BVI must be committed to self-determination — Premier
The BVI must remain committed to the completion of the process of self-determination and self-governance.
That was the message shared by Premier Dr Natalio at the annual Sunday Morning Well Service — an event traditionally observed during the Virgin Islands’ Emancipation Festival celebrations.
“We must not embrace the fallacy that we are a morally bankrupt people without the capacity to govern ourselves,” Dr Wheatley urged in his message.
He continued: “We must not believe – what amounts to a racist philosophy – that there are groups of people around the world which must be ruled by those who are more civilised, with a higher standard of morality, with more intelligence, or with greater character.”
Premier Wheatley anchored his message within the process of governance reform that the territory is currently undergoing.
He described that process as an opportunity for reflection by the people and said persons should examine what the BVI has done well, and where it needs to improve. “We must celebrate those efforts which have advanced us and commit to changing the behaviours which have held us back,” the Premier said.
Dr Wheatley urged residents to use the measure of freedom achieved thus far to continue the unfinished journey. He further admonished persons not to use that freedom to be violent to neighbours, to hate, deceive or to envy.
The Premier also warned persons to avoid plotting the downfall of others and against seeking to divide or tear down persons.
“Let us use our freedom to uplift our brothers and sisters, to embrace values that protect us and our communities from degradation and moral decay,” the Premier urged. “[Let us use our freedom] to show love even when we disagree and challenge our people to higher standards without condescension, without ostracisation, or without hypocritical judgment.”
Premier Wheatley’s message was preceded by a ‘Stronger Together’ freedom march which saw participants marching along the Waterfront Drive area to the Sunday Morning Well accompanied by music and singing traditional songs.
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There is only the belief that these islands are filled “with a morally bankrupt people without the capacity to govern ourselves” because these are the facts of proven track record! You can’t expect someone who steals, is caught, imprisoned and has a police record for theft to then ask not to be called a thief! The VI’s people have proved time and time again that they are morally corrupt and cannot be trusted to govern their own!
If that’s what you believe, then have a referendum. Let’s see what the people of the BVI *really* believe. I suspect the people of the BVI are less comfortable with giving the Premier unrestrained power than he assumes.
This last election was the real truth. It was 100% the same old sad mess.
Our premier is in US custody for allowing drug dealing to happen in the BVI. What has been done about this??
Same loose boarders. More killings. More guns. We need reform. You are only mad that the UK pointed this out! But they are right.
The UK has zero interest in running this place. Why would they? Stop paying attention to all this nonsense. Start fixing.
Step 1 – ask the UK to bring in a ship to stop illegal boarder runs by the drug dealers. Keep this up for a year and starve out the people here that doing the killing and guns.
Step 2 – fix the roads, hospitals and schools. Just in case you missed that part…fix the roads, hospitals and schools.
Step 3 – get freedom from the UK by becoming a real government
of educated BVI islanders frown on any form of self determination or independence from the UK at this time. The current crop of ‘leaders’ are incapable of managing a fair transparent government.
of educated BVI islanders frown on any form of self determination or independence from the UK at this time. The current crop of ‘leaders’ are incapable of managing a fair transparent government.
While I have NOTHING personal against the Premier as the Bible says we must pray for those in authority as doing so, we will heap coals of Fire on their Heads, Much of what the Premier said in his speech is hypocritical to say the least. How can a people truly celebrate true freedom when even a small Territory like the BVI, there is soo much division, Victimization, Nepotism and the list goes on. For true Emancipation to be celebrated we need to clean House. CHANGE is much so needed and Charity begins at Home. We so often name the UK as our biggest ally yet WE are no different towards our very own. This last Elections has proven that although we have some Prominent individuals in the HOA, we are far from going Independent. We have yet again placed ourselves behind for another decade or two. Voters of this territory need to get serious and look at the big picture, and steer clear of Corruption and Gimme,Gimme mentality to then realize how far behind we are and will continue to be. In a time like this, we need Leaders who are purpose Driven. Who are critical Thinkers. Who are Inspirational Leaders, Who are Servant Leaders, Who are Inclusional Leaders and who MUST live every Word He/She speaks. The BVI is yet to acquire such.
I think the general feeling is not that we are a morally bankrupt people, but rather we have a morally bankrupt political class holding us back from progression while at the same time blaming the UK.
The last election the voters demanded the charting of a new direction for our politics and country. Instead, the people were given more of the same.. The people, must wake up, in many regards, not just in their voting decisions, but in many other areas as well. Stop sleeping, the noise will keep you awake at night!!
