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‘Close this House up' if the rules mean nothing- Hon Julian Fraser RA

- demanded documents from the bank as evidence of approval of change of purpose for $8 million loan diverted from EE/LL sewage treatment project to Tortola Pier Park
'Close this House up if rules cannot be followed,' were the words of the Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA yesterday April 18, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
Leader of the Opposition Honourable Julian Fraser RA told the House of Assembly yesterday April 18, 2016 that while the Opposition had no issues with the significance or importance of the Cruise Pier Development Project, the process cannot be breached in the name of expediency. Photo: VINO/File
Leader of the Opposition Honourable Julian Fraser RA told the House of Assembly yesterday April 18, 2016 that while the Opposition had no issues with the significance or importance of the Cruise Pier Development Project, the process cannot be breached in the name of expediency. Photo: VINO/File
He was speaking in his wrap up of the debate on a motion he raised regarding government's coming to the House to seek its blessing for diverting $8 million borrowed from CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank for the continuation of the East End/Long Look Sewage Treatment Project to the Cruise Pier Development Project. Photo: VINO/File
He was speaking in his wrap up of the debate on a motion he raised regarding government's coming to the House to seek its blessing for diverting $8 million borrowed from CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank for the continuation of the East End/Long Look Sewage Treatment Project to the Cruise Pier Development Project. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Leader of the Opposition Honourable Julian Fraser RA told the House of Assembly yesterday April 18, 2016 that while the Opposition had no issues with the significance or importance of the Cruise Pier Development Project, the process cannot be breached in the name of expediency.

He was speaking in his wrap up of the debate on a motion he raised regarding government's coming to the House to seek its blessing for diverting $8 million borrowed from CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank for the continuation of the East End/Long Look Sewage Treatment Project to the Cruise Pier Development Project.

He chided members of the Government's side for their misplaced focus during the debate and their attack on the Opposition for raising issues surrounding good governance and transparency regarding the project.

Close HoA

He also slammed the government for what he called running the country from downtown.

“You cannot run this country from downtown or else close this house up...close it down. You can't just believe that you are the executive and just decide that you will go into Cabinet and make a change like this and then bring it up here and expect it to be rubber stamped.”

Hon Fraser said that while the process might be one of rubber stamping, “those of us who wish to speak let us speak… don't relegate this House to being some kind of facilitator for the executive. I am going to talk about it because I don't agree with it.”

According to Honourable Fraser the legislation that gives the Premier the authority to make an adjustment and divert funds from one purpose to another is archaic and needs to change. He rejected the argument that he should not be complaining as he was a member of a previous government and enjoyed the use of the very legislation without seeking to change it.

“If something is wrong it is wrong...and not because someone did something that is wrong means someone else can do it and then justify it saying you did it and I could do it too.”

'Diverted funds unlikely to be repaid'

Honourable Fraser said he has a feeling that the monies forwarded to the BVI Ports Authority will turn out to be a grant as it is unlikely to be repaid. “They are not going to pay it. It will become a grant.”

According to Honourable Fraser, no one on the government's side has spoken as to why they took so long to bring the change to the House of Assembly and that because it is a financial matter a response from the Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith is the only response that matters.

“When the Minister of Finance says something I hold him to it because he is the only one that can deliver. No disrespect to the other Ministers. I've been a Minister before,” he said.

Honourable Fraser demanded to see the relevant documents which would validate what the Government is saying regarding the loan. “Madam Speaker let the record show that we are asking for copies of the approval letter from the same bank to use the funds that were borrowed from the same bank for the purpose of continuing the sewerage project in East End/Long Look to be used on the Tortola Pier Park Project. We also need copies of the terms and conditions of the agreements - old and new.”

He said the House needs to put these issues to rest. “Right now we need the facts...one person saying this and other person saying that...we need the facts,” he said.

10 Responses to “‘Close this House up' if the rules mean nothing- Hon Julian Fraser RA ”

  • Omar (19/04/2016, 09:45) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Do like Hon Hodge did some years ago and break the mace.
  • donkey (19/04/2016, 10:08) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    If MARLON dont stand up for this matter we would be voting him out in the 8th.. Taking we money to invest in the cruise ship pier is rubbish! NONE of the tourist dollar dont come these sides... PENN your ink getting dry
  • this has got to stop (19/04/2016, 10:14) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    The NDP breaking all the rules to suit themselves.
  • AWAL (19/04/2016, 10:55) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    I ask again where is john duncan?
    • Snicker Bar (19/04/2016, 16:23) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      ....on ZBVI radio's local news in interviews with Zan Lewis daily avoiding questions, being evasive and snickering.
  • justice (19/04/2016, 11:46) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
    Hon. Fraser,
    Please don't get heart attack over these people.
    Your time is nearing to lead the country and make a change.
    God is watching, because John S Duncan seem to be sipping on a glass of Irish Red Wine and a mug of Columbian Blend.
  • Really! (19/04/2016, 11:58) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm really getting tired of this. NDP campaigned about Government in the sunshine and fool each and everyone of us that believed in them. You promised to right the wrongs but here you are using the excuse that they did it so we should be able to do it to.

    Truth is you guys (NDP) are a bunch of hypocrites and selfish emefers. You are damaging this country beyond repair and it needs to stop now. We had confidence in you but you are 5x worse than what we thought we had before!
  • to vip (20/04/2016, 22:25) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yawn, you lost the election. Get over it now!


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