Hon. Marcella Liburd delivers on improving uniform assistance programme

Hon. Dr. Earl Asim Martin, Hon. Marcella Liburd, Hon. Glenn Phillip and Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty. Moderator VON Radio’s Mr. Everad “Webbo” Herbert in front (photo by Erasmus Williams)

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MAY 27TH 2011 (CUOPM) – Minister of Community and Social Development and Gender Affairs, the Hon. Marcella Liburd (Labour – Central Basseterre) has delivered on her promise made at the last Government Town Hall Meeting to improve the social assistance programme.

During the Methodist Church Hall event earlier this year, in response to questions raised about the programme, Ms. Liburd, who created history by being the first Central Basseterre female representative to win the seat, promised to review the programme and to make it better managed, more equitable and more responsive to those who should benefit from it.

Ms. Liburd, a barrister and the third woman to sit in a Federal Cabinet, presented new proposals for the government uniform assistance programme and other social assistance programmes.

Minister Liburd identified the need for greater collaboration between her ministry and the Ministry of Education in identifying those families who ought to benefit from the school uniform programme.

Senior Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, added that it was important that persons accessing the programme be able to access it without injury to or loss of their personal dignity.

Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas reiterated the government’s policy to improve its programmes of social assistance at this critical juncture in “our economic development when the global economic climate is having a deleterious effect on our local economic situation, and is thereby impacting upon the quality of life of all of our citizens and residents.”