Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Disaster Management Act 2021 passes with Amendments in HoA

- Disaster management will now be responsibility of local Government
Following debates in which legislators on both sides of the aisle in the House of Assembly (HoA) on January 5, 2021, contributed favourably to the Disaster Management Act 2019 (amended to 2021), the Bill emerged out of Committee on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, and was passed with Amendments. Photo: HoA/File
The Disaster Management Act 2021, among other things, seeks to wrest the responsibility of disaster management from the Office of the Governor and return it to local government. Photo: VINO/File
The Disaster Management Act 2021, among other things, seeks to wrest the responsibility of disaster management from the Office of the Governor and return it to local government. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, had stated there was much resistance from the Governor’s Office towards it being stripped of disaster management. It now remains to be seen whether controversial outgoing Governor and UK national Augustus J. U. Jaspert, left, will pull out his new ‘whip’, as stated by a legislator, of not assenting to Bills he is not in agreement with or he would follow the wishes of the Virgin Islands people. Photo: VINO/GIS/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, had stated there was much resistance from the Governor’s Office towards it being stripped of disaster management. It now remains to be seen whether controversial outgoing Governor and UK national Augustus J. U. Jaspert, left, will pull out his new ‘whip’, as stated by a legislator, of not assenting to Bills he is not in agreement with or he would follow the wishes of the Virgin Islands people. Photo: VINO/GIS/File
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- Following debates in which legislators on both sides of the aisle in the House of Assembly (HoA) on January 5, 2021, contributed favourably to the Disaster Management Act 2019 (amended to 2021), the Bill emerged out of Committee on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, and was passed with Amendments.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) called for a division of votes and there were 8 votes in favour of the Bill and 5 absent.

Notably, Opposition Leader Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) was the lone Opposition Member present at the time of voting.

Honourable Penn voted in favour of the Bill, which seeks, among other things, to wrest the responsibility of disaster management from the Office of the Governor and return it to local government.

The portfolio will be placed under the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities.

During the debates, legislators were united and firm on the position that the portfolio of disaster management should be the responsibility of local government and that there should be a limiting of the Governor's powers as the Virgin Islands moves forward to achieve more autonomy from the United Kingdom (UK).

Will Gov Jaspert draw his ‘new whip’?

Premier Fahie, during the Fifth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 had stated there was much resistance from the Governor’s Office towards it being stripped of disaster management.

It now remains to be seen whether controversial outgoing Governor and UK national Augustus J. U. Jaspert will pull out his new ‘whip’, as stated by a legislator, of not assenting to Bills he is not in agreement with or he would follow the wishes of the Virgin Islands people.

12 Responses to “Disaster Management Act 2021 passes with Amendments in HoA”

  • No work no pay (14/01/2021, 11:11) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The opposition members who were absent shouldn't be paid,,, These 3 stooges have the thing like a joke,,,, Wasted votes,,,,,, Much respect to Marlon u always hold it down no matter what,,,, don't mind the noise continue to work for the people and for your daily bread,,,,#Proud of you
  • 911 (14/01/2021, 11:21) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply

    hope the rac**t governor sign off

  • forest (14/01/2021, 11:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Put back the former disaster back in the disaster office she has no call as a perm sect she is good at disaster big mistake as permsect
  • Local (14/01/2021, 12:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    O-K , we know who the 3 members of the Opposition that were absent , can you tell us who the 2 from the Govt..... side that were absent. ?
  • WEW (14/01/2021, 13:01) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well this will be a disaster. We'll see who is first to receive help. Big named families just like after Irma. Where did all those emergency generators the UK donated go ?
  • bat man (14/01/2021, 14:29) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply
    If the governor don’t sign we need to march
  • NICK (14/01/2021, 15:44) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    So if we have another irma,who will deal with the looting and reinstate law and order?our bvi police force?
  • facts (14/01/2021, 23:20) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    This bill is a positive move the white governor and police commissioner failed us after ima
  • Windy (15/01/2021, 08:34) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    It’s about time let me see if the insensitive Jespert with his kkk hoody refuse to sign
  • wow (15/01/2021, 08:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    People tend to forget things, if it wasn't for those military guys and UK donating various trucks generator controlling the looters we would still be at 45% recovery.. those military guy use to send the local police to hush when they said they know this person or the other. but time will tell!


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.