Mather wants to see govt’s plans for sister islands
Territorial At-Large Representative Stacy ‘Buddha’ Mather said he wants to see the government’s plans for the sister islands following the recent budget presentation.
After the budget was read, Mather said he was more critical of the content of the Premier’s budget address than the presentation itself.
Mather argued that the Premier was able to identify areas of concern to the public, but said there was a need for him to elaborate more, which would have made it more understandable to the public.
“What are the government’s plans? For example, tourism. [There was no mention of] the arrival centre at Beef Island. We don’t know if there’s funds there for that,” Mather stated. “We look at Anegada, the sister islands, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda. What are the plans for those islands? How are we doing things for them? So the budget should be a budget that addresses the entire territory, all the needs and the concerns of the territory.”
The first-term lawmaker said he was pleased to hear the Premier speak about the civil service and acknowledge the fact that many civil servants are being paid below the cost of living in the Virgin Islands and about his plans to address it.
“But again, we’re going to be spending more money. How are we increasing our revenue?” he asked.
Premier Wheatley also spoke about fire stations and Mather said he knew fire officers have been suffering with a building that needs to be demolished.
“But you’re talking about renovating the Road Town Fire Police Station, but it needs to be demolished, and we know this,” Mather said.
“[The Premier] was able to give statistics. He stated numbers, the total number that we spent in the budget, estimated revenue, etcetera, and for the most common person, those are just numbers,” Mather said.
He added: “But when it comes to speaking to the core of what is bothering people; many of my colleagues talked about crime. How are we increasing our fight against crime? What is going to the police? What is going to be done? Statements that could have been made to give the public a better understanding.”
Mather said he was looking forward to the Standing Finance Committee stage of the budget proceedings where the ‘nitty gritty’ of the budget will be sorted out.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Mather is a waste of time. Back to YEP in 2027.
@ Yawn – you make me laugh because of your ignorant statement looking up votes! The minority wants the status quo to remain the same so they can personally benefit. You spoke to nothing the Hon. Mather said. Like CSC coined – ‘an empty kerosene pan’ you are….
What plan? you mean wait until people protest or sick out over something then rush to put a band aid fix on it?
What is your true purpose as a rep boss man?
Why are you looking for plans from government for the sister islands if you can’t present yours first?
Show the people that you have a plan and the government is falling short ion theirs so they should have you on the executive branch of government and not who is there now.
Come on man!!!!!!
Is Mather or ANY of the opposition in a position where they have a chance if changing Natalee ir the cabal’s mind? If you think so then I got some prime land off Anegad called the ‘drop off’ I can sell you all to build your mansions in the sea!
Haters gonna hate Mather. Ask the relevant questions that WE voters and non-voters want to know answers for. Don’t mind the noise – the vipers running scared while the VIP GOVERMENT sinks this territory further down the crapper!
so where is the official notice that the premier and deputy and other are officially out the territory and their return dates
is the yellow site the official govt page.
who is keeping these people accountable
what is wid this opposition…
Stop hating on the yellow site because they have the scoop from the ndp days in official
What are the plans for the Sister Islands???
Ask the Minister why she has the Yep Centre for
Virgin Gorda on hold. Yes, she has it on hold because Hon. Mather made some comments on the Campaign Trails and this is her way of getting back at him But guess what its not getting back at Hon. Mather its getting back at the Idiots who voted for them. Yesss. Anyone ask the question why the Yep Centre project on Virgin Gorda was stalled. Virgin United was ready to go. If you don’t believe what is going on in BVI, make this one your first truth….
Mather is a waste of time. One termer.
is published 2-3 times weekly and lists all the ‘acting’ civil servants when any elected minister is outside the BVI.
Let me answer that for you buddy..”there are none”
Innovation is not a word intheir lexicon. We elected a bunch of less mofo’s that are clueless. Look at the Government side and show me (1) successful individual that did anything MAJOR outside of sucking odd the public like leeches! Not one!
Plans? Boss they have none! Kai expensive and utterly useless kiosks in the market square – what’s been the ROI on that? Social impact – zero.
Watchman? More like Sleeping (Not)Beauty!
VIP are scammers – watch their faces food when you see them…
All of us agree. What are the plans? Anegada does nit even have a real clinic, no resident doctor