'There are just certain things I don’t want to hear excuses for'- Damion C. Grange
He said this during Talking Points, on Monday, July 21, 2025, on ZBVI 780 AM, while speaking with guest Director of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Mr Jasen H. Penn.
Mr Penn said the department is confident it has enough resources to keep the community safe.
He was at the time responding to a question from Grange, who asked, “Are you satisfied with your resources to do what you need to do to keep our community safe?”
Mr Penn said in terms of the resources, while “everyone would want to have a bit more”, they are “positive” in the department’s ability to perform its duties.
“We try to do the best with the resources that we get coming from the government, they have been supportive [of] us over the years. In terms of the investment in the National Warning Hazard System, you would have seen the progress they would have made in terms of the building, even though it’s not completed, it’s one of the priority items that is still being....”
No excuse for certain things- Damion C. Grange
Grange interjected, “How can we say it’s a priority item? I remember you were here last time sitting at this table, and one of the questions that we asked was ‘Why isn’t it done?’, considering that it is so crucial to supporting our response in a disaster.”
Penn deflected a direct response instead, saying Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had spoken extensively about this in the House of Assembly.
“He would have highlighted what the issues are surrounding the building, so…it would be no need for me to rehash all of that since he’s already put it out there and provided that information.”
Not satisfied with that response, Grange said he understands there is a lot to get done in the Territory and resources are scarce, but added, “There are just certain things that I don’t want to hear excuses for, and that’s one of them.”
Grange also told Penn he is aware that he must maintain his neutrality to ensure the resources needed are received.
“But at least we can help to advocate.”
New contract for NEOC building to be awarded soon
Speaking during the Seventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA), which took place on Thursday, July 3, 2025, Premier Wheatley revealed that a new contract would be awarded soon for the continued construction of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) building in McNamara..
He also revealed that the original contractor had been granted two extensions due to various challenges encountered, and the Government took the decision to terminate the contract.
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8 Responses to “'There are just certain things I don’t want to hear excuses for'- Damion C. Grange ”
Start holding these ppl accountable. The public purse is not infinite. stop playing like you taking mom and dad credit card out on a shopping spree. If the money was coming out of these politicians' pockets, I'm sure they would be more than adamant on getting the job done.
Who was the contractor that got paid money for nothing?
How did the contractor get the contract?
When are you giving this contractor a next contract?
Also can we see the audited accounts for the VI for the last 8 years?
Can we see the accounting for you personal concert?
Can we see the reports for the airport so we can decide whether, as is likely that project should be shelved before we go handing out more money to family and friends for nothing for the nation?
Can we lift the veil of secrecy that surrounds Governance in this Territory so that the Main recommendation of the COI does not need to be called upon?