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Resident upset at Minister’s response to VG boat query

Health Minister, Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton, was chastised for his response to a question regarding a boat for Virgin Gorda residents in medical emergencies. Photo: VINO/File
A resident raises a question about the temporary emergency medical transportation put in place by the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority at the meeting. Photo: VINO/File
A resident raises a question about the temporary emergency medical transportation put in place by the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority at the meeting. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – One resident is upset at a response he received from the Health Minister, Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton about a boat for sick residents following a recent government meeting with persons in Virgin Gorda.

The resident, a caller on the Speak Your Mind TV show aired on June 8, 2013 said the Minister told him that he knew nothing about the boat when questioned but was eventually able to answer after consulting with staff.

“Something of this nature needs to be brought to the people with an official press release,” the resident complained.

The Minister, he said, should have been presenting the relevant information to the people of the District, to the media or other means and should not have come to the meeting to consult with his staff before being able to answer the question.

The resident found this to be embarrassing, “it seems that they didn’t brief the Minister on what was happening in the District,” he added.

The Minister allegedly told the resident he shouldn’t listen to rumours when the question was asked and the resident suggested the Minister may have gotten upset with him, but should have been upset with his staff instead.

“He came to a meeting to talk to people and he’s not prepared,” the resident complained, “and he had his whole entourage there… that’s what got me upset.”

The caller alleged that he was cut off during the Minister’s response when he was allegedly advised not to listen to rumours.

“That should have been an official press release,” he repeated, “notifying the people in the District that we had engaged a boat… to take our people to Tortola.”

In any event, the resident bemoaned, the boat that is currently being worked on is still incomplete. “I was embarrassed to hear the Minister reporting on that, after his department had signed arrangements with a boat to take [sick] people to Tortola in the event of emergency,” the caller said.

“… he had to go across to the side and get an answer and then come back and try to embarrass me, I was highly upset,” the caller said.

The man also alleged that the Minister came to the residents of the Ninth District with the same presentation that he had made in the House of Assembly and suggested that this should not have been the case.

During the meeting Hon. Skelton reported, "You may recall we had made a decision earlier this year to repair motor vessel Vigilant 2 to provide medical evacuation services by sea from Virgin Gorda to Peebles Hospital on Tortola. I am pleased and happy to report again that the new engine has been installed. The boat has been cleaned and final tests and inspections are being carried out,” 

In the meantime, he said, the Health Services Authority has reached an agreement with Mr Daniel Flax of Big Ting Charters, who is able to provide transportation on a 24-hour basis at a rate commensurate with the commercial ferries.

12 Responses to “Resident upset at Minister’s response to VG boat query”

  • weed (10/06/2013, 08:43) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    ronnie is so out of touch with what goes on in his office
  • yellow (10/06/2013, 09:22) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
    Selling out the BVI is what some politicians do best, They have not a clue of what goes on around them!
  • ready or not (10/06/2013, 12:39) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    The simple truth is that there was NEVER any boat ready at the time of the meeting!!!
  • Hmm (10/06/2013, 13:13) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    now i thought Ronnie had the magic wand

  • Questions??????? (10/06/2013, 13:46) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    There was a press release when they engaged the boat that does the runs now, we need to ask the resident asking the question what is the problem why he did not finish the Bathrooms at the top of The Baths
    • bad mine (10/06/2013, 20:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      This man didn't sign a contract at the TOP OF THE BATHS REST ROOM before u all talk check the minister and she who sign the contract you all better check you all self before you all talk
      • wack (11/06/2013, 15:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        he involved heavily and always never complete what he start he and he brother
  • kool cat (10/06/2013, 15:37) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    ronnie is not passionate about his job like say Mark or Myron..in fact Ronnnie does not need to be there unlike others they would died without been call a Minsiter in NDP...that is why I like Pickering he so kool
  • Ahsah (10/06/2013, 15:48) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    This man needs to have several seats. A news release went out when the boat was hired explaining how the whole thing works. He went to the meeting confronting the Minister with a big lie, which the Minister was obviously just hearing for the first time, so he consulted with his staff before responding. Take the Minister's advice and stop listening rumours, instead of getting upset when you embarrass yourself in public.
  • Boo (10/06/2013, 16:02) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Big Bird and Cline have his head all whoop te toop, while his staff undermining him. Poor guy.
  • bat man (11/06/2013, 08:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyone should get free access to health.


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