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Hon. Vanterpool made promises but hasn’t delivered - Opp Leader

- Leader of the Opposition Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE blasted PWD & NDP Administration for giving out bush-cutting work in his district without his consent!
Leader of the Opposition the Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE (left) has blasted the Public Works Department and the National Democratic Party Government for disregarding protocol and tradition in giving out contracts for bush-cutting in his District and sought clarity on the matter during the sittings of the 2014 Standing Finance Committee on the budget deliberations. Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool seemed to admit to this by justifying this type of disregard for protocol and tradition by saying “other representatives participated in the exercise.” Photo: VINO
PWD Director Mr. Jeffrey M. Skelton (centre) promised to forward the road widening exercise to the Ministry of Communications and Works. When asked by Opposition Leader O’Neal for an expected time and date of completion Mr. Skelton response was “shortly”. Photo: VINO
PWD Director Mr. Jeffrey M. Skelton (centre) promised to forward the road widening exercise to the Ministry of Communications and Works. When asked by Opposition Leader O’Neal for an expected time and date of completion Mr. Skelton response was “shortly”. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI: The culture of disrespect for District Representatives created by the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) regime following the 2011 elections appears to continue but is more prevalent in Virgin Islands Party (VIP) held districts.

It was during the 2014 House of Assembly (HOA) Standing Finance Committee (SFC) on the Budget Deliberation that Leader of the Opposition and Ninth District Representative Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, also went on record about things happening in his district without his consent.

At the time the Public Works Department (PWD) was before the SFC represented by its Director Mr. Jeffrey M. Skelton.

Hon. O’Neal told the HOA select committee that “bush-cutting works were given out in the Ninth District without his consent” and asked for clarity on the matter.

In response the Minister for Communications and Works seemed to admit to this by justifying this type of disregard for protocol and tradition by saying “other representatives participated in the exercise”. In other words At-Large members can give out bush-cutting contracts without regard to the District Representatives.

Following the 2011 elections and for the first time in the Virgin Islands’ political history At-Large representatives (many accused the controversial Education and Culture Minister Myron V. Walwyn of being the biggest violator) have gone into all nine Districts and given out works with little or no regard for the District Representatives.

Two well-placed sources inside the NDP Government told us, “they even tried this on many occasions in NDP-member Districts but they were told to stop it and consult and it had caused some tensions in Caucus and now they consult in NDP Districts. At least now they share the work between NDP held districts and the At-Large Member…but it’s not the same for VIP held districts.”

All four Opposition members are now on record on this matter with Honourable J. Alvin Christopher (R2) telling the HOA last year that he was told the person to issue contracts in his District was Claude Skelton-Cline who is unelected.

Promises not delivered on VG road

Ninth District Representative Hon. O’Neal also made a passionate plea to the PWD and Minister for Communications and Works over a Road in Virgin Gorda.

He said, “I would like to bring to attention the great need to widen a part of the Lee Road by the Catholic Centre in the Valley, due to the traffic increasing every day and there were quite a few narrow escapes…the time will come that something serious would happen there if the matter was not rectified.”

Hon. O’Neal with some 38 plus years in Parliament blasted the Communications and Works Minister Vanterpool saying in the SFC meeting “promises were made by the Minister but not delivered”.

PWD boss Mr. Skelton then promised to forward the road widening exercise to the Ministry of Communications and Works. When asked by Opposition Leader O’Neal for an expected time and date of completion Mr. Skelton response was “shortly”.

15 Responses to “Hon. Vanterpool made promises but hasn’t delivered - Opp Leader”

  • fish (20/02/2014, 13:47) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ting to talk uncle wake up
    • Airrion (21/02/2014, 07:36) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      GOD! When VIP was running and got elected they made promises out of this world, and the people are still waiting. All of them need to GO HOME and be removed to let new young blood come in. Politics no matter where in the world is a bunch of lies to get weak minded people to vote for them. THE END.
  • zoe (20/02/2014, 14:01) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Poor uncle
    • xxxxxxxx (20/02/2014, 21:49) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      What cocka-may-may the NDP doing? Do they know disrespect to the people on the opposition that we elected is disrespect to the people? SMH
  • Bubbles (20/02/2014, 14:10) Like (10) Dislike (14) Reply
    what is wrong with this man for some 38 years the readin said and only now he sees the road need widening give me a break uncle HON RALPH stop lookin something to make stupid trouble like the rest of them.
    • virgin gorda (20/02/2014, 14:48) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      you all better expect someone to die first before they do anything on VG expect cut bush and build parks
  • Lmao! (20/02/2014, 16:06) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
    This is shameful I have to laugh before I end up crying. Uncle really serious? The man is MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKS! MINISTER! He can cut whatever bush he wants. WTF is wrong with these people? The Minister is responsible for the entire Territory.
  • history teacher (20/02/2014, 16:20) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Oh jeez not again does the NDP know the shows will be on the other foot after next elections?
  • ooooo (20/02/2014, 16:30) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    mark only does work in his district
  • Geez um bree (20/02/2014, 18:55) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
    What an embarrasing time for the so call 9th district Rep. Everything he complaints about
    is such a joke, as if he just discover. These things been there to be done how many centuries
    now? Mark has a right to dont study him. He was in Government he didnt do one thin beside waste
    money on his buddies.

    Then again he is in between naps, so you need to excuse him and respect his age. He just Whatneed to
    go sit downm shut up and take a chill pill.

    What a shameful legacy if you can be honest for once.
    • @ Geez um bree (20/02/2014, 21:27) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      Jeez um bread look how deeds wicked cowbirds NDP paid bloggers tying to change the subject by critizing Uncle Ralph when the real issue is about the NDP total reckless disregard for other elected officials…this dog will not hunt yall
  • tretretrete (20/02/2014, 21:28) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    we got hoodwick and banboozle again by this government but 2 more years
  • come on..... (21/02/2014, 11:10) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    SO, you mean to tell me,that before this last government came to office. It never occured to Hon. Ralph O'neal to widen the road in Virgin Gorda. I Mean, If I was the finance minister and over districts. Sorry, but all of my districts, would have been satisfied with what ever needs to be done in each district. There would be no complaints.
  • wise up (22/02/2014, 18:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    NDP is a waste of time
    VIP is a waste of time
  • summer (23/02/2014, 14:56) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Oh please Ralph retire for me please. You was Chief Minister and Premier and still Virgin Gorda does not reflect this. When you go to other Caribbean Islands and you see the parish or district that the Prime Minister holds seat for you don't have to wonder who the representative is. Please retire so that Virgin Gorda can stop living in the Medival ages. Please Ralph retire.


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