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Hon Fraser’s ‘mistrust’ of NDP Gov't offends HoA Members

- Hons Christopher & Christian hit back, saying 11-2 election win was enough evidence public had no trust issues
Chiding the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government for not coming to the House and 'leveling' with the people and that it was tantamount to deception, Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) said he was given no choice but to not support the Government’s bid in the House of Assembly to secure a $25M line of credit to keep Government afloat. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith has been lambasted by the Opposition for not providing enough information on how the money being borrowed from CIBC FirstCaribbean was going to be used. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith has been lambasted by the Opposition for not providing enough information on how the money being borrowed from CIBC FirstCaribbean was going to be used. Photo: VINO/File
Both Fifth District Representative Hon Deloris Christopher (right) and Junior Minister for Tourism and At Large Representative Hon Archibald C. Christian were of the view that the 11-2 win at the polls on June 8, 2015 was enough evidence that the public had no trust issues with the National Democratic Party Government. Photo: VINO/File
Both Fifth District Representative Hon Deloris Christopher (right) and Junior Minister for Tourism and At Large Representative Hon Archibald C. Christian were of the view that the 11-2 win at the polls on June 8, 2015 was enough evidence that the public had no trust issues with the National Democratic Party Government. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Chiding the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government for not coming to the House and “leveling” with the people and that it was tantamount to deception, Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) said he was given no choice but to not support the Government’s bid in the House of Assembly to secure a $25M line of credit to keep Government afloat.

Even before the passage of a 2016 $330M Budget Estimate a few weeks ago, negotiations had started with CIBC FirstCaribben International Bank to secure a loan, or a line of credit, of some $25M to keep government running. The Motion was put before the House of Assembly at its Monday April 18, 2016 Sitting to seek approval from the law making body in keeping with the Public Finance Management Act.

Hon Fraser, however, speaking during the continuation of the Eighth Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly today, April 25, 2016 criticised the Government of Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith for not providing enough information on how the money was going to be used, saying that he had no faith that the money was going to be used as a “bridge” but rather as a loan.

He said the public has a right to know such information to gain confidence in the actions of government.

“How can they trust you anymore,” Hon Fraser said.

No need to borrow unless broke

Despite popular reports that the NDP Government raided the Treasury to buy and win the 2015 general Elections, Government has denied this and has insisted that it is not broke, even while musicians and other vendors were owed for months.

This prompted the Opposition Leader to remark that Government didn’t need to borrow $25M unless it wanted to admit that it was broke.

He further said he could not support the Bill unless more information was provided.

“The Premier doesn’t need my support on this bill but I am sure he wants it. But if you want it, Madam Speaker, you have to do something to get it. Show me that I can support and defend it out there on the streets because right now, Madam Speaker, I can’t support it and I can’t defend it.”

Referring again to vendors being owed by Government for months, Hon Fraser said people not being paid was hurting the economy, adding that banks are threatening to foreclose on people’s houses because they have money sitting in the Government’s treasury that they can’t access.

“That is how bad things are right now.”

Hon Fraser was of the firm conviction that the $25M would be used as a loan rather than a “bridge” as it was meant to be and that next year vendors “are still going to be waiting a year or six months, whatever is it, to get their money. By September we are going to be right where we are right now, owing people money.”

Premier offended

At this stage Premier Smith referred to a section in Standing Order 38 that states Members should not impute certain things against another. “And what the Member is doing, Madam Speaker, is wrong. He is getting up here and saying, Madam Speaker, that I am not giving him correct information. That is wrong Madam Speaker.”

After being told by Speaker of the House Ingrid A. Moses to keep the Standing Order mentioned in mind, Hon Fraser said he had full cognizance of the Standing Order which is why he started out with a quote about trust and that he pointed out why he has that mistrust about how the $25M would be used.

“It is a pattern, Madam Speaker, it is a pattern and I have no reason to believe that pattern is broken at this particular point. The Premier has the opportunity to prove me wrong. Let me see every transaction that is being done with this money. I want to see every one of them and that it is being used as this bridge that it is supposed to be for.”

According to Hon Fraser, he considered a bridge to be payments for debts already incurred in an operating sense. “Yes, that is what I consider a bridge, but I am convinced that is not what it is going to be.”

Following the Leader of the Opposition’s presentation, Fifth District Representative Hon Deloris Christopher and Junior Minister for Tourism and At Large Representative Hon Archibald C. Christian expressed their disappointment with the Leader of the Opposition for refusing to support the bill and this remark about being distrustful of Government.

Both were also of the view that the 11-2 win at the polls on June 8, 2015 was enough evidence that the public had no trust issues with the National Democratic Party Government.

