Everyone is qualified, but everyone should not apply says Edward Smith about the Inflation Stimulus

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, February 23, 2022 – Stimulus payments have not yet started, but they are expected to begin soon according to Finance Minister E. Jay Saunders, and in the first round of approvals and payouts, it could be as many as four thousand people.

But educator and former political candidate, Dr. Edward Smith says he thinks the only people who should be getting the stimulus cheque are those who really need a stimulus cheque.

Smith told Magnetic Media, “I did not apply because I saw the word ‘need.’”

He also said he was interested in seeing a list of who would have made applications for the funds.  His interest was stated; “were the big income earners or elected members of parliament applicants and if so were they approved?”

Edward Smith wants government to publish the list to expose the identities of the recipients; however that is unlikely to happen as that information is confidential.

In the first stimulus the government encouraged those who were approved for the stimulus and not in need to donate the $1,000 to an organization or family who could use the support. That message did not go out this time around.

Regardless, the TCI Government approved a maximum uptake of 13,094 applicants to the tune of $6.5 million – making no distinction about the financial status of those eligible to apply for the free $500 cash.