At Large candidate for the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Irene F. Penn O’Neal said that public officers have become so victimised and intimidated that they are afraid to have a simple conversation with any political person not associated with the siting Government. Photo: VINO

The VIP's At Large team: From left to right are Dr Karl Dawson, Sharie B. de Castro, Charmaine R. Rosan-Bunbury and Irene F. Penn-O'Neal. Photo: VINO

Another section of the audience at the meeting. Photo: VINO

A section of the audience at Saturday night's meeting in Sea Cows Bay. Photo: VINO

She was speaking on May 23, 2015 at the VIP’s public meeting at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, where incumbent Third District candidate Honourable Julian Fraser RA was the main speaker.

“It seems as though only public officer associated with the sitting Government can be seen attending and participating in political activity,” she said. During the campaign trail it has been this news site's experience of persons asking that their photographs not be taken for fear of losing their jobs or being otherwise victimised.

Penn-O'Neal said that if it had not been for the queries of the Opposition members of the House of Assembly Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Honourable J. Alvin Christopher, the public servants would not have received some of their increments denied them by the NDP Government.

Confidence shaken

She said the confidence of the public officers in the leadership has been shaken and the pride of being in government has now disappeared.

According to Penn-O'Neal, the performance of public officers has taken a hit and the necessary training for good performance has disappeared under the NDP.

VIP will restore pride in the public service

“Public officers do not be dismayed as better days are coming when you elect this Virgin Islands Party Government. We will restore pride, performance and take back the public service.” She said too that the party in Government will advocate for more independently operated bodies dealing with public officers such as the Public Service Commission, the Police Service Commission [and others]. You will be paid your increments that are due to you,” she said.

She said the NDP has taken the increments due to the public servants and paid their consultants. In a recent speech along the campaign trail, Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith said his Government had withheld the increments so as to be able to use the money to do “other things” which he did not explain.

Penn-O’Neal said the VIP in Government will work to establish a fair pension plan. She said the lack of pay increases for more than a decade will be thing of the past. "We will take the subjectivity and politics out of promotions, appointments, transfers and dismissals of public officers. Your elected Virgin Islands Party Government will ensure that performance of public sector is not a secret,” she said, adding that there would be mandatory performance reports for departments.

Nothing at Treasury window

Penn-O’Neal, referencing the Premier’s claim that his Government has $90 million in the bank as at December 2014, she asked whether this is a government that care in that they have money and are refusing to meet their obligations.

“Is this a Government that could tout about $90 million in a bank account and some people can’t make ends meet?” she said, adding that the ordinary people are left going to the Treasury window Friday after Friday after Friday only to be told that nothing is there.