Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Opposition calls for betterment of locals in 2014

Representative for the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser, RA has expressed concern about issues of maltreatment being experienced by many BVI Islanders at the hands of ‘false pretenders’. Photo: VINO/File
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. Photo: VINO/File
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. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Representative for the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser, RA has expressed concern about issues of maltreatment being experienced by many BVI Islanders at the hands of ‘false pretenders’.

“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”

  • Yes (30/12/2013, 07:29) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank you mr Fraser. Time for strict ratios in bvi workplaces.
  • reality (30/12/2013, 08:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tis one thing to hire locals, but another to take time to investigate how we are treated on the job by our supervisors. What is the sense of wasting money, hiring locals and the job can't be done because of ego maniacs preventing you from achieving upward mobility.

    Great talk Fraser, but BULL SH**. The outsiders get the fluffy red carpet, we get the pet soiled, dutty , smelly rug
    • Eh? (30/12/2013, 11:12) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      So only locals are humans? What about the inhumane manner in which locals treat others, even their fellow man, not paying them on time, not paying them at all, deducting SS and other things from their salary and not paying it over. Let's talk all not some, the biggest downfall in this Country is its own people, not the expats. being from here doesn't entitle you to job. If you don't want to work for the white man then start your own damn company.
      • Correct (01/01/2014, 05:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        If this man obtains any more power than he already has the BVI is finished.

        The tourist motto should read:

        'The British Virgin Islands, beautiful place (shame about the people).'
  • W*F (30/12/2013, 09:27) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    So what's the responsibility of the local? I have a business and I must just hire them because they are from here and that's it?
  • hog city (30/12/2013, 09:48) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Fraser tells it like it is.
  • God bless Fraser (30/12/2013, 09:51) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Most of those politicians ended the year in the house with all that condolences bull and forgot we the living. Fraser was the only one who said a few lines about the folks losing their jobs and property.
  • son of the soil (30/12/2013, 10:31) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Too many islandman in government period.
  • dog (30/12/2013, 11:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Alvin trying a thing but look links at large
  • ------------ (30/12/2013, 14:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    the NDP should have by now a PHD by now in bad treating locals
  • role (31/12/2013, 00:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sometimes, there is a role for Alvin


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.