The BVI must introduce legislation to penalise the government when they commit acts that harm the environment and endanger the lives of its residents.
This is the sentiment shared by the Chairman of the Progressives United (PU) party Hon. Julian Fraser as he responded to a question during a debate that was held for political party leaders in the BVI.
The other party leaders included Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Hon. Marlon Penn and Chairman of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Ronnie Skelton, who were all asked how they would seek to implement the National Sustainable Development Plan in a measurable and effective way as premier of the Virgin Islands.
Among some of the measures listed by Fraser, he said the introduction of penalties for environmental breaches by the government, will assist with speeding up the process of having the respective breach or issue resolved.
Premier Wheatley said that under his leadership, his government was able to pass a National Sustainable Development Plan, something that was not done by any of the previous administrations during their respective tenure.
He said strategies are already in place to have the plan implemented in a systematic manner which will involve several stakeholders.
NDP’s Chairman Penn pointed to the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) as proof of his party’s track record in introducing entities to develop the territory.
He said as premier, his plan would be to move the RDA to a National Development Agency which will be tasked with implementing the National Sustainable Development Plan.
Meanwhile, PVIM Chairman Skelton said once the plan is truly sustainable and can withstand the test of time, his administration if elected, will implement the existing National Sustainable Development Plan.