The Virgin Islands House of Assembly will meet this morning Tuesday June 13, 2017 at 10:00 AM at its Chambers in Road Town, the capital city. Photo: VINO/File

Left: The ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Government has a history of misleading the HoA, hence the people, in answers to questions asked, according to Opposition Leader Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1). Right: Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) described those who exercise their democratic rights and opinions to speak out on the education system as ‘lairs and wicked set of people.’ Photo: VINO/File

At today’s Eighth Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA), Government will propose two new Bills, one entitled Financial Secretary (Transfer of Powers) Act, 2017 for its first reading, and for its second and third reading the Customs Management  and Duties (Amendment ) Act 2017.

More power for politicians

This Financial Secretary’s Transfer of Powers Bill is intended to strip the Financial Secretary of his/her powers and transfer same to the Minister of Finance. The new Act supersedes any provision in any other enactment conferring power on the Financial Secretary, and inconsistent with the provisions of the new Act, giving more power to the Minister of Finance.

A significant aspect of the Bill is that the Minister of Finance can, in his discretion by instrument in writing, delegate the performance of any of the powers, functions and duties transferred to him, to the Financial Secretary or any other public officer.

In addition, today will see the two-member Virgin Islands Party Opposition asking questions on a variety of topics from the First Caribbean International Bank Loan, the controversial BVI Airways $7.2M bailout, price tag for the St Thomas Bay, Virgin Gorda Jetty, the Cruise Pier Project-another controversial project and the H. L. Stoutt Community College among others.

Lies in the HoA a norm-Hon Fahie

It remains unclear if the Government front bench will answer all the questions and do so truthfully, as the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Government has a history of misleading the HoA, hence the people, in answers to questions asked, according to Opposition Leader Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1).

Under Other Business, Parliamentarians can talk freely on any topic and some Members use that occasion to rant and insult businesses and residents they do not like.

Controversial Walwyn insults critics

At the last Sitting of June 6, 2017 Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) described those who exercise their democratic rights and opinions to speak out on the education system as “lairs and wicked set of people” which most people found very offensive and dictatorial. However, it’s in keeping with how Mr Walwyn has conducted himself over the past six years in the HoA, leading one NDP member and spokeswoman, former Legislator Eileene L. Parsons OBE, to describe the body as a “circus”.

The HoA Sitting will be carried live on CBN Television Channel 51 and ZBVI 780 AM from 10:00 AM.