‘Premier’s letter to NHI group should be public’ – Edmund G. Maduro
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”
This man needs to go clean up that place down in the vicinity of Cox Heath and keep out the news
Consider it public. It was a brush off from doc.
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.