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Hon Marlon A. Penn cries for protection of locals
Speaking during the Seventh Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly at parliament chambers in Road Town, Tortola on March 23, 2016, the second termer Hon Penn said it now seems alright to kick a Virgin Islander to the curb rather that lifting him up and blasted Government and its statutory bodies for not doing enough to support locals.
In his contribution to the Budget Debate which lasted for well over an hour as he said he had lots to say, Hon Penn said the Virgin Islands' forefathers had the belief in their own people and this has seen the VI advanced to a thriving economy, however, he is now concerned that the VI seems to be regressing.
“It seems to be ok to take away opportunities from Virgin Islanders. It seems to be ok if a Virgin Islander does not get an opportunity. It seems to be ok if we just kick another Virgin Islander to the curb and we just sit there quietly and say nothing. That is not the spirit of our forefathers. That is not the spirit we were built on as Virgin Islanders,” Hon Penn lamented.
Exporting of money from the territory
Not known to speak very long in the House of Assembly, Hon Penn today took all the time needed to emphasise his point that Government needed to protect locals and that it was currently working against locals in some ways.
“We are telling the public buy BVI, buy local, buy from East End or West End, buy from Road Town but instead of the Government going down to Bolos and buy some paper they gone to Kinko’s, or some other part in the world instead of supporting the local economy.”
Junior Minister Penn added that he learnt a few weeks ago that there is going to be a big purchase of cards from overseas for Immigration and Customs and said he shudders to think what is happening in statutory organisations. He noted that Government needs to have a better handle in terms of what is happening in those organisations as they have the biggest purchasing power and have a responsibility to support the local economy.
“But if you as the government and the bodies associated with the government are spending your money outside of the economy you are exporting your resources, all the tax revenues of the people outside and not giving local businesses to take advantage of it.
“Even the very trophies now, Madam Speaker, they are buying overseas. We have to put a stop to this Madam Speaker. People have to realise they have a responsibility to support the local economy. It has to start with us as a government.”
According to Hon Penn: “We have to fight and resist the temptation to go away and develop other individuals from other countries and take a chance on your own people.”
Many excuses when it comes to promoting locals
The young legislator spoke of H. Lavity Stoutt who he said had a belief in the people but it seems now there is always an excuse, that locals don’t have enough experience and stated that many excuses are made when it comes to promoting locals.
It was on January that Minister Walwyn caused much consternation when he boldly stated that Government can no longer write laws to fully protect locals. It came at a time when many locals have been expressing sentiments of being disenfranchised in their own country, more so through the actions of Government.
According to Hon Penn, the 2016 Budget will seek to promote locals and their investments, however, it is interesting whether this will be so since the budget is already being criticised by many as a tax and spend budget.
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20 Responses to “Hon Marlon A. Penn cries for protection of locals”
My run said he cant help us now Mar lun say we need protecting. Who to believe? I feel is only some like my "infinite business man" is who is protected