The fourth day of a House of Assembly sitting that began July 22 continued Thursday with a lengthy question-and-answer session between government ministers and opposition legislators.
During the three-hour session, Julian Fraser (R-D3) stood in for Andrew Fahie (R-D1), asking ministers about the state of police and health services in the First District.
Mr. Fraser asked if there were plans to close the West End Police Station, to which Premier Dr. Orlando Smith answered in the negative.
Dr. Smith said the station, which had its opening hours reduced earlier this year, will soon undergo more than $145,000 worth of renovations. A contractor will be selected soon, he added.
Mr. Fraser also asked Health and Social Development Minister Ronnie Skelton about plans to discontinue government-funded transportation for First District seniors to the Cappoons Bay Clinic.
Mr. Skelton confirmed that the service, which was instituted by Mr. Fahie in 2010 when he served as education and culture minister, utilised MEC funds and served “a few seniors” in the district. The programme cost government $950 per month, Mr. Skelton said.
“Madam Speaker, as a government it is our view that such a service should have been assessed to determine the feasibility of providing the transportation for seniors who have a genuine need territory-wide and not just for one district,” he said.
The Social Development Department will consider how to best serve seniors’ transportation needs territory-wide, Mr. Skelton added.
See the Aug. 21, 2014 edition for full coverage.
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