Controversy looms over use of Gov’t vehicle by Ex-Legislator
![The Financial Secretary Mr. Neil M. Smith [left] told our news site that the vehicle GV0530 was purchased for the Leader of the Opposition Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE. However a senior civil servant told our news site that she has never seen Mr. O’Neal using the vehicle since becoming the Leader of the Opposition some two years ago. He instead is seen being transported via his family's private vehicle. Photo: VINO/File](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_n_Neil_Ralph.jpg)
Many residents have told our news room that they have no objections to the former Minister, Cultural Icon and NDP official having access to the government owned vehicle, GV0530, but said there must be a transparent process and suggested that if it is a policy, then others should also have the same access.
One Virgin Gorda resident, a Mr. George who did not want his first name to be used but said he lives in North Sound, told us, “I know her situation having lost her two legs but what happen to other sick former members? Would they get access to a government vehicle too?”
He said a former Legislator “from right here Mr. Reeial George had walking challenges and no one ever offered him a Government vehicle…so my only point is, if it’s done for one, it should be done for others,” the middle aged gentlemen told our news room.
Mrs. Parsons who was last year awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the British Monarch Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her long outstanding service to the Virgin Islands especially in education, tourism and culture, is an amputee having lost her two legs.
In June of 2011 the then Virgin Islands Party Government of former Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE honored Mrs. Parsons by naming the publicly run H. L. Stoutt Community College auditorium in her honour.
When contacted by this news site a few weeks ago on the use of the government vehicle the former Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and founder of the popular Heritage Dancers said she had no comment.
Government denied vehicle was purchased for Ms. P
Many persons continue to report that they allegedly see Mrs. Parsons using the Government owned vehicle in question, GV0530, both for personal and social events along with a driver.
However, the Government’s Director of Communications Mrs. Arlene T. Penn told our news room that a vehicle was not purchased for the former Legislator and referred us to the Financial Secretary.
Financial Secretary Mr. Neil M. Smith told our new site that “the vehicle was purchased for the Leader of the Opposition.”
A call to the Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE’s home yesterday 26, January 2014 by this news site revealed that Hon. O’Neal was on Virgin Gorda at the time.
However, the government vehicle in question was seen transporting Mrs. Parsons up to yesterday January 26, 2014 at the horse races at Ellis Thomas Downs, in Sea Cows Bay.
A senior civil servant whose name could not be used because she was not authorized to talk to the press on this matter said, “I have never seen Mr. O’Neal using that Government vehicle since he became Leader of the Opposition some two years ago… he has always been driven in his family private vehicle.”
“Someone has to simply come clean with us, as I am sure the public will have no objections to this service being granted to our daughter of the soil as it is well deserving….again this is the problem we have had with this government for the last two years, they have not been transparent with the people,” the seasoned public officer told our news site.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith could not be reached as of press time to ascertain if this is now a new policy of his Administration in providing this type of support to former Legislators, or if it’s a one off policy for Mrs. Parsons a staunch NDP supporter.
The cost of the government vehicle, who pays the driver and the cost of gas and maintenance are unknown at this time.
Two eyewitnesses called our news room after the story was posted to report that they have allegedly seen Hon. O’Neal using the Government vehicle, GV0530 very recently attending a funeral in East End.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering has gone on record about the treatment of former Members of the Legislature and has advocated that they should be treated with dignity.
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83 Responses to “Controversy looms over use of Gov’t vehicle by Ex-Legislator”
Poor we taxpayers.
Don't forget Hon Terrence Lettsome and Louis Walters and Prince Stoutt. VIP have a nasty reputation. When you are of no more use they throw you away and let you rot. No loyalty. I have personally seen The Leader of the opposition in that vehicle going funeral together with Mrs. Parson's. Goes to show the Government respects our former leaders who have contributed soo much to the territory. Pity all so people can see is the negative. She is still a member of the board of Governors for the college, on a million advisory committees (form VIP times) and yet this is a problem to her a driver take her around to these functions. So what if she went horse race? She was the Minister who made the track possible because of the passion for the sport. She walked on hot coals for that track. Even sponsored locals to train as jockeys.. Some people need to just crawl under a rock and die.
I am sure everyone would agree Ms. p deserves this, but what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Is this now a new policy? If so we need to know. Has it been offered to others? If so why not?
I agree. the questions are for me- do we compensate for hon. O'neal's use of his family car and driver, and does this constitute paying twice for the same service. no disrespect intended. And what other officials get the use of Government vehicles?
Also what jumped to mind- rightly or wrongly- is the fact that PL got to bypass regulations when their are laws in parking spaces per new development, etc. Any correlation with rewarding loyal political figures? just asking...
Nonetheless it’s a legitimate question to find out if this is now the policy of the NDP on former Ministers of the Legislative council...Come on all the people want IS answers, we will always support Mrs. P and the use of the car but just tell us if this is the new way going forward….
this is it in one word!!!
As for legislators, they get a lovely fat pension for life after only one term - why can't they pay for the vehicles and gas like the rest of us?
Wounded and disabled people are another issue and should be cared for by the National Health Plan when it . comes. This would apply to Ms Parsons and any one else needing special care.
This statement is compelling and so TRUE…we cannot trust the NDP as dem too dam lie
our country is small, but that is no excuse for the License Plate of vehicle to be posted. What ever happened to privacy? Should I go ahead and post the private numbers, license plates and addresses of those who own this site?
I see nothing wrong with Eileene Parsons, OBE to be allowed use of this government vehicle. What about the hundreds of others who have done NOTHING for this country riding around in government vehicles?
Should it be public knowledge how much is being spent on this? Sure, why not. But you're asking the wrong person. I highly doubt Ms Parsons, OBE is the one signing the checks.
I hate to doubt the intelligence of those we rely on for "news".