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Hon. Fraser calls it quits from Public Accounts Committee!

- The veteran legislator is to be replaced by Honourable Andrew A. Fahie; Hon. Fraser has some 50 plus questions on the Order Paper
Veteran legislator Honourable Julian Fraser RA, resigned from the House of Assembly's select Public Accounts Committee effective November 5, 2013. He will be replaced by Honourable Andrew A. Fahie at the November 19, 2013 sitting of the House of Assembly (HOA). It remains unclear why the former Minister for Communications and Works has resigned from the powerful HOA committee chaired by Opposition Leader Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE. Photo: VINO/File
Front bench Ministers of Government will face many questions at the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly on November 19, 2013 posed by Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3). Questions will be posed to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (left), Communications and Works Minister Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (centre) and Minister for Education and Culture Honourale Myron V. Walwyn. Photo: VINO/File
Front bench Ministers of Government will face many questions at the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly on November 19, 2013 posed by Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3). Questions will be posed to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (left), Communications and Works Minister Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (centre) and Minister for Education and Culture Honourale Myron V. Walwyn. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Virgin Islands News Online’s sources close to the Opposition Virgin Islands Party have confirmed to this news site that Third District Representative Honourable Julian Fraser RA, has resigned as a member of the House of Assembly’s standing select Public Accounts Committee.

The sources confirmed he resigned since November 5, 2013.

While Leader of the Opposition and the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, and Hon. Fraser could not be reached for comment before post time, this information was also confirmed on the Order Paper for the House of Assembly sitting of November 19, 2013.

According to the Order Paper just obtained by this news site, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith will be moving a motion pursuant to Standing Order 72, to replace Honourable Fraser with Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, the First District Representative.

It is unclear why Hon. Fraser resigned from the Committee after being nominated by Chairman O’Neal, last year. However, the same VIP sources told this news site that Hon. Fraser has reportedly not attended much meetings of the powerful committee. The Public Accounts Committee is made up of its Chairman and Opposition Leader O’Neal, Honourables J. Alvin Christopher (Second District), Alvera Maduro-Caines (Sixth District) and Marlon A. Penn (Eighth District).

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

The Public Accounts Committee is a select committee of the House of Assembly. It is responsible for overseeing government expenditures to ensure they are effective and honest. The PAC is seen as a crucial mechanism for ensuring transparency and accountability in government financial operations. It reviews the Auditor General's reports and can call any Public Body to testify before it on their finances.

The PAC can also call on the Governor to carry out a Commission of Inquiry into any dishonest practices from any Government Bodies or individuals after an Audit report or its own investigations.

It is the only standing committee of the House that is chaired by the Leader of the Opposition and is a five member committee with three from the Opposition and two from Government. In the case where one Opposition Member is not present at a meeting and it becomes a tie, the Opposition Leader can cast an extra vote to break the tie.

Questions from Hon. Fraser at November 19, 2013 sitting

Meanwhile Hon. Julian Fraser has some 50 plus questions on the Order Paper to three Government front bench members. He will be peppering the Premier and the Ministers of Communications and Works and Education and Culture with questions on a variety of topics.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith will have to answer questions ranging from revenue and expenditure for the month of October 2013, produce Treasury Statements for the month of October 2013, revenue received from the Financial Services Commission, balance of the Reserve Fund, amount of all unpaid vouchers at the Treasury and the relationship between the UK based McAlpine and the airport project among others.  

The Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool will have to answer questions about cost of the last round of drain and ghut cleaning projects for all the districts, whether District Representatives were involved in determining the areas to be cleaned and the persons to carry out the work, and the cost of bush cutting conduced in all nine Districts, to name a few.

The controversial Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn is to be quizzed about monies of the Recreation Trust, final bills for the 2013 festival, final bills for the controversial $100G teacher’s dinner, and the name of company and cost to address the mould at schools and the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, among other questions.

The Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands will be carried live on November 19, 2013 from 10 A.M. on CBN TV channel 51.

45 Responses to “Hon. Fraser calls it quits from Public Accounts Committee!”

  • JACK BE STILL (15/11/2013, 08:31) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    To be a good leader one has to be go good follower word to the wise!!!
    • Kev (15/11/2013, 11:22) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      Chipmunk!
      • virgin gorda (15/11/2013, 18:25) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
        hurry up and leave. obviously you don't see yourself as capable of making a change so leave. Do you need taxi fare to the airport or the boat? Ralph has the right as Opp leader to say who serves on the commitee have respect
        • long time (15/11/2013, 23:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          come on boss Fraser aint going a damm way he will be around for a long long long time and out last most!!!
        • Brad (18/11/2013, 18:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          So he is jumping from his own ship he built? I thought the captain was supposed to go down with the ship...oh....my bad
  • ... (15/11/2013, 08:41) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Well at least the old mo moo dem cant' say he is power hungry as this is a serious committee that can bring down the NDP
  • hold on (15/11/2013, 08:57) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    Julian must understand the country is bigger than him or personalities we have A Country to Defend
  • Yes (15/11/2013, 09:08) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply

    He hasn't attended much meetings. Says it all really, unless it benefits him why would he? 

