RATED programme gets $2.3M bump but needs directors
Deputy Premier Lorna Smith has expressed gratitude for Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s suggestions to improve the RATED programme and the financial boost it received. However, she highlighted the need for directors to manage the programme and ensure its success.
The RATED programme, which stands for Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment and Development, was designed to streamline beautification efforts across the territory; finding temporary jobs for unemployed people and offering training opportunities to others.
However, Smith noted that the programme has not been working as intended and requires significant changes. She called on all members of the House of Assembly to work together to fix the issues.
“All of us in this House need to fix it. All of us use it, some of us more effectively than others, but as it stands, it is not working,” she said.
Smith acknowledged a recent financial boost to the programme, with an allocation increase of approximately $2.3 million through a recent Schedule of Additional Provisions (SAP) in the House of Assembly.
The Deputy Premier emphasised the importance of using these funds effectively to achieve the programme’s goals. “I’m hoping now that we’ve gotten $2.3 million in the RATED programme that this will lead to some improvement — some significant improvement and our country will be one that we can be proud of,” Smith said.
Senior director suggested
One of Premier Wheatley’s main suggestions, which Smith supports, is appointing a senior director to lead the RATED programme. She believes that strong leadership is crucial for the programme’s success.
“I am grateful that the premier has made some very useful suggestions, including having a director, a senior director to head the programme. It is one way of making it work,” she explained.
Smith also proposed a return to the basics, suggesting that the territory be zoned and designated persons responsible for maintaining specific areas. She believes this approach would lead to more organised and effective beautification efforts.
In addition to addressing land-based beautification efforts, Smith highlighted the ongoing issue of derelict boats in the waters around the territory. Smith expressed concern that boats continue to litter the sea, even amid another hurricane season, making the area unsightly and potentially hazardous. “We can’t continue to let it look as decrepit as it is both on land and on sea,” Smith said.
Smith was also pleased that the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) showed interest in supporting cleanup efforts, and she expressed hope that visible action would be taken before the end of the year. “We can’t expect to do everything at the same time, especially since we have limited funds. If we can clean one area at a time, be it Sea Cows Bay, be it Road Town or wherever we should try to clean it up,” she urged.
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is creating more jobs for cronies
they are creating more jobs for unemployed & underemployed. Yes to more direction move away it from DWM leadership.
Put the Rated Programme under your Ministry and get it out of Thevaminkatey of Natural Resources and Labour. I still think the programme is a waste of time the roads are still not fixed. The persons managing the programme picking and choosing which areas to clean. Nonsense!
That’s easy. Your son, daughter, close family. They’ll get the job.
And those he promised would supervise those jobs. Same people over and over and leaving out others who could do the work and they need the money to help themselves. Who do we call for this one? God? Such as fake.
You really cannot make this shit up! Director for f**king what? RATED is just a watered down version of PWD and Solid Waste Dept so why not let them run it. This is just fucking stupidness now. NOTHING in the RATED program to help unemployed. They just found a new fancy name for ghut cleaning and bush cutting.
RATED placed ppl in various government offices they added road cleaning and other stuff for ppl who had little not no education ♀️. I’m not saying the program is the best but it did alot more than you know alot of these new young public officers got the positions they currently hold through the program but guess u kno all so
Move away from DMV so that you all can put someone who you would 100% control. As far as many know DWM is fairly dealing with the districts to get the work done so why move it. It’s already being micro-managed by your ministry and seeing the same persons working over and over with so many more waiting. Oops they did not vote for your party. Got it.
Why can’t we prioritize our present situations and conditions by rectifying and solving them. Stop rushing to thwart funds that probably will be mismanaged. By the way, they said that Tolians don’t want to work ( reason why we have so many expatriates working in the Public Sector, especially Airport and Port Authority) hmmm
The expatriates contacting their friends for the jobs and sidelining BVIslanders. Don’t be fooled.
“Move away from DMV so that you all can put someone who you would 100% control. ”
No… move it away from them people who like to cover themself instead of making the right decisions. Meanwhile picking and choosing because someone pull them up & challenge their crap.
They are not fair if you piss them off about doing their job factually guess what they lash back based on nothing but continue believing their are fair. Those type of leaders cross the wrong set eventually but the status of director is nothing compared to a lawyer.
I can literally expose the bs but I choose not to. Sometimes you just have to sit back and watch them catch a fire spontaneously.