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VIP/Opposition member districts got shafted under NDP- Report

- PWD 2012 Annual Report shows that spending in the 4 opposition members’ districts has been the lowest in the issuing of petty contracts
The Public Works Department 2012 Annual Report was laid on the table of the House of Assembly on November 19, 2013 by Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool. According to the report, 217 petty contracts were issued in 2012 valued at six million, five hundred and ninety-eight thousand, two hundred and sixty-three dollars and fourteen cents ($6,598,263.14). Photo: VINO
The PWD 2012 Annual Report revealed that spending on petty contracts in the VIP Opposition Members' led Districts (1, 2, 3, 9) dropped dramatically in 2012. However, the National Democratic Party led Government claimed in their 2011 political campaign that 'no districts will be left behind'. The report suggests this promise has not been kept by the Government. Photo: VINO
The PWD 2012 Annual Report revealed that spending on petty contracts in the VIP Opposition Members' led Districts (1, 2, 3, 9) dropped dramatically in 2012. However, the National Democratic Party led Government claimed in their 2011 political campaign that 'no districts will be left behind'. The report suggests this promise has not been kept by the Government. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- In the last general elections of 2011, the now ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Government ran on a platform that “no districts would be left behind”.

However, according to the 2012 Public Works Department Report laid on the table of the House of Assembly, on November 19, 2013 by Communications and Works Minister Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool, little or nothing was done in terms of petty contracts in districts represented by Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Opposition members.

The report clearly demonstrates a dramatic drop in spending in 2012 under the current NDP Administration within the First District represented by Hon. Andrew A. Fahie, Second District represented by Hon. J. Alvin Christopher, Third District represented by Hon. Julian Fraser RA, and the Ninth District represented by Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE.

According to the statistics in the report, only 6 petty contracts were issued for the whole of 2012 in the VIP represented First District, whereas 35 petty contracts were issued in the Fourth District represented by the NDP Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool.

Another example, according to the report, was a mere 11 petty contracts were issued in the VIP represented Third District in 2012 whereas 24 petty contracts were issued in the Eight District represented by NDP Legislator Hon. Marlon A. Penn.

The claim by the NDP that no district will be left behind seems to be another political gimmick as the facts, according to the report, does not support the promise.

In 2012 only 12 petty contracts were issued in the Ninth District [Virgin Gorda/Anegada] represented by Opposition Leader and VIP member Hon. O’Neal.  However, in the NDP represented Fifth District, 33 petty contracts were issued.

Below: Petty Contracts executed per District. Photo: VINO/PWD 2012 Report, Page 19

The PWD 2012 report reveled that as a matter of percentage of petty contracts issued, the 4 VIP districts took the smallest percentage. The First District, for example, had a mere 3%, Second District 10% and Third District received just 6%.

However, the NDP Districts with representatives on the government side took most if not all of the pie. The Fourth District took some 20%, with the Fifth District taking 19%, according to petty contracts issued in 2012.

Below: Percentage of Petty Contacts per District as illustrated on a pie chart. Photo: VINO/PWD 2012 Report, Page 20

We not even allowed to give out the few-Opposition

A source within the Opposition Virgin Islands Party told this news site that the 4 Opposition Members continue to be disrespected and not consulted when work is going on in their Districts [1, 2, 3, 9], something that was never the case under the previous ruling VIP Government.

When asked on November 19, 2013 in the House of Assembly by Opposition Member Hon.  Julian Fraser if District Representatives were involved in determining the area in each districts to be cleaned and the persons to carry out the work, Minister Vanterpool claimed he could not remember if District Representatives were consulted and in which districts.

Non-elected person giving out contracts in my District- Hon. J Alvin Christopher

Lashing out at the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration for what he described as a lack of respect for him as the representative of the Second District, veteran politician with well over 18 years in Parliament Honourable J. Alvin Christopher gave a stern warning to the Dr. Smith Administration as to how he is being treated by Ministers of the NDP Government.

Hon. Christopher was at the time speaking at the October 14, 2013 sitting of Parliament.

The former Government Minister said he was told by the Ministry of Communications and Works, but he knows that the Ministry is headed up by a Minister, “that a directive came that they are not supposed to take any instructions from me [Hon. Christopher] and someone was assigned to say who and how these works are to be carried out in my district…I was under the impression that I was the District Representative..I asked for the name and was told that Claude Skelton-Cline was the name given…” according to Hon. Christopher.

