NDP discriminates against VIP/Opp. held districts - PWD 2013 report
It means that under the new National Democratic Party (NDP) culture if you excised your democratic right and vote for whomever you please and it’s not for an NDP candidate you will be discriminated against according to the Public Works Department 2013 Report.
This report was laid on the Table of the House of Assembly (HoA) by the Communications and Works Minister Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) on November 10, 2014 at the First Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second HoA.
The PWD 2013 report shows that last year the district represented by Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal (R9), Honourable Julian Fraser RA, (R3), and Honourable Andrew A. Fahie all members of the Opposition Lead Virgin Islands Party (VIP), and Honourable J. Alvin Christopher (R2) of the People Empowerment Party (PEP) got little or no petty contracts from the ruling NDP.
No petty contracts for VIP Districts - 2013 PWD Report
On page 19 of the report it shows that a mere 33 petty contracts were issued with total expenditure amounted to Nine hundred thirty eight thousand, five hundred ninety seven dollars and fifty six cents ($938,597.56).
Of that amount of pretty contracts issued last year zero went to the ninth district (Virgin Gorda/Anegada) represented by Hon. O’Neal, and zero to the first district (West End, Carrot Bay, Zion Hill, Frenchman’s Cay, Little Apple Bay, etc) Represented by Hon. Fahie.
For the whole of 2013 both the 3rd district represented by VIP Chairman Honourable Julian Fraser got a mere 1 petty contract from the NDP with Hon J. Alvin Christopher the PEP Chairman getting only 2 for a whole year according the PWD 2013 Report.
Out of the 33 petty contracts issued last year Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Vanterpool took 11 of them for his fourth district while the fifth and six districts controlled by two NDP incumbents racked up 7 for the fifth and 6 for the six district.
The Opposition members have complained for years that since the NDP came to power in 2011 about the blatant lack of government work in their districts and how everything have became political and it appears from the PWD report the evidence is now there to support their claims.
A source close to the Opposition Virgin Islands Party told our news room this morning that under the VIP Administrations this have never happened as all districts were respected along with the District Representatives whether you voted NDP or VIP. “This new gang has certainly started a new and dangerous culture” he told our news room.
The person no longer in elective office said he remembered around 2010/11 when Hon O'Neal then Premier took a petty contract from one of his own At-Large members and give it to a then Opposition NDP member who represented a district.
When asked which member was that, he told us to “go do your research”.
NDP Killed Petty Contract System
It is no secret that the National Democratic Party is not a supporter of the petty contract system. Since coming to power in 2011 their spending on petty contracts has declined over the years.
For example according to the report in 2012 the NDP Administration spent some $6, 617, 509.11 on petty contracts but in 2013 that number went down to a mere $938, 597.56. This represents a $5.7 million drop in spending clearing showing that the current government does not see petty contracts that helps the regular contractor as a priority.
18 Responses to “NDP discriminates against VIP/Opp. held districts - PWD 2013 report”
In the opposition districts, look at the Park and the basketball court in VG, these are major contracts which have delivered vital services. What about the ambulance boat for VG? In JVD, the emergency generator from EC and the various works by WSD to prepare for Biwater. In Anegada, the Lobsterfest to stimulate economic activities? What about roadworks under the CDB loan?
Even in the Government held districts, it is major contracts - sewage, roadworks, Greenland stadium, East End harbor, drainage - under which major infrastructure and services are delivered.
Let's not forget the national projects - Hospital, Cruise Pier, Phase 5 from EC.
As an impartial observer, petty contracts even though the intentions are good, are just a political tool for campaigning and vote-influencing. Looking at the number of petty contracts is a very poor analysis of how things get done.