Fraser concerned over absence of senior citizen programmes

The senior citizen programmes in several communities across the territory have come in for scrutiny by Opposition Leader Julian Fraser, owing to their glaring absence at a critical time.

Fraser disclosed that senior centres in the East End, Carrot Bay, Brewers Bay and Sea Cows Bay communities have all been closed.

He said this was in addition to centres in Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Road Town; forcing at least one resident to travel from East End to as far as West End to participate in the programme in that area.

“I heard why Road Town is closed — because they got some government offices in there,” Fraser said.

The senior legislator also dismissed concerns that he was only advocating for the seniors programme because senior citizens likely form a significant part of his electoral base.

“I know they’re out there saying that, ‘he in there because he’s talking for his people, his old people’. Yeah, I’m talking for the old people because if God helped you to get old, you’ll thank me then,” Fraser stated.

The Third District Representative expressed that the senior citizen programmes in the territory were once the jewel of the government in the 1990s. The further said the government and seniors spoke about them with pride.

“Those people were looking forward to go to those centres, now tell me where the centres are?” Fraser asked.