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Works Minister denies road works an election gimmick

- but said 'election roads' or not he was happy
The National Democratic Party (NDP) today April 16, 2015 signed an agreement for the controversial loan of $16 million from the Social Security Board (SSB) for the construction of roads in the territory. Above are (left to right) Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool, Premier Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith and Chairman of the Social Security Board Paul Webster QC. Photo: VINO
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) addressing the audience at the signing denied that the funds are to finance election roads. Photo: VINO
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) addressing the audience at the signing denied that the funds are to finance election roads. Photo: VINO
The signing took place at the conference room of the Premier’s Office and saw the presence of Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), officials from the Ministry of Communications and Works and other personnel. Photo: VINO
The signing took place at the conference room of the Premier’s Office and saw the presence of Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), officials from the Ministry of Communications and Works and other personnel. Photo: VINO
A section of the audience at the signing ceremony. Photo: VINO
A section of the audience at the signing ceremony. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The National Democratic Party (NDP) today April 16, 2015 signed an agreement for the controversial loan of $16 million from the Social Security Board (SSB) for the construction of roads in the territory.

The signing took place at the conference room of the Premier’s Office and saw the presence of Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), officials from that Ministry and other personnel.

The signing took place between Minister Vanterpool and Chairman of the Social Security Board, Mr Paul Webster QC.

The Opposition during a recent sitting of the House of Assembly lambasted the Government for seeking the approval of the House for the project without bringing sufficient information for the benefit of the members of the Opposition.

Further, Opposition members had questioned how it is that the Government would spend $16 million before the elections are held. However, the Opposition has always maintained that there is need for the road project.

“Ladies and gentlemen, while some have done everything in their power to stop the cruise pier project, to stop our road improvement project, to stop our sewerage project, to justify an albatross around our neck- water contract where we have to pay for water we don’t use and while some did nothing to execute the phase 5 development programme of the BVI Electricity Corporation, this Government did everything possible to develop a cruise pier facility, to maintain and improve our roads and to ensure that we provide potable water to at least 95 percent of persons in the territory,” said the Minister.

No election roads

Further Vanterpool denied that the road project was specially embarked upon because elections is just around the corner.

Responding to questions from members of the media, Honourable Vanterpool said the plans for the road improvement programme commenced since 2012.

He said whether it is an election year or not he is happy that it is being executed for the benefit of the people of the territory. “It is a planned programme that is being executed,” the Minister said.

The Opposition had wanted to see what the SSB said after it was approached for the loan as it believes the SSB was strong-armed into the agreement to loan the funds to Government.

28 Responses to “Works Minister denies road works an election gimmick”

  • vex (16/04/2015, 17:45) Like (17) Dislike (12) Reply
    Of course tis an election gimmick
    • @vex (17/04/2015, 09:43) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      Oh so those multi-million dollar contracts that were signed on the eve of the last elections by your party was not an election gimmick?
  • GI JOE (16/04/2015, 18:33) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    The 2Parties have the same head, both use the same tatics and both deny it, every 4 years
  • .......... (16/04/2015, 18:51) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    More money for tt
  • Concern 1 (16/04/2015, 18:54) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    Let dem do all sorts of projects just like the Labour party in SKN just before de elections and de people still voted them out.They always bawling no money day to do anything then out of the blues and just before an elections it worse than if they pull devil tail pop.watch pon money, yes money can't done
    • ha (17/04/2015, 13:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you are comparing NDP right now in BVI to Labour at election time in St Kitts then you are crazy. I wonder if VIP realize that in order to win an election you need 7 elected members to form the Government and in order to get 7 members elected you need to at least have electable candidates?
  • zoe (16/04/2015, 18:55) Like (10) Dislike (12) Reply
    By time i retire no more money would be left
  • Realist (16/04/2015, 19:06) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
    Of course he is going to say it is not an election gimmick. What else is he going to say. Politics is all about spin duh.
    • Bagahwind (17/04/2015, 11:40) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
      Where is the proof for saying it is an election gimmick? Unless you can prove that statement, Realist, you need to shut the 'ell up.
  • alpine (16/04/2015, 19:17) Like (12) Dislike (11) Reply
    it is a DAM GIMMICK he thinks we so dam fool we don't know the difference 3 years and only now why now DAM GIMMICK
  • ... (16/04/2015, 20:02) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Where is the waste of time governor in all this?
  • Outlaw (16/04/2015, 21:09) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Surely, a guilty conscience needs no accusers. Why does he have to come out with this. As I always say, these politicians are always of the opinion that the electorates are fools and that every thing they come with, we must swallow. We all know it's an election gimmick. Look how every thing that was on hold for years, took off full speed. Who the hell Mark think he can fool. As to those Chinese equipments, I will like to know how come a man who falls under the ministry of health, was the one responsible for placing the order. Wasn't someone from PWD was suppose to place the order.
  • karrunt (16/04/2015, 21:23) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Betsee better becareful round the monster.
  • justice (16/04/2015, 21:35) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    sickening. hope they start people claims . they find all sort of reasons to avoid paying . And please . starting hearing the tribunal cases. Paul is always too busy.
  • wize up (17/04/2015, 06:55) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    it is a common practice for our elected officials to put the people through 3 year & 6 months of hell THEN just before an election hand-out all manner of contracts(bush cutting, road paving, help you with your back wall, pass out hams, turkey, stoves, fridges some even given persons rental cars to drive)....both parties have done and will continue doing because its always work(if it aint broke why fix it).......
  • RealRep (17/04/2015, 07:29) Like (9) Dislike (12) Reply
    Thhat works Munster up to he election tricks. Stay out east boss. We want see Maynard and Sheep out here alone.
  • i from here (17/04/2015, 08:53) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    VIP pave SCB a week before Election and that was not an Election gimmick ?

    NDP pave roads about 6 months before Election and that's an Election gimmick ?

    LOL!
  • TALK THAT (17/04/2015, 09:31) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    The ndp will still be voted out
  • fff (17/04/2015, 09:35) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ndp must go
  • joe (17/04/2015, 10:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    its a trick used in all the islands around election time,road repair ,box drains ,water lines etc ,don,t be fooled .
  • LL (17/04/2015, 10:56) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    WE CAN SEE RIGHT THROUGH THIS MARK...HAHAHAHAHA
  • Wants to know (17/04/2015, 11:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    How come the money is being found to do all these projetcs? Are the contractors paid? For years now Civil servants have not received a pay hike even when it was promised to them years ago. How come we boast about our financial prowess above other islands, when they are giving their Civil servants pay hikes or other financial reliefs and we cannot?
  • farmer brown (17/04/2015, 12:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    look at some of dem waste of time MCW staff
  • cnn (18/04/2015, 08:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Funny how when money is on the table everybody has ideas on how to spend it.


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