Resident Claims Government Has Abandoned Anegada
An Anegada resident has voiced strong criticism against the Virgin Islands Party administration, citing a severe lack of direct representation and community engagement on the sister island. The remarks follow similar concerns recently raised by Virgin Gorda residents regarding government attention and basic infrastructure.
Anegada resident Darryl Ruan has publicly criticized the Virgin Islands Party administration for what he described as an ongoing failure to provide consistent, genuine representation for the sister island. Speaking on local radio during a broader discussion on ancestral land rights, Ruan argued that elected leaders rarely visit the island to engage directly with residents outside of formal state agendas.
Ruan called for elected officials to establish a regular presence on the island, suggesting scheduled quarterly visits solely dedicated to hearing from community members. Natalio Wheatley have travelled to Anegada for official matters such as Commission of Inquiry reforms and constitutional review meetings, Ruan noted that such structured town halls leave little space to address everyday community hardships or hear directly from island elders.
Anegada forms part of the Ninth Electoral District, which is represented in the House of Assembly by Minister for Health and Social Development Vincent Wheatley. Despite describing the overall level of representation on the island as virtually non-existent, Ruan acknowledged that Wheatley has stepped forward to assist the community during critical moments of need.
However, Ruan emphasized that the duty of representation belongs to the entire government rather than a single district representative or the Premier. He specifically highlighted Territorial At-Large representatives Lorna Smith and Stacy Mather as the only elected members who consistently spend time on the ground interacting with residents.
The frustrations voiced on Anegada reflect wider dissatisfaction reported across the sister islands. Residents on neighboring Virgin Gorda, which also falls under the Ninth District, have recently raised alarm over persistent neglect regarding core public services and infrastructure, including recurring issues with water delivery, electrical grid reliability, road maintenance, and sewerage systems.
Primary source: BVI Platinum