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by pltm
(PLTM) - The government’s proposed Recovery and Development Plan is lacking innovation and is being rushed through without proper public input, with the next general elections in mind. This is the view being held by Opposition Leader, Hon. Andrew Fahie.
He told BVI Platinum News that the $721M five-year plan, clearly shows that government has the people playing on their ball field.
“They took some technocrats, did a framework or plan; but let’s be real, there is nothing much innovative about that plan. It is just a matter of going to the different ministries or whatever they were going to do in future budgets, they just took them up and put them and call it a recovery and development plan,” Hon. Fahie said.
He added, “There is no wow factor in there to generate revenue.”
His comments come as government is holding public consultations on the proposed plan with stakeholders on Tortola and the sister islands. No dates have been announced as to when meetings will be held with the wider public.
“…Really and truly, it (plan) started on a flawed foundation. You have to go to the people first and then you go inside and put what the people tell you. You don’t do it the other way around,” Hon. Fahie asserted.
He gave an example of someone having to pen a speech for an individual.
“If you are writing a speech for me, you will come and ask me, ‘tell me what’s on your mind’, so you can help me write that speech. You cannot just come and write a speech for me and tell me ‘go say it’.”
He further said, “Because it may not reflect what I want to say…So those are some fundamental things that the administration continues to miss and want us to just overlook them, and just go ahead with whatever plan they bring.”
The First District Representative said that as leaders, they now have an opportunity to get things right.
“We cannot allow the political games of trying to speed up things just to get to the next general elections to look good; (and in the process) lose our Territory.”
He said, “We have to decide that we want to reach the next generation and not enslave the next generation.”
Hon. Fahie intends to present solutions for the future of the Territory at his upcoming Annual First District Report and Party, which takes place on Sunday, January 21 in Cappoons Bay.
