BVI should have been ready for self-determination by now
Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton has expressed concern that the BVI should have been ready to accept self-determination by now.
Skelton made these comments while debating the controversial Public Service Management Bill approved by lawmakers in the House of Assembly (HOA) yesterday.
Skelton expressed his disappointment with the direction the BVI is heading, suggesting that the territory is moving backwards rather than progressing towards greater autonomy. “If I had to rename it, I would call it the Public Service Colonial Management Bill,” Skelton stated.
The Public Service Management Bill, as Skelton described, is seen as a step back into colonial times. He argued that the bill’s provisions erode the authority of ministers and place undue power in the hands of unelected officials. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and there are some good intentions in this bill, but the bad intention is that you are basically eroding the things that our forefathers fought for,” he argued.
One of the key points Skelton raised was the bill’s impact on ministerial authority. He noted that the legislation would make ministers less responsible and accountable for their ministries and departments, which he said was a move that would weaken the government’s ability to serve its people effectively. “We cannot afford to go back now,” Skelton asserted.
Skelton also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the BVI, referencing the 2007 Constitution as a missed opportunity for further advancement. He suggested that if the Constitution had been fully implemented, the BVI would have been in a better position today. “We should have been further along; we should have been right here ready to move into self-determination,” he remarked.
The debate over self-determination in the BVI has been ongoing, particularly in the wake of the 2021 Commission of Inquiry (COI) which raised concerns about governance in the territory. The COI’s recommendations have led to increased scrutiny and control from the United Kingdom, which some local leaders, including Skelton, view as a step backwards.
Skelton’s comments also touched on the broader issue of colonialism and the BVI’s relationship with the United Kingdom. He warned against underestimating the impact of external pressures on the territory, stating that these influences are part of a coordinated effort to undermine the BVI’s progress.
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He is right the white man wants our country
If the White man wanted the Country, they would have taken it a longgggggg time ago. Stop the silliness already.
Time to stop being stuck on stuuuuupid.
Why? What’s here that’s so special or can’t be obtained elsewhere?
– Potholes and Poor Road Conditions
– Frequent Flooding in Road Town and Other Areas
– Inadequate Education and Lack of Investment in Schools
– Deteriorating Infrastructure at Sea Ports and Airports
– Corruption and Crime Linked to the Drug Trade
– Lack of Pension Schemes for Government Employees
– Absence of Strategic Long-Term Planning for the BVI
– Environmental Protection and Climate Resilience
– Healthcare System Improvements
– Economic Diversification
– Affordable Housing Development
– Audited accounts for BVI Government since 2016
We cannot and should not be thinking about independence right now.we have to many other issues to think about.
Considering v*** had to blast “hater” people who dont support independce and are in favor of UK. i’d say majority of us dont want independence with crooks running the country with no one to keep them in check.
but if this ever happens i for sure will be reading all the guns,murder,drugs,theft crimes from another country
I know yall see the last murder of a “businessman” so we will see even more after independence. i suggest yall do some research on our gangs in the bvi and those in caribbean countries like st martin, trinidad and jamaica all these people connected. those festivals after independce wont be peaceful either
good luck and more power to yall i guess
I DONOT want to hear anything ARCHIE BUNKER HAVE TO SAY. WHAT HE NEED TO DO IS GO HOME AND CONTROL EDITH BUNKER ANNOYING VOICE. ARCHIEEEEEEE.
but the aristocracy of the BVI had their chance in the last 40 years to prepare for self determination and they failed. So it will continue as a BOT until a few more generations mature, grow and foster a better group of leaders.
Thank you. They indeed had 40 years now they want to come with the same way of thinking to blight everything.
The ( COI ) is working wonders for those with unclean / all ah dem exposing their hypocrisy , let’s look and learn from these sets of wannabe
ARISTOCRATS .
