‘Premier’s statement on HoA Q&A illiterate & ignorant!’ – Edmund G. Maduro

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Radio talk show host Edmund G. Maduro has strongly condemned a statement by Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith which said that Opposition questions in the House of Assembly must take a back seat to other Government matters. Photo: VINO/File

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Radio talk show host Edmund G. Maduro has strongly condemned a statement by Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith which said that Opposition questions in the House of Assembly (HoA) must take a back seat to other Government matters.

He was speaking on his EGM show heard last Thursday night February 19, 2015 on ZROD 103.7FM.

It was during the Third Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second House of Assembly that Premier Smith said that the business of the country and the government to be debated should take precedence over questions.

“Madam Speaker, I believe that it is necessary for the Standing Orders Committee to meet and really look at [this issue]. When you [deal with the questions] sometimes you don’t get to the business of the day until late when members are exhausted and cannot properly participate in the debate and pay full attention to [what is happening],” he said.

Premier Smith suggested also that a day could be set aside to deal with questions and answers.

However, Mr Maduro was not impressed with the Premier’s statement justifying the move to shift the questions towards the end.

“We have been seeing where the questions put forward in the House of Assembly by members of the Opposition were being treated as if they had no call in the House at all,” he said.

“I am saying to you my people, there is no move greater in that House than when a member of the Opposition asks a question,” he said.

“It is just as important as introducing a new law, it is just as important as any Minister from any department introducing a motion to do anything…when a member of the Opposition moves a motion to ask a question it is even more important than when the Government of the day is doing something. Why? Because the Opposition is asking these questions on behalf of the people of the British Virgin Islands whom they represent,” he said.

“For the Premier or anybody to regard them as not necessary is totally illiterate and ignorant,” he declared. “Ladies and gentlemen, the questions in the House must be treated like any other thing…do not try to make people believe that they are not important. Government should be of laws, not of who you like or who you don’t like,” he said.

11 Responses to “‘Premier’s statement on HoA Q&A illiterate & ignorant!’ – Edmund G. Maduro”

i from here (23/02/2015, 15:15) Like (5) Dislike (21) Reply
Yawn! Stop looking attention!
.... (23/02/2015, 15:31) Like (11) Dislike (13) Reply
Eddie you on point
the real deal (23/02/2015, 15:38) Like (32) Dislike (16) Reply
Edmund you are the real deal. You say it like it is. This Smith lead NDP government is making a mockery of Democracy. If the people of these Virgin Islands don't sober up to that reality, one day we are going to wake up and have a dictatorship.
mvw (23/02/2015, 16:03) Like (10) Dislike (18) Reply
vino it must be a slow news day jah this moo moo again
- @ mvw (23/02/2015, 16:44) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
  At least he could write english
- Kingfish (23/02/2015, 16:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
  What is a "moo moo", forgive me for asking.
  - Wordhunter (26/02/2015, 09:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Moo-Moo" is one of the few remaining words that stayed with us from our African ancestors. This word is means a foolish person, a person not with sound intelligence. This word is used in Ghana, West Africa today carrying the same meaning as indicated. Could it be that our descendants came from Ghana also? So when someone say "you are a real moo-moo" don't take it as a kind thought. Check yourself.
wize up (23/02/2015, 21:22) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
for a man who does not pay his workers, he always poing fingers....thank God for fredom of speach!!!!!
Lord Help Us (23/02/2015, 23:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
It is amazing, albeit unsurprising, to see how impervious we can be to each other
Edmund for Premier (24/02/2015, 08:56) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
This man is the best chance for the future of the BVI. He knows exactly what he is talking about, he listens and values other peoples opinions, he has unbelievable foresight that could carry our country forward for the next 50 years. This man is a visionary and we need more like him. I say vote for Edmund and let him train more younger folk to be leaders like he is.
- smh (24/02/2015, 13:17) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
  Edmund - didn't realise you were computer-literate.
  However, please stop blogging about yourself.

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‘Premier’s statement on HoA Q&A illiterate & ignorant!’ – Edmund G. Maduro

11 Responses to “‘Premier’s statement on HoA Q&A illiterate & ignorant!’ – Edmund G. Maduro”

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