“Madam Speaker, I was appalled by this revelation as when I was a Minister of Government I respected all District Representatives and all works went through the District Representatives out of courtesy and respect,” Hon. Christopher stated. 

He said under the 20-month old NDP government it seems like they are “practicing the rules of the jungle, where it’s the survival of the fittest”. Hon. J. Alvin Christopher said he spoke before [in the HOA] the Minister for Communications and Works so he can have an opportunity to clarify his position, however the Minister did not address the issue.

Hon. Christopher warned that, if all the rules and respect for each other have been done away with, then he can also play by the rules of the jungle. “If what is happening for the last two years under this government is going to be the norm then we will be in serious trouble…I have always cooperated with the government and given them the respect..Tell me today, if we are applying the rules of the jungle?” the usually calm District Representative asked.

Over the past 2 years, many members of Parliament and the public have bitterly complained about the culture of disrespect that has taken over the Virgin Islands under the NDP-led Administration. Allegations include incidences of At-Large Ministers of government recklessly going into districts and giving non-elected persons, usually losers of the 2011 election, contracts to give out and bypassing the duly elected representatives.

While the PWD 2012 Report did not name who gave out the few contracts in the VIP Opposition Members’ 4 Districts, it tells the story of VIP represented Districts being left way behind in work distributions under the NDP Government, something they promised the people not to do!

47 Responses to “VIP/Opposition member districts got shafted under NDP- Report”

  • Eh? (28/11/2013, 09:12) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Where are the stats from 2007-2011?
    • TurtleDove (28/11/2013, 09:24) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
      Ayo tink only VIP districts left behind the whole damm country has been left behind under NDP
      • fair is fair (28/11/2013, 18:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Is this article fair?
        - Overall there is less money spent in 2012 ($6.6m) than in 2011 ($8.3m).
        - In 2011, there are some ridiculous differences - over $2.2m in the 3rd and $1.6m in the 2nd but only $124k in the 7th.
        - because of these ridiculous differences under 1 administration, that is why you have seen such a dramatic fall in spending under another.
        - In 2011, the Minister (C&W) spent $600k more in his district than the next highest whereas in 2012, the Minister's district received the 3rd highest spending.

        I could go on, but the spending is more balanced in 2012 than it is in 2011.
        I am neither NDP or VIP, but fair is fair.
        • @ fair is fair (29/11/2013, 00:15) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
          If the media wasn’t doing it’s job correctly, going into areas where we have never gone before, this place would have been in an even bigger mess.

          • fair is fair (29/11/2013, 10:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
            I am not disputing the media's right to investigation; in fact it is a critical part of democracy.
            If anything, we (the voters) got shafted in 2011, not 2012, especially those outside of the 3rd and 2nd districts. As I look at the 2012 numbers vs 2011, the spending is more balanced. The focus of this article should be on the 2011 numbers and the shafting we got then.

            Again, I am neither VIP or NDP, but fair is fair.
    • pat (28/11/2013, 09:50) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
      Where are vigorous defense by the NDP cowbirds for this type of behavior?
      • the real pat (29/11/2013, 13:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        a person who continues to take someone elses ID has not respect for the process or anyone else. why do you insist on doing it? and who is going to pay attention to someone who is so arrogant?
    • @ Eh? (28/11/2013, 09:52) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      your comment is so late its COMICAL!
    • to Eh? (28/11/2013, 10:02) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      I think for you to now come with that defense is rather PATHETIC!
      • my two cents (28/11/2013, 13:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        the voters need to sign the pre-nup with the nest government to keep their words.
  • 1-Luv (28/11/2013, 09:13) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
    See another broken promise now we found out they hate all VIP districts, yet another reason why the NDP to GO!!
    • Oh dear (28/11/2013, 09:31) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      I have to move to the 4, 5 or 8 districts mehson
    • BVI at heart (28/11/2013, 09:48) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      They need to do one for 2009 and 2010 and you will see what VIP did to NDP and independent districts. You guys dont see what going on...all of them the same. BVI ppl to shallow to see. We all just need to boycott elections.
      • mother hen (28/11/2013, 13:31) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        Spending time going back and forth about who is corrupt and who is not is a waste of time. It just means that you are more tolerant of one side's corruption than you are tolerant or acceptable of the other side's corruption. That in itself is corrupt, none-productive or counter-productive
  • GoonSquad (28/11/2013, 09:17) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    VIP districts lucky to get any as come next year and the election year they will get None so why is this Strange!
  • st saying.... (28/11/2013, 09:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It seems as if we are back to the same old hibernation again.
    • farmer brown (28/11/2013, 13:35) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Well, all I can say, Olando Smith, has not learnt much, during the many years that he has been in politics.
  • ... (28/11/2013, 09:33) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wellllll sah. What a fiasco this is becoming under the NDP gang.
  • Anonymous (28/11/2013, 09:45) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very strange here, if you flip the script the exact opposite happened when the VIP was in power as shown in 2011 vs. 2012. Who holds the purse calls the shots, NDP, VIP, or LMNOP.
    • ... (28/11/2013, 10:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      lol @ LMNOP
    • Prove it (28/11/2013, 18:29) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ Anonymous, If what you sayoin was true, how Kedrick was able to build the STICKET under the VIP. And oh, by the way, none of those contracts done in the VIP Districts went through the District Representative.
  • Ha! (28/11/2013, 10:00) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Keep complaining, 2015 you will get NONE!
  • bogus (28/11/2013, 10:43) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Where are the reports BEFORE 2012 ???????????????????????????

