Residents vs Govt – ‘Next elections please don’t come to my door’
The meeting was held last night July 10, 2014 at the Purcell Community Centre where a small, yet very vocal, number of persons turned out to listen and have their voices heard.
Present with Premier Smith were Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool, Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn and Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering. Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton was said to have been on travel duties hence his absence.
“I have been living in the 6th District for a long time and I have a problem for many, many years back not just now and it’s about bus stops,” said one resident. He pointed to two areas where persons frequent to wait for public transportation, in the vicinity of Paula’s Bar in Baugher’s Bay and Qumars Trading.
“Every afternoon there are people sitting under the trees like goats and sheep waiting for a bus, so I want to know how much million it’s going to cost to build a new bus stop right there,” said the resident.
The very liberal man pointed to several areas stretching from as far as Beef Island where such facilities were put in while other areas are left without. “It’s time for us to upgrade our system in the country … this is nonsense, we have too much money throwing away and we don’t care about the people just to sit at the bus stops,” he further said.
Several other issues were put to the relevant ministers by residents including the call for an assurance that the vexing water situation would be addressed by the end of this year. “He (Hon Vanterpool) tried to assure us that by the end of this year the water problem would be in a better situation. I would like to ask him since it is now July he is so confident that within five months we would have a better system can you please explain?” asked the resident.
The problem of garbage in certain sections of the District was bashed badly for hampering the certain upward mobility of residents, posing serious health risks and at the same time devaluing the property of at least one resident.
The garbage receptacle being referred to was said to have been put in place by the previous Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government but no attention paid to since the NDP government took office. Other issues were those of lighting and other facilities at the Beef Island, Long Bay Beach, sewerage which appears to be flowing in the Ghut at OneMart Supa Store, flooding of areas while occasions whenever it rains consequent of the alleged re-designing of a Ghut called “Omar Hodge Ghut”.
The respective Ministers for every question asked indicated that they were going to address the issues raised. Hon. Vanterpool said to the one resident that he would still be knocking at his door come next elections as he will ensure the bus shed is erected. The Minister also tried to explain the dynamics of the water system especially as it related to the facility at Baugher’s Bay.
As it relates to the apparent sewerage flowing in the Ghut at OneMart Supa Store Hon Vanterpool said that he was not aware of that situation but would investigate with a matter of urgency and have rectified if so.
Dr the Hon Pickering represented Hon Skelton as it relates to issues of garbage noting that the concerns are being addressed. As he responded to issues under his portfolio he assured that there would be electricity and toilet facilities affixed on the Beef Island Long Bay Beach.
Hon Walwyn promised to have the Purcell Community furnished with gym facilities as requested by one of the community’s youths.
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30 Responses to “Residents vs Govt – ‘Next elections please don’t come to my door’”
1. I am here but I don't want to be here.
2. Who is ayo Purcell people to come tell we now about problems occurring over 8 yrs ago? Where was Omar all this time?
3. Don't let me got to speak Spanish to ayo now. Too much Spanish people in here and we got to get rid of dem.