Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change and Infrastructural Resilience, Hon Julian Fraser, RA (R3), has called some politicans as being among the lowest forms of human beings. Photo: YouTube/HoA

Hon Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change and Infrastructural Resilience, Hon Julian Fraser, RA (R3) said the 2026 Emancipation Festival was well attended and therefore ‘money is out there’. Photo: Forbes TV

The House of Assembly passed the amendments to the Statutory Rates, Fees and Charges Act, 2005 on August 13, 2026, allowing for the BVI Electricity Corporation to raise its rates. Photo: BVIEC/File

Hon Fraser made these comments during the Continuation of the Fifth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on Thursday, August 13, 2026, where the House debated the amendments to the Statutory Rates, Fees and Charges Act, 2005. The amended bill allows the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) to amend its rates. 

“I am convinced that among the lowest forms of human existence, you would find a politician somewhere around there,” he said while also calling out residents who complain about certain costs of living, but according to him, we at the Emancipation Festival celebrations. 

“These people are speaking from both sides of the mouth. They go into the village having so much fun and expect the BVI Electricity Corporation to suffer when the money is out there…There is no shortage of money.”

He said the Premier was coerced into getting pensioners additional money

There’s a problem, say something

Hon Fraser added, “If you guys have a problem with the way things are going, say something; we will fix it; but don’t just go out there and make people believe that we don’t care.”

He said not all politicians fall into the category of the lowest form of human beings, and those who do not fall into that category are those who have the courage to do what is necessary. 

“These are the same politicians who were out on the streets during the last campaign talking about a greedy bill. I don’t hear them talking about it anymore because everybody seems to be happy. The bill wasn’t greedy after all.”

'Spare nothing' for water & electricity

“We all know that our infrastructure is in terrible shape and has to get fixed…When it comes to water and electricity and money, we should spare nothing,” Hon Fraser said. 

The public, he added, has to know that these things get done only through capital. 

Hon Fraser said, no one knows the issues with water better than he does, as he has been on both sides. “I've been on the side where people criticise me. I've been on the side where I had to criticise someone. I've been on the side where I'm taking the brunt.”

The House of Assembly subsequently passed the amendments to the Statutory Rates, Fees and Charges Act, 2005.