Hon Pickering again escapes the wrath of Opposition’s questions!
Minister for NR&L never got questions
It has caused many persons to shake their heads that for the past three years of the life of the HoA one Minister of government never faced a question from the Opposition. Critics who may not necessarily understand the VIP's intensions on this matter say that Hon Pickering has not managed his Ministry well and should be subjected to the same scrutiny like other Ministers of Government.
With some 100 oral questions to be asked on February 12, 2015 sitting by the two Opposition parties the VIP and for the first time the People’s Empowerment Party (PEP) of Honourable J. Alvin Christopher (R2) there is none being put to the Natural Resources and Labour Minister.
Critics of Dr. Pickering!
Many critics of the Deputy Premier and Representative for the Seventh District Dr. Pickering said the recent Agriculture Exhibition was a failure under his watch, with for the first time in 20 years the Anegada Agriculture Exhibition being cancelled.
They also said that there are issues in terms of the public having access to all beaches and serious red flags in the Labour Department whereby hundreds of work permits are being approved by Hon. Pickering’s Labour Department however, locals especially, the youths remain jobless.
There is also the issue of land distribution another of Hon Pickering's subject with little or none of the lands giving out in the Third or Ninth Districts preventing many young Virgin Islanders from building their first home.
Last year former Government Press Secretary and radio personality Devon U. Osborne told the public in a New Year’s message that he paid for land in Virgin Gorda but continues to be denied land title.
In lambasting Hon. Pickering his critics also mentioned the airport expansion project that seems to be going nowhere even though a consultant Mr. Winston C. Wilson of Trinidad and Tobago rakes in half a million dollars a year in salary and benefits.
It’s unclear if Mr. Wilson the controversial former Director of Public Works Department is still assigned to the project.
They also cite the issue of an unfair enforcement system when coming to issues of the environmental protection with expats especially whites getting faster approvals for projects under the Ministry of Natural Resources whereas, locals are allegedly forced to pay for expensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Hon. Pickering not joining VIP
The Opposition's objective remains unclear as both the Hons Julian Fraser RA (R3) and Andrew A. Fahie (R1) were unavailable up to post time however, Hon Pickering gets another pass on questions in the HoA.
Last year the Deputy Premier Dr. Pickering blasted critics even within his own party when saying that he had no intention to joining the VIP and the claims that he will do that because he was offered the Premier job if the VIP wins the next general election are false.
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36 Responses to “Hon Pickering again escapes the wrath of Opposition’s questions!”
Franky, observing the VIP crew and their nosensical behaviour , members and candidates is depressiing.
VIP don't have any candidates or any funding so they are desperate to change the subject. They will get their a..es handed to them in a old wet brown paper bag next election. Take that to the bank. Everybody running as fast and as far away from them as possible.
They are personal agendas and games, one upmanship and posturing. A guise by the opposition members in a failing effort to disguise their failures. Just Theatre and a total waste of time. They have to pretend to earn their pay.
The current Gov never fails to deliver appropriate answers to these jokers and in a professional manner. They are always prepared for the predictable childish and inept antics of the opposition.
Follow that link. It tells about a Governor who used her power to get no bid contract for companies that she had business interest.
No they asking her to step down and facing prosecution. Oh and it don't yank years.
Allegations equals investigation equal loss of position then imprisonment. Governor of Tortola takes notes on how swiftly corruption should be investigated.