    Stop showing HALF TRUTH!
  • People (28/11/2013, 10:57) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    The numbers clearly shows that when VIP was in power all districts whether they were VIP or NDP districts were treated fairly but the NDP has not return the courtesies. This is bad & the NDP will pay dearly for this.
    • @People (28/11/2013, 11:49) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      everyone looking at 2012 only they haven't looked at 2011 when only one opposition had a district which was district 7 (NDP at the time) who received the lowest expenditure from the rest districts in 2011 .....so both parties are playing the game as far as i see it........
  • Music (28/11/2013, 11:02) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    But each district has TWO representatives, so the VIP districts also have an NDP rep! In any case, the PWD should NOT be issuing petty contracts. They should be doing the work themselves like they used to in years gone by. Then it would be govt funds paying for govt contracts, not money out to cronies (on either side). Poor little BVI going further to the dogs!
  • l (28/11/2013, 11:14) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    The 4 at large candidates forget that they will need votes from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 8th districts next election.
  • justice (28/11/2013, 11:17) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    I am sure if you check the statistics during VIP term in office the results would be worst. Check the facts. NDP was generous in sharing contracts.
  • ooooo (28/11/2013, 12:12) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    vip made kedric look good between 2007 to 2011 but now ndp is dealing with the vip like dogs...they have losers like cline and OJ giving out contracts which is totally wrong, disrespectful and unconstitutional...but every dog has his day...keep it up!...we will leave them up to the voters, not god
  • cay (28/11/2013, 12:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need to get rid of the At-large system that will solved this problem
  • polo (28/11/2013, 13:26) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    We will not accomplish much until we rid the BVI of both VIP and NDP
  • facts man (28/11/2013, 13:33) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    The NDP may have more in numbers only because they are in power now but both parties are guilty in allowing it.
  • bystander (28/11/2013, 13:40) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Now, to discriminate against the VIP led districts has caused more damage to the NDP political comeback, and I doubt VIP supporters who cross the floor last election will regain the confidence and respect from the people for voting NDP again.
  • weed (28/11/2013, 14:07) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank The Lord for the VINO newspaper, the citizens would never had known about all these unusual happenings, in our nation.
  • Online now! (28/11/2013, 15:25) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    The most important statistic on that report is the previous high spend in the 3rd District. I would love to hear the justification for that!
  • de 3rd (28/11/2013, 15:39) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    well dem say funny man always in Fraser district giving out contracts but it will come full circle
    • @ de 3rd (28/11/2013, 19:10) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      yeap he did it again playin bad man but Barry say you will hear
  • Champ (28/11/2013, 17:45) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    chosen few will reap any way
  • project (28/11/2013, 23:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wait I on Dr Smith next election. Not my vote. He cant get my again. Never. Too much spite. Too much sell out. Too much dishonesty in his government. Too much selfishness.
  • big bee (29/11/2013, 12:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    The show will be on the other foot soon so let them go ahead treating some parts of the country like $h!t because they voted for VIP

  • SSSSSSSSSS (30/11/2013, 17:03) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    the NDP used the political rhetoric they needed to win the election


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