‘I’m not a friend of the RDA’- Rosemary L. Rosan-Jones
With the United Kingdom (UK) Loan Guarantee now a major public discussion, the government must decide if to take up the £300 million in loan guarantees and £10 million in grants for hurricane rebuilding efforts—one that comes with UK stipulations—or whether to fund the rebuilding efforts on its own.
Still undecided, the Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the government is looking to renegotiate certain aspects of its relationship with the UK regarding financial accountability, which according to the leader of government Business, will prevent constitutional conflicts with some of the UK imposed stipulations surrounding the guarantee.
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Speaking at the consultation meeting on the UK Loan Guarantee at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) in Paraquita Bay, Tortola, on August 20, 2019, Mrs Rosan-Jones inquired on how much the government has spent so far on recovery.
The Premier said that while the UK has rightfully given grants “let us not sell ourselves short even with the last government, because we also helped with our recovery through keeping the public servants hired, so nobody putting more to the recovery than us which is 300 and odd million," he said.
“I’m on your side,” remarked Rosan-Jones; however, the Premier noted that it would be difficult to tally up the total the VI invested in its recovery because it would start from public servants salary and go up.
The Premier reiterated to loud applause that the United Kingdom was not doing its job of monitoring the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration, yet looking to penalise the territory under the new government.
'We don’t need the loan' – Rosan-Jones
“It’s easy to clap but I think we need to learn to keep ourselves in check,” Rosan-Jones remarked. Premier Fahie pointed out that over the years his mantra has always been that its either the VI police itself, or someone else will do it.
Speaking on the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) and its role in the territory, she said, “I’m not a friend of the RDA, I’m not a supporter.” She further accused the RDA of gambling with the children’s future.
“In effect then, we don’t need a loan,” Rosan-Jones pointed by saying that the VI is already on the road to recovery. Expressing doubt that the UK government has intentions of taking over the territory she said, "They have their own issues going on, so I don't know what they can do for us."
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11 Responses to “‘I’m not a friend of the RDA’- Rosemary L. Rosan-Jones”
The Premier should be seeking ways to help the RDA meet its goals. Not trying to disband it so that he could have our Recovery money to play with. Let the RDA people do their jobs.
This little nation's recovery is too important to be playing politics with.
I am with you 100% what a set ,can you really believe the way in which those people destroy this country ,we were at one time the envy of the entire Caribbean wow