Premier a winner! 10-2 in favour of controversial recovery agency Bill
The Bill, however, failed to get 100% support when a vote was taken after the Members came out of Committee Stage at the continuation of the Third Sitting of the Third Session of the Third House of Assembly late this afternoon, March 27, 2018.
The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency Act 2018 is necessary for the creation of an independent agency to manage all monies borrowed and grants received for the recovery and development of the Territory following two catastrophic hurricanes in September 2017.
Legislators, including Backbenchers, one Minister of Government and the two Opposition Members, had expressed concerns with the Bill as presented in the House of Assembly, especially since they felt Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) was withholding vital information from them.
There were also concerns that the agency as mandated by the United Kingdom, which is offering loan guarantees of up to $400M, was violating the Virgin Islands Constitution as it was taking powers away from the Minister of Finance and other ministers.
The objectors of the Bill had vowed not to vote it into law unless certain amendments were done.
Yes: 10; No: 2; Absent: 1
And after nearly two days in Committee Stage, the Members voted in the majority for the Bill to be passed to allow the Virgin Islands to accept the loan guarantees and grants offered by the UK.
10 Members, including Opposition Leader Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) voted in favour of the Bill, while two Members, Opposition Member Honourable Julian Fraser RA and Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull voted against. Fifth District Representative Honourable Delores Christopher, who was in heavy opposition of the Bill as initially presented to the House by Dr Smith, was absent.
The over two days of debate on the Bill revealed even further the division in the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Government and its Members lack of confidence in Premier Smith.
The main backers of the Bill included Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), who said the UK was the one offering the guarantees and they could put whatever rules in place, and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), who even shed tears in the HoA, and stated that the people were desperate and the help needed to be accepted at all costs or else the people will "hang" them.
Meanwhile, the HoA has been adjourned sine die.
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48 Responses to “Premier a winner! 10-2 in favour of controversial recovery agency Bill”
Thank you sir........... I love it!!!!!!
Desperate ppl do desperate things. I must commend the Hon. Mitch Turnbull, Julian Frazer and Delores Christopher for their bravery. The others are joker's only mouth, but no teeth. That's why your ppl Dr. Smith will be always eating out of the White man's hand. Watch pon ecomonic slavery on our ppl. Lord help us all. @#$%&* peasants.
Laid in the house at first. What other option do we have? There is no money in the treasury. The governments don't normally bring bills to the people and you know that.
Your racial hatred is a waste of you energy and is ruining your life moments that could be used more positively
Fraser, I would expect nothing else but non-cooperation.
Now Delores is something else. She needs to be kicked out of the NDP for her cowardly absence.
“He premier is not a toy- stop playing with he premier.”
Lawd-O...next upcoming election “gone” make a lot of big people cry; wa a ting!
It was ok she had her opinion and voiced it, but shameful that when the time came to stand her ground, she was missing in action. I am sure the people of the 5th did not vote for her to walk away when the heat was on.
As for Mitch, even with the reported amendments that apparently convinced other who were reportedly NO, he still voted against the bill. Just what is his issue? What solutions he and Frasier has for the country's recover? IMO, he has a lot to learn, and following Frasier just landed him over a steep cliff.
As for Andrew, despite his expressed reservations, he still voted for the recovery bill because even him perhaps believed in his heart of hearts that at the end of the day, the country needed this loan guarantee if it ever stands a chance of getting back on its feet soon. I think he also recognizes that if by some chance he becomes Premier, he will need that same loan guarantee/money to do any of the things he may campaign on, and get the country back on its feet.
Anyway, this entire debate among the populace and these politicians should be seen as democracy in action. It may have appeared noisy, but that is the way it is should work. Everyone had their say pro or con.
I do have one question, however: What specifically changed for those members that originally reportedly were against the bill to have gone from a No to a Yes? This inquiring mind wants to know.
Well done to the Hon Mssrs Smith, Vanterpool, Pickering and (yes) Fahie. Thank you.
To my fellow citizens- We elected our representatives to do a job. While we cannot be consulted about every decision. it is our duty as citizens to demand transparency, especially fiscal transparency from our government. Our recovery depends on it. We all have work to do.
1. The necessary amendments were made to the documents.
2. All of the documents were seen by every member of the house.
If the above isn't the case and the initial concerns were true, then we better brace our grand children for this one.
Over and out.
NOT SURE WHO'S ADVISING HIM, BUT HE NEEDS TO SHOW SOME RESPECT AND KNOW HIS PLACE.
NOT SURE WHO HE'S TRYING TO IMPRESS...