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Backbenchers resume 'walk-throughs'; Visit Second District

The Backbenchers of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government resumed their ‘walk-throughs’ yesterday, February 22, 2018 in Cane Garden Bay in the Second District, represented by Hon Melvin M. Turnbull. Photo: VINO
Second District Representative Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull told our newsroom today, February 23, 2018 that the Backbenchers thought it was important to continue the visits ‘as Backbenchers and as a Government, outside of the Ministers, that we could see what each other’s major issues are’. Photo: VINO/File
Second District Representative Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull told our newsroom today, February 23, 2018 that the Backbenchers thought it was important to continue the visits ‘as Backbenchers and as a Government, outside of the Ministers, that we could see what each other’s major issues are’. Photo: VINO/File
CANE GARDEN BAY, Tortola, VI- It was in November 2, 2017 that this news site first and accurately reported that the Backbenchers of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government were holding “walk-throughs” in the various districts, exclusive of the Ministers of Government, which again raised red flags about the disunity in the NDP Government and confirmed concerns that the Backbenchers felt sidelined.

Districts visited in November last year were the Fifth District, represented by Hon Delores Christopher, and the Sixth District, represented by Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines.

The Backbenchers resumed their visits yesterday, February 22, 2018 with a walk-through in Cane Garden Bay in the Second District, represented by Hon Melvin M. Turnbull.

Apart from Hon Turnbull, the Backbenchers present were Hon Maduro-Caines, Eighth District Representative and Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Marlon A. Penn and Ninth District Representative Hon Hubert R. O’Neal.

“We resumed the Backbenchers walk-through that we did a couple of months ago in the Districts, just to support each other and share some of the things we have been speaking about privately and mentioning in Caucus and other forums,” Hon Turnbull told our newsroom today, February 23, 2018.

He added that the Backbenchers thought it was important to continue the visits “as Backbenchers and as a Government, outside of the Ministers, that we could see what each other’s major issues are and hear from people in the community what their issues are so that, when I agitate for them in Caucus and bring them up in that forum, my team from the Backbench would have an idea what is going on because the Ministers have their Ministerial duties as well but I think their strength is in the numbers, in terms of what we want to do.

Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling, eyeglasses and closeup

The Backbenchers who visited the Second District on February 22, 2018 were, from left, Eighth District Representative and Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Marlon A. Penn, Fifth District Representative Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines and Ninth District Representative Hon Hubert R. O’Neal. Photo: VINO/File

Concerns

Now that the main road is being paved in Cane Garden Bay and then that project will move to Brewers Bay, the main concerns, according to Hon Turnbull, came from the business owners in Cane Garden Bay, and were centered around the restoration of the public bathrooms and the new sewerage project and treatment plant to be built this year.

“And how we get things rolling again, in terms of how we get persons coming again to the community from the cruise lines.”

Hon Turnbull also shared that he recently had a meeting with the Ministry of Communications and Works and all the other Ministry Representatives to discuss what needs to be done for those tourist destination areas like Jost van Dyke, Brewers Bay and Cane Garden Bay “as we get ready for this upcoming cruise season.”

The walk-through in Cane Garden Bay covered the area between the bridge near to Hodge’s Gas Station to the bridge to where the Wedding Bar once stood. “It was good for the team to be with me and they heard some of the concerns, including about the school, sewage, bathrooms, the beach and to ensure that we are regulating the things we need to regulate now that we have this clean slate.”

The Backbenchers will now head to the Eighth District next week and the Ninth District the following week.

