The Government of the Virgin Islands, led by Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley, faces mounting criticism from the Opposition, which has accused the administration of deflecting blame for its shortcomings onto former Premier Andrew Fahie.
Fahie is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence in the United States for drug trafficking and money laundering.
At a press conference held on Tuesday, September 3rd, Sixth District Representative Hon. Myron Walwyn and Second District Representative Hon. Melvin Turnbull voiced their frustrations with the current administration.
Walwyn charged that the government consistently uses Fahie as a scapegoat whenever issues arise. He further accused Premier Wheatley’s government of poor management, asserting that critical sectors have been neglected and mismanaged.
Turnbull echoed similar concerns, expressing frustration that the government continues to blame Fahie for its failures, rather than addressing pressing issues in the territory.
The press conference came on the heels of a no-confidence motion put forward by the Opposition, which outlined a series of reasons why they believe the current government should be removed from power.
Key points of concern included: underfunding in the education sector, insufficient government support for small and medium businesses, neglect of the agriculture industry, and the failure to implement necessary mechanisms to support a recent minimum wage increase. The motion also condemns the state of public infrastructure, rising crime rates, and the “filthy physical state” of the territory.