Willock gives new gov’t 7 out of 10 rating
Former House of Assembly Speaker Julian Willock has given the new coalition government a seven out of 10 rating, stating that they are doing well given the number of challenges they’ve faced during the first one hundred days in office.
The current administration is a coalition government formed by members of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and Deputy Premier, Lorna Smith.
During an interview with Grenadian-based media WPG10, Willock listed several challenges he believes the Virgin Islands Party overcame, to justify the rating he gave them.
“The VIP came into power under enormous headwinds. They faced the COI, they faced a barrage of one-sided reports from the Auditor General in which only her side was heard and no one was interviewed to balance the reports. They faced the arrest of our former Premier Andrew Fahie and so on,” Willock said.
“Despite those challenges, the VIP was able to win six seats — just one shy of the seven-seat majority need to automatically form a government. With that small margin, I supposed one could argue that if they had another week or two, the VIP would have won their seven seats,” Willock explained.
During the interview, Willock was also asked to explain the main things the VIP administration has done well in recent months. The former House Speaker cited the deal with American Airlines which has resulted in the resumption of direct flights from the US to the BVI.
“Some of the other things include the COI recommendations — they (government) have completed over 75 per cent of those. The other thing they’ve accomplished is the formation of a new ministry (the Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade) to bring focus to some of the important economic engines of the BVI,” Willock said.
The interviewers also quizzed Willock about the cries for infrastructural improvement from residents.
One interviewer Val Henry asked: “I hope you’re not minimizing the real problems you’re having in the Virgin Islands with water and electricity. Because from many reports, it seems to be a serious issue, isn’t it?”
In response, Willock said those issues are important and are present in developing countries in the region. He also added that if the government doesn’t address these issues, it will be a serious indictment on their part.
“To their credit, they are moving towards some fundamental issues. For example, the Minister of Works said one of his issues is funding and the Premier said he is willing to go and get a loan to address some of these issues. Water is essential, electricity in 2023 is essential but at least you’re seeing signs that they’re willing to take the necessary steps to address these issues,” Willock explained.
The government is taking steps to address infrastructural concerns including those linked to roads, water and electricity networks. While some have commended leaders for their efforts, others say the upgrades are not being done fast enough and the protracted delay continues to affect the quality of life of residents and tourists who live and vacation in the territory.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Why do we care what this man thinks? Why do we give him air time? Why is this news?
Who cares what this charlatan has to say? He’s one of many architects that brought about this current state of the Country!
Who cares what he think he was part of the worst set we ever had leading this place.
Hello, why would Willock think that we need him to come on here with his”think he knows it all plights? And want to even punce on how the Auditor General audit was not challenged.He failed us at WAS, and in the PS, we allegedly had to tek back the Vehicle, and when he was terminated he allegedly lamblasted others saying he did nothing wrong.
Didn’t he share the Proceeds of thegrants that he applied for on behalf of hi parent and his Son for personal gains because he didn’t want his name caught up ?
Didn’t his son also recieve more scholarship money than stipulated? , why is/was this guy given much more preferencial treatment.
Now you tell us who needs to be locked up?.
WHO THE HECK CARRS?
This man don’t see that nobody cares about him or what he thinks. Tell him bring back the Covid grant money that his family members got. This delusional, self important bull f**g just need to be gone. He make me sick to my stomach.
The government paid his legal fees that the court said he should have paid of course he will give them 7 out of 10. Just imagine the court said he must the lawyers for the other side but Natalio take up our tax money and allegedly paid the lawyers instead.
Commenting anonymously on its owners own editorial, the “free press “ wonderful!
Willock is always representing us very well overseas I remembered his bbc interview love him or hate him we need a 100 more like him and Lorna smith
Big up bvi prince
Well he would like them as his kids got hundreds of thousands in “education “ grants
Look at the first 4 blogs the same person with different names bossie jealous kills. Esteem we the silent majority got you
Many of us do! Willock is the man period
Has he paid back Government for his legal bills as yet?
Ok Marlon you said that in the sap committee now you on here with it. The esteemed is not your problem keep your eyes on an ndp internal election bro
You got to give it to Julian Willock, if he say one word anyplace he makes the news! The man has reach mehson
Stimulus
Somebody take this lu**tic to the asylum please. And make sure the asylum is on another planet.
THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR VIEWS WILLOCK, WITHOUT YOU MANY OF US WILL BE IN DARKNESS
The l**ney toon is now blogging for himself on this site the same way he does on the yellow site
A negative 7 for sure -7.