Fifth District Representative and Member of the National Democratic Party, Hon. Delores Christopher was one of several Members of the House in opposition to the draft bill for disaster management. Photo: VINO/File

Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser, RA felt the bill represented a backward step in its current form and stated that he would not be debating it. Photo: VINO/File

Leader of the Opposition and Head of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon. Ralph T. Oneal, OBE lashed out at the Governor for declaring a state of disaster within the Territory without contacting the Premier and felt that it was it was 'fundamentally wrong' that the Cabinet and Premier of the Territory would not be able to assist residents in times of disaster. Photo: VINO/File

Opposition to the bill, Disaster Management Act (2011), being debated in the House of Assembly (HOA) resulted in the appointment of a Select Committee to address the concerns of Members of the HOA today, April 30, 2013.

Hon. Christopher stated that her opposition came as a result of a lack of any clearly outlined role for elected officials being defined within the legislation. “There are elements that I am totally not happy with that I have observed in this draft bill that is before us…” stated Hon. Christopher.

She added, “It seems to me Madam Speaker, after combing through the bill, that there is not a role really for elected officials in the whole scheme of things, in this whole disaster preparedness…”

The Fifth District Representative stated that the absence of any role troubled her a little bit and she was “not going to hide”. “I do not agree that that is the right approach,” she continued.

Stating that Members of the House were there to serve, Hon. Christopher noted that Representatives have been called in various disaster situations by their constituents for assistance in the past. She also felt that the bill was not tailor made for the VI and noted that it was a huge one, describing it as ‘weighty’.

“Madam Speaker I don’t know who else has found the clause, but I have not found it in this draft bill, where at any time there is any role for any elected official… I have a problem with it,” she said.

Opposition Leader and Member of the Virgin Islands, Party Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE also lashed out at a previous declaration of a state of disaster within the Territory by the Governor. “How are you going to have a Governor making a proclamation about a disaster without the Cabinet even being contacted?” Hon. O'Neal asked. “This is wrong, this is so wrong… what are you doing with the Cabinet?”

He stated that the Cabinet was there to look after the people’s interests and they know about disasters.

According to the Opposition Leader, it was “fundamentally wrong” that the Cabinet and Premier of the Territory would not be able to assist residents in times of disaster.

At-Large Territorial Representative, Hon. Archibald C. Christian felt the role of the Director of the Department of Disaster Management was an important one but also expressed concern that the role may be overwhelming and the work involved is ‘spread out’ so that the Director may not be involved in mundane things. He also expressed concern about the role of the Governor in the bill.

Second District Representative Hon. J. Alvin Christopher also expressed concern about the bill in its current form noting that it represented a ‘backward step’. “I believe that this bill as it is written and because of the volume of work that needs to be done on this bill, I would recommend that this bill be sent to a Select Committee of this House and try to get it more in line with the level of our development as stands today.”

Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser, RA also expressed reservations about the bill as it was laid out and added that he was surprised that the bill came before the House as it was for a second and third reading.

“When the bill was introduced it was agreed that we would meet, as a committee of the whole House to discuss it, we did, but it was not concluded,” said Hon. Fraser.

According to the Third District Representative, he felt it was clear in the session to the Premier that Members were a bit “beyond uncomfortable” with the bill as it was. “I am not going to debate the bill, I am going to debate the issue before us, the issue before us is not what’s in the bill… it goes beyond that,” he added.

He felt that the particular portfolio should be under a Minister and no longer with the Governor as was alluded to by the Leader of the Opposition. “We should be taking back power, not giving power to the Governor,” he stated.

Hon. Fraser said, “If the Premier of this country is worth his or her salt, these are the areas he should be taking this country. That is the direction he should be taking this country in.”

His pronouncement did not find favour with Premier, Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith and was immediately objected to as he asked that the Member retract the statement. Hon. Fraser apologised for any disrespect but said he stood by his statement. Hon. Fraser said he would not debate the bill in its current form.

Other members of the House, including Eighth District Representative Hon. Marlon A. Penn and Minister for Health and Social Development Ronnie W. Skelton also felt that the bill needed revision. The Health Minister felt that the Premier needed a bigger role within the Territory and felt the Disaster portfolio should come under him.

Premier Smith felt that there was much opposition to the administration of the Act rather than the actual content of the Act which was meant to improve the management of disasters in the country.

He said the whole intent of the Act was to improve on what was there before so that the Territory would be more prepared to meet any disaster. He subsequently appointed a Select Committee that comprised Hon. O'Neal, Hon. Skelton and Hon. Delores Christopher to head a review of the bill.

The bill was having its second reading during today’s continuation of the eighth sitting of the second session of the second House of Assembly.