Does the BVI really want to sever ties with the UK?
A talk show host has questioned whether the BVI is genuinely interested in separating from the UK, arguing that the issue of independence drives fear into residents’ minds.
Umoja host, Edju En Ka, said the discussion about independence has been ongoing for more than two decades, but little has happened since then.
“When we talk about our relationship with the United Kingdom, it occurs to me that we don’t want that relationship to be severed,” En Ka said.
He pointed out that conversations around independence often trigger fear rather than inspiration. “Whenever we talk about those things, there’s always pushback. I’ve been hearing the phrase, ‘We’re not ready yet,’ for the last 20 years. So when is the future going to reach here?” he asked.
The topic of independence has lingered in the territory’s consciousness for decades. Yet, as Edju En Ka observed, progress remains slow.
Fear of the unknown
Guest on the show, Troy Christopher, suggested that fear of the unknown and a lack of preparation are significant barriers.
“We have a natural fear of going to the next level, which is that we wonder whether our leaders will do A, B, and C,” Christopher said. “We are scared because we don’t want this to happen. We are fearful because of the unknown.” Umoja co-host Shaina Oyana underscored the need for preparation, drawing parallels to a child being taught to become an independent adult.
“If we’re saying this is something for the future, how are we preparing ourselves now for it in the future?” she asked. En Ka highlighted the potential benefits of forming alliances beyond the UK. “There’s a whole slew of opportunities we could take advantage of, such as relationships with BRICS countries or other trading partners,” he said.
Self governance important
He also emphasised the importance of self-governance, stating, “We want some sort of ability, some sort of self-governance. But whenever we talk about independence, red flags go up in our minds.” The conversation comes amidst a broader push by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley for self-determination. The United Nations continues to advocate for decolonisation, and the BVI, as a non-self-governing territory, retains the right to decide its future.
However, as Shaina Oyana noted, the lack of a national consensus remains a stumbling block. Both hosts agreed that discussions around independence must move beyond intellectual debates into actionable steps.
“We need a national discussion and a debate as to what our vision for the country is,” En Ka said. He stressed that leadership alone cannot drive the change. Instead, he called for a grassroots movement similar to the historic 1949 march that demanded local representation in governance.
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We’ve got endless infrastructure issues dating back to the same 20 years that the gentlemen is talking about. Repetitive cronyism and corruption in those same 20 years. We can’t handle our own internal issues, yet, these talk show hosts believe we’re ready for independence. If we keep going down this same route, government after government, we’ll be saying the same thing in another 20 years. WE’RE NOT READYYY, and probably never will be
Why him use that made up africanal false name. Is he ashamed of the name his parents give him and the surname him inherent.
This comment was not posted by me.
Roger Burnett
Admin. Could you please be on your alert for imposters.
From one Roger to another, I also have prolems with someone using my pen name. Annoying.
I’m saying this with high respect for the Premier. He is also the same. They push names based on convenience. Prior to his political life as we know it, the honorable Premier wanted to be preferably called by his African name. He’s in politics and is now the head of government
His legal surname flies better now, no time or place for S….Uh…u
I cant respect any grown man that is still using an alternative African name .You werent bron in Africa and your culture is not African. Our culture may be insppired by africa and have African roots but over the hundreds of years we have developed your own distinct culture. Stop the childish nonsense.
Which is the real Rodger with the skecthes and better grammer?
@ Will real Rodger please stand up
The real “Rodger” is spelt Roger and his spelling of “skecthes” is sketches.
But joking apart, the imposters confuse the legitimate message and lack the courage to comment under their own name.
Roger Burnett
No…
Surely it’s the time to ask why there has not been a public referendum on a UK takeover, perhaps the answer is looking us in the face. Firstly, the local governments certainly won’t hold one as it’s clearly not in their best interest if they lose. Secondly, the UK has avoided such an obvious opportunity, which, raises the question, why ??
Could it be they don’t want the problem of being stuck with a liability that has no exit strategy should the people vote for UK governmental control.
The first answer is that politicians here are not trusted and believed to be corrupt. The British presence is the only way to put some limits on that. The next answer is what benefit is there in being one of the world’s smallest countries with no resources to help you through a disaster or any other challenges from an everchanging world.
will result in collapse of the BVI economy..we need the support of UK laws, court systems and governance.
The BVI has shown it cannot govern itself.
– No audited accounts for government for 10 years
– Infrastructure crumbling
– Crime on the rise
It’s time to acknowledge that BVI cannot govern itself anymore..
Sever ties no because they will turn around and bite us not to mention leave their agents in our midst to carry out covert disruption of our peace.
The world is a circle we all are connected. A equal relationship I agree with.
What are you speaking on brah? The current Human Resources we have together cannot run dis country properly or else that would have happened 20+ years ago, let the BVI keep breastfeeding until it is ready to grow up into a blessed child…
Government is too inept. Infrastructure is in the worst state it has ever been in the last 30 years. Zero vision, zero ability, zero real ambition to serve the public and not personal and family interests. UK oversight sadly still very much needed. COI showed that over, and over, and over, gain.
A significant reason UK will forever keep the BVI in its bossom is the reason of demographics in the Caribbean Sea/Atlantic Ocean and how the BVI is in proximity to Florida. It will be a hub/landing spot for illicit substances and firearms etc. which is a major concern for the Caribbean region and the USA.
Major concern or major asset? You think all that drugs etc. is shipped without the knowledge of the top level people? Keep being an idiot and see where it gets you.
I haven’t heard one person who not benefiting or have benefited in some way from the slackness and corruption who thinks we would be better off as an independent nation right now. Everybody you hearing with that is man who name done call in scandal and man who get things through the bush politics favor system. I have not heard one decent person with no horse in the race who thinks this a good idea right now.
What are you speaking on? The BVI is not reliant on UK human resources we have a democratic process and no one votes for them. The Caribbean people are not babies and our culture no matter our language being English Dutch or negerholis is not a child. We did not start sucking our teeth, sharing and drinking bush teas those practices came from Africa.
England and America have an equal relationship but America has more resources of all kinds. A equal relationship is not made of resources human or material.
An equal relationship is one where both look out for each other’s best interest. How can we be equal when they sabotage financial services while protecting their own. Place a COI on us during covid while refusing their own COI because of covid.