Barbados is in a cost of living crisis where, for most citizens, disposable income doesn’t come close to what is acceptable.
That’s the feeling of Opposition Senator, Ryan Walters.
On Wednesday night, Walters questioned the continuation of the controversial sewage levy attached to water bills of even pensioners and was even more critical of Barbadians being forced to pay the Government two per cent on all card purchases outside the country.
He was speaking during a political meeting at Yearwood Road, Mount Standfast, St James, where he accused the Government of not making things easier for the vulnerable in society.
“A cost of living crisis is when necessities like food, energy, housing, health care and transportation rise in cost greater than your wages. Barbados is in a cost of living crisis,” he said, while questioning what Government has done to ease the pain.
“What have they done to shield consumers?” he asked.
Noting there were around 7 500 voters in St James North, he said they faced real scenarios of being unable to pay bills or send to school their children every day.
He charged that unlike the BLP, the Democratic Labour Party puts families first and its aim is to make sure Barbadians have an “acceptable” standard of living as he also described food prices in Barbados as ridiculous.
Walters was also heavily critical of Government’s price app.
“They’re asking people to go on line and compare prices. They want people to drive from St James North to Oistins, to get groceries that are two cents cheaper. They’re making sport at you,” he said.
He added that senior members of the Cabinet had confirmed there is price gouging and, though that was known, little was being done to curtail the practice.
“You would expect to hear from them that we are going to stamp it out,” Walters said. “But nothing has been done apart from telling you where to shop.”
Walters urged the constituents to realise that sectors like agriculture, housing and manufacturing were in decline nationally, and Government had been unable to stop the rut.
He said it wasn’t the DLP that was claiming the sectors were struggling.
“One minute, no eggs.
One minute, no chicken.
Next minute, no milk, next minute no vegetables,” the senator claimed.
He said that not once had he heard BLP candidate for St James North, Chad Blackman, speak on such national issues.
“The big man [Blackman]does not respond to things affecting Bajans in this country,” Walters said.
He also fiercely supported Dujon, saying the first-time candidate in the St James North by-election, was the right person for the job.
“Felicia understands the needs of this constituency. She has identified the challenges and will bring solutions,” he said.
