‘I am not a thief’- Hon Mark H. Vanterpool
Many will remember the words of Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), while making his contribution to the 2017 Budget debate on February 28, 2017 in the House of Assembly (HoA).
Hon Vanterpool, who speaks with passion in the HoA and most often is screaming in Parliament, denied stealing money from government, stating that “my mother taught me better.”
The second term Communications and Works Minister (2011-current) told the public that “they are saying that we thieving the money and going with it; we wheelbarrowing it all over the place. I heard that and it hurts me when you are here working so hard….”
‘I am not wheelbarrowing your money away’- Hon Vanterpool
The Minister did not elaborate on who are making those claims but said he is not a thief or does not have any interest in the “government’s coffers, my interest is in a place called One Mart and my real estate business," he said.
In a speech that surprised many, he accused some in his “own ambit” of spreading the notion that he is "wheelbarrowing the money away."
The Fourth District Representative claimed that the unfortunate thing is that some members of the public buy into the allegations.
While the Minister was speaking it appeared that some House Members found it convenient to leave the Chambers and the Minister had to warn his colleagues that he needed at least seven for a quorum.
Hon Vanterpool & the Ports Project
Minister Vanterpool has been the centre of two reports that alleged conflict of interest, waste of public funds and breaking of laws, on the Ports Development Project- one from the Auditor General, and another from the Public Accounts Committee.
In addition, American Mr Hugh E. Darley, who was instrumental in the early stages of the Tortola Pier Park project, has said some unflattering things about the Minister over the same project.
46 Responses to “‘I am not a thief’- Hon Mark H. Vanterpool”
Oh, there's no audits either...why Action Man?
"What you do screams so loudly I can't hear a word you're saying."
What the hell!
At another angle, there are mothers (parents) who genuinely teach their children better, both in word and in deed.
When you know better, do better.
An aberration or a sign of improvement?
Hell no I am straight and tall!
Thought: Does a fisherman ever say his fish are stink? or a mason that his wall is crooked? Just saying