Three years of NDP; the poor now in garbage looking for a meal!
It was two years ago that this news site brought to the attention of the people the increase in the homeless population, and children going to school and bed hungry, which has since been confirmed by a National Democratic Party (NDP) legislator Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines.
Our Team of Reporters saw the situation first hand a few days ago when they witnessed and photographed a young man looking for his meal from a garbage bin in the Long Swamp area of East End on the main Island of Tortola.
NDP polices harsh on the poor
Political activist, youth leader, and master and potential candidate on the Virgin Islands Party slate Rajah A. Smith said he was heartbroken to hear about this when reached by our news site. Mr Smith, who has done a lot of work with young people in helping them to find jobs and has hired a few, said “It has become crystal clear that the NDP has created a situation for the haves and have not…”
The youth leader said frankly “this should not happen in the BVI…We are too small for this, we should be our brother’s keeper.”
Meanwhile, political and social commentator Edmund G. Maduro lays the blame at the feet of the current administration for what he described as “our children eating out of the garbage”.
When told about the photos, he said this government is “uncaring, inhumane and irresponsible”.
When told that the homeless and hunger situations did not just start in 2011 after the elections, Mr Maduro fired back and told our newsroom “we can’t blame the last government, you have to blame the NDP...they in power now and they must take steps to correct this situation. If they do not they will go down in history as the most irresponsible government”.
Civil society/non-profit organisations confirm poverty
Many of the local civil society groups and non-profit organisations have also spoken out against the new level of poverty and permanent underclass in the Virgin Islands. Last year, in an interview with this news site, Judith G. Charles of the Family Support Network stated as a fact that there has been an increase of families coming to her organisation within the past three years for food and shelter. She also, in an interview, blasted the current Administration for competing with her organisation for donations- where the Government is begging the public for money to outfit the new Peeples Hospital.
Ms Charles said this takes away much needed funds and donations from her cash-strapped organisation.
Many have accused the NDP after coming to power in 2011 of “tax, tax, tax and mores taxes” on the poor and middle class- another example used to show how their polices have helped wiped out the middle class. Since they took office they have raised fees on everything including work permits, medical fees, passport, departure tax, customs fees, court fees, and a long list of others.
In his 2015 Budget Address, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith announced no relief for the poor or middle class but another laundry list of higher taxes, including higher water rates.
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56 Responses to “Three years of NDP; the poor now in garbage looking for a meal!”
I agree with Edmund. As the current government, it is their responsibility to make it better, not worst. God forbid more of us end up in such a position because of their lack of concern. At least with VIP everyone gets a chance to eat, a little something, a little cut of the cheese. NDP is for the fat cats.
I agree with Edmund. As the current government, it is their responsibility to make it better, not worst. God forbid more of us end up in such a position because of their lack of concern. At least with VIP everyone gets a chance to eat, a little something, a little cut of the cheese. NDP is for the fat cats.
the young man in the photo has being doing this for
years under the VIP and NDP this is some thing he chooses to do not forced to .He has had an shelter
built for him and he gets food from the community food program,he also gets food from some people
in the community and still chooses to do it.
I wont say anymore because I don't want to engage senseless ppl....
I agree with you and plus R*** need to pay his employees and teat them right. Some are almost homeless because he wold not pay them.
Now let us be real; this guy is mentally challenge and if you give him food he may end up in the garbage despite the fact simple because of his present health challenge.
Only one person that can bring food for him and he will eat is a man from Little Dix Hill.