Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

'No time for division or petty politics'- Hon Malone to VI Opposition

-said Opposition were privy to Gov'ts COVID-19 plans as early as March 2020
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) in his latest address to the people of the Virgin Islands (VI) Hon Carvin Malone has urged the territory's opposition to desist from petty politics relating to the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: GIS/Facebook
VI Opposition members comprising Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) and Hon Melvin M Turnbull (R2) at a Wednesday, August 26, 2020, press conference. Photo: VINO
VI Opposition members comprising Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) and Hon Melvin M Turnbull (R2) at a Wednesday, August 26, 2020, press conference. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) in his latest address to the people of the Virgin Islands (VI) Hon Carvin Malone has urged the territory's opposition to bring an end to the petty politics relating to the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This comes following claims from the VI Opposition comprising Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) along with members Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) and Hon Melvin M Turnbull (R2), that the Government was keeping them in the dark regarding its decisions to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. 

No petty politics - Hon Malone 

"As we put our hands together to defeat this unseen adversary, this is not the time for division, discrimination or petty politics," Hon Malone said in a COVID-19 update broadcasted on Friday morning, September 4, 2020.

The Health Minister was at the time announcing 16 more confirmed COVID-19 cases in the VI, a figure that brought the territory's total to 63 with 52 current active cases. 

“A house divided against itself cannot stand... It is disingenuous to state that this Government has kept the opposition in the dark without a plan or information concerning our actions being contemplated," the Minister further said. 

He said as early as March 2020, the Government sat in press conferences and with the Opposition and thereafter, released the National Action Plan against the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Gov't divulged information on COVID-19 budget plans 

Meanwhile, the Health Minister said in April 2020, the Government also commissioned a “Coronavirus Economic and Fiscal Stability Task Force” in response to the Coronavirus Crisis, that examined the impacts of the pandemic on several areas of the economy. 

"Most important to note is that all members of the House of Assembly, inclusive of members of the Opposition caring to attend, were subjected to a 90 minutes presentation by the Premier [Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1)] on the need to re-look and amend the 2020 Budget given the reality of income projections."

He said at the presentation, budgeted expenditures from each budget head were examined and readjusted to take into account the reality of the local fall-out of COVID-19, which realigned proposed expenditure with realistic income projections all of which were made privy to the Opposition.

29 Responses to “'No time for division or petty politics'- Hon Malone to VI Opposition ”

  • Jamaican Bush Doctor (05/09/2020, 12:17) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    So let me get this virus with no known cure but all the victims in quarantine got better so is wa cure them? Fool fool people want to know
    • like dah (05/09/2020, 13:48) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      God is Spirit. So is Spirit against spirit. Who you think prevail- Jesus.
  • OK Then (05/09/2020, 13:20) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Malone: “A house divided against itself cannot stand... It is disingenuous to state that this Government has kept the opposition in the dark without a plan or information concerning our actions being contemplated," the Minister further said."

    The Territory's people (not the opposition members): We need to know what the Government's plans are in relation to the Territory's economy and the peoples' livelihood, particularly those of us in the tourism sector. Notwithstanding the fact that the financial services sector is also being adversely hit. Can you please let us know the current financial state of the Territory and what that state is projected to look like in the next 6 months? We understand that it will be harder to project longer than the 6 month period.

