Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

‘Gov’t collapsed? We were busy working on bills’- Hon Walwyn

- in face of criticism that the NDP Gov’t was nowhere to be seen or heard from weeks after Hurricane Irma
The National Democratic Party Government was busy working on bills after Hurricane Irma, hence their lack of presence with the people, said Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL), Minister for Education and Culture. Also in photo are Hons Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), Minister for Communications and Works; Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), Minister for Health and Social Development; Dr The Hon Kedrick D Pickering (R7), Minister for Natural Resources and Labour; and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL). Photo: VINO/File
The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government was heavily criticised for being AWOL weeks after Hurricane Irma ravaged the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government was heavily criticised for being AWOL weeks after Hurricane Irma ravaged the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
WICKHAM’S CAY II, Tortola, VI- After the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government was heavily criticised for being AWOL weeks after Hurricane Irma ravaged the Virgin Islands, Education Minister Myron V. Walwyn (AL) has sought to defend his government, saying they were busy working on bringing bills to the House of Assembly to keep the country moving.

When the NDP Government was finally heard from it was to rush to have a curfew bill made into law on October 5, 2017 to allow for the state of emergency called by Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert to be lifted while keeping the curfew.

Further, a report written in the Express, a United Kingdom news outlet, claimed that Governor Jaspert is a hero as he single-handedly took control of the post Hurricane Irma situation as the local Government of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) had collapsed.

The article, which was published on September 10, 2017, said sources reported how in Irma’s aftermath Governor Jaspert single-handedly took control of operations due to the breakdown of local government.

“Local government has collapsed and he has been forced to take over on his own.

“He has rolled his sleeves up and has personally directed operations,” the source said, according to the United Kingdom Express Newspaper.

Premier Smith has already dismissed the reports as ‘fake news’.

However, in another attempt to save face, Honourable Walwyn, while debating the Micro Business Companies Act 2017 at the continuation of the Eleventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands at Ritter House on Wickham’s Cay II, Tortola on November 16, 2017, dismissed reports that the NDP Government had crashed.

“There have a talk out there and I will get to that when the time is ready, that this government collapsed after Irma, and all of us drop down dead like we couldn’t do nothing.

“Even in the aftermath of Irma these [bills] were some of the things that we were working on to make sure we can get the economy of this country moving,” Hon Walwyn stated.

‘I had to go check on the people to see if they alive’

The Minister also said he was out of his house early the day after Hurricane Irma struck to check on residents, adding that Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) also did likewise.

“I don’t know about the rest of them who after Irma, I believed that I called around…but I know that as soon as the morning break, I was blocked in my house…I had to crawl over the verandah, crawl over to my neighbour to get on the road the first thing in the morning.

“My wife asked me where you going? I tell her I have to go look for the people to see if they alive. And I spent that whole day all over Tortola.”

The Minister then emphasised that government did not collapse as is being reported but that it was busy working on bringing bills to the House of Assembly.

“…And then to hear that the Government dropped down or we collapsed? But I will talk about that at another time. But we were busy working on getting things like this [Micro Business Companies Act 2017] ready, Madam Speaker, for the people of this country.”

