Informative Legco Session Spans Two Days
The 15th Sitting of the 1st Session of the 14th Legislative Council ended on Friday 3rd November having heard a report on the government's position relating to domestic violence, an update on the new hospital project and other government initiatives, programmes and policies and a call from the Opposition Leader for more executive support for his office and approving the passage of three Bills. Early in the sitting, Chief Minister the Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal provided an update on the Women's Desk and its transition to being a Gender Affairs Unit. He noted that the Desk was established in his office in 1992 and has been focusing on advocacy. According to the Chief Minister, there is now a direction to incorporate the needs of men. He also noted that the office would be relocating to the Mill Mall by the end of November to allow for more privacy for clients.
On the subject of domestic violence, he pointed out that the Ministry responsible has been raising awareness about this scourge and is actively engaged in implementing the recommendations in the Haniff Report. He announced that government has provided a $40,000 grant to the Family Support Network and more support services will become available by January. A recent Police/Women's Desk conference has generated other recommendations to government, including the establishment of a Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and a shelter for men who abuse and the enactment of certain legal provisions.
Minister of Health and Welfare the Honourable Ethlyn Smith gave an update on the new hospital project. She told the House she inherited a great responsibility on being sworn in as Minister on July 24th, 2000. Minister Smith suggested that she has however risen to the task and will ensure that the 'ambitious timetable' of having the hospital completed by the end of 2003 is achieved. She said consultants have been appointed to oversee various phases of the project and architectural drawings will be taken to the public before they are finalized.
Leader of the Opposition Dr. the Honourable Orlando Smith, in his capacity as Chairman, laid the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the 'Examinations of the Rehabilitation of The Littleā Race Track' on the table. In doing so, he complained of a lack of executive support, either legal or for research purposes and no financial provisions for the office of Opposition Leader. Dr. the Hon. Smith said this impacts the chairmanship as there are not enough facts to support the production of these reports. He called on the Chief Minister to ensure that the necessary support is provided so that these reports can be produced in a timely manner. According to the Opposition Leader, the Report on the Little A Race Track speaks to exactly what is wrong with government projects lack of planning and management protocols. "I am hoping this report and the subsequent debate will help to ensure that government's project's are managed more efficiently and productively." Another report was laid on the table by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Communications and Works the Honourable J. Alvin Christopher presented the BVI Fire and Rescue Service Annual Report, 1999. Two Bills brought by the Attorney General had their Introduction and First Readings 'Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Virgin Islands) (Amendment) Act, 2000' and 'Interpretation (Amendment) Act, 2000'.
In response to opposition questions, Chief Minister O'Neal said economic diversification is an ongoing policy of government. He spoke of efforts to advance tourism and financial services and future plans to expand into telecommunications, the marine industry, to establish an arts and craft centre, to promote special hotels and facilities and to continue developing the territory as a film location. The Chief Minister said the sewerage study into the needs of Road Town central, East End/Long Look, Sea Cow's Bay and the Valley, Virgin Gorda is at an advanced stage. He said tenders should be out before the end of the year and the review will begin following. On the proposed unemployment scheme through the Social Security Board and the Ministry of Finance, he said an actuary has reviewed the concept and the findings are with the Board for submission to the Ministry shortly.
Minister for Communications and Works the Honourable J. Alvin Christopher announced that work is underway to determine the appropriate traffic lighting system for the dual carriageway. He said traffic counters were installed and data gathering has begun. CABLE & WIRELESS PAYS $MILLIONS IN ROYALTIES Regarding Cable & Wireless, the Minister noted that the telecommunications company has paid close to $4 million in royalties to the government for the past four and a half years. He also said the company is required to provide a quarterly report to government detailing its profit and loss accounts. Hon Christopher reported on the project to install a potable water system on the island of Anegada. He said this should begin this month and the phase serving the Settlement should be operating by mid 2001. Three Bills brought by Chief Minister O'Neal - Offshore Legislation (Delegation of Functions and Powers) Act, 2000 and those to amend the Public Holidays Act and the Immigration and Passport Act, sailed through the House. The Public Holidays (Amendment) Act, 2000 was essentially to give effect to a public holiday in March to commemorate the birthday of the territory's first Chief Minister the late Honourable H. Lavity Stoutt and remove that for the birthday to the Heir to the Throne. The Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2000 sought to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee to Redefine Belonger Status. The changes include removal of the provision of automatic belongership to non-Belonger women who marry BVIslander men.
Other matters that were adjourned until the next sitting Monday afternoon, were the second and third readings of the Bill entitled 'Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2000 by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Communications and Works the Honourable J. Alvin Christopher and a motion by Minister for Natural Resources and Labour the Honourable Julian Fraser for government to acquire lands to accommodate a realignment of the approach road to the new bridge between Tortola and Beef Island.