Minister told: Be truthful or find another job

Representative of the First Electoral District Andrew Fahie has suggested that certain ministers of government may ultimately be made to seek another job if they are unable to provide the House of Assembly with ‘truthful’ information.

He noted that he is cognizant the information is often provided by technocrats; hence the need for ministers to keep technocrats in check.

“[I want to] ask the ministers to have some conversation with the technical people because some of the answers I see coming [to the House of Assembly] and the reality on the ground are two different things… I can’t agree with something that is not accurate,” Fahie said.

While claiming that Minister of Communication and Works Mark Vanterpool was not giving accurate information regarding drain cleaning in the First Electoral District, Fahie continued: “It is nothing [I have] against the minister; I want to make that clear for the record. He only can go by what they (technical people) tell him. But he either have to be truthful or find another job.”

Fahie made that declaration after repeatedly raising concerns about the quality of various answers that were being provided at the last sitting of the House.

In addition to Vanterpool who also blundered when he said piped water is being supplied to the Sea Cows Bay area 24 hours daily, Minister of Finance Dr D Orlando Smith also provided inaccurate answers to the legislature. They included information about the identities of some locals who were said to be partners in the ICA BVI Group, which has been selected to develop the state-owned Prospect Reef Resort.