$2M lost? Legislator laments wasted gov’t funds
Territorial At-Large Representative Shereen Flax-Charles has argued that $2 million may have been wasted by the government when it put those funds towards the purchase of land for the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) in Virgin Gorda two years ago.
Back then, the Andrew Fahie-led government said it put those funds to secure land which was expected to serve as a newly designated area for passengers in Virgin Gorda to access ferry services.
Furthermore, a BVIPA release at the time noted that the purchase was meant “to expand the Virgin Gorda port facility by separating the cargo and passenger ports.”
Calling the purchase a crucial mistake, the first-term lawmaker said she fought the land deal by the government ’tooth and nail’ at the time.
She also alleged that the purchase may have been done for sentimental reasons and asserted that it was made despite the government’s claims of having no funds available.
“I wanted to be clear here today. My name was never on the deed for that property. I didn’t get a cent for that property when it was bought. I, instead tried to prevent that sale from happening,” she stated.
Flax-Charles contended that since that time, the property has remained in an unsightly state, causing cruise liners to choose to anchor elsewhere.
According to the legislator, there are now several buyers seeking to take the property off the BVIPA’s hands, since she estimated that nothing will be done about it for the foreseeable future.
“It’s not in next year’s budget and I don’t see it happening for a while,” she argued. “Persons in the area, because of the look and condition of the building have lost money. There are several cruise lines that refuse to anchor out there because of the look of the building.”
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When the sale was happening why didn’t you speak out at that time. I find it amazing that all of you all got mouth to talk now but when Head Coach was around you were silent as lambs. I don’t want to hear a thing from none of you. This transaction would have had to go to cabinet. Head Coach only had one vote. There were four other votes in that room including the current Premier Natalio Wheatley. Stop trying to blame Head Coach because he is not here to defend himself. He was only one man. It was 9 of you all in the government at the time.
Government likes to waste money because it’s not coming out of their pockets or bank account. They Waste tax payers hard earned dollars. Time will tell. They find money for everything except people’s increments. These politicians seem to be self seeking. Talking after the fact since elections are at the door. It’s sad indeed.
She will never get my vote for what she did …
Whoever you are.I wish I could shake your hand right now.It’s becoming clearer & clearer that politics is a dirty game.Just have some people them like fools.
The sea entrance for vessels to the southern end of VG is in horrible condition. No wonder the smaller cruise ships hang out in North Sound.
It is shameful when you think about it. Governments, both VIP and NDP wasted millions over the years and we still driving on these roads and sewerage still running in the streets. Sad state of affairs in the BVIS
I do not agree that it is a waste of funds. It is a good purchase and can go to good use.
Shereen was one of the biggest mistakes in my selection for At Large. She is not worthy of my vote in the next election. It is one thing to champion the cause of the people but to play this game as if you were trying to hold leaders accountable should start with yourself.
Her attitude is horrible. Her language and demeanor is atrocious.
What??!! She fought tooth and nail and only now we are hearing this on the brink of election?
Why is she so disgruntled and making statement that she did not receive a penny from it? Is it because she was expecting something and didn’t get it that it is now a bad investment for district 9? Her vision is not in district 9 best interest but hers. She knows the trouble of accommodating passengers and cargo on the same dock especially when there is ground sea ?.
I believe she is grand standing with the wrong intentions. I don’t think any party will want to have her as a candidate and I will be surprised if the VIP congress keep her.
I remember this from last budget. The land was appraised by a reputable company and bought for at the appraised value as it was more than one piece of land in a prime spot in VG. As usual this woman always up to some kind of confusion.
The history of this land would show that the NDP Government was purchasing the land for the same purpose but for five million dollars but the value of the land was found to be two million dollars which is what the VIP Government purchase it for to try to address a long outstanding issue of separating the cargo from regular passengers at the present site. Some agree with this move and some didn’t but it is worth a try as no one has ever tried to resolve this matter.
This is the very reason I will never again vote for this woman. No matter what you try to do it is never good enough for her unless it is she doing it. This problem of having the ferry boat passengers and the cargo both operating at the same dock in VG is not only a problem for years but also dangerous. This land was an attempt to address that as no other idea was working and the other piece of land across from the same dock cost far more than two million dollars. Let this b** minded woman come up with a solution and stop criticizeing out of bad mind.
You SHUT UP, in fact, stfu.
HON FLAX CHARLES WE LOVE YOU
That’s the best ah she THROWING PEOPLE UNDER THE BUS
Go sing a song about it! That should solve the problem.
