Stop Camouflaging: There Are Real Issues

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Clifton Skelton/BVI Platinum News

(PLTM) - In its five years in office, the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration has been accused of portraying a fake 'robust economy’, and being pros with fancy speeches. Post Hurricane Irma, which left the Territory battered, and the NDP Government Members are being asked to stop trying to conceal the issues facing the people.

"We don’t want to create a full welfare situation, but if our people don’t get the help they need to get back on their feet, no matter what camouflage we put out there of the BVI rebounding, rebuilding, the true test will be when we see how the people are rebuilding, how are they rebounding," Hon. Andrew Fahie, Leader of the Opposition said during the House of Assembly last week.

Hon. Fahie, who has personally been accommodating persons in his home, said that there are persons out there who are homeless. This, he said, is compounded with some shelters closing.

"The people of the BVI have to be heard and met, because a number of them have nowhere to sleep. A number of them are sleeping in their homes where the roof has gone; a number of them cannot even go and get the estimate for their homes or cars because they do not have the cash. A number of them are still looking for clothes," Hon. Fahie opined.

He added, "We have to ensure we pass whether different Acts, different polices, to make sure we get these addressed…A number of persons under insured their homes, not because they wanted to, but because they couldn’t afford to pay the full amount."

No Unrealistic Expectations

The First District Representative said that no one is blaming the government for the destruction Irma left, and in no way is he asking that residents have unrealistic expectations on how they are going to get out of this.

"This is going to take some time. It's going to take some time and I want the government and all of us, when we are speaking, we know that BVI is strong, but we want to be realistic with the people when we are speaking with them because once we name the issues, they don’t mind struggling with us and building back," he said.

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However, he noted, "But we don’t want to make it seem like the BVI has bounced back, it’s the full road to recovery and we are getting there; that might look so because the roads are clear, it might look so because certain things are better than it was during that time."

The Opposition Leader said that he is thankful for the progress thus far.

"...Because we have to continue day-by-day to get better, but at the same time in the belly of the country, there are some real issues, and if the people of the country issues are not dealt with, then the country is not truly progressing."

He added, "That is what Irma taught us. Irma taught us that the BVI is about the people, not about the sun, sand and sea."

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