Residents - Gov’t ignoring sister-islands, giving “all attention” to Tortola
Does this statement apply to all the islands of the Virgin Islands, or just for Tortola?
In a recent investigation carried out by Virgin Islands News Online, residents of the sister islands -Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda and Anegada - say much differently and share their opinions with Virgin Islands News Online with most of them of the opinion that the island of Tortola receives much more attention from the Government and feel it is unfair and should not continue.
Jost Van Dyke
In speaking with some of the residents of Jost Van Dyke, they all shared the same sentiments. They expressed that the living conditions experienced on the island can be much better.
Mr. Gregory Callwood, a Virgin Islander and Jost Van Dyke resident, gave an example saying that the only heavy equipment truck on the island was out of order and even though reports reached the Government offices, he claimed they were ignored and the island was forced to do without the machine.
Mr. Callwood, along with another resident of the island, expressed that the roads on the island are no good, there is no backup generator for electricity in the government services buildings, and facilities on the island are deteriorating.
"The building that houses our government offices, post offices, immigration and police station, the paint is literally falling off, it looks a mess," said Mr Callwood.
When asked if the politicians gave the same support to the people of Jost van Dyke as they give to the people of Tortola, One resident’s response was "Definitely, definitely, definitely, not!”
Lucien Callwood, another JVD resident, informed this news site that the politicians ignore the people of Jost Van Dyke and only visit the island around election time.
Lucien went on to state that the government of the VI needs to pay more attention to the Sister Islands. "The only attention we get is when they make a speech on the radio where they say from Anegada to Jost Van Dyke, they just use us for a stepping stone or a phrase.”
Another resident expressed that the politicians need to create love in their hearts for Jost Van Dyke, and realize that they are people too and to take their request seriously.
Anegada
"Anegada is smaller than the main land territory (in population) but we all live and are governed under the rules of the VI," says a resident of that Island.
In relation to the living standards on Anegada, Mr. Jerry Vanterpool expressed that it is at its best to those who have access to good living. "In general it has problems but can be much better, based on the income some people receive; it is hard, very hard."
Some residents informed this publication that Anegada has always been left for last in anything and everything.
"For example, a blood pressure monitor was requested for the clinic in Anegada, an old one that used at the clinic in Tortola was given and the clinic in Tortola received a brand new blood pressure monitor, these things aren’t right," expressed an anonymous resident who wished not to be named.
In an effort to make Anegada better, the residents this news site spoke with are suggesting that they should be awarded with all the services the government provides on Tortola.
"The people of Anegada should have first preference of service in Tortola because of circumstances such as work, time and distance," said Mr. Vanterpool.
Virgin Gorda
The people of Virgin Gorda expressed that they are a bit more comfortable than the residents of the other sister islands, but everything is still not “fine and dandy”.
Mr. Chennele Vanterpool of Virgin Gorda, told Virgin Islands News Online that the medical services on the island when compared to those of Tortola are not adequate and it is very unfair.
"This is because the abandonment of all the politicians from since 1964 right down to 2012," he claimed.
With a similar case as the one given in Anegada, the VG resident claimed that donations were made to the clinic in Virgin Gorda but the health authorities moved the equipment to Tortola to be used.
"Tortola gets first hand of everything," said another confused resident of the island.
When asked one thing that can be done to improve Virgin Gorda, another concerned resident said it will be to introduce a 24-hour clinic, because of the absence of a hospital.
She continued by saying there is a need for the introduction and availability of low income houses in Virgin Gorda, which will result in the betterment of the island.
She added that it is evident that Tortola gets more attention than any other island.
She said there are rumors circulating that the Virgin Gorda airport is going to close again, and if this happens, “Virgin Gorda will be going back 15-20 years”.
District Representative Ralph T. O’Neal responds
In speaking with Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal OBE, 9th District Representative, in relation to the residents concerns of being ignored by the government, he replied that "it depends on what the persons are being ignored about, they have Police Officers, teachers, doctors, and clinics, when it comes to the roads, yes the roads need fixing up but plans are made to do that." Mr. O’Neal has represented Virgin Gorda since 1975 and Anegada was added in 1979 and formed the 9th district.
Work in progress, says Sister Islands Coordinator Wheatley
Sister Islands Programme Coordinator, Mr. Vincent Wheatley commented by saying that, pertaining to the Sister Islands, "they are better than they use to be, it is a work in progress".
"What I would tell you about the Sister Islands is that they have come a long way from where they have been, they aren't where they will be or should be but it’s a work in progress, I wouldn’t say that the sister islands have been neglected, I would say that information is rather slow," said Mr. Wheatley
He said in some instances they may have been over looked.
In relation to the Sister Islands receiving old equipment while the main land claims a new one, his response was, "that it doesn’t make sense." In giving an example he said, "if there is money for one new machine, the machine wouldn’t be sent down to a Sister Islands for '20' people but rather be sent to the main land Tortola for 1500 people. He noted that with the old machine provided to the sister island, they can adequately service the small amount of people."
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