ROADTOWN Tortola, BVI, April 14th 2011 - Responding to a caller last evening Monday April 11, 2011 on the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) radio programme “Let’s Talk’, who asked about her plans for the 8th district and her accomplishments, Hon. Penn outlined to the caller some of her many accomplishments during her term thus far but also admitted that there are more that she would have liked to achieve.
“I am not being immodest but I think I have a good story to tell to the people of the 8th district and to the people of this country, I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve them and I look forward to continue to serve them,” she said, but noted that she has a lot more ideas and there is a great deal more that would like to do.
“Being a member in the House for three and a half years, there are many things which I would have wished to do, that for many reasons I have not yet accomplish. Reasons beyond my control, in many instances, and some for other reasons I have not been able to achieve,” she told the caller.
In addition, the 8th district representative said she has also done her best to try to meet the individual needs and respond to those individual needs even as she tried to do everything else.
However, she told the caller that without boasting, there are a number of ideas which she brought forward and a number of things accomplished which she had promised to do for the 8th district and her constituents. Among her accomplishments, the 8th district representative spoke of lights up to the Prison at Balsam Ghut, the completion of road in front of Franklyn Daley’s home, commencement of work on Hawks Nest road and the consequent improvement to those who own land in that area, and the Francis Lettsome Primary School which is near completion.
She also spoke of the Sewerage Project, noting that never in the history of the Territory has East End in particular, the area from Long Swamp going up towards the airport, has been included in any sewerage project.
“One of the things that a leader has to have is a vision, and to be able to look forward. And I believe is a good vision and a right vision to include the East End area,” she said of the sewerage project, but also made it clear that there is sewerage problem in other areas as well which will be addressed.
Take responsibilities seriously
The Deputy Premier explained that she takes her various positions very seriously as they are all important and she believes in honouring promises and doing her best when she is in position to do so and when she promises to do so.
Apart from being the Deputy Premier, Minister for Health and Social Development, and member of the National Security Council, Hon. Penn also represents women parliamentarian for the Caribbean region in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Speaking in support of her Government, the Virgin Islands Party Government, and the important role bringing into effect the new Virgin Islands Constitution of 2007 when they took office, Hon. Penn said it is something that should not be underestimated.
“We had to put into effect the new constitution for this country. We met a constitution that said we had a cabinet and the Premier will tell you, there wasn’t one single thing put in place for a cabinet to function. It has been hours and hours and hours, and in fact when you add it up, weeks of work, setting up a cabinet, getting a handbook for a cabinet, getting guidelines, knowing how to make it work,” said Hon. Penn, noting that it may seem simple but it took a great deal of hard work, effort and commitment.
Ruth Dancia Penn, QC, served as the first local female Attorney General of the Virgin Islands from 1992-1999.
She then became the first local female appointed Deputy Governor. In 2007 she entered the political arena and defeated the incumbent Minister for Education and Culture Lloyd K. Black to represent the 8th district located on the main island of Tortola. She was then appointed Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development.
Article taken from Virgin Islands News Online
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