Hon Turnbull made no noise when brother given Gov't consultancy– Dr Wheatley
At today’s, July 29, 2021, emergency sitting of the House of Assembly, Deputy Speaker and Territorial At-Large Member, Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) was voted to be exempted from vacating his seat after a company the legislator is a director of had entered into two contracts with the VI Government.
However, ahead of the passing of the subject motion, Hon Wheatley (R7) during the debates had called out hypocrisy in the National Democratic Party (NDP) majority Opposition, for speaking out against the very Government decisions that they supported while in Government.
The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration has come in for sharp criticisms from some Members of the Opposition, including Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull for the recent Cabinet decision to approve the hiring of Ministerial Political Advisors.
Hon Penn had blasted the decision as insensitive and a wastage of public funds.
According to Dr Wheatley, “When the now Leader of the Opposition was first elected with the National Democratic Party, there are several members of the NDP… persons who ran for elections and they were unsuccessful and they received consultancies,” he said.
NDP members got consultancies under NDP Gov't - Dr Wheatley
“There were at least three members of the National Democratic Party who were unsuccessful… three persons who got consultancies and I did not hear him [Hon Penn] say a word about these persons receiving consultancies,” Dr Wheatley said.
“But because now it seems politically expedient to do so, all of a sudden government doesn't have any need for consultancies and expertise,” the Deputy Premier further detailed.
Turning attention to similar criticisms from Second District representative, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), Dr Wheately said relatives of the member are currently consultants of the Fahie Government.
Hon Turnbull had criticised the move to hire Ministerial Advisors and likened the modus operandi of government to a cult. "Why do you need to spend $120,000 when you have permanent secretaries who are trained, who are qualified, you have technocrats in the different ministries, you have private secretaries to write speeches and to do research… at this time, it is just mind-blowing,” he said in a July 26, 2021, interview with 284 media.
According to Hon Wheatley, Hon Turnbull's "brother [Dr Michael Turnbull] has a consultancy with the Ministry of Education and he's been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Ministry of Education, and I haven’t heard a word from the Leader of the Opposition about that or [from] the Member for the Second District,” he said.
The Deputy Premier called for members to take a principal position on the matter and for them to educate the public about it.
Opposition Leader know Gov't has need for consultants - Dr Wheatley
“The Leader of the Opposition and a member for the Second District very well know that government has a need for expertise in various areas,” Hon Wheatley said.
He said the government has needs for expertise in policy, education and even in finance amongst other areas.
Dr Wheatley further said that contrary to Opposition accusations that the Government is giving consultancies to cronies, the Fahie administration has engaged persons associated with the NDP and have even engaged persons who fought to ensure the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) did not get into office.
19 Responses to “Hon Turnbull made no noise when brother given Gov't consultancy– Dr Wheatley”
I don’t don’t to hear nothing about 40mil “wastage” from a nearly global stimulus initiative that went to persons in the community during times of hardship versus when 40mil was overspent on the cruise pier project in the last administration in addition to other projects that did not take flight....
we in 2021 some of the stuff mentioned above are issues from the 60s: there are unsolved murders here from the 80s or early 90s and nothing
our own country folks continues finding time bickering over the pettiest matters and pull one another down just to make ourselves look good
Teach to, carefully number our days, so that we will wisely apply our hearts (minds) to sound knowledge and sustaining wisdom.
I now humble submitted tbis prayer to you, in the authority of JesusYour Son. Amen