Hon Christopher said Leader of the Opposition had no credibility when it came to the issue of trust, stating that the Virgin Islands Party Government was the one that brought BiWater to the territory, saddling it with a huge debt.

Hon Christian said Hon Fraser was “waffling all over the place” and accused the Opposition Leader of not being prepared to debate the bill. He also brought up the issue of BiWater and “the traffic lights at the roundabout” as poor decisions that the VIP Government had made and which had cost a lot of money.

He said during the VIP regime, monies were given for studies on drag racing and a medical school in the VI but there was not even a report to show whether those would be viable undertakings.

Hon Christian was also offended that Hon Fraser said Government had bought out BiWater and said no member had benefited from the purchase.

21 Responses to “Hon Fraser’s ‘mistrust’ of NDP Gov't offends HoA Members”

  • POPE (25/04/2016, 14:38) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Both Frasee and Fahie speaking good the truth shall set you free
  • rio (25/04/2016, 14:47) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    For truth there is no deadline.
  • voter (25/04/2016, 16:01) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Every government in history were elected because the majority of the voting population had a level of trust in them "back then". I didn't even remember Mrs. Christopher as part of the HoA. Election is over and now that the dust has settled and everyone is in power, you guys don't look good. History shows that Fidel Castro got elected because the people trusted him with his campaign manifesto, which was a big lie, Hugo Chavez - the same thing. They all promised to bring relief to the poor and to run the country with clean hands. Once they got the power, that was it. NDP is the same blasted thing. I cast my vote of no-confidence right here and I wish the HoA could just dissolve because you guys are running the entire country amuck. I am ashamed of you all. If it wasn't for VINO we wouldn't have known that Festival budget went overboard like everything else youall touch. Youall feel that the people should not ask a question and get accurate information. Now for VIP, youall did not get in because of all the horses on the track for last election, there were not too many who we could trust to run the country. Find people who have the country at heart, are not self-centered and greedy and who will put the country above self, plus people with some common sense, then youall will win back the government.
  • Macko (25/04/2016, 16:02) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are many who are now saying if they knew then what they know now they would have never voted in the NDP on a landslide because the corruption is now surfacing.
  • wize up (25/04/2016, 16:11) Like (4) Dislike (17) Reply
    good conversation; but let's see how far fahie & fraser get in regaining the government of the territory....(hell might just freeze over)
  • chad (25/04/2016, 16:32) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Here we go again, when will we stop? We need a referee.
  • WHAT??? (25/04/2016, 16:41) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep an election now and see if ayo arse gonna win!
    • @ what ??? (28/04/2016, 22:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mr. Fraser should have been the premier he will do a fantastic job, he has a lot to prove. We must also play our role by being responsible citizens.
  • Tired ah Dem (25/04/2016, 17:54) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am so sick and fed up of these people....So because VIP did wrong it means that no questions shouldn't be asked of this government? Does this mean that they did wrong so nothing wrong if the NDP do it now? You guys act like lil children tit for tat. Election long gone and because you won by 11-2 means that the people trust you for ever... You guys are a piece of work. If you really think people trust you now you and your leader fast asleep.....Archie if it wasn't for the party neither you nor Delores would have gotten in. The VIP team was week and that also contributed to your winning. Both you and Delores need to go sid down. Too bad your partner Ronnie won't be around next election....
  • LEADERS (25/04/2016, 18:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Leadership is a tough job but try your best
  • trust (25/04/2016, 23:33) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    no one trust the NDP no one!
  • who the cap fit let them wear it (26/04/2016, 00:40) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    2 crazy people ..One stark mother crazy and the other attempted suicide.
  • sick ah um (26/04/2016, 00:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Them moo moo's does sit down and wait til after fahie and fraser done speak to throw off them words.
    • @sick ah um (26/04/2016, 08:26) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      Thats politics ..they playing the right way. Why the hell the opposition always playing cat and mouse game..wanting to talk last. They right..make them talk first then shut them down.
  • Trump (26/04/2016, 06:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    that's a nice tie Doc has on
  • wize up (26/04/2016, 09:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    almost 10 years and still no accountable for the following:-
    1 drag race study (where your tax money gone)
    2 medical study(where your tax money gone)
    3 education study(where is your tax money)
    ask the same set of former ministers who are now in the house of assembly harping on mistrust, good governance & accountable the above questions..?????....pot shouldn't call Kettle black and if you live in a glass house don't throw stones ...

  • W*F (26/04/2016, 16:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So what if they are offended. It is a known fact that NDP government CAN'T BE TRUSTED. If they want respect and trust from the people, they have to earn it.
  • .? (27/04/2016, 07:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This government should be dissolved now. The members cannot be trusted. That is bad for the territory.
  • open wide (29/04/2016, 22:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr> Smith must understand a leader has to make unpopular decisions for the good of the country


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