Opposition to scrutinise ‘Fast Track Programme’ in HoA today, Dec 17, 2019
Some seven questions, with multiple parts, will be asked by Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, led by Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8).
One of the questions will be on the regularisation programme initiated by the Government led by Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1).
‘We don’t have enough info’- Hon Penn
Hon Penn, in a press conference called by the Opposition on Monday, December 17, 2019, said they have not been outspoken about the regularisation programme, known as the ‘Fast Track Programme’ to give Belonger and Residency status to persons residing in the Territory for 20 years and more, because they hadn’t enough information on it.
A small group of persons had vehemently opposed the initiative.
More than 600 persons were given their certificates of Belonger status and more than 500 were given certificates for Residency and Belonger status combined at a ceremony at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Monday, December 16, 2019.
Questions
In the HoA today, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Penn, will ask Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley the following questions: “How many applications have been received for the Immigration fast track/regularisation process to date by categories of Belonger, Residence and Third Generation Belonger? b) How many of those applications have been processed thus far based on the different categories of Belonger, Residence and Third Generation Belonger? and c) When does your ministry intend to have this process finalised?”
The closure of the Cane Garden Bay beach back in September due to high levels of bacteria will also come into focus as Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull will ask “What specifically from the runoffs caused the testing to have high levels of Bacteria?”
Hon Turnbull will also ask of Hon Wheatley what measures he intends to put in place to address the issue of persons and proprietors of businesses filling in ponds illegally and what are the penalties for violators.
A number of bills will also get their introduction and first reading, including the ‘Electronic Transactions Act, 2019’ and the ‘Data Protection Act, 2019’.
For full coverage of today's proceedings: Log on to House of Assembly BVI on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVDl37r5uaMsdQkgzFkXAJg
Or Tune in to ZBVI 780AM; CBN Radio 90.9FM or FLOW TV Channel 101.
7 Responses to “Opposition to scrutinise ‘Fast Track Programme’ in HoA today, Dec 17, 2019”
This is a small nation, how many persons can become building contractors etc. in the Virgin Islands. Not much persons are innovative enough to think of new business ideas. Most persons will fall back on what they have been employed as throughout the years and this is why many try to set up food vendor businesses throughout the Capital.
Additionally, land ownership and competing housing rental units... how will this be addressed ‘if at all’.
The Government has a lot of reforming on their hands to handle these new social and economic issues at hand.
Let’s hope this never happens again, where is the wisdom in being overly nice and humane to your neighbors to the detriment of your household? This unwise practice will cause you and your household poverty and hardship.
Now the doors must be closed Completely as the people of these lands try to handle these new economic and social issues! There is no more of this little pie to share out! Remember people, it was only a few years back that the government of the day allowed thousands within one or so year, entry into the territory for employment. Can you imagine allowing so many individuals status in a few years to come?
We have to try to bring our people or grandchildren back home now! Rotate employment and Reform, Reform, Reform!!!
Before you comment any further look at your friends who got quick status ahead of all these people. The red party only looked out for its friends. How long it took insurance man to get status - he was fast tracked and the list goes on.