Shadow Minister Roban On Caribbean Relief
[Opinion column written by Shadow Home Affairs Minister Walter Roban]
Good Day Bermuda
In late December, the PLP mobilized to assist with flood relief for the hardest hit Caribbean islands of St. Vincent and St. Lucia. The substantial floods and landslides during the Christmas holidays resulted in the tragic loss of 15 lives along with damage estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
As a part of this relief effort, we assisted the West Indian Association, and other concerned individuals with two events: “Caribbean Flavours” which was held on January 31st at Riddle’s Bay Club, and the recent Friday, February 14th event, “Give from the Heart” held at the Police Recreation club.
Additional, we are pleased to see that government employees contributed via participation in a Denim Day.
Double Standards
However, what perplexes us is the seeming reluctance of the OBA government to make a direct financial donation to this relief effort.
You will recall that during the recent tragedy in Philippines, the OBA government donated $50,000 to help to rebuild the affected areas. However, it has been near two months after the event in the Caribbean, and the OBA Government has yet to commit to any form of direct cash donation.
As indicated by the OBA in November 2013, the government has funds put aside for donations for such emergencies. Yet once again, it seems as if they are backpedaling on their word to financially assist those in need.
We therefore call upon Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy, and National Security Minister Michael Dunkley to let Bermuda know, when the OBA intend to financially assist our Caribbean neighbors.
Thank you
- Walter Roban
Good morning Mr Roban, while you’re at it could you please offer your views on the Marine & Ports labour dispute? After all you held the Transport ministry for a while.
Additionally, the BIU president said that some of the issues have been ongoing now for 3 yrs. That means 2 yrs was under the PLP government. We look forward to you comments, or is this an issue you don’t want to touch with long pole?
Sen Robain – I believe this was addressed in the Budget but I question with money being so tight currently why you would make such a fuss or is this so you byes can get more opinion pieces in the Caribbean papers
Ah, OBA is sitting on $750 million
THANKS FOR LOVING ME SO MUCH, THAT MANY WANT TO ALSO NOW CALL THEMSELVES AFTER ME> I understand your deep love for me.
BUT we must be willing to give to all people whom are going thru a difficult natural disaster. This is not something to make game of or debate. It is a serious situations, as many folks are suffering daily. We should be able to come together in regards to meeting folks needs when they are confronted with a difficult situations, regardless of were they come from. This backwards and silly statements, is not necessary nor required. It achieves nothing of value.
We step in to assist the people of the Philippines with their natural disaster, and it is only reasonable that the government and the people of Bermuda.
Some folks need to grow up, and stop acting like KINDERGARGEN STUDENTS…same folks everyday
MUCH LOVE, prayers to our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean Islands.
If they wanted to, they would have already
Go ahead, stir the waters Walter…
Oh give it a rest bud, you give a short press release to bash the OBA but never once say what YOU actually achieved in this relief effort??? A blind man can see your agenda!!!!!!
By the OBA waisting more money on those islands plp will have more emmo to use against the OBA. PlP spend your own money
WOW
What a wonderful job has been done already to raise money for the flood victims (not that you told us how much has already been raised). Surely the donations made to this cause can be sent to those that need it most from the ‘People of Bermuda’. Why are you trying to making this another divisive political issue??? Childish behavior on your part yet again. If it is more funds you are after, why not write a letter to Bermudians asking them to try and host more events in aid of this cause?
Here we go again.
Taxi!!!!!!
Funny how he is there now. This isn’t the first time the carribean has suffered. What about when Cayman suffered greatly during the PLP time…we heard nothing then. There have been boat loads of disasters in the Caribbean. Don’t be fooled by him trying to play with your mind. Find it insulting that he even tried.
How much did the PLP directly donate?
Mr Roban is just a plain ordaniary “DEMAGOGUE”
Based on the donation to the flood in the Philippines which killed 56, thats a 893 per person donation. Therefore the OBA should provide 13,393 to the Caribbean relief.
Hundreds of millions? My family is from and most still reside in the Eastern Caribbean and we haven’t heard any estimates that even come close.
Either way we are thankful to all that have assisted in any way possible.
Oh please ….
I can’t even say, “Nice try.”
That little ‘opinion’ piece was just pathetic.
I try not to use modern day English but this article definitely deserves a LOL!
Ask Burt…he has all the answers
All the answers until he gets into power,then is party time again.
Really? Here am I reading this…feeling good seeing that a positive action has been performed to help people in need and then the tone gets destroyed by the second half of the article. This is so petty man, I’m not even looking at it from a PLP/OBA stand point….this is directed squarely at Minister Roban. Was that cheapshot really necessary? It seems like everytime I see his name in the news he’s complaining or pointing fingers about something. You could have utilized this article strictly to congratulate those who did contribute and left it at that and as mentioned by another poster, at least let us know how much was raised in total. This just isn’t a good look.
Funny it’s your supporters that have now been saying that we should be taking care of our own first and here your are scolding the Government for not sending money to another country for 15 dead and some damage… You must be out of touch with your party and reality. While I support giving to those in need in this humanitarian gesture like I did the Philippines with thousands dead it was the right thing to do. I just find this hypocritical at best and continues the questions on who the PLP represents. Also I too think after the donation is made it will be either to little or to much for the PLP depending on how they want to attack the Government on that given day.
LOL
I also see in the budget that the Keep Bermuda Beautiful charity had its budget cut to ZERO – maybe they should get some relief before we send cash off-island.
the strategy is transparent now…discredit by any means necessary. a good response would be to match the funds raised thus far. but no one is saying how much has been raised….very transparent
The strategy was evident shortly after the last election. It benefits no Bermudian save those that want power back…the question being whether there will be anything left to have power over.
Rayban apparently you have too much time on your hands.
If you can’t see that this man is just a trouble maker I can sell you checkerd paint.
If Mr Roban wanted to help the people he would not have made it a political statement……cannot help himself I guess…..
Trying to score cheap political points on the backs of other people’s misfortune.
Sad.
Is this man really complying about this????
Now the PLP really have run of ideas. My Lord.
I mean…complaining about this.
What about all the other natural disasters around the world? Should the OBA and the PLP also give to those relief efforts? This is a desperate attempt to make the OBA appear like it doesn’t care for black people now. What rubbish.
On our island,small minded people,always looking for conspiracy theories.
OBA don’t like Our Relatives from the south
That’s dumb. Where do you think Bob Richards’ dad came from?
He didn’t come PLP stock. Maybe you better find out where the oba finds surrogates. I may try to apply as next oba leader.
fail.
Perfect example,those PLP paid web trolls selling out Bda and their souls for personal financial gain,spreading ignorant garbage.
Roban,you should be ashamed of your self,,coming from your angle,why is it that you try politics on such an important cause? If nothing has been done why is it that you couldn’t just approach the right people about it rather then making it a political issue….