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by pltm
(PLTM) - While on the topic of advancement, ownership and creating rich history in the British Virgin Islands, Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Julian Fraser made known his view that if the Territory continues to overlook locals and hire outsiders, this may cause damage beyond repair.
Hon. Fraser made this statement while speaking at a town hall meeting last Thursday, October 20th at the Sea Cows Bay Community Centre.
Hon. Fraser spoke to the prosperity of the Territory, noting that no society can prosper if its citizen are not a part of its success. It was on that note he expressed that this is particularly seen in the financial services sector.
“We have managed to develop a world leading financial services sector in the Virgin Islands and successfully exclude the people of the Virgin Islands from that success.”
He went on to state that this practice needs to come to a halt, as its consequences are detrimental to the Territory and its history.
“Right now, if we don’t slam the brakes on an emerging trend to hire outsiders in lieu of locals, it can cause irreparable damage to our Territory.”
Hon. Fraser then went on to highlight examples of this practice in the positions of the Commissioner of Police, Superintendent of Prisons, Director of Public Prosecutions and CEO of the BVI Health Services.
He added, “It appears that the Ministry of Health and Social Development is the biggest culprit in all this, as they have decided to contract and retain in the country, both the former Director of Public Prosecutions and the former CEO of BVI Health and Services Authority.”
The Leader of the opposition further noted that persons of the Territory should not be blamed for this act, but rather the Governor.
“The trend I just mentioned regarding the hiring of people from outside, it's not all our doing. We still to this day have a Governor for the Public Service. He appoints every last soul in the Public Service,”
He expressed that the Governor's power over the Public Service should be given to the people of the Virgin Islands.
“I am not telling you that we are ready to assume that responsibility. What I am saying to you is that it is long past the time we should have a Governor in this Territory appointing members and staff to the Public Service. Whether we are ready or not, let’s get ready.”
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