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‘We are ready to march with you against Gov't'- Resident tells Hon Fraser

- Hon Julian Fraser RA wants to know how all the hurricane recovery monies will be spent & who will benefit
An infuriated resident questioned Third District Representative, Honourable Julian Fraser RA, as to what can be done now to make sure that there is accountability for the hurricane recovery funds received or being received by the government, while noting that things have already gone too far. Photo: VINO
Honourable Julian Fraser RA, Third District Representative, says that he wants to know how the hurricane recovery funds will be spent and who will benefit from it, while suggesting residents pressure their district representatives so they can vote against the Recovery and Development Plan document. Photo: VINO
Honourable Julian Fraser RA, Third District Representative, says that he wants to know how the hurricane recovery funds will be spent and who will benefit from it, while suggesting residents pressure their district representatives so they can vote against the Recovery and Development Plan document. Photo: VINO
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI - During a public meeting on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, held by Third District Representative, Honourable Julian Fraser RA, he stated that the government does not need to borrow so much money which will put the territory in a vulnerable place.

“You know what happens when we borrow money and don’t pay it back? We are going to start crawling on our knees because they are going to put pressure on us. We are rich enough. Enough money flows through this country for all of us to be well off and with this kind of money coming into the country we should be even better off but we will be worse off because no one is looking out for your interest,” emphasised Hon Fraser.

The Third District Representative further commented that before he signs any document, he would like to know how the money will be spent and who is going to benefit from this large sum of money being borrowed by the government.

He said, “If we can’t tell those things, don’t touch it. I don’t need you to flood the market with money and flood the streets with money and nobody benefitting from it. Our people needs to be doing better than they are doing right now. Not going from pay check to pay check. This is a rich country but it is poorly managed.”

“What are our rights to force accountability?” – Resident

Meanwhile, an infuriated resident questioned Hon Fraser as to what can be done now to make sure that there is accountability for the funds received or being received by the government, while noting that things have already gone too far.

“Is there something that we can do then to make sure that there is accountability for the funding that have already been received or that we are saying have been received. What are our rights as the people to force accountability of these funds?” asked the resident.

She continued, “What can we do now to create an issue or a havoc? At what point are you as the Opposition going to start an eruption in this place so that we can march along with you for those of us who do not agree and most of us do not agree? So at what point are we going to stop having meetings and actually do something about it? We are ready to create what we want to know as the next generation of BVI. Right now we are bending over because we have waited too long. The document is already out and now we are raising all the issues with it and the red flags were there from before.”

"Pressure your District Representatives" -Hon Fraser

In response, Hon Fraser urged the resident that the stipulations by the United Kingdom (UK) to form a separate board which will manage the fund is to ensure that the monies are spent “free of corruption”, while suggesting that persons should pressure their District Representatives so that they can vote against the document.

“You can start by talking with your district representatives and tell them just like you are telling me now. If we hear enough of the same talk we have no choice but to vote against this document. I’m not going to stop here,” he emphasised.

19 Responses to “‘We are ready to march with you against Gov't'- Resident tells Hon Fraser”

  • trrefdrfds (23/02/2018, 17:39) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    please! set a cowards, if you call a march only the organizers will show up!!!!!! pure talk
  • Priorities (23/02/2018, 18:11) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where are those who will march against violence and the killing of the innocent?????
  • wize up (23/02/2018, 18:37) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    the people should not have to march: what is needed is proper legislation in the territory that regulates the conduct of the people we voted for: the same former leaders had the golden opportunity to pass laws: no one should be against the laws of this land: government spending been out of control for many many years: both parties hides behind handing over large sums of the tax payers money while hiding behind “consulting fees”: pass accountability laws with criminal penalties......get serious about our people and stop talking only when it is convenient: stop the political games: good leadership is not about political parties....
  • light (23/02/2018, 20:09) Like (8) Dislike (17) Reply
    Fraser you hit the nail on the head that is why you should have been the Opposition leader. This is serious.
  • pete (23/02/2018, 20:10) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Careful now, if....if....if you get in office and people march on you, not one blasted word out of you.
  • YAWN (23/02/2018, 20:53) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Schups!!
  • Vi girl (23/02/2018, 21:44) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    Aryo leave Fraser a lone he is trying. Mr Fraser keep up the good work . keep looking out for the people. We the people need you Sir.
  • 911 (24/02/2018, 03:12) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    He needs to join with Andrew from this one man show
  • E. Leonard (24/02/2018, 05:32) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    The BVI is a resource-poor, not a resource rich country; its strength lies in sand, sea, sun and its resilient people. What natural resources; ie, gold, oil, precious and strategic metals.....etc is the VI blessed with? It is a service-based economy——tourism and financial services. Further, the BVI was decimated by two Cat 5 hurricanes, Irma and Maria, in a matter of weeks, severely damaging residences, businesses, infrastructure, economy; education institutions, health facilities, public safety buildings (police, fire, jail, DDM assets), along with other government facilities. And it is in the recovery-mitigation-preparedness phase of the disaster management cycle. The estimated cost of the damages per government information is north of $3.6B.