    • HELLO!! (16/11/2013, 02:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      He has not attended any of the meetings at all...hummm fraid of the audit on Hannah's reclamation...you can run but you cant hide.
      • hog city (16/11/2013, 14:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Do like elton georges and give it up because fraser is as clean as a whistle.
  • ting to talk (15/11/2013, 09:17) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply

    Seems like Fraser resigned in protest!!! there is more in the morta!!!!

    • mother hen (15/11/2013, 11:06) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      With some much red meat on the NDP why would he resign? Hope he is not an unstable man
  • hog city (15/11/2013, 09:26) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    Fraser had a right to resign from that useless committee. A bunch of deads who are collecting a paycheck, saying "aye" to everything even though they no that it is wrong. "Come out from among them Fraser"
  • . (15/11/2013, 09:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ralph and Alvin hasn't uttered a word yet...Not a peep nor question from either one.
  • Champ (15/11/2013, 09:36) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    mr fraser is a power house they are scared of you keep up the good works more should join you my hat off to you sir
  • ooooo (15/11/2013, 10:47) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    I told you I was watching him but I did not expect this. Now the Government can squander and increase their corruption as there is now nothing in place to check what is taking place. The question iis, will Andrew respond to the call. For someone who is obviously seeking to move up the ladder, this move may work against him.
    Fraser, the country is bigger than Tilford. I trust that you are not loosing it.
    • ooooo (15/11/2013, 11:43) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      why dont you try being yourself for once, you old copy cat?
      • the real pat (15/11/2013, 13:11) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
        Why do people steal others' identities? It is rude and dishonorable. I would think that the writer would want to stand out on his/her own rather than get confused with another.
  • ting to talk (15/11/2013, 11:05) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Fraser, I don't always agree with the things you do but I have to agree with you here. Why waste time with these people just ask your questions in the HOA. Whenever you open your mouth and ask a question them complaining but tell them its your job. Keep asking your questions Mr. Fraser thats your job. When you were on the other side that is what they did so now the shoe is on the other foot they don't want to be questioned.
  • Prophet (15/11/2013, 11:27) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe before the end of the four years he may be the chairman of the same committee...look out people
  • GoonSquad (15/11/2013, 11:32) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Where are the VIP bloggers you gone to hide today!!!
  • Heh heh (15/11/2013, 12:04) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    One foot out the door, just to resign from the HOA and we good.
    • hog city (15/11/2013, 13:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Bring back michael or OJ again "leh we do the same thing again"
  • Go Liath (15/11/2013, 12:13) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    My supposition is that Buy Water gave him some orders
  • pat (15/11/2013, 13:14) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    I would think he is more affective reviewing expenditures and accountabilities than taking his ball home.
    Process is important and if you ignore it, the laws get ignored. If Gov is not putting up for review accurate accounts, all the more reason to plant your feet and get them reviewed, not just walk away...
  • 2 cents (15/11/2013, 13:34) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    hope if he becomes Premier and he does no like the governor he would not resign
  • Chef (15/11/2013, 14:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you can't stand the heat, get out the kitchen....
  • now than ever before (15/11/2013, 14:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    we need him on the PAC in light of the recent Auditor general Report yall
  • Champ (15/11/2013, 17:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    hon frazer is a smart man some thing good is coming up don't worry
  • big girls rules (15/11/2013, 18:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fraser needs to explain to the people why he has failed us on PAC we cannot let him get away
    • buddy? (16/11/2013, 08:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ask the chairman of PAC. why serve on a body that is not moving? pure nonsense. two years of nonsense, how much should someone take? then you got the hoot to ask this question. put thyself in the position. what would you have done? anyone wanting progress would get frustrated and move. shah.
  • zoe (15/11/2013, 18:17) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Dont throw it in the people's face Mr. Fraser, we need you now more than ever!
  • Real (15/11/2013, 20:19) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Fraser is a real warrior ppl ... don't watch the step back look out for the comeback. . cause I have a strong feeling he's getting ready to attack the NDP and bring dem down
    • the rock (16/11/2013, 02:52) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      u sound like a big a$$!
    • Yea? (16/11/2013, 11:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Remember NDP hasn't put out anything on Fraser to this point? Mind what he asks for,the ammunition is plenty!
  • Kweenie (15/11/2013, 21:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just when we needed Frazer to turn the heat up he jump ship…without frazer we dead in the water hope Fahie whole he wieght!!!
  • cbs (16/11/2013, 20:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Trust me, there is nothing you can do with Fraser, its all in the genes.
  • MELEE (20/11/2013, 07:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    lawd look melle with he and fraser


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