Opposition calls for betterment of locals in 2014
“We have to make sure that our citizens hold employment in those places [the hotel industry/Citco] and that they are not being replaced by people being brought in under false pretences; that’s a responsibility of ours,” Hon. Fraser said while giving his closing remarks and seasons wishes to the Territory during the final sitting of the House of Assembly on December 20, 2013.
Hon. Fraser chose not to turn a blind eye to the many issues facing the Territory which could otherwise have been shoved under the ‘mat’ during the festive season and the closing of the year 2013.
Issues of concern to the Representative of the people included that of the rising incidence of crime. “Madam Speaker there is crime in the community, there are cases where people are being kidnapped, their lives are in danger with attempted murder...” said Hon Fraser.
He charged that as legislators, they must do their jobs to curb such behaviour. “Madam Speaker if we don’t do it we can’t continue to pass the buck to the judges to deal with criminals.”
Matters of the high costs for electricity, especially fuel surcharges to persons’ bills were all bullet points that the Third District Representative said needs to be addressed in 2014. “I want to ask the Premier to take a lead that the government had taken back in 2010 to assume the debt, the electricity bills of residents of the Territory for one month.” He said that system was a form of relief to many persons.
“… right here in the Territory there are those who would not enjoy as bright a Christmas as we would hope. We have to recognize that the economy of the Territory is of such that there are those who would have lost their jobs due to layoffs and there are those who would have lost their jobs due to companies closing,” noted Hon Fraser.
This, Hon Fraser said, is a reflection of the global situation that has not escaped the Virgin Islands and he was not alone in the call for betterment come 2014.
In his closing remarks during the final sitting of the House of Assembly for 2013, Member for the Second District Honourable J. Alvin Christopher openly chided Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton that he has not been nice to the people of the Second District for this year.
“…The Minister of Health is saying that you (People of the Second District) are his people too, which I would admit but he hasn’t been very nice to us this year so let us hope that in the coming year, in the spirit of unity, that he do us much better,” said Hon. Christopher.
Hon. Christopher said that he is looking forward to working with the current government and the development of their programme to improve the lives and condition of all the people of the Virgin Islands.
12 Responses to “Opposition calls for betterment of locals in 2014”
Great talk Fraser, but BULL SH**. The outsiders get the fluffy red carpet, we get the pet soiled, dutty , smelly rug
The tourist motto should read:
'The British Virgin Islands, beautiful place (shame about the people).'