Wheatley says its hard to balance jobs as Premier and District Rep
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said it has been challenging over the last few months to attend to the needs of the territory regarding implementation of the proposed Commission of Inquiry reforms while catering to the needs of his constituents in the Seventh District.
Dr Wheatley was thrust into the role of Premier following the arrest of his predecessor, Andrew Fahie who is facing charges related to drugs and money laundering in the United States. Since then, the UK has accepted the Dr Wheatley-led Government of National Unity’s proposal on how best to implement the COI recommendations without suspending the BVI’s constitution.
However, given the requirement of his role as Premier and the tight schedule for implementation of the reforms, many Seventh District constituents have felt neglected.
“It is certainly difficult to balance the needs of the entire territory as well as to respond to the needs of constituents in the district. Of course, we try to make ourselves accessible as much as possible,” Dr Wheatley said.
“I have a district office, many people know my number and of course, they contact me directly, they call me, they have me act on their behalf and of course, we are in discussions with various ministers. Works going on in the district, etcetera,” the Premier added.
The Premier also acknowledged the infrastructural challenges faced in his community and he said he hopes to get them sorted out soon.
“You mention the Seventh and Eight District and certainly I am hopeful that the [East End/Long Look] sewerage project — they were waiting on some material — really gets going because with the sewerage project, the roads will have to be dug up and after those pipes are laid, we can have a major investment in the roads in the Seventh District,” Dr Wheatley stated.
“Of course, this is something being led by the Minister of Communications & Works, Honourable Kye Rymer and we certainly will be in discussions with him because we expect better roads in the Seventh and the Eighth District,” he added.
However, given the requirement of his role as Premier and the tight schedule for implementation of the reforms, many Seventh District constituents have felt neglected.
“It is certainly difficult to balance the needs of the entire territory as well as to respond to the needs of constituents in the district. Of course, we try to make ourselves accessible as much as possible,” Dr Wheatley said.
“I have a district office, many people know my number and of course, they contact me directly, they call me, they have me act on their behalf and of course, we are in discussions with various ministers. Works going on in the district, etcetera,” the Premier added.
The Premier also acknowledged the infrastructural challenges faced in his community and he said he hopes to get them sorted out soon.
“You mention the Seventh and Eight District and certainly I am hopeful that the [East End/Long Look] sewerage project — they were waiting on some material — really gets going because with the sewerage project, the roads will have to be dug up and after those pipes are laid, we can have a major investment in the roads in the Seventh District,” Dr Wheatley stated.
“Of course, this is something being led by the Minister of Communications & Works, Honourable Kye Rymer and we certainly will be in discussions with him because we expect better roads in the Seventh and the Eighth District,” he added.
