The Dec. 19 House of Assembly sitting saw a wide array of inquiries from the opposition, touching on topics ranging from road issues in Sea Cows Bay to public-sector interdictions.

Opposition Leader Julian Fraser (R-D3) continued to lambast Communications and Works Minister Mark Vanterpool (R-D4) about infrastructure and utility issues in his home district, following a trend from the last several HOA sittings.

Mr. Fraser, for example, asked Mr. Vanterpool about the treacherous state of the road from Sea Cows Bay to Chalwell, which he said was affected by spilled concrete.

Mr. Vanterpool responded that the Public Works Department would commence with repair and maintenance works there in early January. He said that the road would need major repairs, and that he wanted to wait until after the holidays before beginning on them.

Mr. Fraser was unhappy with that response, saying it was “unacceptable.”

The opposition leader also asked about the status of repairs to Sea Cows Bay’s Bound-Tree Road.

Mr. Vanterpool said the repairs would begin in earnest sometime during the first quarter of next year.

“In the interim, the Public Works Department continues to carry out regular maintenance works to ensure that road is traversable,” he explained.

Water

Mr. Fraser also asked the minister what his plans were to provide the people of Sea Cows Bay, Duffs Bottom, Hannahs and other parts of the Third District with a reliable supply of water during the holidays.

Mr. Vanterpool said he was pleased to report that people throughout the area had been receiving a 24-hour water supply since Nov. 27, with the exception of four days when they received only an eight-hour water supply as a result of power outages.

Mr. Fraser debated the minister’s claim.

“I must not be living in the Sea Cows Bay area, because I don’t know about any 24-hour supply of water,” he said. “And the people in the area, … I want them to tell the minister exactly what’s going on, because we are not — and I repeat, are not — getting any 24-hour supply of water.”

He later said Mr. Vanterpool’s answer could “not be further from the truth.”

Ghut

Opposition Member Andrew Fahie (R-D1) asked Mr. Vanterpool when the ghut by Sappy’s Bar in Carrot Bay would be cleaned.

Mr. Vanterpool responded that it was his understanding that the ghut had been cleaned. Mr. Fahie disagreed.

“With the minister, I want to be honest, because I’ve been calling him lately and he’s been responding in the best interests of the people with some of the issues, and I want to be as fair as I can,” Mr. Fahie said. “But, for accuracy in the House, the technocrats send an answer to you the ghut is clean, but it is not.”

Interdicting

Mr. Fraser also questioned Premier Dr. Orlando Smith (R-at large) about the government’s policy on interdicting employees under indictment.

Dr. Smith responded by saying the 2011 Service Commissions Act regulates the government’s interdicting policy, in relation to both disciplinary and criminal proceedings.

When a public officer is going or about to go through disciplinary proceedings, that officer’s relevant commission — like the Public Service Commission or Teaching Service Commission — can advise the governor on whether public interest should require the officer to be banned from their duties, the premier explained.

Dr. Smith went on to say the relevant commission could also advise the governor on whether the officer’s continued presence at their job would jeopardise or influence the ongoing investigation. Based on these factors, the relevant commission could advise the governor on whether or not to interdict the employee or temporarily move them to another office, the premier added.