I can’t say its discrimination, I call it game playing. A lot of times how I see it if they could address problems without the district representatives without bringing it to their attention and try to make the district representative seem useless or ineffective that is the game that is being played which was not the case when we were in government said Honourable Andrew A. Fahie. Photo: VINO

Ms Evelyn Fraser-Forbes spoke with much regrets, about the issues of the non responsiveness of theGovernment to their issues in Sea Cows Bay. Photo: VINO

A number of persons, including Sheila N. Brathwaite, have expressed fears that their homes and communities are at serious risk of destruction from the serious hurricane season which is scheduled to start tomorrow June 1, 2013. Some of these issues were raised by residents of Sea Cows Bay at the community meeting called by Third District Representative Honourable Julian Fraser. Photo: VINO

Some of these issues were raised by residents of Sea Cows Bay at the community meeting called by Third District Representative Honourable Julian Fraser, RA at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay on May 31, 2013.

They explained that in a number of areas in Sea Cows Bay, the roads are cracking posing threats to an entire neighbourhood while in other parts the properties of individuals are at serious risk of destruction and flooding. The problems were said to have been brought to the attention of the relevant authorities but today, no solution has been forthcoming.

The concerns were also expressed in several other communities along the West of Tortola. However, in an exclusive interview with the First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, who was present at the Sea Cows Bay meeting, he said should have been the duty of the Ministry of Communications and Works to place some priority to address the issues considering the fact that the hurricane season is here. “This is why I am stating that some of the projects that would have been attempted those monies could have been diverted to help alleviate some of these problems knowing that the hurricane season is coming up."

“I don’t know if its discrimination but I call it game playing. A lot of times, how I see it, if they could address problems without the District Representatives without bringing it to their attention and trying to make the district representative seem useless or ineffective is the game that is being played. This was not the case when we were in government,” stated Hon. Fahie.

“The Ministry of Communications and Works must respond by district because that’s the system we have. People want to say why go by district. You elect district and at large but when the time come to do the work of the people they want to forget the districts and say we just have the minister. These districts have their own dynamics that need to be addressed and the Ministry of Communications and Works can help the problem that Honourable Fraser has dealt with here today.”

Hon. Fahie said it is an urgent situation that warrants the Ministry of Communications and Works to step in as he said; speaking for Hon. Fraser and himself as the district representatives, they can only go and look at the problem and based on its magnitude, try their best to help. “But they cut that and all now. So they cut the District now by $25,000 for now and God knows how much later on without any warning.”

According to Hon Fahie, the Ministry of Communications and Works must come and listen to the voices of the District Representatives since they are the ones with the money and the Representatives are the one with the better feel of the important situations that has to be addressed.

“But when we carry the situation to them they have to understand they are not doing us a favour as saying that they trying to help the opposition, you are trying to help the Territory. Each and every one of them are tax payers, they are citizens of the territory,” said Hon Fahie.

The former Education Minister called on the Ministry of Communications and Works to take a better look at the Territory and focus on how to address the problems for when the hurricane season comes. “Right now I think they are not doing that and they are not paying any respect to the District Reps when we bring concerns to them and I am concerned about how ready we are given that some of the problems, and some of them calls for small solutions. So I am concerned about some of the problems that are being ignored but not for the want of myself, Honourable Fraser and other representatives to bring it to the attention of the public and to the Ministry of Communications and Works. They have to do a better job at this front,” Hon Fahie stated.

The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) said in a recent press release  that they are  actively getting ready for what has been predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to be a busy hurricane season and is encouraging residents in the entire Territory to do the same.

“On May 23, NOAA issued its 2013 Atlantic hurricane season outlook and their forecast of an active or extremely active season this year is in keeping with those issued by the Colorado State University and other forecasting agencies. NOAA’s Atlantic Hurricane Season outlook indicated that there is a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes, including 3 to 6 major hurricanes,” stated the release.

The hurricane season will run for six months, beginning from tomorrow June1, 2013. “During the month of June a number of important activities will be taking place specifically focused on getting the entire population ready.  These include community meetings and training, school assessments and plan development, capacity building for emergency responders as well as the launch of our annual hurricane preparedness campaign that will utilize all sources of media to inform and educate the public,” the Director of Disaster Management, Sharleen DaBreo said in the release.

Ms DaBreo emphasised the need for everyone to take responsibility for preparing themselves for the impact of any natural hazard such as storm surge, high winds, rough seas or significant flooding of vulnerable communities and locations throughout the Territory.  She particularly called on persons who are new to the Territory to obtain the necessary information and to be ready for any possible impact.

The DDM will officially launch its Hurricane Preparedness Campaign on Monday, June 3 and is designed to help residents prepare. Persons will be able to obtain information from various sources in both English and Spanish.

According to DDM, agreements are in place with all radio and television stations to carry public service announcements and other educational programmes on hurricane preparedness. Persons wishing to volunteer with DDM are reminded that they can register online at www.bviddm.com. For persons who prefer social media channels, they can join the Department on Facebook or subscribe to its website to receive all updates and advisories.