Speaker should summon absentee ministers — Walwyn
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn called on the Speaker of the House of Assembly to summon government ministers who failed to attend sittings, arguing that their first duty is to the House and the people who elected them.
Raising a point of privilege during the July 3 sitting of the HOA, Walwyn said lawmakers must prioritise their responsibilities to the legislature, especially when answering questions on behalf of the public.
“The first call of an elected official is to the House of Assembly. You are not elected as a Minister of Government. You are elected to the House of Assembly, and it is out of the House of Assembly that your executive responsibility flows,” Walwyn asserted.
He criticised the absence of key ministers during the day’s question-and-answer session, including the Ministers of Health and Education, who were both reported absent due to other duties. The Deputy Premier was also absent.
“I had a graduation in my district… that I missed because I had to come to the House of Assembly, which is my first call,” Walwyn explained, stressing that ministers should follow the same standard. “Whenever the House was called, I sent the Permanent Secretary. Because the Permanent Secretaries are there for that purpose,” he added.
The House Speaker acknowledged Walwyn’s concerns but noted that it did not change the fact that the ministers were not present. She explained that their questions could either be withdrawn or deferred to the next sitting.
Walwyn, however, insisted that responses were owed to the public.
“The questions that I’m asking are… on behalf of the people of this territory, which should be answered [and] held accountable by the minister,” he said.
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Myron is right. How could they not turn up for the House of Assembly which is their first responsibility and they know that they have questions to answer. These people that we have as leaders are not serious or ready for leadership. Sharie Decastro believe that if she doesn’t go to the graduation the children wouldn’t graduate still? Doesn’t she have a permanent secretary who could fill in? Isn’t the Chief Education Officer also there at all the graduations? The same with Vincent Wheatley. They would use any excuse to escape being accountable to the people of the BVI.
What if the House of Assembly meets say every Friday, or every other Thursday like clockwork? A fixed weekly or bi-weekly schedule would bring predictability, transparency and accountability to the legislative process. No more guessing when debates will happen or when Ministers will face questions. With built-in flexibility for emergencies and recesses, this system Balances structure and responsiveness – making the House of Assembly work better for the people and not at the whims and fancies of the politicians.
They usually meet on Thursdays like clock work so it isn’t a “what if”. Everybody know where the hell they suppose to be and when because of something called “advance notice “. They need be dished out a hefty fine for each sitting missed. How it is you know in advance that you have questions to answer and you do not provide a valid reason for your absence in advance. This would not fly in any regular work setting. The crooks have identified themselves, allegedly.
That is not true, there are currently no fixed sessions, that’s why the House is often adjourned Sine Die.
This was a recommendation made by the Constitutional Review Committee. I believe it is one of those measures that should be implemented, particularly to ensure that sittings of the House of Assembly follow a fixed and predictable schedule.
The minister of education does not make it her business to visit schools all year but seems like no graduation can go on without her. They have to send out schedules of dates and time to accommodate her and the CEO. Both of them are rarely seen visiting schools during the year. They want to micro manage everything in schools. They don’t need to be at all of the graduations or Exit Ceremonies. The education system has really become a mockery by certain people.
I remember when schools planned their ceremonies and made them nice send offs for their students. Those were the days when we had mature adults in the ministry of education. Now it’s the CEO way or no way at all. It’s frustrating teachers and principals but nobody can talk because then you become the enemy for expressing your opinions.
They have teachers doing everything but they want to plan ceremonies telling you what to do minute by minute, that makes no sense.Again, the minister needs to go to her HOA meetings. She nor the CEO does not have to be at every graduation for photo ops as though they support teachers all year which they don’t.
This education system is just a mess and frustrating…
…like parents who you don’t see or can’t get to come to a meeting for the whole year. Yet, they are up front and centre at awards and graduation ceremonies.
Because graduation time means photo-op time.
“ah tek ah pickha, click”
The CEO nor minister do not need to be at every graduation ceremony. I remember the days when this did not happen, yet the graduation ceremonies went well. They want to be in every photo but no presence to encourage or support the students and teachers during the year.
The ministry’s job now is just to micro manage. That’s why they sent minute by minute plan to be followed for ceremonies. All to accommodate them. She can send the gift with any officer but it has to look like she’s doing so much.
He can’t control the opposition but he want to run the government let he go Antigua
You sound soo stupid.
Sharie just want it to look she doing work. She shows up for the photo op and to give prizes from the tax payers money. The PS could do that. The CEO could do that and there are almost 100 education officers and either one of them could do that. She would do anything to avoid going where she has to work. The graduations don’t stop if she ain’t come.
The speaker is biased
JUDGE JULI-ANN YOU NEED YO PUT MON YOUR WIG AND TAKE THE TRIP TO ANTIGUA , BECAUCE THATS WHERE YOUR DAD WAS FROM , ITS A SHAME HE LEFT A DUPLICITOUS PIECE OF SH*T TO ANNOY US ON A DAILY BASIS WITH OVERGROWN EGOTISTICAL NARRATIVES
those comments are stating uequivocally, “you tek wha yo pay for.”
In essence, when you elect incompetent minds to do a job requiring competencies,there will be squald failures across the board.
Hence, there clear no confidence in the current bunch of elected officials that they possess the requisite politicla pedigree to get things done beyond pocket enrichment.
You read the same article like me? You overdoing the thing man. The article ain’t say all them things you here saying
Toddlers in a candy shop is what we have.
We need to clear the toddlers out and the candy and just leave the M and M’s. Marlon and Mather. Don’t agree with Marlon much but he is an adult.
@Buzzbvi
When things finally go south, this and worst is what Black Americans will be facing all over again. Any soul thinking differently is a fool without eyes to see, without knowledge and a brain to know to get out.
Can’t really tell whether you one of us or not, but when it comes to who most inteligently positioned to serve, do not take or leave the best mind we have today.
As, regional prejudice should be relegated to the
trash heap of history,or atleast letin reside in the minds of dummies and deviders.
Mr. Walwyn is a son of the soil born Tortolian. Hence his mental and intellectual abilities should be used in the running and development of his country.
Hollering “go back to Antigua” will not profit Tortola or Tortolians any. It will only take away needed assets that will help the country forward.
Stop falling for the external divide and conquer tactics by your and our enemies.