Don’t be fooled by claims BVI is corrupt — Turnbull
A prominent community figure has argued that corruption allegations may have obstructed the movement for constitutional reform and enhanced self-determination in the BVI.
Accusations of unethical practices have undermined public trust and obstructed the territory’s path to more autonomy, but residents were urged to dismiss claims that the BVI is corrupt and cannot govern itself properly.
Reverend Dr Melvin Turnbull highlighted concerns about corruption within the territory and suggested these allegations damage the BVI’s image and ability to negotiate self-determination effectively.
Dr Turnbull suggested at a recent constitutional forum that there is a deliberate attempt to discredit local leadership and create a narrative about the BVI’s inability to self-govern.
“Don’t be fooled by the narrative being painted that we are corrupt and all that. That’s not us. That is something else that’s going on. But as a people, we are capable. All the problems that we need to solve, we have what it takes and we can do it,” said Dr Turnbull.
Dr Turnbull’s sentiments evoked recent high-profile controversies in the BVI, such as the 2022 arrest of former Premier Andrew Fahie on drug and money-laundering charges, which fueled the perception of corruption within the BVI government.
The Commission of Inquiry (COI) report has harmed the territory, resulting in heightened scrutiny from the UK government and the looming threat of temporary suspension of the BVI’s constitution.
Dr Turnbull stressed the need for greater public education and understanding of the meaning of self-determination. He also suggested that residents should explore what the various paths to increased autonomy might entail.
“It’s important that people don’t get scared by the thought that we are advancing,” Turnbull added. “The truth is, history shows that every time we determine our destiny, every time we are given the authority and the power, we’ve always done well.”
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we are corrupt just ask fahie
One bad apple can’t spoil the whole lot.
just one, we have way more crooks he was just the dumbest one who got caught in an obvious trap
Andrew and a few more middle name is corruption. The one that is sitting up in the hotel on the hill that goes by the name of WB who have some of the politicians and a fake Rasta man radio show host who seem to have gone ghost is part of the corruption on the Island. Need I say more? Tell me.
He must have not heard Sowande’s song called “I wanna Fly” where part of the lyrics is:
You know how politics go
Their jobs involve who they know
They fill their pockets with dough
I was about to add that the leaders are so corrupt that they trying to act as if we all don’t know that Fahie used 87k of drug money to pay for campaign expenses for the VIP
Seems to be willfully ignorant of the fact that the BVI has been a drug transshipment location facilitated by BVI citizens for 3 decades..or is he?
Trying to justify your USD 3+ million dollar villa on Windy Hill?
Now there’s a Property Investment business to add to the mix.
Money here money there money everywhere.
NO you and your sons are not corrupt Pastor..
possibly not corrupt but still pointless – its only purpose seems to be to send its staff on first class, five star, all expenses (including shopping in Miami on the way there and back) paid holidays.
you cannot keep talking about slavery. read the bible about joseph being sold into slavery by his own family and relatives. slavery has nothing to do with race and color and ethnicity and religion. i always thought all was well between the king and queen of england with british virgin islanders. why not strive to continue being a british dependent territory; british overseas territory rather than becoming an independent nation and ruin life for everyone.
Would appear to contradict that opinion?
Not corrupt? Sure.
The current minister of education and current minister of healthcare gave money from the people to their friends under Covid grants without them having financial hardship. The premier didn’t reprimand them.
Fisher and farmers grants were handed to people without a farm or fishing gear. Nobody got in trouble for it.
The barges were rented even though we could get service from the UK for free.
No corruption? Sure.
Correct 100%. Fake fisher men were given money to set up aquariums in their homes and fake farmers were given money to plant a few lemon grass plants in their yard. That one that they call the minister of education give money to her family and her b*y t*y. And Larry the lobster aka minister of health give out money to his family on VG while the people that really needed help receive a swift kick in the face.
May not by your standards. The rest of us know better
The BVI government is corrupt and if you think different you are corrupt. If the BVI were to go independent we would end up in China hands just like a lot of the other Caribbean islands and Africa. I will take the UK over china any day.
@HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA most likely corruption.
