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by pltm
(PLTM) - Amidst a host of accusations against the National Democratic Party (NDP) led government, stemming from poor financial management and mismanagement of government resources, one man has taken up the mantle to declare the Ministers of the current administration unfit to lead, noting that they should tender their resignations immediately.
In an address to the people of the Territory, last evening, May 23, on ZBVI radio, Ishmael Brathwaite, local politician and member of the People’s Democratic Party in the Virgin Islands, stated that the government continues to ignore the needs of BVIslanders, and should be held responsible for the downfall of the people.
“They are constantly letting down the people of the BVI. If these amateurs are not interested in representing the people of the BVI, why did they run for the position? Is it because they were more popular among the electorate?”
He said, “Political representation entails more than just being popular; there are legal, ethical and civil responsibilities to be met after winning an election, and they have come up disgracefully short of those expectations. I’ve never felt so embarrassed, disappointed and abused by the performance of our representatives.”
He accused the government of lying to the electorate, having no shame, no sense of patriotism, as well as no commitment to the economic future of BVIslanders.
Brathwaite also accused the government of being more concerned about foreign bodies and international investors, rather than their own people.
“Who entered the polls on election day to elect this government to represent their interest? Whose interest does our constitution say our elected representative should represent---other foreign interests or BVIslanders? Who does our constitution say they should represent from discrimination? Does our constitution say our representatives are above the law and therefore shouldn’t obey the law?”
Brathwaite continued, “An examination of the answers to these questions, demonstrates that this government has lost its direction and consequently has become redundant and irrelevant.”
To this end, he noted, “I call on this government to immediately tender their resignation to the electorate of this Territory or be involuntarily removed.”
“The present irresponsible mismanagement of the country, the mismanagement of the public finance, lack of transparency, lack of accountability, lawlessness of the representatives and loss of direction, have reached an intolerable level," the politician said.
Brathwaite also called on Her Majesty’s Opposition in the Virgin Islands, led by Hon. Andrew Fahie, to step up and speak up on these issues, noting that they have been very silent.
“I have not heard a word from the opposition. What is the position of the opposition? We need to hear from them on these matters.”
He also made a call for politicians across the Territory to band together to remove the NDP led administration from government.
“We call on all the candidates who participated in the last election, that if they have any genuine interest in representing the electorate of the BVI, to join in the process against the NDP government.”
He added, “We call upon the mobilization of a brand new political group, who are genuinely interested in BVI political management and not just for their own interest. Any concerned citizens who are ready and interested in new leadership of the country can contact me. This is just the beginning.”
