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‘No one can penalise us for speaking out on NHI’ – Edmund G. Maduro

- said persons like Natalio D. Wheatley & others cannot be fired from their jobs for their advocacy on the NHI; vowed to seek redress in the courts in the event of any persecution
Talk show host Edmund G. Maduro has declared that no one can penalise him or the other persons on the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group as their rights are protected not only by the Constitution of the Virgin Islands but also the International Declaration of Human Rights. Photo: VINO/File
"Mr Sowande Uhuru (Natalio D. Wheatley) cannot lose his job because he has put this petition forward," declared Maduro. Photo: VINO/File
The NHI petition is currently with Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith. Photo: Provided
The NHI petition is currently with Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Talk show host Edmund G. Maduro has declared that no one can penalise him or the other persons on the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group as their rights are protected not only by the Constitution of the Virgin Islands but also the International Declaration of Human Rights.

"Mr Sowande Uhuru (Natalio D. Wheatley) cannot lose his job because he has put this petition forward," declared Maduro.

He was speaking during his EGM Show aired on ZROD 103.7 FM last evening October 29, 2015.

Wheatley is currently employed as a lecturer at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay. He is also the brainchild behind the petition against the National Health Insurance (NHI) and on October 13, 2015 the group presented that petition with over 700 signatures to Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith.

Dr Smith is yet to respond to the group on his decision as to whether the NHI will be amended.

Maduro reiterated that for doing the people a service, Wheatley cannot be persecuted.

"He's standing up not only for a local obligation but for an obligation which is international," he said, referring to the International Declaration of Human Rights.

Maduro said that there are people who want to shut him and his colleagues up. "There are those who are trying to prevent us from fighting for our natural human rights. Right now there are those who are trying to penalise us... to victimise us because we are standing up for the rights of the people and trying to get the Government to look again at the NHI in order to protect you and I and every one of us from abuse."

He said because of the convention government or anyone else cannot penalise who is a party to the petition whether they are from the territory or not.

"They cannot penalise Sowande by making him lose his job. They cannot penalise any of us who have taken the step to support Sowande because it is an international right. And if they ever try to do that we will take them to court and stand up and fight for our rights," he said.

It is not clear whether Mr Wheatley is being victimised on his job due to his stance on NHI.

6 Responses to “‘No one can penalise us for speaking out on NHI’ – Edmund G. Maduro”

  • long look me come from (30/10/2015, 08:58) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    GOOD POINT BUT THE CURRENT PEOPLE CARE LITTLE ABOUT THE LAWS
    • Hmph (31/10/2015, 02:11) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      Edmund an de persons wid de made up africanal names and de uder social comentates dun takes demselfs to serios - nobody listen to wha de sayin anyhows - jus foolishness and stupidness
  • Yah! (30/10/2015, 09:25) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    For the sake of the people someone has to speak up. The rest of us are sitting around taking in the spin when we know full well we won't need NHI because we already dead.
  • wize up (30/10/2015, 21:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    any solutions from maduro and his crew; I say these guys should get together and form a party for 2019; lets see how many votes the set of them can get( the bunch of them together can't get 4 votes even if they voted for themselves)
  • good men (31/10/2015, 09:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Though i respect these guy courage to stand up before the world and speak out. Those are real men. ... I still think NHI is good and would be excellent in a matter of five years. The college had stronger opposition in its infancy. Look at it today. Once the people running NHI don't be bias. Be fait and reasonable... The college I must say always had credible leaders.


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