    Thanks!
    • @Ok Then. We old enough to know (05/09/2020, 15:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      We who old enough to know that VIP administration was never excited, or motivated about the cruise ship industry... CB Romney start this industry also the Financial industry.... VIP Economic plan as Far back as Lavity was on the back of construction,. Which worked very well in the 70s, 89s and 90s...... Things have changed,. We have to embrace the change and Jump in the new game and play to win...
  • @Jamaican Bush doctor (05/09/2020, 13:52) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Go on a yard go see see wa dem a do and keep out a VI business.
    • Naive to think we dont need tourist (05/09/2020, 15:13) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Do we know the caribbean Countries that open up early July,, St Lucia, Jamaica, and Antigua already fully booked for Cruise ship Season from November, "Open early gave them an advantage, to see the problem, adjust ,and fix" The rest country that is still loging behind will get the left overs ,. We keep forgetting its not the tourist that came seeking us,, We went seeking the tourist, .. We can't continue to use those few countries with poor re-opening plan like Turks as our excuse to keep shutting down, but instead, as a learning tool to move forward filling the holes in our plan where they failed..
  • Great job hon leaders (05/09/2020, 13:53) Like (28) Dislike (2) Reply
    We need to unite as a nation to keep the bvi safe
    • Peter (06/09/2020, 08:02) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
      I've said it before and i'll say it again, No voter in the bvi going backwards to the NDP if we vote out vip it will be for a new party But VIP there for a long long time
  • DOCTOR 1 (05/09/2020, 14:38) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    While we hve the time to thank God that the British Virgin Islands is not as worst as other places the best is done to help cure the sympons suppose you were living some place else the treatnent the people of the BritishVirgin Islands is getting is ok we may not have the real up to date procuders but we are doing good. People of the British Virgin Islands what you need to do is to follow the instructions given and stop the negative critiscms yu are not in the hot seat and if you get in the hot seat what can you do medicaly it is time to stop talking and do your part as citizens. The hospital is so big and wwe have to be thankful that there was no major accidents. The minister of HEALTH is doing an outstanding job trying all his utmost to keep the medical field open and helpful. with the CONOVA 19 no one knows when it will end the Government is thinking ahead and hoping there will not be no mast problems. I look at the news in the USVI and they have problems with the virus so let us as a people pray and ask God to keep the people in good health By not following the instructions things can happen. We are speakiing about the ecconomy but lives spared is far more important than money we have to be optistimic about the matter Residens do what is needed and what is right and we should see less pesons with the virus I hope. Again the Minister has to go off the medical records and not quick fix information People i commend the Government for what they do remember tge Government.the Premier, the Governor, the Minister of Health, the Chief of Police cannot stop COVID but measures will be taken in place . America is working on a vaccine but people may be heisant to take it we here in the BVI has to wait on the results of the vaccine to see if it works so please be concern about your movements and stop the statements that does not really help with the issue. The doctors in the BVI I say AMen to you for the work you did and is still doing in helping with the COVID19
  • Union (05/09/2020, 14:51) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    CARVIN MALONE DONOT BODDER WITH MARLON MALONE LET HIM GO FIND THE MONEY HE SPEND OR GIVE AWAY IF HE HAD DO THE SURRAGE WE MAY NOT HAVE HAD COVID19 HE THINK ONLY HE KNOW ABOUT THE ECCONOMY WHEN HE WAS IN POWER AND PEOPLE WENT TO HIM FOR HELP HE DID NOT HELP THEM HE GIVE ALL KIND OF EXCUSES THE ECCONOMY WILL BOUNCE BANK WHAT HE WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO DO AS THE MONEY HAS TO GO ROUND AND WHY HE DO NOT GO OUT A DO A SURVEY IF HE WANT HOW MUCH BUSINSS ARE CLOSED THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT CLOSE THE PEOPLE THEM BUSINESS THEM CLOSE THEM THEMSELVES SO YOU WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO DO YOU SONG LIKE A BROKEN RECORSD WHICH CANNOT SET BACK AGAIN GO LOOK FOR THE SEWRAGE MONEY AND ALL OTHER MONIES YOU AND THE NDP WASTE UP AND GIVE AWAY YOU SHOULD BE LUCKY AN INQURY HAS NOT GONE INTO THE REAL MATTER YET YOU WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO COME OUT AND DPEAK BUT YOU BETTER SHUT UP BECAUSE ALL HANDS AND FINGERS POINTING TO YOU AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE NDP ONLY MR SKELTON MAY GET OFF AND GET OUT GO GET THE MONEY TO HELP THE ECONOMMY YOU ALWAYS TALKING BOUT WE CAN NOT EAT THE ECONOMMY BECAUSE THE VOODO MATHS HAS IT GOING WILD SO GO GET THE MONEY THROUGH YOUR VOODO MATHS PROBLEM MARLON I THOUGHT YOU WERE CAPABLE BUT TO A LOT IN THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS YOU HAVE A LOT TO COME FORWARD WITH TO BE RECONIZED
  • Strupees (05/09/2020, 15:14) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    The opposition speaking facts
    The pressure is on and you just cant take the heat
    Simple get out the fire !
    Keep the fire blazing
    Hon.Penn
    Vip one term
    Cant wait !
    To vote ayo out !
    The islands is lack good governing !
    Incompitent set of vip members !
    Keep going back on ayo words too often
    Within breif moments
    Embarassing !
    • @ strupees (06/09/2020, 08:09) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      These people in the NDP can't see and they can't learn they only do grandstanding. Complaining and campaigning their just hecklers no one in the bvi outside of the same five bloggers taking them seriously
  • Show Me this Plan (05/09/2020, 15:31) Like (4) Dislike (27) Reply
    He said as early as March 2020, the Government sat in press conferences and with the Opposition and thereafter, released the National Action Plan against the COVID-19 Pandemic.

