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by pltm
(PLTM) - Under the proposed Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency Act 2018, the ministers of government will lose much of their powers to the agency's board which will consist mostly of persons chosen by the Governor and United Kingdom (UK).
This is according to Hon. Ronnie Skelton, Minister of Health and Social Development.
Speaking late Friday afternoon, March 23 during the debate on the bill, he said that Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr D. Orlando Smith, will also be stripped of his powers of finances.
Hon. Skelton begged Premier Smith to not allow the bill in its present form to go through the House of Assembly. He said that the UK is turning the clock back to yesteryear, after they have fought so hard under the 2007 Constitution to handle their own affairs.
"Giving us £300M, but you getting 1 percent, the elected officials of this country, minister of finance who is responsible for all financial matters in this country under part (a) of the Constitution-they are taking that power away from the Minister of Finance. And the Financial Secretary who needs to know how much money in the country, he doesn't even have a say," Hon. Skelton said.
He described the UK's actions as disrespectful and said they are basically giving the BVI a knife to cut their throat.
"They are so disrespectful, they tell you that the agency will bring something to the HOA, how is the agency going to bring it to HOA if it's not through a minister. They are a government onto themselves?"
He said that the BVI government needs to stand up to the UK and defend its people and rights.
Skelton said that if the UK didn't want to provide the guarantees and grants then they should have said so. He mentioned that the Social Security Board (SSB) has some $650M, and noted that even if the government gets a $100M to at least do some works, they can live within their means until they can do better.
"We are here considering the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Act, we went through it with some proposed amendments. Then a correspondence came, we (UK) want this change and that change. What kind of democracy is this, if we are suppose to make laws, they assent to it, how can they direct you what to put in a law. What kind of foolishness is this, this is wrong and this needs to stop," he argued.
The Health Minister spoke about the appointments to the board.
"The governor has three appointees in here-director, deputy director, nominate a member and then the UK nominate a member. That's four members. The Premier got one and the Leader of Opposition got one too. This is foolishness," the Minister said.
He said that this is happening because the BVI is in a vulnerable position and the UK is taking advantage.
"I don’t know why we are scared to stand up. What are they going to do to us? Take back the Constitution, then we will make another decision, but this is wrong."
He said: "If you are going to give away the rights that I have right now because I beg you for a little money then I don’t need your money....They fooling us, come like we are a bunch of idiots."
Hon. Skelton said that he can live with the amendments proposed by Members of the House of Assembly during an informal meeting but not with the current bill.
"Don't give up our rights, it will come back to haunt future generations," he said.
The debate continues.
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