Friday, December 4 – Acting Premier Honourable Dancia Penn, OBE, QC today presented a $25,000 cheque to a Sea Cow’s Bay resident who lost his home in a May 28, 2009 fire.
In making the presentation to Mr. Nathaniel Smith, Honourable Penn said “We were very sad to hear about your fire on the 28th of May this year. We know it was a great difficulty for you and your family and for the community because we are all touched by these events when they occur.”
The Acting Premier explained that “Government has a long-standing policy of providing assistance to any individual who loses his or her home to fire. It is considered a disaster and we have a special fund, called the Disaster Fund. Monies are allocated to that fund annually and it is to be used for the purpose of assisting with disasters.”
Honourable Penn further stated, “It is very important that the fund is used for the purposes that it is set up for. When grants are made from that fund, there is a committee which evaluates the situation and Cabinet makes a decision on whether to make a grant to a person or not.”
In a letter addressed to Mr. Smith, which accompanied the cheque, the Acting Premier wrote “This money is to be used only and exclusively for the purpose of the reconstruction of your home at Sea Cow’s Bay.
Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Julian Fraser, RA attended the handing over ceremony.
In his remarks Honourable Fraser acknowledged that May 28, 2009 would have been one of the worst days for the family, especially as it came on the heels of them attending a funeral.
He said today’s cheque presentation culminates tireless efforts made by members of Government. “I must say the Premier has been front row and centre in all this, making sure that this came into being, along with the Deputy Premier and myself; ensuring that the family has some kind of comfort in knowing there is a Government that cares about them.
Mr. Smith expressed deep gratitude to the Government of the Virgin Islands. “Thank you very much for everything,” he told the Acting Premier and Minister Fraser.
Mr. Smith was accompanied by his daughters Luna James and Hilda Pickering. Speaking on behalf of the family Ms. James said “We just want to say thank you to the present Government for presenting my dad with this cheque so that he can be comfortable back in Sea Cow’s Bay, his beloved village. I know he is grateful and very happy. We as the children want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
A cheque for a similar amount will also be presented to Ms. Eileen Frett of East End, who lost her home in a fire several months ago. As is the case with Mr. Smith, Ms. Frett is expected to use the money specifically for the reconstruction of her home.
The Government of the Virgin Islands is committed to providing whatever relief is possible to victims of disasters.
British Virgin Islands News