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Another Christmas in ‘far from ideal conditions’- Gov Jaspert
Governor Jaspert said it is no easy feat for him that another Christmas season, two years later, has met persons living and working in “far from ideal conditions.”
“To be honest, it pains me when I see people still living in homes that are damaged or to see public servants still working in offices that are damaged and haven’t been repaired. This needs addressing, and we must continue to prioritise, and I hope that some progress can be made and support those in need,” he said during a press conference at the Governor’s House on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.
The ousted National Democratic Party (NDP) was criticised for not doing enough to help persons recover following the devastating hurricanes of September 2017 and also not moving fast enough to repair Government facilities that were damaged, including structures that would have brought in much needed revenue to the Territory.
When the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) swept to power in February 2019 it quickly began to focus on restoring critical facilities, one of which was the West End Port, a major revenue earner.
Repairs have also started on the Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex, which houses the bulk of the Government offices.
One of the major achievements of the Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) led Government inits short time in office was the repair of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) L-Shaped Building, which has since been renamed the L. Adorothy Turnbull Building, to allow the school to return to whole day sessions.
Governor Jaspert; however, wants to see more done.
“I will never think enough is being done until that is fixed. More importantly, I won’t ever think enough is being done until the Territory uses the opportunity, whilst it was never an opportunity that we wanted, the destruction in 2017, but using that opportunity to rebuild even better,” he stated.
Hope Government keeps its word!
The United Kingdom representative said he is hopeful that the Virgin Islands Government keeps its word in moving recovery full steam ahead in the New Year.
“Looking ahead, I hope that 2020 will be positive growth for us all with development and recovery underpinned by tangible government reforms,” he added.
“That is something the government has committed to doing, and I hope in 2020 things move forward, that we have the structures ready to move forward, we have the offer of the loan guarantee from the UK which has now been there for over two years, we have donors who want to move on, and I hope decisions are made to enable us to move forward,” His Excellency surmised.
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