The concessions apply to personal items, food, clothing, toys, and other household consumables. Dennery North MP Hon. Shawn Edward says this initiative by the government will offset the current increase in the cost of living on-island caused by increasing inflation. The MP, however, is urging citizens to make responsible use of these concessions by not importing illegal goods.

“I want to tell the people of Saint Lucia that we have to use the concessions responsibly. Let us ensure that all the items in the barrels are items that do not contravene the laws of Saint Lucia. Leave the illegal items out. There should be no guns, no weapons in those barrels,” the Minister urged. Of late, illegal arms and ammunition have been found hidden inside barrels and containers. The island has also noted an increase in gun-related crimes, particularly homicides.

Citizens island-wide have come to depend on barrels and other forms of remittances from relatives in the diaspora. The MP says his constituents especially will benefit from the concessions.

“This intervention by the Prime Minister is progressive; it is necessary. For constituents like those in Dennery North, I know that this will touch lives because they rely heavily on remittances throughout the year,” Edward said in his address to Parliament.

The concessions are expected to bring much ndeeded economic relief during the Christmas season.