New Demon Party (NDP) is getting desperate – Premier
“The kind of lies that you are hearing [from] the New Demon Party....I am going to suggest to the college’s president to have a degree name Doctor In Lies. They were in Virgin Gorda (VG) telling people not to bother with Ralph, that they will take care of the people of VG... and they have all [the districts] on Tortola,” Hon. O’Neal told a small group of supporters last evening Friday October 21, 2011 at the Watch House, Fahie Hill during a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) meeting.
According to the Premier, he can’t believe the National Democratic Party’s (NDP) leader Dr. D. Orlando Smith has resorted “to that kind of thing”.
“This is the kind of thing people resort to when they are desperate and we warned the people when they were elected in 2003, and you saw what happened. It is a lesson we should not forget so easily because these men are only concerned about themselves,” Premier O’Neal stressed.
Pledges to improve tourismCognizant of the fact that tourism is the biggest employer in the Virgin Islands (VI), Premier O’Neal disclosed that “despite what people say we are pressing ahead with the contract with Disney World”.
He announced that the contract will be signed by month end, and part of the deal is that the cruise liner will be putting up the money to expand the cruise ship dock.
In addition to that, Premier O’Neal, who also wears the Tourism Minister hat, admitted that more activities have to be initiated to entertain tourists. He disclosed that a conversation between himself and a captain earlier in the year cemented that fact, with the captain candidly telling him that apart from the sand and sea – there are not enough activities to stimulate tourists’ interests.
He pledges to improve “our amenities here so that the people can find things to occupy their time”, and even pointed out that swimming with the dolphins and the games at UP’s Cineplex are just the tips of the icebergs.
Sounds warning to Myron
“The new president of the new NDP and former chairman of the Tourist Board (TB) [Myron Walwyn] did absolutely nothing and is now criticising the same TB that he was the chairman of,” the Tourism Minister stated.
“...and one fellow said as chairman of the TB, he was also a member of the Ports Authority and during the time there were 17 meetings at the Ports Authority. He attended five. He was late for the five and he left early. But he was satisfied to draw the stipend that they get for each meeting they attended. So with people like that what do you expect? So when he did me the favour of submitting his resignation and then said he would like to stay on for two months, I said no sir, you resigned, it was accepted go,” Hon. O’Neal recounted.He continued, “I heard Walwyn said let sleeping dogs lie, but he knows why he said that because the sleeping dog will reveal what he was doing. He better be careful because I will come armed between now and voting day and let out the whole thing out of the bag!”
Meanwhile, the incumbent chairman, Neil Blyden came in for high praises, with the Premier hinting the Tourist Board is expected to see greater things yet. And despite the fact that there will be a reduction in the schedule ships to call in 2011/2012 season, Hon. O’Neal added, there is optimism that additional “calls” that were not scheduled, will be made.
“So who knows we might still get the same number as last year,” he added.
Health Services Authority dilemmaThe NDP wanted to create mischief when they announced last week that the Government was broke, hence the reason health workers could not be paid on time for the October 15 period, opined Premier O’Neal.
He explained to supporters that the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) is a statutory body that handles its own finances and administrative issues. Therefore, it was on the onus of the BVIHSA’s finance officer to keep the checks and balances.
“He should report to his boss that the funds are getting low and that it’s time to get the subvention for the next three months. That was not done and when we did find out, misinformation was communicated to the Treasury and the Accountant General did not have anything set up in time for them to get the cash on Friday.
“These jokers said that the Government did not have any money to pay. Well where did we get it from between Friday and Monday? By Friday it was straightened out, but these alarmists make it their duty to destroy the Government and I think we have been too kind to them. And we will have to get rough with them now and tell them as it is. I am not afraid to tell the people exactly what they do and what they intend to do,” Premier O’Neal charged.
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