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Opposition to scrutinise ‘Fast Track Programme’ in HoA today, Dec 17, 2019

- HoA sits from 10:00am @ Chambers in RT
The Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA) will convene today, December 17, 2019 with the Fourth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth HoA from 10:00am at its chambers in Road Town, Tortola. Photo: VINO
Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), in a press conference called by the Opposition on Monday, December 17, 2019, said they have not been outspoken about the regularisation programme, known as the ‘Fast Track Programme’ to give Belonger and Residency status to persons residing in the Territory for 20 years and more, because they hadn’t enough information on it. Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), in a press conference called by the Opposition on Monday, December 17, 2019, said they have not been outspoken about the regularisation programme, known as the ‘Fast Track Programme’ to give Belonger and Residency status to persons residing in the Territory for 20 years and more, because they hadn’t enough information on it. Photo: VINO/File
The closure of the Cane Garden Bay beach back in September due to high levels of bacteria will also come into focus as Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull will ask ‘What specifically from the runoffs caused the testing to have high levels of bacteria?’ Photo: VINO/File
The closure of the Cane Garden Bay beach back in September due to high levels of bacteria will also come into focus as Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull will ask ‘What specifically from the runoffs caused the testing to have high levels of bacteria?’ Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA) will convene today, December 17, 2019 with the Fourth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth HoA from 10:00am at its chambers in Road Town, Tortola.

Some seven questions, with multiple parts, will be asked by Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, led by Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8).

One of the questions will be on the regularisation programme initiated by the Government led by Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1).

‘We don’t have enough info’- Hon Penn

Hon Penn, in a press conference called by the Opposition on Monday, December 17, 2019, said they have not been outspoken about the regularisation programme, known as the ‘Fast Track Programme’ to give Belonger and Residency status to persons residing in the Territory for 20 years and more, because they hadn’t enough information on it.

A small group of persons had vehemently opposed the initiative.

More than 600 persons were given their certificates of Belonger status and more than 500 were given certificates for Residency and Belonger status combined at a ceremony at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Monday, December 16, 2019.

Questions

In the HoA today, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Penn, will ask Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley the following questions: “How many applications have been received for the Immigration fast track/regularisation process to date by categories of Belonger, Residence and Third Generation Belonger? b) How many of those applications have been processed thus far based on the different categories of Belonger, Residence and Third Generation Belonger? and c) When does your ministry intend to have this process finalised?”

The closure of the Cane Garden Bay beach back in September due to high levels of bacteria will also come into focus as Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull will ask “What specifically from the runoffs caused the testing to have high levels of Bacteria?”

Hon Turnbull will also ask of Hon Wheatley what measures he intends to put in place to address the  issue of persons and proprietors of businesses filling in ponds illegally and what are the penalties for violators.

A number of bills will also get their introduction and first reading, including the ‘Electronic Transactions Act, 2019’ and the ‘Data Protection Act, 2019’.

For full coverage of today's proceedings: Log on to House of Assembly BVI on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVDl37r5uaMsdQkgzFkXAJg

Or Tune in to ZBVI 780AM; CBN Radio 90.9FM or FLOW TV Channel 101.

7 Responses to “Opposition to scrutinise ‘Fast Track Programme’ in HoA today, Dec 17, 2019”

  • 911 (17/12/2019, 06:57) Like (16) Dislike (15) Reply
    When i saw many of the people who got ststus i was very happy VIP loves people, and NDP hates island people
  • WHY? (17/12/2019, 07:16) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    What specifically caused high level of bacteria in Cane Garden Bay? One would assume tgere was a closure due to health concerns. That probably means fecal coliforms, or related organisms. So the answer to the question would be probably inadequate or failed septic systems, assuming aseptic techniques were used to collect rge samples.
  • ? (17/12/2019, 08:05) Like (9) Dislike (20) Reply
    Now that so many were given status, how will the Trade Department handle new competing business applications? Understand, this is not 1100 persons but many of these individuals will be applying for status for their spouses and children.

    This is a small nation, how many persons can become building contractors etc. in the Virgin Islands. Not much persons are innovative enough to think of new business ideas. Most persons will fall back on what they have been employed as throughout the years and this is why many try to set up food vendor businesses throughout the Capital.

    Additionally, land ownership and competing housing rental units... how will this be addressed ‘if at all’.

    The Government has a lot of reforming on their hands to handle these new social and economic issues at hand.

    Let’s hope this never happens again, where is the wisdom in being overly nice and humane to your neighbors to the detriment of your household? This unwise practice will cause you and your household poverty and hardship.

    Now the doors must be closed Completely as the people of these lands try to handle these new economic and social issues! There is no more of this little pie to share out! Remember people, it was only a few years back that the government of the day allowed thousands within one or so year, entry into the territory for employment. Can you imagine allowing so many individuals status in a few years to come?

    We have to try to bring our people or grandchildren back home now! Rotate employment and Reform, Reform, Reform!!!
  • rewrsdffds (17/12/2019, 08:21) Like (18) Dislike (15) Reply
    I am happy for them! But half of these ppl bad talk our country
  • Job Well Done (17/12/2019, 09:12) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    There were a number of surprises some of these people I thought were from BVI, because I have seen them here for decades.Thank you Mr premier for your kind gesture people will feel more comfortable to give back to the country when they know where they stand.Everone wins.
  • Oh Hush (17/12/2019, 09:50) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    Leader of the Opposition please continue to stay quiet.

    Before you comment any further look at your friends who got quick status ahead of all these people. The red party only looked out for its friends. How long it took insurance man to get status - he was fast tracked and the list goes on.

  • True (17/12/2019, 14:32) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Let him let sleeping dogs lie so many people who came here just couple years ago already get full status compare to all these people who I have know from a little boy growing up now I am a big man and now witness these people are now getting status these are people who many think they were already naturalized these people alwaysd always helpful around to so many of us helping my grandparents and parents with any sort of things they have to get done some of them just give them lunch and you are good to go please let the people feel at home stop all the NEGATIVE COMMENTS.And please ignore those provoking comments of others in this blog they are just throwing gas to the fire just to spark more fire these people I witness there don't have time to say those upsetting stuff some of them can't even walk properly by themselves some aided with a cane so just think about them before all these medical challenges befall them.


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