‘One BVI mantra must include everybody’ – Hon Walwyn
Many residents would always complain that the Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) led administration pays little to no attention to the sister islands and when they do get the attention, they would get the least.
A former Permanent Secretary and Political Aspirant, Mr Julian Willock, even suggested a Town Council type of management for the sister islands.
The plight of the sister islands was brought to the fore again when Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL), Minister for Education and Culture, during the Fourth Sitting of the Third Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) on Friday April 27, 2018, strongly emphasised that his fellow legislators must make sure that the sister islands are included in the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency Act 2018.
He said, “As we develop the country, we cannot just focus alone on Tortola. We’re not going to achieve that vision that we want because the vision should be a vision where nobody is left behind. No community is left behind. No island should be left behind.”
Hon Walwyn pointed out that the Ninth District Representative, Dr The Honourable Hubert O’Neal (R9), has been fighting for more attention for Virgin Gorda.
“One BVI mantra must include everybody”
Meanwhile, the education minister recalled going to Virgin Gorda to hold his regular office hours and he pointed out that the shelter and the Administration Complex are still in some deplorable conditions.
Hon Walwyn explained, “There are some things that we need to pay a little more attention too. I was in Virgin Gorda the other day and I know the District Rep has been speaking about this privately as well. The shelter in Virgin Gorda has no electricity and no water. The administration complex has no internet connection over there and of course all the issues with the telecommunication and so forth.”
He continued, “The sister islands must be considered a part of the vision too because the reality is the sister islands are feeling left out quite a bit in the whole development of the country and our mantra ‘One BVI’ can’t just be ‘One BVI’ for the sake of tourism. It has to be ‘One BVI’ moving forward with everybody. That’s is why it is important to articulate this vision that the people who are responsible for carrying out their duties will know what government is trying to achieve.”
Sister Islands Coordinator, Vincent O. Wheatley, had suggested that all the sister islands should each be given a political representative that is specifically for each of the islands while adding that this can be a good solution for the sister islands that are being neglected.
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7 Responses to “‘One BVI mantra must include everybody’ – Hon Walwyn”
The issue has to do with the Ministerial positions and who operates or is the leader of such! Even if all neighboring islands has their designated leader staying on island full time... if they do not have the ministerial backing it will be more of the same!
I personally think the time has come to not only vote for our district representatives and the at large members...but for the people to elect who the masses desire to run the main ministerial structures!!!!
Each district should have an alottment of funds given yearly, to maintain the necessities! At the end of the year a financial review of funds and their expenditures should be made public...so that tax payers know exactly where every nickle and dime went....
I find it rhetoric the minister will get up and speak about an issue that has to do with their ministerial philandering...
please save the whissy-whashy talks as we know you only do things for political clout and not because you genuinely care!!!! Sick of the hogwash!!!