COI rules are retarding our progress
Opposition leader Ronnie Skelton has bemoaned the recent systems that have been put in place to curb government spending, saying the rules are retarding the progress that national heroes have achieved for the BVI.
Skelton made the declaration in the House of Assembly on October 13, as the government took steps to name 10 national heroes for the territory.
Skelton hailed the bravery of the 10 stalwarts, saying their acts have led to the present success of the BVI. But he said “because of mistakes that some have made, they have systems in place to retard the progress of our country.”
“Let’s take the flood that happened the other day. The Minister of Works couldn’t clean the roads. He had to get some competitive bids to clean the dirt off the roads. Those things are studpidness! And they are retarding the growth of the country,” Skelton stated.
“Something is seriously wrong and whoever is doing that – whether its COI or whoever is responsible – it is wrong and is retarding the progress these people (heroes) have made for us,” Skelton.
“I drove on the road and there is still dirt and little rocks that will break windscreens. If you’re telling me that you have to get competitive bids to clean that, something is wrong,” Skelton added.
The senior legislator also urged the members of the government to speak out against the “wrongs” adding that opposition members shouldn’t be the only ones voicing concerns.
Elected leaders have been vocal about the changes brought on by the Commission of Inquiry (COI), saying the new systems have limited the powers of elected leaders, although they were touted as good governance measures.
However, Governor John Rankin – who is overseeing the implementation of the COI recommendations on behalf of the UK – has urged residents to insist that the changes are implemented and followed in order to prevent the recurrence of abuses identified by the COI.
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I have 2 questions. Is there a public works department? If so, what is their role? The real retard is the leaders who suggest they cannot get dirt off road because they have to give out a private contract for that. Why do we have to double pay, one for public workers and another for private contractors, to do the same job! Yet, it only get done half arse.
Stop talking gibrish! It is about time we see the value for money from that stagnant investment (and even backward aka retarded investment) that is the tax dollars being spent every year towards the salaries of the public service. Put them to work and stop talking retardedness. Must be another self-serving argument. Some conflict of interest contract they looking. Retarded people cannot learn and move forward. They stuck on retarded. Enough!
COI rules are retarding theft from government purse.
Lorna could be right. Maybe anything was better than having Ronnie as Premier, even if it meant jumping ship. Lorna was trying to tell us something. So far, I have not seen why Ronnie would have made a better leader. At all. Opposition, I do not think you have it together. Poor leadership is damning on both sides. When that is the case then it is simply better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. Had you all listen to Lorna and made Marlon Premier, we would not be in this mess. I am disappointed in the folly that I have to witness today on the 18th day of October in the year of our Lord, 2023. Talking about heroes? Strwupes.
No Brother – It is you and the successive elected Governments that have retarded this Country!
This is NOT your money, it is OUR money, and accountability for that which you spend is at worst a matter of common sense!
You got SOOOOOOO rich off the backs of the people you claim to represent and have no shame whatsoever! As an opposition leader you do not seem to give a damn. Even seems to be somewhat of an aggravation for you at this point. Yet, as leader of the opposition, you have been given the most valuable part as the voice of the people and do nothing to bring the accountability and checks and balances required to keep the current group in power under watch!
DO YOUR DAMN JOB!
Are the drugs , the guns , execution style murders and corruption ADVANCING THE PROGRESS OF YOUR COUNTRY SIR ???? where were you all time bro ❓️
What do you expect when successive governments have GUTTED the public works department. If we had a functional public works department, no bids would be needed as this would be part of the responsibilities of PWD. Now that we have rules to stop the overspending on petty contracts you crying?
FIX PWD!
If the government had simply prepared a little in advance they could have had a contract in place for emergency road clearning services. Is flooding after a tropical storm on a caribbean island truly a mysterious event that nobody could predict? No you ministers are just mad someone took steps to take away that cookie jar y’all love to thief from!
RONNIE WAS THE BETTER CHOICE FOR PREMIER
Oh, Ronnie still there. I thought that he retired as he hasn’t said anything for a while now
If you want to see public works,water and sewage, and solid waste works just take a walk thru the ghetto during working hours.
Sorry but you’re wrong Hon. Skelton,
This is what’s req’d to get us out of the mess we were in. Get used to it, it’s the way the world does business. The days of “We’re Different” are long gone.
Ronnie, I cannot believe I am reading this. How can you blame the COI for this?? Any country that is properly run have plans in place to act quickly in the event of a disaster. You cannot wait for the event and then try to contract to get the work done! This, to me, is solely a reflection of an inept Government. Get it together guys and gals and stop the blame game. It is really tired now and shows you are not capable of leading this country.
Speaking about disappointed…the lady in the corner joined the bandwagon of pointing the finger to the Governor as it relates to our security. I heard her for myself on T-Radio last week and I am so disappointed because I did not expect her to continue this rhetoric started by Fahie, continued by Wheatley and now her!! The issue of security is a matter for all of us and pointing the finger to the appointed UK Governor is again a reflection of us not being ready to properly govern ourselves!
I always thought that was the role of PWD. What am I missing here?
Ronnie Skelton you are retarding the BVI.
Interesting choice of word…..
As was intended. The plan and purpose was never to uplift the country or its people, but to tear them down, disintegrate everything,create scisims, callopseses and choas on the political front, bring in the military and other political imperial mechanisms to take over, hoard the country and all its resources, especially the money, enrich themselves for them glutinous greedy self.
Yes!
You are correct. Your post could receive 1000+ dislikes it won’t change this fact. Amongst the 3, he was the best one.
@ Facts.
That is a Fact, but our people are to poitically stupid, blind and inept to see, know or make good political judgements.
Hon Ronnie leave these set ah stupidy people alone let them suffer….They are too simple minded