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CANCELLED: No Nurse Iris O’Neal opening, building not ready!

Dr Hubert R. O’Neal (R9) and his National Democratic Party (NDP 1) government was hoping for some election brownie points by rushing to open the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre. Photo: VINO
Days before the Monday, February 25, 2019, General Elections—with opinion polls showing the one-term incumbent Dr O’Neal running second—he was trying to have the building handed over and had already made a public announcement last week, February 12, 2019, about the handover ceremony while on the campaign trail. Photo: VINO
Days before the Monday, February 25, 2019, General Elections—with opinion polls showing the one-term incumbent Dr O’Neal running second—he was trying to have the building handed over and had already made a public announcement last week, February 12, 2019, about the handover ceremony while on the campaign trail. Photo: VINO
Jose C. B DeCastro (left) of the new Progressive Virgin Islands Movement’s (PVIM), Vincent O. Wheatley (Centre) of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and current Ninth District Representative with the National Democratic Party (NDP) Hon Hubert R. O’Neal (Right). Photo:VINO/File/PVIM
Jose C. B DeCastro (left) of the new Progressive Virgin Islands Movement’s (PVIM), Vincent O. Wheatley (Centre) of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and current Ninth District Representative with the National Democratic Party (NDP) Hon Hubert R. O’Neal (Right). Photo:VINO/File/PVIM
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI - Dr Hubert R. O’Neal (R9) and his National Democratic Party (NDP 1) government was hoping for some election brownie points by rushing to open the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre.

Stop the political rush

Days before the Monday, February 25, 2019, General Elections—with opinion polls showing the one-term incumbent Dr O’Neal running second—he was trying to have the building handed over and had already made a public announcement last week, February 12, 2019, about the handover ceremony while on the campaign trail.

Firstly, the NDP1 promised the people of Virgin Gora a mini hospital, but instead, all they got was an extension to the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic.

It was all politics, however, it is our newsroom understanding that the contractor and project manager stood their grounds, saying the facility was not ready. Now, Dr O’Neal and his Government was forced to announce on Thursday, February 21, 2019, that the facility handover ceremony scheduled for today, Friday, February 22, 2019, has been postponed.

Project urgent 

The NDP regime had promised two other dates for the handing over including December of 2018, but none of the dates have materialized.

It is important to note that the project is urgent and very much needed for the people of Virgin Gorda and many will agree, long overdue. Virgin Gorda is in desperate need of improved medical services as the sick must still travel by boat late at nights to Tortola.

Fact check history

The project started back in 2009 when then Premier and ninth district representative, Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE purchased the land. In 2010, still under a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government, architectural plans were completed and in 2011, the VIP lost the election with Hon R. T O’Neal retiring from active politics in 2015.

The same year 2015, the NDP got another term and Dr O’Neal came to power.

Under new Government

While the Ministry of Health and Social Development did not announce a new date in the Government Information Service (GIS) bulletin, the Building will be opened under the new Government and voters on Virgin Gorda and Anegada will decide on Monday, February 25, 2019, whether Hon O’Neal will still be the representative for district nine.

Dr O’Neal is facing the VIP’s Vincent O. Wheatley and the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement’s, (PVIM) Jose C. B. de Castro.

