Cudjoe: People trying to 'trick the system'

Tobago West MP Shamfa Cudjoe said some Tobagonians are trying to "trick the system" as she appealed for calm and trust that social relief is on the way.

Amid the covid19 pandemic, many people have either lost their jobs or seen their incomes drastically reduced because of the stay-at-home order to stop the spread of the virus.

Government has sought to mitigate the blow caused to the population with a number of initiatives, including grant for salary relief , rent and food.

Cudjoe, in a Facebook post on Friday, said some people are falsely claiming they are not being helped and seeking extra aid.

She wrote, "Came home at 9.30 pm after a long day of delivering Penny Savers grocery certificates, and other food supplies to needy constituents, logged on to Facebook only to see some of the same constituents who already secured food cards and hampers on other people’s pages claiming that they are suffering, they haven’t been helped, they haven’t seen their MP and they need a hamper please."

Speaking to Newsday on Monday Cudjoe said MPs have to remain vigilant to ensure resources reach everyone in need.

"Most we can do is communicate and share information. There are some things you can't stop. Sometimes a husband may apply and then their spouse applies later. We have different people switching up and getting access. We just have to remain vigilant and be guided by the info before us.

"We also co-operate with the area representatives, so the electoral districts, we get significant help from social services division and ministry and also from the school principals. It's a challenge, people are going to try and trick the system some way or the other."

Cudjoe said people are panicking and behaving irrationally.

"The average person who can afford is panic buying, but some of those foods are going to expire. People are hoarding food.

"You just have to continue talking to people. Faith and fear can't live in the same house. We encourage people to be compassionate, to ensure not just you have."

Asked whether she encountered a level of desperation in people she met Cudjoe said, "I see it more as panic."

She said there is currently a huge demand for food cards but there are criteria to determine who needs them most.

"We have close to 800 names by now (for food cards). We do the background checks to see if they already have a food card. We look for people who have children five and under and people who are laid off.

"Some people are home but their full salary is still coming in. So somebody who has been laid off or their full salary not coming in would have priority. Everybody wouldn't get one but we have to find a way."

She said her constituency office is doing all in its means to rally the support needed to provide relief.

"We utilise our own resources of our salaries as MPs. We get some assistance from Penny Savers supermarket. Some would meet us on the half and give us vouchers and that would help.

"A little will go a long way and it's all about getting to the people who need it the most. We'll get through this together."