Former Opposition legislators determined to bring change to new portfolios
The two former Opposition legislators, Marlon Penn and Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull said they are determined to work towards bringing change and resolving the issues their portfolios have had over the last several years.
Under the new National Unity Government headed by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, former Opposition Leader Penn was sworn in as Minister of Health & Social Development, while Second District Representative Turnbull was sworn in as Minister of Natural Resources, Labour & Immigration last Thursday at Government House.
The new Minister of Health & Social Development said that in moving forward, he must first assess what is happening in the Ministry then he will be able to chart a new path forward.
“It is a new paradigm in the BVI right now with what is happening with the new unity government. We have pledged collectively to work for the best interest of the people. Work for good governance and reform in terms of moving forward,” Penn said.
“So, we must determine our reform efforts in terms of moving forward and stabilize the areas we must stabilize. But I must assess what is happening,” Penn told BVI news.
“I do not know what is happening on the ground, but our focus right now is to reform and stabilize the country and move things forward,” he added.
In the meantime, Penn said there will be a handover process with former Health Minister Carvin Malone. He said he will use the opportunity to have dialogues with the Territorial At-Large member on the key issues in the portfolio.
“We intend to do so to ensure we understand where we are in the Ministry and what are the key issues we need to address and then we move forward. But at the end of the day, the next six to 10 months is focused on reform and stabilising the territory and the economy and moving forward,” Penn said.
Meanwhile, the new Minister of Natural Resources, Labour & Immigration said he has already received his orders, which are to address and correct the ills outlined by the Commission of Inquiry recommendations. He added that for him, it is not to only do what is recommended but to do what is expected of him in the new role.
“As a government totally, we are going to focus on the issues surrounding that but in the ministry under my portfolio, [I’m going] to work with the persons there to ensure that we make the corrections to address the issues and set a new charter and a new way forward for the people of the Virgin Islands,” Turnbull said.
“Those plans once properly assessed by my team, once again, under the leadership of our new Premier, we will get our marching orders and look at the areas of concern and we will find a way to partner with the persons and the support from the United Kingdom government and the governor’s office to do what needs to be done,” he added.
Turnbull said he will be working with the former minister Vincent Wheatley as he is still part of the National Unity Government, and everyone will be working in tandem to do what is needed and get the job done.
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At this point, if they were serious about their jobs and responsibilities, they would know what will take to fix things up. It’s depressing 🙁
Hon Turnbull you seem not to understand the mammoth task ahead to turn around the worst run ministry in the territory.
Meeting and working with Wheatley tells me you not hitting the ground running. There is a capable permanent secretary there is your man.
No matter what, it’s more understandable for incoming Minister to meet with outgoing Minister. What is so wrong in that! Some of you all just want Immigration and Labor Department to you alls benefit. It things not working out in you alls favour, you all going to attack the Minister, Department Head and Government Administration no matter what.
I so tired of you all whinning, crying and bauling! The BVI don’t owe you all NOTHING!
Smh thank you because you are actually telling me to shake my head. You can’t be serious. Where have you every seen a former minister handing over to an incoming minister. That is left in the capable hands of the permanent secretary. BVI is fortunate to have an exceptional permanent secretary in labor. Listening to him at the Coi I was thinking why couldn’t him be the minister. Forget ineptness and the old guard. This new minister needs to put the right foot forward and to do that Wheatley can not advise him.
It has nothing to do with not liking the decisions of no particular department immigration otherwise. The ills of these departments reflects not the head of the department but the line minister. Let us be honest Wheatley was not the brightest bulb in the room which reflected in why it was the worst ministry.
The new premier made the right decision by not even making him the junior minister. why we are there please hurry up and find a speaker. Bring back the former speaker, this is not a job for a sheep
The issues around work permits (both new and renewals) needs to be a priority. It is a travesty that it takes months to complete this process. Please let us know how this process will be improved.
MR.MT ,please leave vw where he is . Be yourself and assess the current state of things and make your independent and firm decisions. VW had his own pitiful agenda to satisfy his ego. ?
I wish I could give this comment 10 likes.
Minister Turnbull, I am a BVI Islander but you also need to be fair minded about the expatriates in this country who are working hard paying their tax and social security and NHI and their employers stealing the money leaving them in a vulnerable position where they have to pay for it themselves or go back to their country. This is unfair and wickedness. They need to be held accountable.
Majority of our people go to the US mainland or the UK for a better life themselves and the expatriates comes in here to build up this country. Much respect must be given to them.
Fair is Fair. Its time this nonsense stop!
i don’t believe a word of it
Mr Turnbull I am happy for you I remember the last I see you and we hail each other I ask hiw are you and you say …I am ok just keeping out of the government business…but now you are in it so you really need to check why a person living here for 330 years in good standards and all now can not get is paper process as belonger…I know people who interviewed from last year and all now not a word from anyone to say what happening
We won’t believe you all until you UNDO ALL FOOLISH AND UNJUST POLICIES MADE AGAINST EXPATS, NOT TO MENTION ALLOWING EMPLOYERS TO GO SCOTFREE WITH NHI “THEFT”. GIVE BACK THE POOR WORKERS WAGES AND RETIREMENTS.
agreed at your comments. This non payments of the expats taxes has to be in the forefront. There are a few I know who has been called to have their naturalization, but could not because their taxes is not paid. One of the criteria is that five years taxes of good standing has to be entered along with other papers. Now, it would become legal and fair play for those who has to seek other measures towards their those who oppressed them.
You can start by UNDOING ALL THOSE UNJUST AND UNMERCIFUL POLICIES AGAINST POOR EXPATS NOT TO MENTION THE DISGRACE RONBING OF THEIR JOBS, WAGES AND RETIREMENTS. EMPLOYERS WHO CHEATED THE NHI AND GOT AWAY SCOTFREE PUTTING BLAME ON POOR EXPAT. BOOK OF JAMES SPOKE AGAINST SUCH WICKEDNESS.
PRAISE MY HEAVENLY FATHER FOR REMOVING THESE DESPICABLE PERSONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
VinCENT Was SENT OFF while MITCH get SWITCH on
Well MALONE stands ALONE while MARLON comes along…And whatshallwe say about WILLOCK …wellllll he has just run out of LUCK!
Start with the INJUSTICE and the WICKEDNESS in the workplaces. Look at the overdue files Labor is hiding under the rugs and do not want to with!
I GLAD COI took place!!!
My question is what’s the recourse for all the people who have been here past 10 years and have been illegally denied an opportunity to apply for permanent residency due to the current policies. Even the government website says in the notes section that applications will not be considered for persons residing here less than 20 years. I remember going in to the government office to request an application form and the lady refused to give me one as I had not resided here for 20 years, mind you it had been 18 years.
How can someone live her from they were 2weeks old and now 19 years old. Have been a resident for 8 years named on their parents residency certificate and now being told she have to apply for residency and does not qualify for work permit exemption under the former minister oppressive policy.