Premier Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal told Anegadians he was willing to serve another four years. Photo: Reuben Stoby/VINO

The Premier also said that despite the small population of Anegada, his government would remain committed to ensuring that essential services are provided for his constituents despite the objections from certain quarters.

“You can ask some of the fellows who have been given contracts for water works, laying of pipelines for the water works and also the laying of concrete for roads. It is shared around. And I will tell you this, sometimes the ladies too get the contract…and there is nothing wrong with that,” the Premier said.

Hon. O’Neal said too that women are not discriminated against and that they deserved equal wages for equal work as is stipulated in the new labour code.

He added that the size of the population is always looked at when it comes to developmental projects for Anegada and is often taken in a negative light. “This is the second largest island but the population is small. It’s almost three times the size of Virgin Gorda and the population is nowhere compared to Virgin Gorda because of certain reasons…Some governments say well we can’t afford to do that to such a small population. That is wrong because wherever people are they need certain services and it is the duty of government to provide those services…and I will maintain that we must be able to provide the services that the people need.”

The VIP says it persisted to build 20ft wide roads in Anegada and disclosed that road works are expected to resume this week. Photo: Reuben Stoby/VINO

Hon. O’Neal also disclosed that road works will resume on the island as early as this week and that plans are being done for byroads to facilitate persons to access their lands.

He said the project had initially received some objections from one Governor who felt that Anegada did not need a wide road, however, he insisted on a 20-foot wide road, which he felt was necessary for an island that depended heavily on tourism.

More than a hundred persons assembled at The Settlement in Anegada for the VIP rally on Sunday. Photo: VINO

Speaking of projects being executed, the district representative said one of the successes on Anegada was the appointment of a project manager within the Public Works Department, who had direct responsibility for projects on Anegada and even Virgin Gorda. “Works must be done and it cannot be done from sitting down in an office in Road Town. We must have a man on site to make sure the work is done according to plan.”

Government plans to extend the ferry dock at Anegada to make it more accomodating to cargo vessels. Photo: Reuben Stoby/VINO

Ferry Dock to be extended

The 9th district representative disclosed that government plans to have the ferry dock at Anegada extended and to also facilitate cargo vessels. “We want to complete the inner part of dock for barges to come and discharge their cargo in an easy manner because bringing in cargo is very important.”

Speaking of some of the VIP Government’s accomplishments on the island, Hon. Premier said one that was particularly welcomed by the people was that of banking services. “The VIP government insisted on it and got it and it is working.”

He added that government had promised to make an addition to the school building and that was done along with the installation of air conditioning systems. Hon. O’Neal also said that a fence was now being constructed and landscaping was likely to follow.

The Premier noted that he was pleased to see many private buildings being constructed in Anegada and posited that if such developments continue at its current pace on the island, “lots will happen in the next five years”.

Hon. O’Neal also brought the issue of cattle on the roadway as a serious one that needed to be addressed urgently and with the assistance of everyone in order to prevent any mishaps as such could mean bad publicity for the island especially if it involved tourists. He said Virgin Gorda was faced with a similar issue but was solved when a certain landowner gave up a portion of his land to keep the animals off the road.

Meanwhile, the stalwart politician urged his constituents too use the “ABC” of politics, which he said was to “apply basic common sense when going to the polls. “So I am asking you if you think that I am worthy of having another try at it that you give me that vote.”

On a lighter note, said he was aware of other persons contesting the district but he was waiting until Nomination Day to see who would stay in the race. “This year I think there are four others running but we have to wait until Nomination Day, which hasn’t been set yet, to know if they all will go. It’s only five hundred dollars so it’s cheap but you have to get a certain percentage of votes otherwise you would lose it. I can’t afford to lose five hundred dollars,” the Premier joked.

The Premier continued that he feels he has been called again to serve and that he is willing to serve.

Some of the VIP supporters pose with party members following yesterday's well attended rally in Anegada. Photo: Reuben Stoby/VINO