Opposition Member Honourable Melvin A. Turnbull (R2), right, appeared slightly irate by Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Carvin Malone’s (AL), left, response to concerns from residents of Jost van Dyke, calling it ‘nonsense’ during the House of Assembly on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. Photo: VINO/File

The 2017 hurricanes displaced several residents of Jost van Dyke and some have still not returned to proper housing or are still displaced. Photo: Youtube

Although Jost van Dyke has made an incredible recovery since the hurricanes of 2017, there are still a few persons living in temporary structures made possible by Government. Photo: itv.com

The issue was relating to perceived roadblocks faced by persons who were given housing assistance. Hon Turnbull said they are now forced to live in those structures without water and electricity connections.

Hon Malone said the Second District Representative, Hon Turnbull, was aware that there was a process to get things done and “It is not to be insensitive to the demands and the requests of the people of Jost van Dyke or West End or anywhere,” Hon Malone said.

They Minister said they are doing all in their powers, to assist the people.

An unimpressed Hon Turnbull; however, said: “The Minister said a lot, one of my good friends would say, you dazzle me with brilliance. Mister Speaker, I understand what the Minister is saying, or trying to say and then it gets muddied up with other nonsense. If you ask me, Mister Speaker, its nonsense.”

Hearing Hon Turnbull’s remarks, Hon Malone jumped to his feet and called on the Speaker of the HOA, Hon Julian Willock, to intervene. He said: “Mister Speaker, is that parliamentary language? I’m speaking nonsense?”

Hon Willock replied: “Minister, the Member for the Second District has the floor. I will caution all Members to please comply with the Standing Orders in terms of parliamentary language.”

Chastised, Hon Turnbull replied: “Thank you, Mister Speaker, if needs be, I will take back ‘nonsense’.”

Please do something for the people

Meanwhile, Hon Turnbull called on Minister Malone to assist the people.

He remarked: “My second follow up, Mister Speaker, takes me to this whole point, because the Minister stated at the end of his answers is that getting power to these newly refurbished or upgraded temporary housing is becoming an issue.”

Hon Turnbull said the BVI Electricity Corporation or the Department of Water and Sewerage are reportedly unwilling to grant permission for these temporary housing to receive their utilities “because they can’t locate the original owners.”

He continued: “You have these persons who have been outside their homes due to circumstances they couldn’t control. They got a written permission to be able to use the land. Now they are meeting another roadblock from these departments stating that they can't get electricity, they can't get water to their homes. Let us find a way to get power and water because we already spend the $16,000. My question is, what are we going to do to facilitate this process?”

Hon Malone responded that he would be willing to speak to the ‘cross ministries’ as it was outside his ministerial portfolio to address the issue.

The 2017 hurricanes displaced hundreds of residents, several of which have still not returned to proper housing or are still displaced.