Radio talk show host Edmund G. Maduro (left) has slammed Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA (right) for his comments about talk show hosts being silent on the proposed Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport upgrade works. Photo: VINO/File

According to Maduro, he has said time and time again that the airport at Beef Island will be dangerous to extend and it should not even be thought of. Photo: VINO/File

“I am very much disappointed in Honourable Julian Fraser RA in his written opinion on BVI News on May 30, 2016 when and where he insinuated that Mr Cromwell Smith aka Edju En Ka and me are hypocrites and are virtually silent as talk show hosts on the current issue of the Beef Island Airport expansion project,” said Maduro.

He was speaking out on his EGM Show last evening June 2, 2016 aired on ZROD 103.7 FM from 8:00 pm and reacting to Facebook posts and comments by the Opposition Leader.

Honourable Fraser was commenting on May 29, 2016 under a post he made on his official Facebook page on May 28, 2016 regarding the airport expansion project and the need for Government to consider the lower of the two bid options on the table.

“You see, the group harping about the project/contract being outsourced is the same interest group that was in the BiWater debacle. The difference is, that last time -BiWater-, it was about Julian Fraser, this time it is about them -NDP- and they are not getting any traction. Where are the Cromwell Smith's, the Edmund Maduro's and the likes on this issue?” Honourable Fraser wrote in the comment under his post.

“You are talking about $40 million difference in a bid that can potentially end up in the pockets of locals, but still not a word. Is that hypocrisy or what!” he asked.

However, Maduro took umbrage to the utterings of the Honourable Leader of the Opposition on the issue.

“I believe when the Honourable [Leader of the Opposition] said that we were hypocrites and virtually silent, this is the result of the fact that he was not listening to Cromwell and myself where we have been talking about the extension of the airport,” Maduro said.

Dangerous

According to Maduro, he has said time and time again that the airport at Beef Island will be dangerous to extend and it should not even be thought of.

“I have never ever been silent on that airport...while I could not speak at that time when I was at Town and Country Planning as the Deputy Chairman I fought against it when I spoke with members of the board. So for Honourable Fraser to say that I have been saying nothing about the airport [is disingenuous],” said Maduro.

Maduro said that he is for the type of Governance that speaks to integrity and justice for all.

Hon Fraser reneging on his responsibility

According to the talk show host, the inference made from Honourable Fraser’s statements is that he and other talk show hosts are being paid under the table. “Edmund Gregory Maduro never received any red copper under any table.”

He said corruption is a part of all Governments today, including that of the VI.

“I can truly say now that Honourable Fraser is reneging on his lawful responsibility to represent the people who elected him to do so and also the responsibility for which he took an oath to do,” said Maduro.

He said that if Honorable Fraser had been listening to his talk shows he would have known without any doubt that, “I never zipped my lips on the issue of the Biwater project and the airport project. Unless he wishes to mamaguy you the people who listen to me every Thursday night,” he said.