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House of Assembly prorogued; Next meeting unknown

The Virgin Islands parliament has been homeless since the Category 5 hurricanes of September 2017. Photo: VINO
Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) labeled the post hurricanes recovery plan 'putting the cart before the horse' as he believed the public's input should have been already incorporated into the draft. Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) labeled the post hurricanes recovery plan 'putting the cart before the horse' as he believed the public's input should have been already incorporated into the draft. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The House of Assembly (HoA) last met on December 20, 2017 at the Arbitration Centre in the Ritter House on Wickham's Cay II, Tortola.

The Chambers has been homeless following two Category 5 hurricanes, Irma and Maria, that gutted the HoA building in September 2017, leaving only the frame standing.

At the last session, which was the Twelfth Session of the Second Sitting of the Third House of Assembly (HoA), the House was prorogue, meaning that they will return under a new session and new business.

Who will pay for the recovery?

The public is also waiting on the 2018 Budget address and financing plans for the post hurricanes recovery. The Administration has released a draft post hurricanes recovery plan seeking public input; however, some residents and political activists have labeled the draft, as ‘a done deal’, knowing the history of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Government not to seek public input on its polices.

Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) labeled the plan “putting the cart before the horse” as he believed the public's input should have been already incorporated into the draft.

No date has been set in 2018 for a new meeting and session; however, government passed a stop gap spending measure to fund its operations until the 2018 Budget or Appropriation Bill is passed in the Legislature.

The temporary funding of $101M will take the Territory up to April 2018.

HoA spokesman Linton V. Leonard, when reached, said he was “out of office on sick leave”, so could not respond to our request for a meeting date.

8 Responses to “House of Assembly prorogued; Next meeting unknown”

  • pat (09/01/2018, 18:03) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    who cares when they meet? the governor needs to dissolved the house and call new elections
  • wize up (09/01/2018, 18:56) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    what governor what: constructionally elections is 2019:you need to encourage the governor to send some them of to the jail house for miss-operating your tax money:
  • insiders (09/01/2018, 21:50) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    National Disgraceful Party members need to go in exile. All I see is another waste of time Governor. He will get my attention when he start hold them punks accountable.
  • The real Boo (10/01/2018, 17:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Prorogued? we need some of them jailed
  • Solutions (10/01/2018, 17:11) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    raze this building to the ground keeping historically or culturally important elements that remain for the replacement.

    Give the space to the school (but close that school entrance next door to ease traffic). Build a proud new building next to administration drive where the fountain was to go that will not only be close to govt but also be a proud building of interest to our visitors there.
  • Concerned (10/01/2018, 21:31) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Madam Speaker attitude stinks. More inclined to turn people off than make them wanna listen
  • The real Boo (10/01/2018, 22:10) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Prorogued? we need some of them exiled
  • facts man (16/01/2018, 22:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The sessions are useless any how


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