I know that I speak for most public officers when I say that this woman has no respect for people. She speaks to you as if you are less than a child…
I call this member Honourable Mash up because what ever she gets into she mashes it up. She mashing up the public servants. She mashing up the government. She mash up the tourist board. She just good at mashing up.
I still wondering how us voters put out people like Ronnie and Myron for people like Shereen and Sheep. That witch craft was real strong for true mehson because I still can’t get that understand.
All we do is complain as if the BVI has nothing good and has done nothing correct. The purchase is a good one and a good attempt at trying to solve a long outstanding issue.
She doesn’t beed and want your vote. You cN keep it. She is the ONLY ONE who stood up against Andrew and Willock. Both behind the scenes and publicly.
She is telling the truth. You people in the BVI are corrupt. Lall these areas she speaks about have rampant corruption. But you who benefit from the corruption would always say this. END THE CORRUPTION NOW
If they need throwing under the bus that is what need to happen. We continue to kick the can down the road. We continue to turn a blind eye to the wrong that is happenning in this Territory
The government have NO intention of doing anything with this property. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE 2023 Budget to do ANYTHING with this property not even to make it look decent. Wake up. Investors who want it can develop it for the same purpose. Government brokers. Have NO MONEY. THIS IS A 100 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT
Learn to spell. Also, the issues of our country are larger than any petty fights with individuals. Anyone with half a brain that deals with this woman says the same things about her that she is all about herself and all about finding faults and confusion. At least the ones that will be honest and bold will say it out loud as some are afraid of her and others just want to stay out of her way (like we the public officers) because of how ignorant she behaves in public and wants to try to embarrass people in public even when she is wrong which is most times. Any way let me get back in my corner.
She had no reason to stand up against the esteemed he was her biggest supporter
Ronnie and who??? You gone from the garbage into the trash can into the sewage tank!
Both were power hungry causing the party to crumble!
hope the vip congress get rid of she, as she is bad news all around
It is always said by my grandmother if there is no facts in the your conversation do not entertain it. Buying land is good for any family, country or society.
Now, if you see its not in next year budget, why conclude it wont be there in the following year or five year from now. Budgeting is strategic and it is not built in stone, changes can occur. For example Many government officers might not hold office in the coming years.
Government should never sell that land to anyone, it is an asset in the books and it should remain so for the Virgin Islands. Just as how someone is interest in it, an saw the value to build a profitable port the government can do the same.
Words such as unsightly and degrading to other business has no weight, most people who has personal gain use those words to bring a bad effect for economic reasons.
She’s only talking because she didnt get a share
The property needed to stay in the family hands, PERIOD!
Show me one white person any where on this earth owning such a piece of beach front property would sell so easily… Show me just one!!
If the family couldn’t gather the millions to invest in it, they should have leased it out.
Selling such prime property out of family hands was a grave mistake.
There are many memories rooted in that property that roots bak generations that have been broken.
Mr Withfield and his wife, Peaker and associates, the many cousins, and the many that were around before us.. See, people don’t check for those energies, but they do exist.
Family ancestry is probaby rolling with disgust of such.
The VIP CONGRESS IS CORRUPT. IF YOU AINT GIVING THEM CONTRACTS AND KICKBACKS THEY AINT HAPPY. GOD HELP US ALL
Andrew was to get 100k. It didn’t happen. Maynard was to get 100K and it didn’t happen. D was smarter than them
The five Cabinet members voted to purchase. The backbenchers never had a vote
Let them try it
Corrupt vip. All looking out for what they could get
Corrupt vip. All looking out for what they could get
Let them try. suicide for the party. The only real honest person in there. But the Congress is corrupt as well. They tried to vote me out before. I ready for them to do it.
I feel your pain but this is 2022. Write a book so that the information can be remembered and cherish but this is 2022 and the people of District 9 needed the best and safer access to Virgin Gorda.
I remembered when the late R T ONeal and other candidates campaigned about putting a bulk head on the coast of the land close to St Thomas Bay jetty but Ralph then let that land go to a multi-millionaire who put a big house on the hill killing that vision and we continued to vote him in.
Now Fahie government came and said enough with the talking let’s save the next best peace for the people of district 9 if it was available and the deal was done.
Now Sister Shereen saying it’s a bad deal because her brother went with all the money.
Well you know what they say, want all get non.
It was a great investment and the benefits will soon come.
I’m on the congress and don’t look forward to anything but don’t get angry with those who does. Congress is made up of business men and women who have invested a lifetime to the development of the BVI so don’t hate. Congress on the NDP is the same and other parties.
Just pray that Jesus will protect the land from the evil Who seek to keep us as slaves.
We need tax return