33 Responses to “Backbenchers resume 'walk-throughs'; Visit Second District”

  • voter (23/02/2018, 12:30) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    All of them back and front needs to go
  • wize up (23/02/2018, 12:44) Like (5) Dislike (11) Reply
    well, well the 2 major political parties have some serious issues and elections around the corner...
    • Ok now (23/02/2018, 12:56) Like (8) Dislike (15) Reply
      We need a third party because these two are contaminated
    • TO WIZE UP (23/02/2018, 13:44) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
      Try keep VIP out of this comess.
      • wize up (24/02/2018, 08:05) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ to wize up: I understand you: but I will continue to say VIP & NDP same thing...you sound like you have shares in that party(VIP)
  • HMMM (23/02/2018, 12:49) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    ah set ah yes man and waste-ah-time-women
  • where is the other waste? who archie? (23/02/2018, 12:59) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    They all need to take a hike instead
  • I THINK (23/02/2018, 13:17) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    this is a good idea and continue to note the most important issues that affect the people not only the tourists but the inhabitants the residents the voters etc.There are so many things to be done but little by little as a people we will get there. Backbenchers pls don't be afraid to cry out so we at least can get a top up now and then. If we benefit then you and the rest of govt benefit even more.
    • @ I Think (23/02/2018, 13:38) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      I think you need to rethink what you are saying. Call this for what it is...infighting and division.
  • Hmmmm (23/02/2018, 13:39) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Marlon & Mitch better be ectremely careful that this doesn't backfire on them.
  • chad (23/02/2018, 13:41) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    The Ministers already discussed the same things in these areas the backbenchers are going to now. What an embarrassment of a party. This clearly shows disunity.
  • Clearly (23/02/2018, 13:43) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Clearly the NDP is divided and falling apart by the second. Every man and woman for themselves. They are a total disgrace.
  • Ttuth (23/02/2018, 13:45) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
    Mr. Zzzzzz will be taken out from leading the NDP by next month and the best man for the job Marlon will take over.
    • @Ttuth (23/02/2018, 16:39) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
      With ndp gone corruption and white collar crime will be a thing of the past. Think about it.
    • @Ttuth (23/02/2018, 16:39) Like (1) Dislike (13) Reply
      With ndp gone corruption and white collar crime will be a thing of the past. Think about it.
  • Watch dem face (23/02/2018, 13:47) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Marlon & Mitch can't be trusted. They undermining Myron and that's not right.
    • Glory (23/02/2018, 16:17) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply

      @Watch dem face

      Who the @&%$ is Myron to undermine? WHO MADE HIM GOD?!

      *Inserts long suck teeth* Ya'll need to stop making cunning, crafty, manipulative & unscrupulous ways fool ya'll! I for one am tired of the wool being pulled over my eyes and ya'll should too!!

  • Yes (23/02/2018, 13:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Our government can't get along with each other and think that we the public are too foolish to see this and know this.
  • One word (23/02/2018, 13:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    NONSENSE!!!!!!!!!
  • White Collar Man (23/02/2018, 14:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep fooling people. They all need to go. Them election gimmicks out of style.
  • Worker Bee (23/02/2018, 14:23) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe we could engage this government in a clean up of the CGB community? It's one of, if not our most important tourist beaches, given the flocking of the cruise sheep there. Maybe clean up the dead motor vehicles and boats (there are many), and manicure and maintain the verges along the roadway, wouldn't that be a starting point?
  • Nez (23/02/2018, 15:10) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    They are supposed to walk through each so they can see the reality of it all. Every district one to nine need to be seen not just a selected few. Don’t each district vote for them? Only when it is election time are they your friends and interested in what you think.
  • Yes (23/02/2018, 16:21) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    People let's pray
  • wow (23/02/2018, 18:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Any walk or drive through Bellevue?
  • See (24/02/2018, 01:45) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    So whatdid they think of the two inches of blacktop put over a muddy road ? Looks good for now and for the walk through but a supreme waste of money in the long term. But better than nothing.... maybe
  • bvi (24/02/2018, 03:18) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Walk around what about vote out?
  • north sound (24/02/2018, 04:19) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    Burtiee not visiting His own district he up and down in another district? Smh
    • @North Sound be patient (24/02/2018, 09:13) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Bertie will surprise all you all. He will deliver VG mini Hospital to u all all you all been getting is promises. The Back benchers will take over and Bertie will get what he wants. Hope u all will be happy then..
  • Back Benchers hmmmm (24/02/2018, 09:06) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    They have so much power. Yet so weak. Unity is strength. They don't have that. Courage to do right is wisdom. They dont have that.. All they will get is regrets in their old age..
  • fat boy (24/02/2018, 12:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Back benchers front wasters all of them gots to go. Enough with the acting.


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