The people voted to bring HYGIENE back into our politics… Instead, we the people/voters got neither a new course in political direction nor HYGIENE BACK INTO OUR POLITICS. Moreover, the politically immature and lacking political foresight continued a course of deceit and greed. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Additionally, the people themselves made errors by voting out some good people and voting in some mal intentional ones. Therefore, it is ourselves to blame for spoiled goods we bought.
Reform will not occur by wishing upon a star. Restructuring an antiquated political or economic institution or schooling model require the best intellectual, knowledgeable, imaginative and informed minds we have.
And, those individuals must have a deep love for country and people, not just holders of a piece of paper, with a focus solely on personal advancement and enrichment. Those are the kinds elected today, and those are the kinds that are diligently eying the prize next cycle. This will be so whether it is a local or UK body is in authority.
Further, from capture to emancipation, the bill, which was never paid and is still outstanding, is now in the trillions. Those due monies should be dispensed forthwith to the territory and its people. Such funds will then go towards enhancing modern sophisticated devices and electronic satellite boarder surveillance operations, manned and operated by local institutions.
“Jamaica, Trinidad, Dominica, Guyana and Barbados political leaders and people have been awake since their emancipation, and they have since been on the progressive path for decades.
Indeed, it is hoped that our people in VI’s, both political and non political were more proactive within the self-determination camp, but that appear to be needing much, much more mental development among other things.
Moreover, there is a very narrow thinking that says, where there is nothing of value that we produce or export illuminates us from pursuing the lofty goal of self-determination.
A mentality that lifts up its birthplace, the slave plantation, will be buried on the plantation. If the slave waited until he had good clothes and shoes to wear before he ran away seeking his freedom, he would have died a slave, on the plantation living and eating among the pigs.”
Dont have nothing against you but Go fix and clean up your forgotten d7 it’s in a mess wow!!!
Go and build house for the people who live on the street you giving to those who have already you Mr. Wheatley no what your doing and it’s not nice not nice.
The COI nearly closed the cheese shop.
He wants it open again
But 90% of the finance industry will disappear with independence and serious taxation will be necessary to keep the rats fat
I wish I could like your Comment 1000%. Soo true.
The People of this territory continue to make the same mistake every four Years and expect to see reform. It is soo painful that even the younger Generation is sucked into the same sink Hole. One would ask “Is there any hope for our territory?” With God ALL THINGS are possible but these days again, We ask what Roles are our Spiritual Leaders taking in all this? We must continue praying and hoping that sooner rather than later We will get the Change we deserve.
In what way is;
Transparency is a racist philosophy?
Accountability is a racist philosophy?
Good governance a racist philosophy?
I can’t believe I fell for your baldhead philosophy.
Twice.
Boi please go sit your happy A$$ down.
Thank you kindly. I feel your concern. Many of our citizens have been living in dissapointment with our governments for decades now.
So much so, that it is believed that they, the elected do not care about the people.
Look at how they have not given the retired or active employee a red cent of their increments now for decades, but have given themselves lofty raises and retirement benefits.
Don’t know what more to say or do. Guess we will have to organize some very serious disobedient activities within the community.
Because many are truly struggling and suffering in silence and pride. They really need those few dollars they are owed.
Donkey years nowout of theclassroom and eating rocks and drinking sea water for sustainance, while they living high and mighty. May God bless them till he ready.
Why isn’t this news site addressing the Premier correct. Hon. Dr. Natalio Wheatley
If some people can determine that the treasury and SSB is not their personal piggy bank and they can also determine that the BVI is not their personal playground we can start there.
I got your message and my respect to you , but the Caribbean has more than 5 countries , are you saying that they are not in the same league ? ? ? you know that can have a lot of meaning , so please enlighten us as to why the others were excluded
Premier, I don’t want to hear your mouth on this subject until you start by DEMANDING the removal of the Virgin Islands Constitution Interim Amendments Order in Council from over the face of our sociopolitical democracy!
Because you like to act!
Why shouldi name them all? Thoseare then larger ones and with a specific political history.
Nonetheless, absoltely no prejudice was involved in just naming those few. They were simply used to illustrate a point. A point you might not have thought of?
Further, what literate sense would it have made to list them all in this instance? A point you might not ave thought of?
BVIlslanders are already committed to self-determination, everyone looking out for self. What we need is government to focus on National Improvement and get all these long-standing problems fixed, first. Then you can go on bout Independence, but not before. Do what you were elected to do.