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LOCAL NEWS

Ministers update public on Government Projects

By Angela Burns-Piper

Residents of the 3rd District and other supporters of the ruling Virgin Islands Party were updated on the programmes and policies of the party during a public meeting at the Valarie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cow’s Bay Tuesday night. The meeting was another in the series of general District meetings being held by the VIP throughout the territory.

President Carvin Malone, who chaired the meeting, promoted the upcoming activities of the Virgin Islands Party. He spoke of the 1st Annual Party Congress, scheduled for March 3rd, which would also incorporate the VIP’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Mr. Malone encouraged supporters to join the Party as paid members, spoke to the need to revitalize District Committees in Districts 4-8, outlined plans for a media blitz for the H. Lavity Stoutt holiday, announced the search for a VIP theme song and promoted the party’s website at www.viparty.com and the youth arm of the Virgin Islands Party.

The four Ministers of government who are members of the ruling Virgin Islands Party were on hand to address the large crowd of over 100 people. Third District Representative, the Honourable Julian Fraser, who is also Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, said last year ended on a good note. He was able to bring some closure to the Nibbs Estate and Nanny Cay deals. Six Nibbs Estate residents now have titles to their land and employees at Nanny Cay, who had not received a raise of pay in 10 years, got a 10% increase just before Christmas.

In terms of projects expected to come on stream, Hon. Fraser mentioned the connecting road between Chalwell and Sea Cow’s Bay, the sidewalk project in Sea Cow’s Bay, fencing of the school continued, the construction of a softball field and more road repair. He announced that he has just concluded a review of the draft Labour Code and it will shortly be taken to Legislative Council for approval. Regarding agriculture, the Minister reported on progress to build a new abattoir, new headquarters for the department and on plans to develop the fishing industry.

VIP Chairman and Chief Minister Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal also made an impassioned pitch for friends and supporters of the party to “come out from the sidelines and identify yourselves and strengthen the party.” He said the party cannot be run without “c-a-s-h”. The Chief Minister and Minister of Finance went on to note that one of the things his government is plagued with is getting the money voted, spent. The 2001 budget estimate is $192M, almost $60M of which is money re-voted. “So, we are in a dilemma…so, we have to find ways and means of breaking the barrier.” Some of the other problems identified included civil servants thrusting the blame for delays in applications on the Ministers, files allegedly being lost and the disloyalty of civil servants. He spoke of a new policy where Ministers are now charged with deciding which developments are suitable for the territory, as opposed to leaving it up to civil servants. The BVI Leader also addressed the question of change in the community, relations with the United States Virgin Islands and government’s efforts to maintain the booming offshore financial services sector.

For his part, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Communications and Works Hon. J. Alvin Christopher said the buoyancy of the economy over the last five years speaks to the responsible leadership of the Virgin Islands Party government. He noted that five years ago, the budget was a mere $98M, compared to the $192M of today. Looking at the infrastructural projects under his portfolio, he moved to assure residents that it is not “doomsday” as far as the bridge project is concerned, despite recent rumblings. The opposition National Democratic Party is calling for a Commission of Inquiry, citing escalating costs, work stoppage during an industrial dispute and cracks which have already appeared in the bridge. “I wish to assure the public that the cost of the project has not changed…yes, the contractor has submitted claims, we have denied those claims…there are sufficient funds to complete the project and as soon as we get the differences out of the way, the project will resume,” he declared. The project should have been completed December 15th, but the contractor has been granted an extension.

The largest infrastructural project - the airport development - also falls under Hon. Christopher’s portfolio. That $53M project is slated for completion in April next year. The Minister, who is the Representative for District 2, told residents that government is hoping to start the reconstruction of the Fort Burt to West End main road next week. Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports the Honourable Andrew Fahie, announced that he had earlier in that day signed the contract for the covering of the basketball court at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds. He said the leveling of the entire grounds is underway and a meeting of all users of the field will shortly be held to organize its better use. A similar contract for the Greenland Field will be signed next week. Another project underway is the beautifying of the Sunday Morning Well. “One newspaper said ‘building a wall won’t solve the problem’, but I’d like to say that it’s more than just building a wall, we intend to make this area a good-looking historical site,” he defended.

The Education Minister reported on efforts to beef up the security at the BVI High School, continue the school fencing project, improve recreational facilities throughout the territory, re-roof several primary Schools and expand the teaching staff and National Education Curriculum. According to the Virgin Islands Party calendar of events for 2001, the next District general meeting is carded for District 4 on April 30th. A meeting is being planned for District 5 June 18th, District 6 August 27th, Districts 7 and 8 on October 15th and District 9 December 3rd. Meetings in Districts 1 and 2 were held during the last half of 2000.