17 Responses to “CANCELLED: No Nurse Iris O’Neal opening, building not ready! ”

  • Truth Sayer (22/02/2019, 06:44) Like (24) Dislike (13) Reply
    The plans for the Iris O'Neal Medical Clinic were completed under the helm of Hon Ronnie W. Skelton and taken to the people of VG for their input and approval.
    • @ Truth Sayer (22/02/2019, 07:59) Like (27) Dislike (7) Reply
      You not going to rewite history the project started with uncle Ralph Thanks vino for your fact checking
      • Love for My Country (23/02/2019, 06:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Truth Sayer is correct. A plan was done under uncle Ralph which the people rejected. A new plan was done under Ronnie which the people accepted. Check it out.
  • vex (22/02/2019, 07:37) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    There is a god in heaven
  • bvi (22/02/2019, 07:48) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    25th is soon here
  • Nuisance (22/02/2019, 08:43) Like (29) Dislike (16) Reply
    Bertie is a complete waste of taxpayers time.
  • Surprised (22/02/2019, 09:09) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    I would have been surprised if The contractor who is a known supporter/founder and benefactor of Ronnie/PVIM if he has allowed the opening on todays date even if all furnishings was in there!
    This is a set up Hon O’Neal not under this mans watch try again
  • north sound (22/02/2019, 09:27) Like (16) Dislike (9) Reply
    So happy jasmine and sharna did not give in to. Myron bullying
  • guy hill (22/02/2019, 09:42) Like (39) Dislike (1) Reply
    You cannot rush to complete and hand over a needed and serious projects like this to satisfy the status quo. Take time do things right.
  • Ronnie Gone now (22/02/2019, 11:31) Like (10) Dislike (19) Reply
    Ronnie gone now so nobody can't get building complete
  • BVI Rise (22/02/2019, 14:21) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am not here to say it is good that the building was not handed over or not. What I am happy about, is that further insult to the people of Virgin Gorda was not allowed by Mr. Walwyn and the 9th district representative. I am glad that VINO brought the history to light so all can see that the beloved project started with the former district representative, Hon. R.T. O'Neal, the first premier of the Virgin Islands. I am certain that when the new government is formed, and the building is completed, fully furnished and ready to accept patients, Hon. R.T. O'Neal, Hon Hubert O'Neal and the new 9th District Representative would all be recognized for their part along with others. This project and any other project is not about any individual, they are about moving the country forward towards progress and recovery. With that said, the current representative has done very little to move his district from where he met it in 2015, I would add, he met a well developed 9th district where a large percentage, about 75% of the revenues come from that goes into the treasury. He did not had to fight for his district, and he did not, because his party was elected to power!!! He was not in the opposition, but sat in the HOA enjoying the perks without doing the work. Mr. Wheatley has proven himself as a leader in the community for many years but I would say that his leadership skills took a totally different direction when he found himself along with others taking up the leadership of the 9th district in the absence of Hon. Hubert O'Neal, who enjoyed his comforts in Tortola. At least Tortola benefited from having all of the representatives living among them before and after the hurricanes. Now, MR. De Castro said that he was also with the group that helped Virgin Gorda during its most testing time, but did so behind the scenes sorting out paperwork for materials. We are thankful to him for what he did but when there is a crisis at hand, great leaders rise to the forefront and roll up their sleeves and lead the people while working with them...that is what MR. Wheatley, Mrs. Flax-Charles and many others did. So, everyone has their place and calling, but in a crisis, a leader must lead from the front and not hidden behind the scenes because people need to sense your physical presence and feel your touch. People, especially on Anegada and Virgin Gorda, be wise on February 25, and do not sell out your birthright for a few dollars in an envelope or ham or turkey. The BVI must RISE with a new team of leaders at the helm on the morning of February 26, 2019. Thank you
  • Me (22/02/2019, 16:51) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    This share bull.Status qou this building is long from completion.No one in their right frame of mind can ever say this building is complete.Remember this building is a clinicexpansion/ mini hospice neither.It can't function with it's neccesities(furnishing,equipment,trained staff etc)so why this fool hardy old political ploy.Ronnie,Hubert,Todman Penn u guys whoever idea about that date is all a.bunch of criminals.People of V.G stand firm.
  • Xxx (23/02/2019, 07:17) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nothing could help Herbert now nothing
  • wize up (23/02/2019, 07:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    we will have better days in the BVI after politicians stop beating their chest and looking fame for projects: Mr Politicians you were elected to do the bidding of the people and it’s the tax payer money spending not your personal money so stop gluten and seeking fame just before elections because you have a mandate to develop BVI Society


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