‘I hold the people responsible’ — Fraser on government’s failings
Third District Representative Julian Fraser said he holds the public responsible for some of the issues that continue to remain unresolved under the present Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration’s watch.
While speaking at an Opposition press conference recently, Fraser said many things in the territory need to be rebuilt and even more that needs to be built for the first time.
Much of his criticism centreed on the non-functioning incinerator at Pockwood Pond, a community within his district, and the failure of successive governments to address the challenge.
The veteran legislator further insisted that he was not going to let up until he sees that certain things are accomplished.
He stated: “I hold the people of the territory responsible for this. They would tell you about things that are interesting but not important. Yea, there are things that make news and sound juicy, but they’re not important … They pale in comparison to the things that I’m talking about.”
Poor water distribution is ‘third world living’
The legislator offered an anecdote about the resource challenges facing the government in making fixes to the territory’s road infrastructure. He empathized with residents who he said may not understand why fixes are made elsewhere but not in their community.
“It’s the responsibility of the government, who promised the people when they were running for election, that they’re going to fix the ails. Fix all the ails that the other government had,” Fraser stated.
He then proceeded to lambaste the poor state of water distribution plaguing the residents of his district, yet another longstanding issue that has remained unaddressed for years.
“How long can we continue to tolerate the fact that water is shut off in the afternoon and don’t come back until fore-day in the morning? That’s third world country living. We’ve gone past that long time ago. We have to stop it,” Fraser asserted.
According to Fraser, he was not simply criticising the government, but was instead advocating to ensure that the country functions properly and that his constituents are satisfied.
“If the process entails you becoming frustrated and think that I’m picking on you, I promise you that that’s not my intent. But if that’s the way you feel then go and fix these things that I’m talking about,” he said.
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Fraser is the man
Very funny, have you see the state of Sea Cows Bay
The standard practice of politicians is to try to create some scandal elsewhere so that people dont look closely at what they have been doing. Or not doing with $1.4 million of our money.
The people are responsible for the VIP being in power. We voters do not take the time to understand the issues in the country. We like too much gossip, rumors and false news so whoever feed us the most of that is who we believe and vote for. We don’t check anything for ourselves and those with the loudest mouths seem to be ones we believe. We forget the old proverb that says “empty vessels make the most noise”. Then we turn around and vote based on personalities and not on who could move the country forward. This is why we have ended up with the greedy, incompetent bunch that we have. If we do not start taking a more mature approach to voting we will end up sinking our country while we are busy supporting a political party just because they give us handouts and stimulus money that we don’t deserve. We better wake up before we destroy the whole place.
Fraser all of this was going on while you were in the government and never done anything about it. We all agree that these things should have been done a long time ago, under your government the NDP government, and the Andrew Fahie government.
Fraser is one man. What could he have done? He is correct, the people of this Territory are responsible.
he single-handedly ruined the SCB water plant. Instead this Minister for Traffic Lights and Number Plates had the power to make a difference.
The VI (British), as 1of 17 remaining non-self-governing territories, operates as a parliamentary representative democracy and as an Overseas Territory(OT) of the UK. It would not be prudent, effective nor practical for approximately 30,000 VI residents to meet to debate, discuss and decide on how to effectively governing the VI. Instead, typically, every four years eligible voters go to the polls to send 13 members( 9 districts reps, 4 at large) to the House of Assembly (HOA) to represent they and their interest.
However, sending reps to the HOA does not mean that residents give up their power and rights to politicians. It is erroneously believed that politicians have the power. No, true power resides with residents. For example, election is constitutionally due no later than the spring of next year(a snap election can be called at any time though; a date certain for general election is needed as is the case in UK) and during the campaign politicians are humbly pleading and begging for votes, overpromising all kinds of tings.
Moreover, if residents want their interests effectively addressed, they must collectively hold their reps responsible and accountable, rewarding top performers and kicking under performers to the curb. Nevertheless, keeping politicians responsible and accountable is normally punted, for many voters place their self-interest over national interest. Political patronage and dependency are the tall pole in the tent of VI politics.
Further, politically, economically, socially, etc, the VI should be much farther along than it is. The shortcomings and blame cannot be laid at the feet of any one government. Successive governments must shoulder the blame. Looking forward, without a well-developed, people-approved and effectively-executed national development master plan, the VI
will continue to stagger and underperform.
Real talk. But who is listening? Those slopping at the trough will continue to slop rather than put country first. They are not that patriot to even sacrifice a little for the good of the country. The country has to completely collapse to get people attention. And even then they will revert to their old selfish ways. Everyone was hoping that Irma would have changed behaviors and attitude. Wrong! Sometimes the village needs to be burn down to save it. The old adage of Harry say you will here is applicable here.
