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‘Premier’s letter to NHI group should be public’ – Edmund G. Maduro

- called for the secrecy ‘nonsense’ to be done away with
Social commentator and radio talk show host Edmund G. Maduro is peeved that Premier Dr Honourable D Orlando Smith has not found it fit to make the letter that he wrote to the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group public. Photo: VINO/File
Maduro is a part of the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group which presented a petition to Premier Smith on October 13, 2015. Here he is along with Doug Wheatley, Winston E. Nibbs aka La Fontey, and Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru. The NHI comes fully into operation on January 1, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
Maduro is a part of the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group which presented a petition to Premier Smith on October 13, 2015. Here he is along with Doug Wheatley, Winston E. Nibbs aka La Fontey, and Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru. The NHI comes fully into operation on January 1, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
When asked about his response to the Group, Premier Smith would in the past deflect to say that the matter was being handled by a committee headed by Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton. Photo: VINO
When asked about his response to the Group, Premier Smith would in the past deflect to say that the matter was being handled by a committee headed by Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Social commentator and radio talk show host Edmund G. Maduro is peeved that Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith has not found it fit to make the letter that he wrote to the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group public.

This news site reported in an article yesterday December 30, 2015 that Premier Smith responded by way of letter to the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group following weeks of agitation, especially by lead member of the group Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru.

That group had on October 13, 2015 submitted a petition with close to 1,000 signatures asking that NHI be taken back to the drawing board to address the concerns persons had with it before its launch.

Speaking with Virgin Islands News Online yesterday December 30, 2015 Mr Maduro said the Premier should have revealed the letter to the public at the same time that he sent it to the members of the group. It was this news site's understanding that the group should have met on Wednesday December 30, 2015 to discuss whether the letter should be released to members of the media.

Maduro is ‘estranged’ from the group because of an internal disagreement among them which led to him walking out of a meeting. Maduro is of the view that a letter of protest against the NHI should be sent directly to Queen Elizabeth II through the person of His Excellency Governor John S. Duncan OBE.

However, regarding the Premier's letter, he is of the view that at least the contents of that letter should have been made known as it is a public matter.

'Secret nonsense'

“What kind of Premier is he? He is writing to the public and he can’t say what the basic points were regarding his response to the group?” he asked, in relation to the letter sent by the Premier to the Group.

“That letter that the Premier sent to the group should have been published. You should have a copy of it,” he said. “The Premier must make it clear what date he responded. It’s a public issue, not this secret nonsense.”

He said in addition, the group should have already made known to the public the contents of the letter, which they are said to have had in their possession days now.

When asked about his response to the Group, Premier Smith would in the past deflect to say that the matter was being handled by a committee headed by Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton.

15 Responses to “‘Premier’s letter to NHI group should be public’ – Edmund G. Maduro”

  • smart (31/12/2015, 09:41) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    I feel so sorry for the premier because he is afraid of some of his ministers.
    • Boo (31/12/2015, 17:47) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      Them have he all twist up and whoop te toop. Poor Doc. He soon retire anyway.
  • crookery (31/12/2015, 09:41) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Sowande came to us for signatures now he wants to hide the letter from us? Wait til he comes back again!
  • wize up (31/12/2015, 10:27) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    why cant the maduro group publish the document....
    • @wize up (31/12/2015, 11:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am saying the same thing. This man here ranting and raving like a moo moo and they have the same letter that can be published by them. If it so important why you dont publish it?
  • Schups (31/12/2015, 10:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

    This man needs to go clean up that place down in the vicinity of Cox Heath and keep out the news

  • . (31/12/2015, 11:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    .
  • hip (31/12/2015, 13:13) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The public didn't write to the premier, so he wrote to who wrote to him, if they think it souls be public that is up to them. If I write to the premier I would want him to respond to me via the public.
  • Bacon strips (31/12/2015, 17:03) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr Maduro, why don't you go sit down and get my tighty whities all nice and clean and return them to me.
  • Poor Edmund (31/12/2015, 17:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It looks like cant win a thing this year not even a raffle if he buy all the tickets.
  • FRANK (01/01/2016, 02:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If Sowande does not make the letter public that will show you who wants to represent the people. One of the same.
  • Boo (01/01/2016, 08:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I feel for Sowonde. He tried and stood up where many did not have the balls to do so. The letter is posted on another news site. A little fuzzy but you can read every word in it. http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1451573958

    Consider it public. It was a brush off from doc.

  • Miss Liza (02/01/2016, 14:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is elementary. Wheatley, as representative of a group of public opinion,and with their approved signatures,wrote to the Premier. Premier responded to the representative and the representative does not share it with his public but tis Premier who should?????How illogical!
    Boy this must be a moo moo group..evidence enough not to pay attention to what must be their illogical request and rationale regarding NHI.


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