Venezuelan government lauded

THE founder of the Clement Payne Movement is praising the Government of Venezuela for the significant assistance it has given to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, following the passing of Hurricane Irma which left Barbuda uninhabitable.

On Friday, while delivering remarks during a press conference at the Clement Payne Centre, The City, social activist David Comissiong said he was very proud of Venezuela for sending a military plane with food, soldiers and emergency personnel to assist the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

“Venezuela, as one of the bigger and most substantial Caribbean countries, stepped up. Cuba could not do much because Cuba was preparing to face the hurricane.

“But Venezuela immediately stepped up and made its aircraft available to transport food, and relief items to Antigua and Barbuda, and then to play a role of transporting human beings from Barbuda over to the sister island of Antigua. Right now that work is ongoing by the Venezuela Government,” Comissiong said.

Activist Robert “Bobby” Clarke, who was also present at the press conference, also commended Venezuela for providing the food, manpower and transportation system. Clarke reminded that when the Caribbean was hit by natural disasters in the past, there was no way to transport food and other necessities to those affected.

“It is good that Venezuela can put a plane at our disposal for us to deliver stuff to the people... It is important for us to get as much stuff over there as possible,” Clarke said. (AH)