‘Show me what they did for four years’ – Hon. Vanterpool
During the Other Business segment of the eighth sitting of the second session of the second House of Assembly (HOA) held last evening, April 30, 2013 the Minister said if he went back to the past to the proverbial tape and pressed rewind all he could hear was ‘BiWater’.
He particularly singled out the signing of the BiWater contract as a source of frustration and a hindrance to government’s progress in getting water to the people of the Virgin Islands. “There is no water because of BiWater,” he said.
“Show me what they did for four years and I will show you what we did for one [year],” the Works Minister said in reference to the record of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) versus that of the former Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government.
The Minister complained that “some Members [of the Opposition] believe that what wasn’t done before by other governments must and should have been done in the year and a half that [the NDP] has been in office.”
He indicated that the government would have to work with a billion dollar budget to have accomplished all of the things the Opposition wanted to see done and to get it right and noted that any budget had its limitations.
The Works Minister expressed that the government’s priorities were not set by the Opposition, but instead by the Premier and his team.
According to Hon. Vanterpool, his government was taking projects on ‘one by one’ in an effort to have them accomplished. He also made reference to several projects that were completed, including the recently opened Crafts Alive Village revitalisation.
“I am not going to stand here… and hear talk about what should have been done in a year and a half’s time and nothing, absolutely, on those subjects were done in the past four years [of the previous administration],” Hon. Vanterpool proclaimed while asking whether the Opposition was fast asleep.
The Minister also alleged that nothing serious was done by the previous government to advance the infrastructure of the Territory. “Don’t tell me that this government [NDP] isn’t working,” said Hon. Vanterpool, “because in the year and a half… I’ve seen major progress.”
Earlier, Third District Representative and former Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Julian Fraser, RA advised that more could be done for the people of the Virgin Islands by the government.
He suggested that the government make laws to address issues that arose within society, make adjustments to scholarship funding to provide opportunities for additional students to benefit as well as create employment opportunities for residents among other things. “I’m not in a position to do it, I can’t even get a petty contract for my people; so I’m telling you, if you’re in a position to do it, do it,” the Third District Representative advised.
“I will not continue to sit idly by, Madam Speaker” Hon. Fraser said, “and watch this Legislature fall asleep on the job.”
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32 Responses to “‘Show me what they did for four years’ – Hon. Vanterpool”
VIP purchased Smugglers Cove so that it is somewhat protected. NDP wanted a "5-star hotel" there as they did on beef island. they have been bitten by the gold coast mentality probably seen in hong kong or even brazil. BVI is different and should remain such. I do have to say that in attitude-(Mark said in the newspaper that "the public should not be told everything to protect them from things they won't understand")-- that Fraser did the exact same thing when he was in power. the bottom line is that this approach has to end. The public is smarter than they assume.
TALK THAT
He know what he doing in the office har....ing them w....@n
Bull$h!t! Investigate and prosecute
This man turned his back on the people of the 4th district a few years ago. M@rk you may fool some but you will never get the chance to walk away again. I am only one, but call this one you will never get back. ARE YOU VIP OR NDP. ARE YOU SPANISH OR ENGLISH? I always wondered.... Which one is better? You have tasted the meat from both parties. Tell me what drives you? The men of the BVI wants to know....How do you manage to have ur w*f3 at your feet against everything she has ever teach me in both Sunday school and high school? You turned your back on her! Someone need to tell you this M@rk! You make me sick! How can you be in the publics eye in politics? My kids are looking at you show some respect for your kids! Get LOST!
But quit taking my name!!