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by pltm
(PLTM) - After being in the Opposition for just under two months, former backbencher, Hon. Melvin Mitch Turnbull is set to question Premier Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith and his Ministers on several issues, including financial matters, when the House of Assembly meets on January 15.
At the sitting, which may be the last before the next general elections, the Second District Representative, who is now a candidate under Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), will ask Premier Smith about BVI Airways; the financial position of the Territory as of 31st December, 2018; audit into the cruise pier project; police investigations into the Elmore Stoutt High School wall project; and several projects in his district.
“Where are the two planes that were purchased using tax payer’s money, who currently owns the planes, how will the BVI benefit from planes we don’t have, why hasn’t he updated the people of the Territory on the status of this agreement, and when he intends to account to the people of the Territory for the seemingly unrecoverable $7.2M?” he will ask Premier Smith, who he once publicly defended.
In relation to the ESHS wall, Turnbull will ask for the status of the Audit Report and investigation that the Governor has handed over to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
“If he has been made aware of any information from the investigation that the people should be notified of and has not yet done so; if yes, when does he intend to provide the people with this information?”
He will also ask Hon. Myron Walwyn, Minister of Education and Culture and Hon. Mark Vanterpool, Minister of Communications and Works, questions on projects being carried out by their respective ministries in District Two.
He will raise issues of water supply, hazardous roads, the difficulties surrounding the waste water treatment plant in Cane Garden Bay, and the mould and flood issues at the Ivan Dawson Primary School, among others.
Questions will also be asked surrounding the road revetment project for Cane Garden Bay from the North Shore Integrated Coastal and Watershed Stabilization Project, which was launched in June 2016. It was funded and implemented by the European Union and Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and partnered with the Government of the Virgin Islands.
It must be noted that no questions will be asked by new Opposition Leader, Hon. Ronnie Skelton.
Opposition Members, Hon. Andrew Fahie and Hon. Julian Fraser will also have several questions at Tuesday's sitting.
