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‘Stay close to home’- Hon Rymer says VI still suffering from Irma

- as territory makes moves to assist Dorian ravaged Bahamas
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) says that even as the Virgin Islands (VI) is looking out for the Hurricane ravaged Bahamas, attention still needs to be placed on ‘Home’ since many in the territory are still suffering in the aftermaths of Irma and Maria two years later. Photo: Facebook
The Bahamas, now in a state of emergency after a battering from the Category 5 Dorian has since seen daily increasing death tolls with Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) pledging some $100k of monetary relief on behalf of the territory. Photo: Internet Source
The Bahamas, now in a state of emergency after a battering from the Category 5 Dorian has since seen daily increasing death tolls with Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) pledging some $100k of monetary relief on behalf of the territory. Photo: Internet Source
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) says that even as the Virgin Islands (VI) is looking out for the Hurricane ravaged Bahamas, attention still needs to be placed on ‘Home’ since many in the territory are still suffering from Hurricane Irma and Maria, some two years later.

Hon Rymer was at the time speaking on public radio during the September 10, 2019, edition of ‘Honestly Speaking’ with host Claude O. Skelton-Cline on ZBVI 780am.

Prayers for Bahamas

“Claude you mention prayers for the people of the Bahamas, but we need to stay close to home for a minute and mention all the persons that are suffering within our territory, those that have lost loved ones, we offer our condolences,” Hon Rymer said.  

The Bahamas, now in a state of emergency after a battering from the Category 5 Dorian, has since seen daily increasing death tolls.

Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has since pledged some $100k of monetary relief on behalf of the territory.

Added to that the Rotary telethon on September 10, 2019 raised some $140,000 plus in cash towards monetary relief efforts.

The VI is also assisting with skilled personnel.

In recognising the plight of those in the Bahamas, Hon Rymer said, “but we must recognise the persons that are suffering right now in the Bahamas, they have gone through what we went through a couple [of] years," he said in calling for prayers. 

VI Still Standing

Speaking about the experience of the Virgin Islands, the Minister noted that the territory has come a long way in its recovery.

“After those hurricanes we are standing today, some buildings didn’t fare as well but we are in the recovery stages and we understand what is necessary for us to make a priority in terms of making sure that our buildings are resilient,” he said, in applauding persons who have helped so far to rebuild the Virgin Islands.

According to Hon Rhymer in his capacity as Minister, the territory will still need to import resources on the road to full recovery from the devastating hurricanes.

23 Responses to “ ‘Stay close to home’- Hon Rymer says VI still suffering from Irma”

  • facts (11/09/2019, 16:32) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank you Minister for keeping the needs of the people of this Territory relevant!
  • Ghut Man (11/09/2019, 16:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good points me bou
  • good (11/09/2019, 18:45) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good reminder, yes we helping but many people here still suffering.
  • Shocked (11/09/2019, 18:46) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
    I was so shocked when BVI announced the $100k grant... I mean here deciding if to borrow money with the UK loans guarantee and giving 100k away... We have to sort out house first.
    • Outlaw (11/09/2019, 21:18) Like (26) Dislike (2) Reply
      @Shocked, ungratefulness is a sin punishable by death. Remember in our time of needs after two major hurricanes, even Haiti in its very poor state lend a helping hand, we can never be to down to render assistance, although we are a bit down we can still outstretched our hand to our desperate neighbors. Sure you was one in line to collect relief that were sent here in 2017. Never burn the bridge you cross because you might very well want to get back where you came from. Enough said.
    • @Shocked. Even more so (12/09/2019, 07:14) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
      To give away money you need to people you think need it most is not such a bad thing.. Here is the problem most of us know that the people that need help most will not see a dime of this money.. This money will go government politicians and their supporters.... We should have someone there ensuring our tax payers money is used for the purposes it meant... That's the irresponsible spending of tax payers money that we and England are seriously concerned about.
    • Really (12/09/2019, 14:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      if you give even when you struggling it will circle back as a blessing. so no regret.
  • ccc (11/09/2019, 20:07) Like (4) Dislike (12) Reply
    Kye is the man say no to tall boy and juggie
  • hawk (11/09/2019, 20:13) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Yes, we should help the Bahamas without conditions. But it would be nice to know if they helped the BVI after IRMA. I know CARICOM helped but I can't find any news online to say that the Bahamas helped specifically.

    We got back full power after 4 to 5 months and it is the UK that helped us. Remember that Andrew before going up there and making a fool of the BVI.
    • they did (11/09/2019, 21:10) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Bahamas help raise $3.5MILLION for the BVI on December 1st 2017. Ps even if they didn’t help was was help by someone else so the best way to thank them ain’t be thanking them but blessing someone else. We the BVI will be fine
    • Jaigon (11/09/2019, 21:23) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      @hawk, are you for real, the UK that help us. Who from the UK were here restoring power? It’s our own Caribbean brothers who assisted with the restoration of power. It matters not whether the Bahamas help us or not, this is a time of crisis and if we can lend a helping hand, let’s do it, we will always be remembered for our generosity. Let us not be so bad minded
      • NICK (12/09/2019, 05:59) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        Dont forget the canadiens.
      • hawk (12/09/2019, 06:26) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        Thanks for your response, Jaigon

        1) The UK sent their military to maintain order when some of our own police officers were looting.
        2) I saw those UK soldiers helping with the clean up on Joes Hill and other areas.
        3) The UK paid the Canadians to help us restore power. I got that information from official sources.
        4) Read my post again where I basically said the Bahamas deserve our help, but it is always good to know the attitudes of the people you are helping. I suspected I would get responses like yours.

        It seems you did not stop and digest my comment but was quick to call me bad minded. But that is cool, my back is broad but tough.
      • 123 (12/09/2019, 14:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        The UK donated vehicles for government departments.
  • Thankful (11/09/2019, 21:00) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    The cost of living here in so high minimum wage $6 rent over $1500 , $300 to $400 worth etc I've been living in a moldy infested house land lord refuse to fix and collect rent , my dad has nothing and I'm not financially stable to accept him as I'm living in a cramp one bedroom when it rains my roof leaks etc sometimes depression gets the best of me but I thank god everyday that I can still eat n wake up in the morning
    • @ thankful (11/09/2019, 23:49) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
      This brought tears to my eyes help is on the way as vip is good government
  • Bleeding heart (12/09/2019, 07:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    It break my heart to see the condition this people in..
    Come on man... it can't kill us to give a little to them...
    Every nigh I go to sleep I think about their situation.
    Even though some of us is still hurting from irma.. we could give a helping hand.
    REMEMBER our situation after Irma... we must never forget kindness...
  • tretretrete (12/09/2019, 07:27) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I lose a lot of things during the Hurricane... In spite of all the outside help we got I get nothing. But I can hear on the Streets the amount of stuff some people have in their houses. Some people getting more help than they need. Lots of people who needed help got nothing. The System was set up to screen who get... Say this to say. Poor People who need help most do not get it. I heard that they still have stuff in containers spoiling.. Before they visit you they want to know where you from your voting status. All the outside help corrupt the system more seems like help were given to buy votes... A big miscalculation. Do good and goodness and mercy be with you...
  • Giving is getting (12/09/2019, 08:48) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    It’s not who helped the BVI in our time of need. It is who we can help in their need. The BVI will be blessed.
  • jesus (12/09/2019, 10:34) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Give a helping hand to your brother man. Good will follow you. Share you last bread if you must.
  • K (12/09/2019, 16:21) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please fix the roads and do something about the crazy parking on the sides of the road, please please


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