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deCastro questions purpose of Register of Interest Act

- Asks if Territory is becoming a welfare state
Mr. deCastro has questioned the purpose of the Register of Interest Act # 5 of 2006, which mandates members of the House of Assembly to declare their assets, since it is not a public document.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Donald deCastro, speaking on his radio programme ‘Night Talk’ aired November 15, 2011, has questioned the Register of Interest Act # 5 of 2006, which mandates members of the House of Assembly to declare their assets, since it is not a public document.

According to deCastro, it is a law that was introduced and passed by the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration but said he heard “no one” spoke about it during the elections. “It is a registry for all members of the House of Assembly to register all their interest in all their businesses they have throughout this territory or anywhere, however, it is not open to the public. So no matter what they have, the newspaper, the public, the news people, nobody can see it.”

Mr. deCastro described it as unacceptable that the public was not privy to the registry. “What is the purpose of the Act for the people that are representing us and we do not know what their interests are? Come on people of the Virgin Islands. Is this acceptable? They have this and they have that but where it comes from we don’t know. The only people that can access it are the members of the House of Assembly. So what is the use of this Act? I hope someone can tell me,” Mr. deCastro said.

Is the VI a welfare state?

Meanwhile, after reading what he claimed was the audit findings of Assistance Grants approved in 2008 by HOA members and several letters where members of the community pleaded with the members for financial assistance for various reasons, Mr. deCatsro wanted to know if the Virgin Islands was becoming a welfare state or if it already was.

Reading from what he said was a local publication which said assistance grants were grossly inadequate, Mr. deCastro said the auditors found a selection of assistance grants approved in 2008 by the members of the HOA including $700 payment for music at victory party celebration; $1600 for cleaning of a park in Brewers Bay; $500 towards boxing; $783.53 for assistance for payment of income tax.; $502.30 for tickets for models for a car show; $4500 for assistance for 45 parents of students, who passed Primary 5; $450 assistance to prevent going to jail for non-support of children.

The long-time public activist was particularly taken aback by the latter assistance. “Imagine a member of the House of Assembly giving somebody $450 to pay child support so that you don’t go to jail. I got child support to pay, I wonder if anyone wants to pay mine for me?” Mr. deCastro asked.

The radio talk show host, however, said he could understand that people in the community may need assistance but doesn’t believe such assistance should rest with the HOA members but rather the Social Development Department.

“I can understand where people in a community can need assistance but I think the assistance can be set up in the form of a department within the Social Development Department, who can administer this kind of assistance to people that need it. When the House of Assembly continues to allot the members ex amount of thousands of dollars every year to give handouts, how are we to improve the corruption and the vote buying and vote selling in this country?"

8 Responses to “deCastro questions purpose of Register of Interest Act ”

  • Native Boy (17/11/2011, 09:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    all dey mouth he got why he aint run for politics? eh? Yaaawn
    • one eye (17/11/2011, 22:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why the hell he cannot run? Alvera, Myron, Deloris (second time) and the liks ran and won so do not rule out Decastro boss
  • tune (17/11/2011, 12:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i taught his talk show was off the air...
  • Common Sense (17/11/2011, 16:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Decastro.. come on it would not be in the best interest of the public officials to declare such interests to the Public. They should be able to do it to the government or to whom they must answer to as these men and women are serving our country and they all have given up their personal lives for us all so asking them to state interests public is none of your business. You trying to see what all they have?????
    • Hmm (17/11/2011, 22:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I think you misunderstood the purpose of the registry. Members are required to disclose their interest so that they may be scrutinize by the public to ensure transparency and accountability. This is accomplished by monitoring their net worth relative to their income levels. Maintaining a restrictive registry does not allow for this scrutiny therefore in it could be considered ineffective.
    • The Necessary Truth (18/11/2011, 12:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is not a matter of "trying to see what they have" but confirming where their other interest may lie. As a public official, what you do becomes public. They should ultimately answer to the people (who put them in office) and not the Government. There is a need and an outcry for transparency in the Territory. (see what happened in Turks & Caicos?). The public, and this goes for anyone who has to make a decision that affects them socially, economically, etc. ("the vote" in this instance), should be able to make an informed decision, and thus be made aware if so inclined of an official that may have conflicting interests.
  • whatIthink (17/11/2011, 17:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's not about trying to see what they have, it's about transparency and good governance. In other countries, the Register or its equivalent is public in order to minimize corruption. DeCastro is making a good point. As for the assistance grants, we have become a nation of beggars. Imagine people begging politicians for money to go on vacation, money to buy television, money for lingerie, money for this and money for that. This is taxpayers' money - OUR money - it's not coming from a money tree and it's a disgrace! Money that could be going to fix up the public schools, the hospital, the clinics, the library, etc., instead going to people who want to live above their means and have the taxpayers pay for their lifestyle! The politicians need to get people out of this begging mentality!


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