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Hypocrisy?: 'Have an open book'- Premier Smith to Jaleel F. Cameron
Premier Smith was a speaker at the launch of the Jaleel Cameron Foundation on June 3, 2017 at Treasure Isle on Tortola. "Have an open book to the community so that everybody knows that this is what you want to do…and this is how you are doing it," said Premier to young Cameron.
But in the words of one senior civil servant who was present at the launch, "it seems this Premier is still living in the times of ‘Masa’ and slave day when it was do as I say and not as I do," as they accused Premier Smith of doing the opposite of his advice.
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The issue of transparency has been a major concern also for the Leader of the Opposition Honourable Andrew A Fahie (R1) and Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3).
It was recently as the continuation of the Seventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly on Monday May 29, 2017 during the debate of the Cruising Permit (Amendment) Act, 2017, when Hon Fraser, in making his contribution, told the House of Assembly (HoA) that he was uneasy supporting the bill without proper statistics and information.
Premier Smith then told the House "I was flabbergasted to hear the suggestion that the Members do not need to do their own research when they come into this House to discuss matters that are important to this country. I assume that all Members will take their time and do whatever research that is needed."
Continuing his remarks, Premier added, "every member is aware of all proposed bills."
To this, on a point of privilege, Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser RA, (R3) stood up and chastised Premier Smith saying that "it is disturbing that the Premier would put forward such an argument, the information should be shared with us; we shouldn’t be begging for it and if we beg for it, it should be forthcoming..... Premier, I am now disappointed to hear you say that," Hon Fraser said.
However, the Premier continued to insist that the information is available and it is not his job to do research for the Opposition members.
At this point Opposition Leader Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) rose to his feet on a point of information and accused Premier Smith of misleading the public. Hon Fahie told the HoA "information the government would have statistically, that you would need, the Opposition would not have it."
In another fire back to Premier Smith's statement, the Opposition Leader said "we can't get answers to questions in here when we ask, much less out there…"
The public, the media, civil society and the Opposition have long argued that the ruling National Democratic Party Government has not operated in a transparent way.
Even Governor John S. Duncan OBE has blasted the administration for the lack of a Freedom of Information Act promised some six years ago, and the Opposition has continued to assert they cannot get truthful answers to questions in Parliament.
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17 Responses to “Hypocrisy?: 'Have an open book'- Premier Smith to Jaleel F. Cameron”
Jaleel IS GREAT! Kudos to him and his supporters. However, the Premier doesn't have to give us a damn thing. Just like Jaleel is giving back, if we all give back a little it turns into a lot! We are just set of greedy @£$%& out here waiting for a government hand out and complain when we don't get it. When we are getting what we want, then Government is the best thing in the world. How many of us give a sh*t about these things? How many of us stopped by Jaleel and his school mates and buy a bottle of water when they're on the roadside selling? I have stopped numerous times and gave them cash and told them I don't want the water and keep up the good work. Stop talking and DO! The BVI was built on hard work not on the backs Government doing everything.