    Consequently, it needs a wak of money or power ah money...........etc to recover. It has two prime options in funding the recovery——-pay as you go (PayGo)/current revenue stream or borrowing. The PayGo mode will take an eternity; it needs a strong recovery plan and selected/targeted borrowing. The borrowed money must produced value for money, strong positive outcomes........etc; as the Hon Fraser noted residents children’s children will be repaying the loans. Government is proposing to borrow $721M (if my math is correct, a mere 20% of the estimated recovery cost) for recovery investment over 5 years. However, projects should not just be replaced in like kind; they should be stronger to mitigate more potential damages from future storm events(the BVI is in a disaster prone area so there will be other events; not if but when). If the $3.6B is accurate, when is the delta (80%) between what is estimated and planned going to be addressed? Will the VI residents and economy have to wait 5 years for the benefit of the remaining 80% investment and resultant services? No doubt that number will increase in 5 years. The VI and indeed the region need a Marshall Plan (plan similar to what bail out Western Europe after WWII;US contributed approx $13B towards the bail out) to expedite the recovery; it also needs debt forgiveness.


    Moreover, agree with the Hon Fraser that with an estimated annual $1B GDP the BVI growth and development should be more advanced than it is. Its physical infrastructure (roads, water, sewage, electricity, telecommunications, port facilities), education and educational services, health services, public safety, economic diversification, environmental resource protection and preservation..........etc should be a model for the region and farther afield. Further, if BVI residents are unhappy with the direction of the territory, it must peacefully and collectively agitate for change. Two relatively recent events brought about positive change, ie the Great 1949 March (legislature reinstated), and Noel Lloyd and PAM (Positive Action Movement) advocacy (kept Wickham Cay and large swath of Anegada in local hands).
    • RealPol (24/02/2018, 10:58) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      @E. Leonard, real talk. Like the white space; easier to read. That said, lots here to mine and chew on. Specifically, curious about the prospect of VI and other regional sister countries pursuing a Marshall Plan. Indeed it will clean the slate for a rebirth, a renaissance that would catapult the BVI forward and putting it on a firmer foundation. will developed countries, ie, the US, UK, EU, Canada.......etc come to the region's aid as it did for western Europe after WWII?
    • Diaspora (25/02/2018, 12:44) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thanks for keeping it real. Let’s be real; the VI or BVI is not a wealthy territory. A few high income earners does not make it a wealthy territory. True, it has one of the highest quality of life and standard of living in the region but that does not make it a wealthy territory. The VI weaknesses and threats were exposed with Hurricanes Irma and Maria; they did provide an opportunity for a new way forward. What is the saying that is attributed to the Hon Walwyn, AL and MEC: we are professional beggars. We have tin cups out begging. Let’s stop the we are wealth nonsense. The BVI standard of living and quality of life were rising and improving. Nonetheless, we are not wealthy. The BVI does not have the natural resources to develop either a primary (extraction) and secondary economy(maunfacturing); it has a tertiary economy——-services.
  • he is part of govt (24/02/2018, 06:25) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    so then he will be marching against himself. Govt is for by of the people and the opposition is also part of the govt and when govt fail we all fail as a people. Accountability and integrity are some of the things that should be evident but where are they they only seems to be vocal when the govt is in opposition and when not in power. Think on these things
    • Disinterested (24/02/2018, 19:05) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      In the West Minister system, there is government and Opposition; Hon Fraser and Hon Fahie are the Opposition and the 11 NDP members formed the government ( 5 ministers and 6 backbencher). Hon Fraser will not be marching against himself.
  • A better way (24/02/2018, 07:33) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marching is not necessary. There is a simple easy way to bring about change. Rally and encourage the back benchers to team up with opposition for change andbetterment. Encourage Frazer to a part of that team... Its a constitutional rights Just need the courage to execute it.. For all the doubters. This would not be anything new. It has done in the past.. This will be a once in a life time opportunity some back benchers will get to ever hold a ministry and make a difference.. More important they wull be forevee be in our history books.
    • Street reporter. @ a better way (24/02/2018, 09:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's the way to go. That's surely a better way..
  • Eagle Eye (24/02/2018, 09:09) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Let him say which party he's on
  • tretretrete (24/02/2018, 19:06) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Poor BVI people they dont want to see truth rather live in their world of make believe why are you all attacking fraser for speaking truth.


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