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'Pay more attention to the National Parks Trust'- Hon Fraser

The National Parks Trust falls under the portfolio of Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D Wheatley who has been accused of not spending enough money on the national parks in the VI by Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3). Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) has accused the government of not paying enough attention to the National Parks Trust. Photo: YouTube
Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) has accused the government of not paying enough attention to the National Parks Trust. Photo: YouTube
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) presented the first in what he called a series of amendments to legislations governing Statutory Boards to the House of Assembly on September 17, 2024. Photo: YouTube
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) presented the first in what he called a series of amendments to legislations governing Statutory Boards to the House of Assembly on September 17, 2024. Photo: YouTube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) has accused the government of not paying enough attention to the National Parks Trust.

Hon Fraser was speaking during the Continuation of the Nineteenth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands (VI) on September 17, 2024.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) presented the first in what he called a series of amendments to legislations governing Statutory Boards “as the government seeks to promote a more rational, organised and standardised approach to the management and oversight of Statutory Boards”.

These amendments form part of the continued implementation of the Governance Reform Action Plan. The National Parks Trust is one of five statutory boards being governed by the legislation that will be amended to satisfy requirements for Phase 1 of the priority legislative amendment for Statutory Boards.

Things have changed- Hon Fraser

Hon Fraser said he was a member of the board of the National Parks Trust until the late 1990s when he was dismissed from his role following word that he would be contesting the 1999 general elections. He did contest the elections and subsequently was given the portfolio of the Ministry responsible for the National Parks Trust.

“Things have changed significantly since my time because I noticed that the Ministry seems to be out of the picture, the Minister seems to be non-existent, and I don’t recognise the situation that I’m hearing about or recognise it,” he lamented.

Currently, Premier Wheatley is responsible for the National Parks Trust.

Hon Fraser also reminded the HoA that the National Parks Trust once boasted of amazing accolades because the VI back then “had a product” adding that today the National Parks Trust has “regressed”.

More attention needs to be paid to National Parks

"Far too little money is being spent on our national parks Madam Speaker… It's interesting that it’s under the Premier because it seems to me like when it comes to getting things done, he the Minister for Finance is who gets monies into some of these programmes,” Hon Fraser added.

He said the National Parks Trust has traditionally and historically played a significant role in “our little democracy” and the development of the Territory, therefore, a lot more needs to be done and a lot more attention needs to be paid to the National Parks Trust.

9 Responses to “'Pay more attention to the National Parks Trust'- Hon Fraser”

  • WTF (19/09/2024, 17:46) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ministers. Should. Not. Be. Interfering. With. Statutory. Boards!

    Say it with me, people! Did we learn nothing from the COI?
  • FACIAL EXPRESSION (19/09/2024, 19:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    is saying )> D- 3rd ) well bro am putting it to U ( looks like you ain't ready / (SLO ) IF we were into agriculture "AH wodda got you on a farm on a stick with yo scarecrow looks ~ sid dung oul-boi and hush
  • LOL (19/09/2024, 21:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The National Parks are in a deplorable abandoned state. They are a national embarrassment. A lot more needs to be done to bring them up to an acceptable standard.
  • @ WTF (19/09/2024, 23:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    YES WE DID - WE LEARNT HOW TO DO WHAT WE DID IN THE DARK - AND WAS CAUGHT BY THE COI - WE ARE NOW DOING IT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT AND DOING A LITTLE MOONWALKING AS WE FLEXING OFF OUR
    TALENTS - BY USING THE COLONIALISTS AS A SCAPEGOAT AS A DISTRACTION FROM THE REAL FACTS / LIKE YOUTHS GETT GUNNED DOWN ONE BY ONE AND WE THROWING FREE JAMZ TO COOL DOWN THE SAME YOUTHS WHO ARE NOW GETTING DEEPER INTO COCAINE SMUGGLERS AND USERS AND WE CONTINUE TO PLAY THE RACISM SONG AND ACTING HOLY AS IF NOTHING IS HAPPENING HERE IN OUR OWN BACK YARD AND MEANWHILE ITS BUSINESS AS USUALL AND
    THE BLAME GOES TO THE WHITE BOYZ //\__ AND TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY THESE WANNABE ARISTOCRATS GANSTERS REALLY BELIEVES IN THEIR HEARTS THAT THEY ARE HEROES
  • John (20/09/2024, 06:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Joe Frazer is speaking good
  • hmm (20/09/2024, 07:11) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr Frazier this is so true but what about Agriculture? Hey soon food will stop coming here what do we have here for when something like that happens?? Is only one solution kill or be killed!!
  • How about? (20/09/2024, 07:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    Instead you focus on cleaning up the sh** hole that is sea cows bay? It’s disgusting what you have allowed to occur during your tenure.

    • @How about? (20/09/2024, 12:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Politics at play. Deprive the district. Make you and others feel nothing is being done because nothing is being done. Then, when the next election comes around, you find someone from the district to run and say exactly what you just said. See the bigger picture with me!! It's all a game.


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