2nd peoples’ march to demand answers; press for CoI into Govt. abuses
The march follows a call by political candidate, businessman and former Permanent Secretary, Julian Willock, on at least two religious leaders to take up the challenge.
He has since told our newsroom while “they have not responded, I am in full support of the organisers of this second march.”
According to Mr Willock, the first march was about solidarity against the United Kingdom’s Parliamentary vote on public registries for beneficial ownership of offshore accounts and “it is (now) time to focus on internal issues.”
Heritage
Organisers of the ‘Peoples’ March,’ —led by Social Activist Floyd Burnett aka ‘Heritage’—has since by way of a public missive outlined some of its objectives and reasons for a demonstration.
According to that body, “we are particularly aggrieved by our overdue financial statements; the unaccounted for, $7.2M invested in BVI Airways; the overspending on the $1M plus wall at The Elmore Stoutt High School; the planned TB Lettsome Airport expansion at this critical financial time; the secret correspondence letter with FCO; the details of the UK Loan guarantee and the Cruise Pier project's exuberant overspending, among other issues.”
The public statement said, “all these issues have led us to a higher cost of living; increased costs for food and goods, along with the eventual increase in house and land taxes, employee taxes, increasing work-permit fees, house rent, departure taxes and other fees.”
Answers
According to the march organisers, “as tax-paying individuals, we are petitioning our sitting Government for accountability and transparency in their handling of the affairs of this country in a number of critical matters.”
The group said it is also looking to call on the Virgin Islands Government, “to tell us why they have a lack of interest in Fishing and Agriculture, yet they indicate that we go independent (We will surely suffer!).”
The ‘Peoples’ March’ organisers are also demanding answers “on issues such as consumer protection, neglect of our sister islands, housing for the homeless (including those misplaced since Hurricanes Irma and Maria), insurance protection, employee increments, safer and healthier working environments, realistic NHI policies, and more.”
The organisers have since called for the immediate establishment of a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the grouses.
According to the statement, on the day of the peaceful protest, “we will march to the Premier's office to present to him a copy of our letter that we are giving to the Governor regarding a Commission of Inquiry.”
The organisers say, should this be shunned and “the people are not satisfied with the response to our queries, we will ask kindly for their resignation and removal from the posts that we have humbly entrusted them to carry out our affairs.”
Residents from across territory—including Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and islands in-between—are being encouraged to, “join us in this movement because it affects each and every one of us living in the Virgin Islands.”
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49 Responses to “2nd peoples’ march to demand answers; press for CoI into Govt. abuses ”
Your the best we gona love vino