21 Responses to “‘Gov’t collapsed? We were busy working on bills’- Hon Walwyn”

  • ann (18/11/2017, 11:19) Like (32) Dislike (1) Reply
    TRUTH be told they are still missing in action
    • 3 questions Mr. Minister. (18/11/2017, 14:22) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      1/ Don't you think Rite Way should have already fix back those damage stores? 2/ Why u think Rite Way isn't in any Rush to fix them back (They should have gotten insurance money) 3/ Did the new owners in the buying process mentioned that the staff was too big and the salary budget was too big and their were going to cut it? For your info. They have been saying and threatening the staff to cut staff way before the hurricane..( Storm excuses )..
      • @3 Questions (19/11/2017, 13:12) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        What does this really have to do with the government? The government can't make Riteway do anything. Companies have the right to lay off and close stores. Go talk to your friends and family members that looted and damaged the stores and now you don't have a job. They ass probably got a job and you just sitting there struggling. Ever think if they didn't do what they did, you might not have it so hard. But you talk and laugh with them still. Go cuss them and stop humbugging up the ministers about a problem your own damn people caused.
    • wize up (19/11/2017, 17:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Ann: I don't mean to be disrespectful to you; however you can not/should not used the word "ACTION" in the same sentence with NDP( just use MISSING)
  • See (18/11/2017, 12:31) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    a crock of
  • resident (18/11/2017, 13:52) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    You may be telling the truth but the silence from our elected officials after Irma was very disheartening. Yes our radio station was down but the same way they held meetings in the district weeks later could have been done. We could have been notified by PA systems where the meetings would take place. It was very depressing that our leaders did not see it fit to find some way to reassure us that everything would be all right, that they are working to get the necessary supplies etc. No wonder so many people died. No joke life was terrifying after Irma and no word from our leaders. The usvi seemed to have had it so much more organised. It was very embarrassing.
  • What? Stop playing us.. (18/11/2017, 14:12) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where is the communication bill. The network and cable services are so poor. Where is the Labour bill that brings some himanity to the labour law " That allows an employer to srnd an employee home for 3 months without a dime just to add more humiliation to emoyees after they show up at the ends of the 3 months to be told their job has been made redundant...With all these bills poor people wasn't on you all mind
  • long look me come from (18/11/2017, 14:14) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    funny man go home we do not want to hear you until after the investigations
  • Frazer for Premier (18/11/2017, 14:36) Like (24) Dislike (8) Reply
    Truth be told.. Hate him or like him... Rite now it's only Frazer can dig us out of this hole...Cable, internet, Employers, etc..On and on. Knocking us about. These things would never happen under a frazer administration..
    • @Frazer for Premier (19/11/2017, 09:56) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      I tend to agree.. The people lease like are always the real people, the truthful and courageous ones. I think Frazer will be a good Premiere... Especially in these tough times. When we need Tough, courageous and a voice for the poor and suffering... I will take Frazer
  • Political Observer (P.O.) (18/11/2017, 17:37) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    MEC, stop it! Government collapse because it was working on bills to bring to the HOA? Really, BS! Government needs to function effectively in crisis and in normal times. government should be able to govern and write legislation, should it not?
  • Voterfromeast (18/11/2017, 19:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Come next election, i will be voting for a change. Not because of the fallout from irma and maria but, because this Government has lost its credibility for years now. A friendly warning for any protential candidate...if all you have to offer are the mistakes made because the NDP failed us during the storms think again. I am looking for solutions and not just who did wrong or whatever.
    • voter (18/11/2017, 21:10) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
      that is why I am voting for Julian Willock a man with solutions to the table BAM
  • Concerned (18/11/2017, 21:13) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    The leadership of this country is disappointing. The Premier certainly does not have the ability to lead. 95 percent of the time he is inarticulate. It is sad, very sad. We are in a state of despair because of the government's inability to stand up and lead. And now with Irma and Maria, it is even more transparent. Return to God and live! December is here and 85 percent of the people did not yet settle insurance claims. So the tax exempt initiative on imports only benefits merchants who already steal and plunder for larger profits. Return to God and live!
    • Reply (19/11/2017, 22:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Poor dr smith every time he open his trap we the people are embarrass
  • Really (18/11/2017, 21:18) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Excuse Mr Archie Christian never one day pass in carrot Bay to find how the folks in the village are doing but guess what what we have a good azz whipping for .
  • Street reporter (19/11/2017, 08:24) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    14 days later after irma I saw myron on vg trying to be relevant.

    Everybody knows THE government collapsed after the storms there is zero debate on that as facts is facts!!!!!
  • All successful intelligent business men (19/11/2017, 09:36) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Selfish, Too much greed.. Too much friendly associates...Cowards.. Control by large companies, Don't care about people.. They should step down and focus on their businesses.. Like one blogger said. Hand the Country over to Frazer... One thing for sure we will get is "Courageous and caring representation"
  • wize up (19/11/2017, 17:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What you buy is what you wear(we the people have nothing to show for all that money the government keeps boasting that we have)


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.