Bishop criticises $90K agriculture consultancy, cites no real progress
Clergyman Bishop John Cline has criticised the government for paying nearly $100,000 annually to an agriculture and fisheries consultant without any visible improvement in the Virgin Islands’ food production sector to show for the investment.
Speaking on JTV’s The Big Story, Bishop Cline said the consultancy represented poor value for money when local farmers were struggling without sufficient resources or support.
“I think this government is paying someone, I don’t care to mention his name, $90,000 a year for a consultancy contract,” he stated. “For agriculture and fishery. And we haven’t really seen any significant moves,” he added.
The pastor and businessman said the lack of political will to empower local farmers and expand domestic production continued to undermine food security.
“There’s no political will. I was able to lease… the first person at Paraquita Bay to pay the government for three acres of land to grow cash crops,” he said while explaining that efforts to develop greenhouse farming had been stalled for years by bureaucracy.
Bishop Cline argued that government spending priorities were misplaced, saying resources should go directly into supporting farmers instead of expensive consultancies. “Why don’t you take that same money, that $100,000, and empower farmers in a real significant way?” he asked.
The $90,000 agricultural consultancy was awarded under the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change in 2023. The ministry said at the time that the consultant was engaged to develop a national food security strategy and to provide technical guidance for farmers. However, little public evidence has emerged of any outcomes from that appointment.
Bishop Cline also questioned the government’s overall record on spending and performance. In a separate Facebook live update, he noted that the Virgin Islands Party government had “had $3.2 billion to spend” over the last eight years and asked residents, “Have we gotten value for money? Look around”.
He urged the public to demand greater accountability and to elect leaders with financial discipline.
“Leadership matters,” he insisted. “We’re going to have to send leaders into the House of Assembly that are fiscally responsible. They know how to manage money.”
Copyright 2025 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Let’s have the name
I don’t care what you say you will not be getting my vote.
WHERE WERE THESE HYPOCRITES VOICES ALL THE TIME , THESE GOT TO BE THE LAST DAYS IN TRUTH , WE WAITING FOR #3 THE QUIET LIAR TO MAKE HIS APPEARANCE TO APOLOGIZE TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HE WAS BAREFACED ENOUGH TO HOLLER OUT THAT ” WE DON’T HSVE ANY CORRUPTION HERE ” , ALL 3 OF YOU HYPOCRITES AND THOSE WHO GO AND LISTEN TO YOU ALL PREACH , NEEDS TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND ASK THE LORD TO FORGIVE YOU , NONE OF US IS PERFRCT BUT FOR THOSE WHO’S USING THE THE BIBLE AS A FRONT, *GOD WILL DEAL WITH YOU ALL IN DUE TIME .
U need to go back further ( wr had the green house machinery & EQUIPMENT on this island the Cuban left them to self distract while he was more interesting g in hanging out with lod Bronson sipp6 on champagne / just think of how far we would been if that joker had fulfilled his obligations to serve the people , so why don’t you ask him why or what really went on with that taxpayers money that wad spent to but those greenhouse machinery snd equipments, so try again
Bishop Cline is Right on all accounts. The People of this Territory have become Complacent in their Thinking and Dealing with this late set of incompetence, So=Called Leaders of this Territory. They have Zero Interest for this Territory and Overall People. Their only concern is Lining their own Pockets and that of their Cronies and families. They got that dirty habit from the Big Drew. It is High time a Complete turn around needs to take place for this Territory to Progress or the Future of the Younger Generation and those yet unborn will be Disastrous!!! This territory is indeed headed for a Catastrophe if something is Not done and done fast. People of the BVI need to open your Eyes and ask yourselves the question: Are We any Better than We were Six Years ago or even before then? Take a Deep Look around the territory. Take a Look at Every Area in this Territory. Take a Listen to the Cry of the People. Take a Look at our Various Entities of Government. Health-Care, Education, Roads, Water, Tourism, Government Service Departments and the List Goes on and ON… Are We going Forward or Backwards? These once Beautiful, Prideful, Friendly and Rich Virgin Islands have slipped into a Bottomless Slum. Suggestion for Improvement??? Remove This VIP Government Pronto!!!! They are No Good for these Virgin Islands. They have Nothing of Substance to offer these Islands nor its People, They MUST be Voted out of Office for the Good of the territory and its People. Excellent Leadership Matters!!! They need to go back into the Classroom and Study Political Science, Leadership Management, among other Subjects and Practice Good Honesty Skills. The Majority of this Population are Fed-Up.. TERM LIMIT… They need a Time out!!!
Nothing new here. We know we are getting skrewed left right and center, nothing’s gonna happen except talk, all that happens is ppl airing out their mouth
Bishop cline is so right, but it’s him who supports family and heritage entitlement to elective politics, so it does not necessarily means he is speaking about the present government as an organization of competency.
Natalio Wheatley is not a person of any financial literacy like Lorna smith, but he holds the position of finance minister do he can control his political colleagues future and their service to him remaining premier.
Why is Bishop Cline badgering the Premier? LOL.
And the name of the peson that is failing is…
the robbing goes on. Nothing ew there, here or no where.
Bishop ✅
This is chicken feed though compared to the $4m “Agriculture Complex” planned on premium agricultural land in Paraquita. With no published business case and against the wishes of all Farmers and Fishermen. ♂️
Csc? Nah ..
What about the consultancy for the radio show host?
ITS A RATS RACE , THE BIBLE SAYS , ” THE TRUTH SHALL SET US FREE ” SO IF HE REALLY REPRESENTS THE HOLY BIBLE , THEN HE HAVE THE FACTS / WHY PLAY VICTORIA’S SECRET WITH US ? CALL A SPADE A SPADE
Selective outrage!!!
I understand, appreciate and support the valid points raised by the gentleman.
However, I am curious about this quote from the article: “I was able to lease… the first person at Paraquita Bay to pay the government for three acres of land to grow cash crops,” he said while explaining that efforts to develop greenhouse farming had been stalled for years by bureaucracy.”
Just what CASH CROP was [ahem] Bishop Cline planning to grow on his 3 acres of leased land? The only cash crop that has been talked about in recent years with any kind of urgency is….. Weed / Ganga / Herb / Marijuana.
Is this a case of selective outrage because the stalled progress is holding him back from cashing in on his investment in the Devil’s delight? Hmmm…
Honestly speaking (nothing to do with CSC), we would be much better off looking into using hydroponics / aquaponics or permaculture to grow food, especially the traditional Caribbean food that is suitable for our region, drought and pest resistant and familiar to our Caribbean palates. When shipping shortages strike for whatever reason (famine, war, economic turmoil, etc.), its the same dasheen, sugar apple, green bananas and pot fish that will carry us through in the absence of Mahi Mahi, rice and cauliflower.
It doesn’t take money to get common sense, just listening to the wisdom of the older generation for a change.