Anegada resident Darryl Ruan has accused the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government of failing to provide the island with consistent representation, claiming residents rarely get an opportunity to raise their concerns directly with elected officials.
Ruan, who spoke on radio this week during a discussion on the ongoing ancestral lands issues on Anegada, said government members should visit the island regularly to listen to residents instead of appearing only for official events.
“What I would love to see is one day out of every quarter, come to Anegada. And don’t come to pretend. Come and sit down and listen to the people, talk to them and find out what it is they want,” he said.
Anegada forms part of the Ninth Electoral District, represented by Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley. However, Ruan said he could not recall the last time a community meeting was held where Anegadians could openly discuss the issues affecting them.
He acknowledged that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley and other government members visit Anegada, but said those appearances are generally connected to matters such as the Commission of Inquiry reforms, constitutional negotiations or other organised town hall meetings.
“But when are you going to come to speak to the people and hear the elders cry?” Ruan questioned.
Describing the level of representation as virtually non-existent, he said: “Underrepresentation, I would say that’s an understatement. There’s none.”
Ruan suggested that the wide-ranging responsibilities assigned to ministers could be contributing to their absence from the island.
He singled out Lorna Smith and Stacy Mather as the two elected representatives who regularly visit Anegada and spend time among residents.
“If your name ain’t Lorna, you don’t touch Anegada,” he said, before adding: “Brother Mather does come as well, but other than Brother Mather and Honourable Smith, you do not see none of them.”
Ruan stressed that responsibility for engaging Anegada residents does not rest solely with the Premier or the district representative.
“It’s not just the minister. It’s not just the Premier. It’s the whole entire Government,” he said.
Despite his wider criticism, Ruan acknowledged that Wheatley has responded when residents needed assistance.
“When Anegada is in a bind, in a pinch, Honourable Vincent Wheatley has assisted the Anegada community and people in many ways,” he stated.
His comments follow similar complaints from residents of Virgin Gorda, which also forms part of the Ninth District. Residents recently accused the VIP Government of neglecting the island and raised concerns over water, electricity, roads, sewerage and other longstanding problems.
Ruan, who spoke on radio this week during a discussion on the ongoing ancestral lands issues on Anegada, said government members should visit the island regularly to listen to residents instead of appearing only for official events.
“What I would love to see is one day out of every quarter, come to Anegada. And don’t come to pretend. Come and sit down and listen to the people, talk to them and find out what it is they want,” he said.
Anegada forms part of the Ninth Electoral District, represented by Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley. However, Ruan said he could not recall the last time a community meeting was held where Anegadians could openly discuss the issues affecting them.
He acknowledged that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley and other government members visit Anegada, but said those appearances are generally connected to matters such as the Commission of Inquiry reforms, constitutional negotiations or other organised town hall meetings.
“But when are you going to come to speak to the people and hear the elders cry?” Ruan questioned.
Describing the level of representation as virtually non-existent, he said: “Underrepresentation, I would say that’s an understatement. There’s none.”
Ruan suggested that the wide-ranging responsibilities assigned to ministers could be contributing to their absence from the island.
He singled out Lorna Smith and Stacy Mather as the two elected representatives who regularly visit Anegada and spend time among residents.
“If your name ain’t Lorna, you don’t touch Anegada,” he said, before adding: “Brother Mather does come as well, but other than Brother Mather and Honourable Smith, you do not see none of them.”
Ruan stressed that responsibility for engaging Anegada residents does not rest solely with the Premier or the district representative.
“It’s not just the minister. It’s not just the Premier. It’s the whole entire Government,” he said.
Despite his wider criticism, Ruan acknowledged that Wheatley has responded when residents needed assistance.
“When Anegada is in a bind, in a pinch, Honourable Vincent Wheatley has assisted the Anegada community and people in many ways,” he stated.
His comments follow similar complaints from residents of Virgin Gorda, which also forms part of the Ninth District. Residents recently accused the VIP Government of neglecting the island and raised concerns over water, electricity, roads, sewerage and other longstanding problems.
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