    Can anyone point me to a written version of this so called National Action Plan? All I see are reactions and most of them ill planned and poorly executed. We the people would like to see a plan. Nearly every other Caribbean island nation has a plan but here we just react after the fact
  • question (05/09/2020, 15:54) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    WELL WHY CARVIN DONT STOP IT ???
    • Liat 521 (06/09/2020, 08:31) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      Stop the damm foolishness. Didn't you see the VIP in less than a year has done more than the VIP has done in 8 long years?
  • SOS (05/09/2020, 16:36) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    I hate when politicians being political with people's lives, and that is what the opposition is doing. After Irma you didnot see them or hear them. The Governor is who save us. What plan y'all asking for? The only thing we heard from you was."Go help y'all self don't look for help frm the Government." The situation here is fluid and it is not the present Government's fault. Do not take people for fools with sickness you cannot predict what is going to happen.
    • @sos (05/09/2020, 21:26) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      True politicians are not political with people’s lives. Wicked and selfish people are. Know the difference and you will be just fine. Good luck in sniffing out the rats.
  • 911 (05/09/2020, 18:48) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    The vip government will be re-elected very easlly Carvin stop wasting time with smurf he can never be premier
    • Tend to agree (06/09/2020, 14:33) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      @911, VIP is going to be elected back in office next election. I can’t speak for everyone but NDP MESSED UP TO MANY TIMES. Marlon, you might be a LOCAL BUT YOU WILL NEVER SIT IN THE PREMIERS SEAT. SOMETIMES WHO YOU ASSOCIATE YOUR SELVES WITH OR WHAT YOU ASSOCIATE YOUR SELVES TO WILL BE YOUR DOWNFALL.
  • Mr. Malone (05/09/2020, 19:04) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    You have enough on your plate to be wasting your energy on Marlon Penn. Marlon is his worse enemy and he is going to knock his own self out. Trust me, we know who the true Marlon Penn is and how he works. All talk and no substance. Don’t allow him to make you lose focus and toss you under the bus. LMAO, Marlon want to be Premier so bad.
  • YAWN (05/09/2020, 20:16) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Government handled the pandemic good enough until they started listening to loud outside voices. The lockdown worked. It was only until people start crying about wanting to return to the BVI and open bars and nightclub is when this thing start to spread like wildfire.
  • Dorcas (05/09/2020, 21:22) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Remember the devil how it come in all forms. People all know a questionable person when you see one. Run the devil from district 8. Enough is enough.
  • @yawn (05/09/2020, 21:54) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply

    Stupid @#$%^

  • 2023 (06/09/2020, 07:56) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    The NDP will fall victim to its own ideology ...
  • teacher john (06/09/2020, 08:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Actually they do understand smurf and his speech writers that the people have spoken and rejected the NDP who have destroyed the BVI but come next election they will learn
  • Sue (06/09/2020, 08:48) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mr. Health Minister, please continue to do what you are doing and please don’t allow CUNU MUNU AND MIDGET MAN AKA HECKEL AND JECKEL THROW YOU OFF YOUR GAME.
  • By doing what (06/09/2020, 10:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    By doing what? Only implementing all sorts of rules and regulations for expats and expats locked out. And you are still doing that to this date. Instead of focusing on the locals who are breaking the laws. Look how many channels an expat have to go through just to return to their family.
  • Short Memory (06/09/2020, 10:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Why you all hating on Government?

    You all forgetting Governor authorising his white crony friend from New Zealand being paid USD350,000 a year BY US!! Yeah, that crony in RDA!

    Plus accommodation & expenses!!

    Similar to what governor and commissioner get now...

    Wake up VI!!

    Investigate governor and his all white office for corruption favoritism.

    Why no blacks or belongers get employed for top jobs there?

    Why they just hire black house servants?

    Why we still being enslaved by this imperial emperor Au??

  • A VOTER IN #6 (06/09/2020, 13:09) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    SOMEONE SAY THAT THE VIP GOING TO BE A ONE TERM GOVERNMENT.ITS BETTER TO BE A ONE TERM GOVERNMENT THAN NONE AT ALL BECAUSE MARLON ISN'T GOING TO GET NO TERM AT ALL.PLEASE KEEP OFF THE VIP WE ARE NOT GOING BACKWARD NEVER.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.