ENVY: Walwyn claims some local investors are being sidelined
BVI News senior reporter - Friday, December 28th, 2012 at 8:41 AM
Minister of Education and Culture Myron Walwyn
Minister of Education and Culture Myron Walwyn has warned that government should ensure local investors are no longer sidelined in an effort to get overseas investors into the BVI.
Using three scenarios to drive his point home, Walwyn told the House of Assembly that everything legally possible should be done to help locals who want to invest in sectors such as tourism, financial services and retail.
He questioned why overseas investors sometimes brag about the BVI being the best place to invest while locals are left frustrated by the actions of departments such as Trade as well as Town and Country Planning.
“The point that I am making Madam Speaker is that the same things that we are doing and the same approach that we take to investments coming in, we must do the same thing Madam Speaker for local people who want to do investments in the country. So when you hear other people speak about BVI is the best place to do business, but when it comes to local people we’re having problems – doesn’t speak well for us,” Walwyn declared.
He made reference to a female “stalwart” who was putting up buildings in town, trying to improve the skyline of the territory.
Though not calling names, Walwyn disclosed: “Every week they stop her! Every week they stop her! They find some reason to stop her. And it says to me like our people aren’t suppose to have nothing. They bring the woman to tears. In this hard time of economic uncertainty and you are finding local people who want to invest – we have to do all that we can to help them.”
The minister did not state the specific reason the construction works were being halted presumably by Town and Country Planning.
However, he repeated his call for expat workers to be taught Virgin Islands History if they hold senior positions in private or public businesses. Walwyn noted that some of them are making crucial decisions without knowing the history of the territory, including places like Wickham’s Cay.
“It’s important because we have people in Town Planning who don’t understand the history of this country – don’t understand the story, dates and so on and how we have to fight to get Wickham’s Cay. And they gonna sit down there and say that Wickham’s Cay has too much buildings on it and so they are not approving any more? They know where Wickham’s Cay come from? And that’s part of the problem that we have,” Walwyn lamented.
He also implied that some of the decisions against local investors were made out of envy by persons who don’t want to see progress in the BVI.
The minister said: “Sometimes when people come and they look and sometimes they driving over there by the college and they look down and see all those big houses – Madam Speaker – with those nice swimming pools and so forth, some of them get a little concerned.”
“They try to wonder how our people have been able to get to where they are. And they try their best to frustrate the process. And we cannot afford to let that happen to our people. We should make every effort to help our people to invest in the economy of these islands. We will be the better for it,” Walwyn further stated.
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16 Comments
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There is a very simple solution to this problem. Hold the contractor responcible for not following the aproved plans and then you’ll see who is really the culpit. These guys are as guilty as it comes when they know they don’t have aproved plans. They push the envelope to see how much they can tack on. The banks are also not paying attention and you know they are seeing whats going on. Hold the contractors responcible.
why myron dont stick to minister of education and culture……matter of fact why he dont start paying his workers at the mooring more.
Mr. Walwyn, really?
It just amazes me that you would IMPLY racism is responsible in this particular situation.
“And it says to me like our people aren’t suppose to have nothing.”
“It’s important because we have people in Town Planning who don’t understand the history of this country – don’t understand the story, dates and so on and how we have to fight to get Wickham’s Cay. And they gonna sit down there and say that Wickham’s Cay has too much buildings on it and so they are not approving any more?”
Can you say (with a straight face) that there are not too many buildings already on Wickham’s Cay?
Have you tried to park in that area in the past 4 to 5 years? Have you driven a car in Road Town on any given business day?
In my opinion, Town and Country Planning has a LOT to answer for! Allowing the downtown area to become as congested as it is, with no proper parking areas REQUIRED for ALL businesses. I can only surmise they were subjected to exactly this type of political pressure to allow the downtown area to get so bad!
You are really out of order here using such a CHEAP SHOT by implying that racism is involved. This sort of thing is beneath a man in your position. SMH in disgust!
I like Myron but this time I can’t side him with this bull crap. It doesn’t matter who you are, rules are rules especially when the wider public is being affected. If it was her building a house out in the hillside I would say pardon, but this is in the city, heart of Road Town. From what I understand, there was a plan and they deviated from it, making it bigger. Where is the parking? None at all.
MORALE of Walwyn’s story: LET EVERYONE ACROSS MOST CARIBEBAN COUNTRIES BREAK ALL THE DAM LAWS. After all, most of us have some form of rebellion in our history. Even worse Wicham’s Cay struggle is nothing compared to what was experienced in many other Caribbean countries. Respect the other man’s struggle – U R RUDE.U mouth will cost u the next election. I BET MY FINAL DOLLAR
Planning controls should apply whoever you are but Myron is trying to defend the indefensible: There has not been enough planning in Road Town and what there has been has not been enforced. To allow new commercial buildings with no parking is wrong whoever builds it. To allow that building on the dual carriageway is wrong and dangerous – I will be amazed if there is not a serious accident caused by vehicles going on and off the road.
there might be something in “to many buildings” where is the parking for these buildings? All the Building Owners in Wickham’s Cay need to buy up the remaining land to provide parking for their tenants and customers.
Not the whole Kerosene Pan lol.
Expats are allowed to put up commercial buildings in town so the analogy does not really work.
Moreover, the fact that you were involved in riots some years ago does not mean that you are now exempt from planning laws. The building in question is in a very dangerous spot and should have been stopped before it started.
Sometimes I wonder if Myron who is a lawyer knows the importance of the broader picture and the full story. He takes these one-sided stories to the House. He is just bringing down the integrity of that place. Come on Myron! U r a lawyer, I expect better. U JUST HATE EXPATS and you totally forget u r the child/grandchild of expats.
You heard yourself? You sound like a real fool. What in Myron’s statement indicates that he hates expats. I’m sure myron knows his heritage and is proud of it. You are full of it.
Myron full of __it! This “stalwart” needs to follow the same rules and regs established for everyone! Myron you and your 1%’ers aint fooling anyone! I am quickly becoming tired of your “kerosene pan” mentality!
the pot is calling the kettle black
The only black pot round here is you. Look what you have allowed yourself to come to because you abused your position and had no respect for people.
look how his government holding up progress for ‘mr. frett’?
Now really, Alred building has been held now for 4 years. NDP in for one year. Tell the trrruth for God’s sake.
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