ROADTOWN Tortola, BVI, April 1st 2011 - Speaking in an exclusive interview with VINO recently, the Accountant by profession said while he cannot predict the future, “I am confident that I have done enough for my constituents in the district and I have contributed enough to the overall development of the Territory locally, regionally and internationally to deserve a second chance but that is left to the people.”
In explaining why he is the best man for the job, Hon. Harrigan stated that he ran for office because he is a service orient individual who began to give back to the community for many years in which he was a cub scout, scout leader, president of St. Georges PTA, president of the Basketball Association, president of the Leeward Islands Basketball Federation and president of Rotary Club of Tortola.
The first time district rep, who was elected in the 2007 general election, admitted he was pleased that the residents were confident in electing him.
“After trying two unsuccessful terms I was happy. I appreciated it very much and I set out to do what the people and the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) set out for me to do,” Hon. Harrigan told VINO.
Not doing enough?
The 5th District Rep is aware of the criticisms by some that he has not done enough for his constituents citing he is a ‘fresh faced’ politician.
When asked to comment on this, he candidly stated that “there are a number of restrictions when you are an elected member.” He pointed to the obstacles district reps have to go through to get things done.
“Even when you are a Minister you are restricted with funds. You have to bear in mind there are nine districts and 13 members. It’s not you alone with all the pie, the pie has to be shared. When you are a backbencher you have to rely on the applicable departments to process the necessary documents before the documents reach the Ministers for approval and carry out the projects you want to do in the districts,” Hon. Harrigan clarified.
In addition to that, Hon Harrigan pointed out that there are individuals who did not vote for him and therefore could be some of his harshest critics. He chuckled “They probably won’t vote for me again…I hope I have done enough to change their minds.”
But on a serious note, the 5th District Rep said he has all the documentation of the works done in his district. He also stated that half of his district finances are given to persons who have financial difficulties due to various reasons.
This, he added, is not a building, road or retaining wall you can see, nor is it published in the papers when it is occurs, but it is a significant help to those persons in need.
Accomplishments and disappointments
Before he divulged what were his accomplishments and disappointments, Hon. Harrigan reiterated the point that because of the economic challenge faced by the Territory over the past three and a half years, “funds were not just there like in previous years”.
However, one of his greatest milestones was restoring the Resource Centre in Huntums Ghut and re-introducing the vital After School programme.
“In 2007, I had to restore the district’s resource centre after the previous representative Delores Christopher cleaned it out because she lost. So I had to go and get all the computers, furniture, air conditioners and even the sign that was outside identifying the location for the Fifth District Resource Centre. She took everything. ” Hon. Harrigan stated.
Also under his watch, a playground was erected at Fahie Hill and plans are in progress to have the playground at Sand Box Road renovated. A number of hazardous roads and compromising retaining walls were constructed, as well. Additionally, rails were installed at the watch house for safety and the community centre at Long Trench has been refurbished.
Hon. Harrigan also pays close attention to the Enid Scatliffe and Althea Scatliffe primary schools.
The 5th District Rep also revealed that he has about 32 projects and counting in the pipelines he would like to see come to fruition. One being the Huntum’s Ghut ghut.
“The devastating flood of October 2010 has shown the need to have it properly engineered and construct proper drainage. The most urgent of these would be the main ghut that comes down from Great Mountain and surrounding areas. When completed we could revisit the concept of having this serve as an alternate road,” he disclosed.
Meanwhile, one of his disappointments is the watch house. “If I was in charge of it, from the inception, I would have first consulted with the residents. The residents wanted it to maintain its historical features while providing bathroom facilities especially for the users and tourists,” Hon. Harrigan said.
Likewise, if elected to another term, he would push for an extension for the Resource Centre, where it will house a proper library, have a bigger hall to hold community functions, among other things.
He would also like to see the Long Trench community centre be expanded to accommodate an After School programme and other programmes and events for the elderly and young alike. He would also negotiate for the purchase of land above the centre to accommodate a basketball court.
Hon. Harrigan also opened up about the Huntums Ghut Development Project which he said will have to be discussed with the residents. The development includes a community centre, covered basketball court and a tennis court.
The entire project would cost a ‘significant’ amount of money, Hon. Harrigan added.
“Therefore, given the economic climate we are living with presently, we would have to prioritise all projects to ensure that the selected projects benefit the community, young and elderly alike.”
Article taken from Virgin Island News Online
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