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			LOCAL NEWS

			Ministers update public on Government Projects By Angela Burns-Piper Residents of the 3rd District and other supporters of the ruling Virgin Islands Party were updated on the programmes and policies of the party during a public meeting at the Valarie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cow’s Bay Tuesday night. The meeting was another in the series of general District meetings being held by the VIP throughout the territory. President Carvin Malone, who chaired the meeting, promoted the upcoming activities of the Virgin Islands Party. He spoke of the 1st Annual Party Congress, scheduled for March 3rd, which would also incorporate the VIP’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Mr. Malone encouraged supporters to join the Party as paid members, spoke to the need to revitalize District Committees in Districts 4-8, outlined plans for a media blitz for the H. Lavity Stoutt holiday, announced the search for a VIP theme song and promoted the party’s website at www.viparty.com and the youth arm of the Virgin Islands Party. The four Ministers of government who are members of the ruling Virgin Islands Party were on hand to address the large crowd of over 100 people. Third District Representative, the Honourable Julian Fraser, who is also Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, said last year ended on a good note. He was able to bring some closure to the Nibbs Estate and Nanny Cay deals. Six Nibbs Estate residents now have titles to their land and employees at Nanny Cay, who had not received a raise of pay in 10 years, got a 10% increase just before Christmas. In terms of projects expected to come on stream, Hon. Fraser mentioned the connecting road between Chalwell and Sea Cow’s Bay, the sidewalk project in Sea Cow’s Bay, fencing of the school continued, the construction of a softball field and more road repair. He announced that he has just concluded a review of the draft Labour Code and it will shortly be taken to Legislative Council for approval. Regarding agriculture, the Minister reported on progress to build a new abattoir, new headquarters for the department and on plans to develop the fishing industry. VIP Chairman and Chief Minister Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal also made an impassioned pitch for friends and supporters of the party to “come out from the sidelines and identify yourselves and strengthen the party.” He said the party cannot be run without “c-a-s-h”. The Chief Minister and Minister of Finance went on to note that one of the things his government is plagued with is getting the money voted, spent. The 2001 budget estimate is $192M, almost $60M of which is money re-voted. “So, we are in a dilemma…so, we have to find ways and means of breaking the barrier.” Some of the other problems identified included civil servants thrusting the blame for delays in applications on the Ministers, files allegedly being lost and the disloyalty of civil servants. He spoke of a new policy where Ministers are now charged with deciding which developments are suitable for the territory, as opposed to leaving it up to civil servants. The BVI Leader also addressed the question of change in the community, relations with the United States Virgin Islands and government’s efforts to maintain the booming offshore financial services sector. For his part, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Communications and Works Hon. J. Alvin Christopher said the buoyancy of the economy over the last five years speaks to the responsible leadership of the Virgin Islands Party government. He noted that five years ago, the budget was a mere $98M, compared to the $192M of today. Looking at the infrastructural projects under his portfolio, he moved to assure residents that it is not “doomsday” as far as the bridge project is concerned, despite recent rumblings. The opposition National Democratic Party is calling for a Commission of Inquiry, citing escalating costs, work stoppage during an industrial dispute and cracks which have already appeared in the bridge. “I wish to assure the public that the cost of the project has not changed…yes, the contractor has submitted claims, we have denied those claims…there are sufficient funds to complete the project and as soon as we get the differences out of the way, the project will resume,” he declared. The project should have been completed December 15th, but the contractor has been granted an extension. The largest infrastructural project - the airport development - also falls under Hon. Christopher’s portfolio. That $53M project is slated for completion in April next year. The Minister, who is the Representative for District 2, told residents that government is hoping to start the reconstruction of the Fort Burt to West End main road next week. Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports the Honourable Andrew Fahie, announced that he had earlier in that day signed the contract for the covering of the basketball court at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds. He said the leveling of the entire grounds is underway and a meeting of all users of the field will shortly be held to organize its better use. A similar contract for the Greenland Field will be signed next week. Another project underway is the beautifying of the Sunday Morning Well. “One newspaper said ‘building a wall won’t solve the problem’, but I’d like to say that it’s more than just building a wall, we intend to make this area a good-looking historical site,” he defended. The Education Minister reported on efforts to beef up the security at the BVI High School, continue the school fencing project, improve recreational facilities throughout the territory, re-roof several primary Schools and expand the teaching staff and National Education Curriculum. According to the Virgin Islands Party calendar of events for 2001, the next District general meeting is carded for District 4 on April 30th. A meeting is being planned for District 5 June 18th, District 6 August 27th, Districts 7 and 8 on October 15th and District 9 December 3rd. Meetings in Districts 1 and 2 were held during the last half of 2000.
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