessions for the purchase of buses to provide\u00a0 public transportation.<\/p>\n
The majority of taxi drivers have been without income since the pandemic reached our\u00a0 shores in March last year, halting cruise ship operations and significantly slowing stay over arrivals.<\/p>\n
Speaking on behalf of members, President of the taxi association, Mr. Cosmos Williams\u00a0 said, \u201cIt is tough; we are looking for help in any form. We are grateful for the stimulus\u00a0 package we received but it has been almost a years that we have been without any real income. A few of us have options, like I\u2019m doing some farming but the majority of members\u00a0 do not have an alternative source of income. I think it is unfair that some people should\u00a0 be seeking increases at a time when so many others do not even have a source of\u00a0 income,\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Williams also suggested that Government be pragmatic in its approach when the\u00a0 cruise ship industry resumes operations, to ensure that the country to remain a\u00a0 competitive and attractive destination.<\/p>\n
In response, the Prime Minister acknowledged the plight of taxi drivers and many others\u00a0 who have been without any income for several months and welcomed the various\u00a0 suggestions made.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mitchell said, \u201cMy advice is that you compile the various suggestions for how\u00a0 Government can assist and share these with the Minister of Finance who will arrange a\u00a0 meeting with you, next week. Following that, recommendations can be made to Cabinet<\/p>\n
on what Government can actually do to help. Remember too, Government has its own\u00a0 challenges with a significant reduction in revenue but we also have a fundamental\u00a0 responsibility to help the people and that is what we try to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister also commended the taxi drivers for their nationalistic approach, not\u00a0 simply demanding assistance but being willing to explore ways to work together to\u00a0 achieve a common objective.<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cThat is the kind of approach we would like to see other organisations take in\u00a0 addressing matters. This is not simply about a particular Government or group of persons; this is about our future, our country, our economy; so much is at stake. Economies are\u00a0 being destroyed all over the world therefore we must work together to find solutions that\u00a0 will benefit all The reality is, while some are receiving salaries and allowances every\u00a0 month, others do not have a single cent coming in. Government is prepared to examine\u00a0 all possibilities but in seeking solutions, we must think of our brothers and sisters who are\u00a0 also struggling.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister expressed optimism that we will soon see an uptick in economic\u00a0 activity as the COVID-19 vaccines become more available and world travel resumes in\u00a0 earnest and life returns to some sense of normalcy.<\/p>\n
Finance Minister, Honourable Gregory Bowen and Minister of Tourism, Honourable\u00a0 Clarice Modeste-Curwen also attended the meeting with the taxi drivers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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