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Hon Penn hammers Throne Speech as lacking real economic support

- says he didn't see where the Territory is going to 'innovate'
Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has criticized the Government’s Speech from the Throne delivered by Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert on November 5, 2020, as one that was lacking an action plan and real economic support for the people. Photo: GIS/File
Hon Marlon A. Penn however, commended the administration on its plans to push electronic legislation to support the digital transformation of the public service and improve e-gov services. Photo: GIS/File
Hon Marlon A. Penn however, commended the administration on its plans to push electronic legislation to support the digital transformation of the public service and improve e-gov services. Photo: GIS/File
The Opposition Leader has said the Speech from the Throne also needed to focus on more economic issues, such as unemployment and support for persons who were displaced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: VINO/File
The Opposition Leader has said the Speech from the Throne also needed to focus on more economic issues, such as unemployment and support for persons who were displaced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: VINO/File
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI – Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has criticised the Government’s Speech from the Throne delivered by Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert on November 5, 2020, as one lacking an action plan and real economic support for the people.

“I think it's relevant and I think it is important for us to innovate and do things differently in this COVID-19 era, however, I'm concerned that I didn't really see where we're going to innovate,” Hon Penn said in an interview with the Government Information Service (GIS) shortly after the delivery of the speech.

Digital transformation a must – Hon Penn

He, however, commended the administration on its plans to push electronic legislation to support the digital transformation of the public service and improve e-gov services.

“I know that we have the digital platform that is moving forward and I want to commend the Premier for continuing that process of ensuring that we put the legislative framework in place to digitise the way that we do business, which is important for us moving forward.” 

“We also have to look at what is happening on the ground right now with people with COVID-19 and I wanted to hear more in terms of how we're going to address the issues persons face in the economic devastation from COVID-19,” Hon Penn said.

Turning attention to Food Security, the Opposition leader further criticised the Virgin Islands Agriculture and Fisheries Marketing Authority Bill, which will seek to establish a statutory authority to serve as the primary authority on VI’s Food Security as one that would be too lengthy.

“Now at the time where financial resources are scarce I'm trying to figure out how we're going to get that done in a quick enough time to really get the support of the people that need the support,” he said.

More Support for those in backyard farming

Hon Penn further remarked that supporting persons in backyard farming at lands in Paraquita Bay would be one way to immediately ramp up support for food security rather than the long labourious process of creating a statutory organisation.

He said the speech also needed to focus on more economic issues, such as unemployment and support persons who were displaced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I wanted to hear more of that type of discussion in terms of legislative agenda which I didn't hear, but I’m hopeful that we could still move forward and ensure that those persons who have been displaced in the tourism economy get the support that they need moving forward,” Hon Penn said.

15 Responses to “Hon Penn hammers Throne Speech as lacking real economic support”

  • Kim (06/11/2020, 14:10) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply

    MARLON YOU ARE A B*G @$% NEED TO SHUT UP AND LET THINGS BE SOMETIMES I REALLY THINK THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE NO SENSE WHY ARE YOU QUESTIONING THE SPEECH ALL YOU THINK ABOUT IS MONEY ARE YOU REALLY ANT HELP TO AAAANY BOSY OR ANY THING JUST SHUT UP AND STOP CALLING DOWN WHAT YOU CANNOT HELP. YOU ARE JUST A WASTE OF TIME SORRY WE WAIT FOR YOU A BLODDY WASTE OF TIME

    • @kim (06/11/2020, 15:25) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      You think you constant rant up and down going to change the reality of whats happening on the ground for people who are hurting!? Hon. Penn is right people are hurting and all this government could do is be up and down with photo opts and distractions on social media. Keep on calling them out Hon. Penn, don't be distracted by these minions.
      • @kim reply (06/11/2020, 16:16) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
        He is right, but the real reality is that all this show that he is doing making his mouth loud and getting paid a big salary from gov and won’t say to a person in the community that really need it, hey look pay your rent, buy groceries or what ever. This is just another Trump parade in the British Virgin Islands apposition making his mouth loud for the public to vote him back in next election.
  • Xxx (06/11/2020, 15:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    lol smurf jam-IN
  • What a ting (06/11/2020, 16:45) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Who is speaking on behalf of those people who are suffering ? What plans are in place ? Ignorant minded people . Marlon speaking for the masses not the few who getting a regular salary . Go sit down
  • Marlon (06/11/2020, 19:49) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    the 7.2 million could be good now
  • Dancing in the sunshine (06/11/2020, 19:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Opposition Leader is looking for attention in the media. One should ask the Opposition Leader what he would have done differently to alleviate the situation. Unless we can work together as a territory, there will always be problem in the territory. The General Election is suppose to take place in a few years and the campaign has started.

    While the politicians are wrangling for position and who will do a better job, the population is suffering. That is why I am advocating for the territory to have healing. The government did an excellent job with the COVID-19. We were fortunate not to have many deaths. All praise and thanks must be unto God and the government. Let us continue to live in unity and ignore Hon. Penn.
    • VI Gyal (10/11/2020, 09:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The campaigning had finish? ANyway, do we understand what is opposition? In a time such as this the government and opposition need to work more together but we have a Dictator not a leader so that cannot happen. The Government has done a good job at protecting us and still doing so, but at what cost to the people? COVID is for years to come.
  • Lol idiots (06/11/2020, 21:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You bunch of turds can't have it both ways. You thumb your nose when they offer help and you make noise when they don't offer help. . Smh..
  • speaking honestly (06/11/2020, 22:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon. Marlon Penn, The Governor Augustus Jespert has made His last speech as our Governor from "The Throne". I think it is wise to accepted that his tender as Governor of the B.V.I is at its ending point. please stop traying to milk from dry nipples. Focus on issues that will help us solve our current problems that we are facing, short, medeu, and if you can, long term ones. We are experencing tough times in our country's history. You are the appointed leader of the opposition dince February 25,2019. You were a junior minister in the ndp before that. In my honest opinon, you have not shown yourself to be a good opposition leader. How then can you be fix to become the premier of the B.V.I performing is such a mediocure way? Let's realistic, if the cap don't fit, you should not be the wearer of it.
  • . (07/11/2020, 07:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    @kim reply i agree wid u ppl like myself out of wuk for 8 months now. Not even stimulus package i get from penn. Have children to feed bills flowing over. We live in district 8 for bout 5 years now. He just like flow all talk.
  • black live matter (07/11/2020, 11:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    look at us. those in political positions is part of the confusion in the territory especially those labeled as members of the opposition once on that side of government all they do is pull down simply and forgetting to realize they too have to come up with answers to questions on the table. the only member sitting as current opposition that can point a finger is the member for the #3 and that depends on were to stand because we all know about that wall in hog-city!!!!! Mr politician try grow up and expand your thinking. the 13 of you were entrusted by the people to take this place forward stop trying to score selfish political points
  • Diaspora 3-D/360 (07/11/2020, 20:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Hon Penn to stop throwing cold water on everything. Here is a news flash. The speech from the throne is just a blue print, a snap shot of the way forward. The fleshing out of the action plans will come later. Marlon is into his third term so he should know this. The Governor delivering a throne speech based on action plans is wacked.
  • bla bla bla (08/11/2020, 09:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marlon, it's nice to hear you putting forward suggestions.
  • Really!!! (08/11/2020, 12:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Be quiet and actually do something to benefit the ppl of these islands!!


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