Think that this is an approval for the UK to help sort the place out, set it on the right path, and find VIslanders that care about the VI and the people and put them in power for the future. Not the train wreck of so called leaders the place has been plagued with for the last 30 years.
We can sort out own mess, thank you.
Do they agitate for us to come sort their mess?
Their plate is running over with mess also. Do you agitate to help them clean up?
Just so tired of the lazy brained intellect, brainwashed and colonialized minds agitating for more devilish colonialism.
Who the h**l needs more of evil?
The problem is that capable people with an interest in representing the people do not come forward to run for office. If the Government is going to declare a snap election we still will have nobody to vote for. And then again it might just be a popularity contest, are people going to vote for the persons capable?
My Boi, you will survive very long in the BVI with this straight talk. BVIslanders ( notice you don’t use the name BVI) want but they don’t to sacrifice for the change. We want things ready made and fast. We have adopted the fast food mentality towards everything. We in trouble mehson.
Fellow Virgin Islanders, read and heed. This is one of the more substantial posts this week, if not a while. Reality, truths, action………..and it is free advice. Other than time to read and digest, it didn’t cost VI taxpayers a penny. Small effort with big results.
Your argument would be more valid if it wasn’t for the fact that residents cannot ordinarily vote. There are not 30,000 people enaged in the political process, it’s about 10,000. So having 13 represetatives actually seems quite high, especially considering that they are not representing the ~20,000 strong disenfranchised majority of the population.
This voting set-up does not encourage accountability or effectiveness of government due to the low voter numbers and higly enmeshed familial relations between voters and poitical candidates.
So, until the few who can vote exercise some discernment and ambition to progress, nothing will change.
@@E. Leonard, true, not all of the approx 30,000 residents in the BVI can vote. The BVI is not alone, for some residents in most countries may not have the right to vote, ie, US, UK, St. Kitts, Singapore, Nigeria, Australia, USVI, etc. Nonetheless, though all residents in the BVI may not the right to vote, those that cannot vote no doubt have political preferences that factor into elections. Further, decisions made in the HOA benefits all residents, eg, water, electricity, sewage, healthcare, education, etc. The census counts or attempts to count every manjack in the territory. Counting everyone determine the level of services needed and where those services should be allocated.
Not all residents can vote !
Ditto to PT09… in complete agreement with you. Here we have a gentleman whose time in the light has proven unfruitful and is now seeking some form of relevance as he goes to pasture. There is nothing to these tidbits that appear in the papers from him so much so that he’s relegated himself to talking about the furniture in the chambers. How sad. You may take your leave now sir and enjoy your time in the light of your setting sun.
@Jonathan Well said
For the past 8 years Andrew I live in the first district with you, please if it’d possible that I could receive some street water up by me. I can’t afford to continue buying water 4 times a year. Your consideration would be highly appreciated thanks!
You guys came strong ? ever since he got played by his one time buddies , he has bee choosing his words and steps carefully
Frazer and Fahie always have a leadership Feud. Now with what im seeing now I have go ask. Would frazer be a better leader than Fahie?
Most definitely. Fraser is years in maturity – you’re seeing the cover only. Fraser is very compassionate about the BVI and people.y
What’s up with the district funds.
Can anybody shed some light on this very gray area of government funding.
Simply, it is a vote buying scheme that provides an unfair advantage for incumbents. The allocation is partisan, rewarding supporters, friends, etc. Accounting and reporting requirements are poor and loose. On another note, what about the $2,000 housing allocation for HOA members? Government and Opposition may disagree and argue vociferously but they are on the same page on the housing allocation issue. Did VIP rescind the housing allocation? Drum roll…..NO. Districts and At Large members are public servants and so are the other 2600 public sector employees. Shameful double standards in daylight. People, as another blogger noted, we have the true power. Use it.
Real talk. Everyone of the 13 HOA members will defend the housing allocation. Should other public sector employees get a housing allocation? If no, why should HOA members? Let’s us debate this issue. As E. Leonard noted, the electorate has true power. Let’s use our power for the public good. Some of these politicians are full of themselves and arrogant. Several years ago, a current member was railing about having to go through immigration on a return trip abroad. Constituents have to go thru immigration, returning to the territory, do they not?
We dealing with dregs, Meh Son. What kinda leaders we does produce in this place. Ones that forget they were in power when all of this was going down. Both parties are dregs
MR Frazer’s time is up , time for him to go, not on his own, but we the voters of the third must vote him out.
Who was responsible for the d*m traffic lights around the roundabout fiasco? All now you claim no blame even though the consultant told you it wont wotk. Go siddung.