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Stench of rubber mat sends emergency HoA into recess

- Several members object to strong odour @ Save the Seed Energy Centre
The special emergency Sixth Sitting of the Second session of the Fourth House of Assembly, Today, Friday, March 27, 2020, to address issues relating to COVID-19 in the territory, had to be sent into recess over concerns raised about the foul smell emanating from the carpet present in the room. Photo: HoA/Youtbe
In accordance with with 'Social Distancing' practices in light of COVID-19, the House opted to move the sitting to the more spacious Save the Seed Energy Center in Duffs Bottom Tortola, instead of the cramped chambers of the House of Assembly building at its Road Town, Tortola office. Photo: VINO/File
In accordance with with 'Social Distancing' practices in light of COVID-19, the House opted to move the sitting to the more spacious Save the Seed Energy Center in Duffs Bottom Tortola, instead of the cramped chambers of the House of Assembly building at its Road Town, Tortola office. Photo: VINO/File
When the session opened today shortly after 11:00 am, members including Hon Melvin M. Turnbull immediately complained about the smell of the room, which also sparked a number of health concerns. Photo: HoA/YouTube
When the session opened today shortly after 11:00 am, members including Hon Melvin M. Turnbull immediately complained about the smell of the room, which also sparked a number of health concerns. Photo: HoA/YouTube
DUFFS BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- The special emergency Sixth Sitting of the Second session of the Fourth House of Assembly, today, Friday, March 27, 2020, to address issues relating to COVID-19 in the Territory, had to be sent into recess over concerns raised about the foul smell emanating from a floor mat in the room.

In accordance with with 'Social Distancing' practices in light of COVID-19, the House opted to move the sitting to the more spacious Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola, instead of the cramped chambers of the House of Assembly building in Road Town. 

However, when the session opened today shortly after 11:00 am, members immediately complained about the smell of a mat in the room, which also sparked a number of health concerns.

Strong Aroma 

"As it relates to the aroma in this room, and I understand from asking questions that the mat for which we are now standing and sitting on, is the problem. So I am asking from a point of privilege that we can have this mat removed, to prevent and help to protect members health because it is full with mould," Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) said.  

Both Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Fifth District Representative, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) supported the concerns of Hon Turnbull regarding the mat and asked for it to be addressed immediately.

"Mr Speaker, I rise to support the member for the second, whatever we need to do to ensure that the health of the members and the staff of this Honourable House of Assembly is preserved, we need to do, so if indeed the mat is the problem we need to address it immediately," Opposition Leader Hon Penn seconded.

'I agree with my colleagues on the other side... It is affecting me personally and you can smell it so I think we need to address it immediately," Hon Rymer said.

House Speaker, Hon Julian Willock noted that due to logistical issues, for the rubber mat to be removed all the furniture in the centre would need to be removed. He then sent the House into recess to have the problem addressed.

When the house returned it was noted that the mat was removed and the floor mopped, following the health concerns as raised by the members. 

Stream & Watch Live

The HoA is being carried live on CBN Radio 90.9 FM, CBN-Television Channel 101 on Flow TV, Youtube and you can also follow the coverage live online at www.cbnvirginislands.com.

One of the highlights of the sitting will be the first, second and third readings of the COVID-19 Control and Suppression (Miscellaneous and Provisions) Act, 2020, which will be introduced by Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL).

19 Responses to “Stench of rubber mat sends emergency HoA into recess”

  • ABC (27/03/2020, 13:14) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    The opposition playing games
  • Well Well (27/03/2020, 13:21) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    Seem like the great "Bish" have too much time to hop around sending voicenotes to disobey the government, but didn't have time to make sure his building is taken care of...WOW!!!
    • wow (27/03/2020, 17:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Waiting for it! (Government damage property)
    • House Mat (28/03/2020, 17:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Get your information right. The mat was brought there by The Government. The mat does not belong to New Life Baptist Church or Save the Seed. Narrow minded people
  • jj (27/03/2020, 13:42) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Set of jokes
  • Well Well (27/03/2020, 14:04) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    They deserve what they get ,where they were before was not big enough good enough so they had to go pay the Bishop To keep his mouth shut for all the offerings and thighs the curfew cost him not knowing mold was Right there waiting for them and if you think mold is any joke and not only that the place had that mold scent after the hurricane so it would be very bad now cause it’s a very long time so that should be black mold all through there right now and if you think corona virus bad mess with mold ,god still don’t like ugly .
  • Promoting Healthy Bones (27/03/2020, 14:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ohhh lawdddd they need some milk !
  • oh (27/03/2020, 14:38) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    So imagine the air quality persons working in these buildings are working in, whether trust companies, banks or government. This is what killing people not COVID 19.
  • Huh! (27/03/2020, 14:53) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ Well Well The question is who the hell brought in the carpet? Any guesses?? Im pretty sure Save The Seed has a basketball court which does not require a carpet. So trace where the carpet was rented from and then we have our answer.
  • really?? (27/03/2020, 15:40) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Someone need to sell this venue some decent wall pads if they are going to have photos taken. They are awful.
    • @ really?? (27/03/2020, 16:47) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Do you even know the use of them? Nothing is wrong with them they are not a backdrop!!its a Gym
      • really?? (30/03/2020, 10:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        any wall pad company worth their salt will laugh at your comment thinking those pads are fine. Do yourself a favor and google wall pads to see what they should look like. Those look like a child wrapped them.
  • 5 Day Lockdown (27/03/2020, 17:10) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    So we suppose to inhale stink garbage (and some homes and apartments have mold) for 5 days during the lockdown and these here can’t handle the smell of a moldy carpet for 5 mins. SMDH
  • Poor Children (27/03/2020, 17:30) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    I Hope that is not where they keep the children.
  • they stink (27/03/2020, 19:18) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    its funny how one lil mat sent them packing. they make workers sit in mold infected, poorly ventilated buildings like the CTL building in pasea, and the complex. the stench is in the air as you hit the door some days. we are in these buildings all day for months, years and people get sick over and over but they dont care. A lil mat and they could not function.
  • good for them (27/03/2020, 20:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    ......get what they went down there looking for!
  • the love of money (28/03/2020, 08:23) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The more you love it the less you get it.... He should have known to have his place ready for this big event. Now he lose that which he love most......money.....
  • Point of Information (28/03/2020, 12:27) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    the matter had nothing to do with the location because it was the items that HOA brought to the location which caused the issue aka the mattings which were placed down to cover the surface of the basketball court at the location
  • Not a circus for sure (28/03/2020, 17:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The speaker got the matter addressed and they finished the meeting that is the moral of the story


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