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Premier, buck stops with you! – Hon. Fraser on economy

Third District Representative, Hon. Julian Fraser, RA has called on Premier, Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith to stimulate the VI's economy. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Continuing his stance in support of economic stimulation across the Territory, Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser, RA said he would like to see the Government inject some money across the Territory.

“Premier and Minister of Finance, the buck stops with you,” Hon. Fraser stated in the House of Assembly, “I know you know it, but you’re hearing it now.”

Hon. Fraser suggested that the money should come through some form of public works for persons to gain employment. Hon. Fraser repeated his argument that money should not be put aside in the Territory’s reserve at this time stating that persons need employment in the Territory “to carry them over”.

He also noted that he had received confirmation from the shipping industry that persons were shipping home items such as beds, stoves and couches. “Those people are going back home, they’re leaving the Territory,” he added.

According to Hon. Fraser, the domino effect in this was that apartments being rented were becoming vacant with no one there to fill them. “I don’t want to see the crisis hit us before we do something about it.”

He stated that there was ample warning since the global economic downturn started in 2008. “We’ve been praying, we’ve been watching… we are watching the United States and hoping that things would turn around, and we’re still hoping,” he added.

Hon. Fraser stated that the Government cannot sit around and hope for a miracle and needs to do something. “The private sector is not in a position to do it,” he added, “they too are watching for when things turn around and hoping that they can keep some skin on their bones until that time comes.”

He said the private sector is laying people off and companies are closing. “I’m not only talking aloud,” he stated, “but I’m pleading to the powers that be to try to understand what’s going on and make sure that it doesn’t slip any further.”

He mentioned the Minister for Education’s job programme to bring some of the young people of the Territory into the work force but opined that the time is almost back again when he would have to do the same thing.

“Miracles don’t happen more than once,” he said in reference to the job programme initiative.

Another point raised by the Third District Representative was that of petty contracts. Hon. Fraser felt that these were basically non-existent now. He also stated the persons that work on petty contracts were having difficulties getting paid as well.

“This is something that has been going on for too long, where people work and can’t get paid,” he added.

12 Responses to “Premier, buck stops with you! – Hon. Fraser on economy”

  • ooooo (10/04/2013, 08:18) Like (4) Dislike (26) Reply
    doc aint got a clue as to whats going on...like he lost touch with reality
  • q tips (10/04/2013, 08:23) Like (3) Dislike (18) Reply
    fraser for premier
  • big party (10/04/2013, 09:47) Like (2) Dislike (11) Reply
    doc the answer is not on the outer islands! the answer is here on the big island! you never miss the mega y parties is virgin VG but Midtown never see u! ur windows always up and u speeding going to catch some boat . stay where the juice is doc stay with the people.
  • mYFELT (10/04/2013, 11:54) Like (2) Dislike (27) Reply
    wHAT TAKING YOU ALL SO LONG TO SEE THAT THIS MAN IS A WEAK LEADER
    • tell the truth (10/04/2013, 14:27) Like (0) Dislike (20) Reply
      WAY TO GO FRASER IS GIVING PEOPLE HOPE HE IS ON HIS WAY OF WINNING THE NEXTGENERAL ELECTIONS
  • Gasprov (10/04/2013, 12:33) Like (2) Dislike (17) Reply
    The problem with this NDP government is that they think they know everything and only them have the answers to the problems facing the territory. Since October when this same Fraser told the same Premier to stop dreaming about putting some $65 million in the Reserve and use some money to inject life in the economy he has done nothing, now we are beginning to see the effects.

    Now to make matters worst there are alligations out there about our Financial Services. The Premier dosen't seem to have a clue what's going on. If I am wrong, he is either willful or worthless
    • Fat Head (10/04/2013, 14:20) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
      Here he goes again, this NDP government always selling people dreams.
  • ADAM (10/04/2013, 23:25) Like (1) Dislike (21) Reply

    Doc. do something, anything right now is better than what you are doing, which is nothing. Try Ronald Ragan's supply side, try G W Bush trickle down economics, try something. All our Local small businesses biting the dustDoc. do something. Palm Grooving, Stand Point, these people had employees, those employees has apartments, the apartment owners has mortgagues, there is no end Doc. do something Doc.

    Why am I wasting my time, this NDP government couldn't give a rats @$$ about these darn little people.

  • upset voter (11/04/2013, 01:10) Like (1) Dislike (15) Reply
    God will strike all of allyuh NDP so! Allyuh doh help people!
  • ooooo (11/04/2013, 10:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the buck stopped with doc because he stop spending along time ago


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