Should be ready and Are ready are too different things. The blind can see that the political leadership is failing in the BVI. Guardrails are required. Further we should recognize the structure of our community (very small and with multiple interfamily relations) it lends itself to patronage politics. I dare say being a territory is in our best interest.
The cries for independence seem to be more for the convenience and enrichment of the political class than for the people.
Patronage politics…..I like that phrase 🙂
DISGUSTED WITH THESE RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL ZEALOTS IN THE BVI.
BVIs aiming for independence is like giving a local 18-year old a pile of cash and asking him to use it to create his future life. Lamentably, it would soon vanish on scooters, bling and parties leaving behind a broke unemployed young person without a clue as to what’s next.
It is like putting a AK47 and a pound of cocaine in a baby hands. That is what the BVI will be if turned independent.
Until we unite the white man willwill concontinur to chip away until he owns the whole pie. And fools will end up hungry and say its all right.
Please explain why and what the White man want to take over this rock stone in the middle of the ocean that is crumbling for? Please explain and make it make common sense.
It boils down to you people in the BVI is your own damn worst enemies.
BVI will never be ready for self determination. The people are wise and do not want it. We don’t have and will be we have the national security to protect our borders much less our natural resources and financial industry.
Think of this scenario:
8 Russian ships and 4 submarines surrounding our borders even though USVI is right next to us. The Russian solders invaded BVI to take over the meca financial resources we have. WHO WILL PROTECT US???????
Not the weak Royall Virgin Island Police Force hahahahahahaha! Do you believe USA coming to protect us??? Hell no!!! This bill s**t investment in Guyana to get the oil money investors to shadow their money here is the perfect reason for Russia to invade BVI. Again WHO WILL PROTECT US???
Ronnie please give me a break with your fantasy story about self determination, negro PLEASE!
I would like full BVI independence for:
– Potholes and Poor Road Conditions
– Frequent Flooding in Road Town and Other Areas
– Inadequate Education and Lack of Investment in Schools
– Deteriorating Infrastructure at Sea Ports and Airports
– Corruption and Crime Linked to the Drug Trade
– Lack of Pension Schemes for Government Employees
– Absence of Strategic Long-Term Planning for the BVI
– Environmental Protection and Climate Resilience
– Healthcare System Improvements
– Economic Diversification
– Affordable Housing Development
– Audited accounts for BVI Government since 2016
Thank you Ronnie for focusing on the real issues…………..
When a country leaders prioritize technology and stay ahead of human development, naturally we will have every asset needed for self resilience. The earth is a globe self determination but we cant act in a bubble.
The BVI gain independence, it will turn into the killing fields. The business owners be it black or white will be getting gun down. There will be no control or law in the place. The ones that is clawing for independence with their talons is the ones that want to continue with their dirty vulture behavior. Don’t depend on assistance or help from the USVI or the US that you all hate so much when the place turns into a killing field.
Gosh. Same story we’ve heard for 50+ years. Every government that ihas been elected … the entire HOA and departments are related to someone. Nepotism at its best. These islands are a population of 30,000 + people. As someone said a few month back…. Every election period it is the same people they just change the color of their tie or dress. As a result look at the BVI. It is crumbling before our eyes and it is only going to get worse.
See how one news organization sets the political agenda by simply denying a no veto, on no self-determination comment.
The European/UK’s increasing involvement within the affairs of these territories is becoming a treacherous time bomb. ·
It has used the covid pandemic to sheeishisly snee its people into high and sensitive positions. It is now in control of the forces, political and news arenas.
Meanwhile bees, the elected are running around seeking every camera lenses possible for the next election shot.
Why are you and every non black person hates every Black person so much?
Yet, we trive.
Pigs and chattle no more are we!!
If We Must Die
If we must die, let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursèd lot.
If we must die, O let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
O kinsmen! we must meet the common foe!
Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!
History is not there for you to like or dislike. It is there for you to learn from it. And if it offends you, even better. Because then you are less likely to repeat it. It’s not yours for you to erase or destroy.
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