Representative for the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser, RA, told residents who attended his community meeting on Thursday December 5, 2013 that the next leader of this territory must be able to take data and effectively execute what is a limited analysis with relative certainty, assess advice, and make informed decisions. Photo: VINO

Residents of the Third District and other communities across Tortola turned out in numbers to listen to the report of the District Representative Honourable Julian Fraser, RA at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre. Photo: VINO

While there were few questions posed by residents to Hon. Fraser, a flurry of questions came from several reporters. Those questions ranged from the leadership of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), if he has intentions at becoming the VIP leader to that of the status of BiWater. Photo: VINO

The issue of the IDB loan and its prolonged delayed expenditure was one that was of concern to residents. Photo: VINO

Hon Julian Fraser, RA, next planned activity that would see him interacting with residents is the annual christmas party. Photo: VINO

Hon. Fraser was at the time addressing members of his district at his usual feed-back community meeting held last evening, December 5, 2013 at the Valarie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay. The meeting was well attended by residents.

Signed protocols for effective FM were bad for VI

When making the statement, Hon. Fraser was on the topic of the Financial Services (FS) of the Virgin Islands. “These qualities, I’m afraid, are not within the person of our current leader who, because of the Protocols for Effective Financial Management, has allowed the territory to lose the ability to capitalize on a mandate of the Social Security Board, as stipulated in its ‘Statement of Investment Policy and Guidelines’, which targets 20-30% of its Pension Fund to be invested in ‘Socio-economic Loans’ thus denying the territory current access to as much as $100 million of borrowing without having to seek permission from the Government of the United Kingdom,” he said.

He told residents that the Protocols for Effective Financial Management signed by the Premier “were bad” for the VI to the extent that they have begun to spell ‘the death’ of the National Democratic Party (NDP) government.

He said that at the time of the report of the "French Blacklist" it was reported that of 41 requests for information by the French, only 31 responses were made by the Virgin Islands,  “…and now here we are with the Global Forum making the same claim. Who is being held accountable?”

He said the administration’s management by perception continued with misleading headlines as was the case of one which read “Milestone Reached: BVI Signs 25th Tax Information Exchange Agreement”.

“It gives the impression that the NDP has been a champion of Tax Information Exchange Agreements, when the truth is that of the 25 agreements signed to date since 2000, 22 were signed by the Virgin Islands Party. As a matter of fact, for the four years between 2003 and 2007, the NDP Administration had signed a grand total of 0 Agreements,” Hon. Fraser stated.

Bush & grass the only growth in 3^rd District

His address to his people and those present from other districts was in excess of half an hour and touched on other topical issues. Some issues knocked hard and sunk deep especially as he spoke of being shoved aside when it comes to him performing certain duties in his district.

This was ever so loud when he spoke of the only evident growth in the Third District. “Before the General Elections of 2011 the District enjoyed growth at a level at par with the rest of the territory, but as you can all see, the only growth in the District is bush and grass, unfortunately we don’t raise livestock anymore,” he said.

According to Hon. Fraser, what is funny about those bush and grass, is that the NDP Government is using them as a political weapon to spite some residents, “…and they know who they are, for no matter how I report the need for those roads to be cleared, they will do nothing. As for me, the District representative, I am never included in anything Government does in the District. I understand that it’s the At-Large Minister and the man who lost the election in the District who are responsible for bush cutting in the District,” he added.

He reported that several projects in the Third District continue to see the backs of responsible persons in the NDP led government. He said projects included the Sea Cows Bay Harbor Project that has been placed on hold by this administration with no word on the way forward. “I do not believe that this Government cares enough about Sea Cows Bay to move the dial on it.”

Another was the Sage Mountain Road widening that gained much attention during the VIP Administration. Hon. Fraser said the project continues to be at a standstill for the two years after elections despite a contractor having a signed contract in hand to complete the project, which included property restoration and protection.

Not for political discussion

A flurry of questions also came from several reporters. The questions ranged from the leadership of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), if he had intentions of becoming the VIP leader to that of the status of BiWater.

However, Honourable Fraser insisted on not providing answers to certain questions put to him as he insisted that his meeting was not going to take on a political agenda and reporters can have those questions answered at another forum. “This meeting is not for that, you can meet me somewhere else and ask those questions,” he insisted.