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NDP Gov’t behaving just like pre-Irma- Hon Andrew A. Fahie

- supports Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull’s sentiments that Government acting without the people
Ministers of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government. From left: Honourables Myron V. Walwyn (AL), Minister for Education and Culture; Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), Minister for Communications and Works; Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), Minister for Health and Social Development; Dr Kedrick D Pickering (R7), Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL). The NDP Government has been accused of isolating the people and its own backbenchers. Photo: VINO
Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), left, has supported Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, right, for fighting for the people and not political party. Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), left, has supported Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, right, for fighting for the people and not political party. Photo: VINO/File
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, the home of one of the most popular beaches in the Caribbean, was assaulted by Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. There has been little to no effort from Government to get the community cleaned up as most of the work was done by residents. Photo: VINO/File
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, the home of one of the most popular beaches in the Caribbean, was assaulted by Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. There has been little to no effort from Government to get the community cleaned up as most of the work was done by residents. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Already having his fair share of being shunned and ignored, Leader of the Opposition Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has said the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government has not budged even with the passage of Category 5 Hurricane Irma, as it continues to operate in isolation, ignoring the people who put them in office.

The NDP has forever been criticised of ignoring the people and had promised to change that critical flaw when the party was re-elected back in 2011.

It has; however, remained the same and apart from being unaccountable to the people of the territory in most of their spending, it continues to have a select few, minus some of its backbenchers, make decisions for the people.

Now even its own elected party members are rebelling publicly and started to consult with their constituents without input from the Ministers.

Nothing has changed for NDP after Irma

And leader of the Opposition Hon Fahie has said the NDP Government hasn’t learned any lessons from Hurricane Irma and has been operating like ‘business as usual.'

Speaking to radio station, ZBVI 780 AM on December 7, 2017, Hon Fahie said if all 13 elected Members were called to the table from the time Hurricane Irma struck, “we would have been able to put politics aside and do what is best for the country.”

The First District Representative related that he heard he as a Member of the Opposition was invited to meetings with the other elected officials after the killer storm but that is not so.

He said he became aware of meetings involving elected officials happening at Peebles Hospital through a family member who was injured.

“I went on my own. I invited myself to the meeting but when I was there I was told that it was a policy meeting and every time I went to give an input or ask questions I was told that my questions would have to be submitted to the head of DDM and the requisite ministries would give an answer and then returned to me.”

We have to be on the ground helping, listening

Hon Fahie said sarcastically that the instructions sounded like he was in the House of Assembly.

“So my frequency to those meeting decreased and I had to go on the ground to help the people. We have to be on the ground to help the people of the Virgin Islands. The meetings that have been held, for the most part, they have their place but it cannot be the hub of where we make our decisions without the people. Our restoration plan that the Premier is unveiling does not incorporate the people’s view, for the most part, it does not include all 13 of us views. And we behaving just like pre-Irma.”

Cane Garden Bay residents should have been consulted

The Leader of the Opposition also supported sentiments by Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, who blasted his own boss, Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL), for not consulting with Cane Garden Bay and Brewers Bay residents or helping to get those beaches ready before inviting cruise ships back to the Territory.

According to Hon Fahie, Cane Garden Bay Beach in particular is to the VI what The Baths is to Virgin Gorda.

“That should have been one of the first priorities in terms of areas cleaned up for the tourists to be able to traverse there on the beach. With no disrespect to any other area, not the Brandy Wine Bay, you know we already spent millions of dollars there but Cane Garden Bay is a natural beach. It just needs cleaning up and there are lots of other persons, even in my District, who have been diving and taking things out of the sea, that we could have called or gone on the television or radio or whatever and just call them and whoever they can get and let them go in and if we have to pay them pay them or if the community can afford to get it done and clean up the Cane Garden Bay beach.

“That one is not about politics, that is just about country and I continue to say that these ideas need to be respected.”

Hon Fahie added that Hon Turnbull is fighting for the people and not political party.

“So if there is anything to benefit, we must sit down with the very same people and hear their views, and they would have told us to go and clean up Cane Garden Bay first.”

See link to related article:

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/hon-turnbull-slams-his-boss-dr-smith-tells-him-we-are-not-open-for-business

14 Responses to “NDP Gov’t behaving just like pre-Irma- Hon Andrew A. Fahie”

  • voter (08/12/2017, 16:32) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    What's new they will not change until we REMOVE them from office
    • LO (09/12/2017, 17:24) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      The leader do not know day from night . He needs to go and fast he is a disgrace he even cannot represent us properly in the USA. He went looking for help with out a plan what is his plan to start rebuilding or he just want the money to waste again. I do hope and pray for this governor keep his eyes on them .
  • i said it (08/12/2017, 19:28) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I say they are acting like prima Donna's or going through some type of mid life crisis.
  • Foriegn (08/12/2017, 20:11) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    They wanted a chance so here comes the change. I was never an NDP fan and never will be. I always know Doctor was the the Premier calling not politics. But the people gave them a chance only to prove themselves wrong.
    • @ foriegn (08/12/2017, 21:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      I do not blame doc he has become helpless its those two loose canons around him; M & M
  • open wide (08/12/2017, 20:12) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    what's new here? NEXT
  • peace (09/12/2017, 05:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Need some peace and unity in the Camp. Fahie is a Guy I like a lot, he is a good man, doing a good Job. In all honesty Fahie is not the leader we need. I wont even put Fahis as Ddputy.. From whats on the streets it seems and appears as if Fahie is part of the grsedy bunch.. different to the street talk I dont see him as the leader ws need.
  • The Award winning show. (09/12/2017, 05:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    How come no politician. None addressing the most important subject. Jobs. Jobs and jobs. What are the scared of ?, What discussion they had with Peter Island. What discussion the had with Scrub Island What discussion they had with Rite Way. What discussion they had with Cable TV. What discussion you had with trust companies.. Tell us and tell us what came out of those discussions. Where is the Premier?, Where is the representation?
  • parent (09/12/2017, 08:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is Myron not addressing the schools in West End?? When it rains, the children are sitting in water!!!! Unfortunately he's playing politics but the children are suffering. It's very unfair. Oh and guess what....I heard he wants to close the Isabella Morris Primary School. Lord knows I want to leave the BVI but at the same time I want to help rebuild my country. I can't turn my back and then come back when it's all fine and dandy. Therefore I will continue to pray for my country and the persons "running" it.
  • Women united (09/12/2017, 20:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is time for a woman to run this Country. A woman at the helm. Is going to make sure this Country is running the way it should be. It time for change. Angela Merkel, Ellen Johnson Sirleef,Christine Fernandez De Kirchner are leaders of their Countries. They can do it and so can you.#Women United.
  • ccc (10/12/2017, 12:33) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The longer we live with the daily lies and ridiculous press releases, the more we become conditioned to the daily NDP watch (including the jokes which sort of numb us temporarily), the more those who support this gang continue to allow craziness and corruption to go unchecked; the more normal it all becomes. And the less repairable it will be if we ever get past this.


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