YOU LOOK JUST AS STUPID AS YOU SOUND. A TRUE FUNCTIONING ISLAND JACK A.
A perfect example of a DARM!! Island j..k A.. braying s..t HE HAWWW, HE HAWWW!!. Man please keep it moving from blocking the pot holes we have to dodge everyday from East to West sun up to sun down.
Amen.this man eh making no sense at all.
We do not believe it , the SILENT ONE , has finally found his voice ,but only seeing on one side , we all know all the false prophets come from , CGB , you coming our your shell , no wonder you were so QUIET ,LIKE A CHURCH MOUSE ,( YA’LL CANNOT FOOL GOD
,
Glad you see it. Dancing with the devil all the while putting on a show pretending to be following God.
A MOCKERY!!!!!!!!
who know the methods of the colonialist/imperialist, ancient to modern, its historic practices, psychology and anti- Black self determination philosophies, know truth when it is heard.
Anyone suggesting that te article is not truthful has not read or learned.
Happy to know tat the brave soul looking out for the people did not pass on with the Llyod and DeCastro, Faulkner and others generation.
Rise up you mighty people, you have a right to!!
The Pastor had too much communion.
This man need to go rest himself.
I agree that one bad apple cant spoil the whole bunch but its not just one bad apple, there are numerous bad apples.
” i always thought all was well between the king and queen of england with british virgin islanders”
Since when has the King, his prime minister or anyone relevant to their reign apologized for slavery?
It takes a special type of person to say move on from slavery when the effects of it are still present, for example 100% of governors have been… ok… In addition 20-10 years ago white people were special here and given extra respect as a higher class. That was yesterday.
my boi if the COI YouTube video with a black and white documents showing you blatant corruption then you are lost.
we were given straight facts from our own documents documented by our own people
Those grants that were given out were crazy!!
they even bust A greedy bill on us and gave the ministers a raise but minimum wage too hard to do???lol
Seems to me there is a attempt to discredit this man who has more right to the term honorable than some of the elected. As a preacher he has done a fine job over many years in the community.
When you consider history & UK history there is no way they have not at-least one person planted in those commissions & discussions. When people like him start kicking dust on their agenda sheet they get a article in the spotlight hmm?
As corrupt as he may have been found to be we all remember Andrew fahie’s troubles started when he began bickering with Governor Jaspert.
“Local premier fights with White UK governor”
Suddenly they had knowledge of high level drug dealing in government to which Governor Jaspert was proud to announce? When all was said & done the premier was strung up as the ring leader.
As stupid & weak as he was to be tempted we all are not fools.
Education is key people know your history & know world history especially that of the colonialist mother country UK that pretends to be reformed without an apology towards its very own dark history that led us here as direct descendants of slaves left to self sufficiency living off the land until we got the dollars now all hell broke loose, coincidence?
Both local & UK governance share in the corruption that has led us to this current moment. & Ill bet the UK residents gets away with more than we will ever know as saints in this land.
Navy ship comes to destroy drugs yea right, any video?
Is this man living under a rock or in the over grown bushes?
the guns/ murders/ drugs & corruption going on here for years , and this *whatever* have the heart to say that there is no corruption here ( well the other two have already exposed themselves that they are nothing but pretenders so eventually he had to expose the devil in him
is saying )> my fellow virginislanders, don’t be fooled by anybody else ,let em holler at ya’ll THIS IS THE HOLY LAND , SO THERE IS NO CORRUPTION HERE ~ THEY LIEING ON US , THEY TRYING TO MAKE US LOOK BAD
When you mix religion and politics
Lets not calle it corruption but poor governance.
Toilet Block $2 Million Not good Value
Police Marine Base $2.6 Million Good Value
Customs renting warehouses 3 years $144,000 Not Good Value.
Albeit not corruption but poor Governance. THis is all since the COI and nothing has changed. Without the UK backing the BVI it would be a failed State.
Once we can hold our elected leaders accountable and not waste tax payers money then we can think about the self Determination.
using different names won’t fool everyone blondie, your message is still the same and its always racist , you are so happy to join forces with anyone to add insult to injury . both of you should be singing the ( free the drew ) song . both of you have something in common (hiding ) he was hiding behind the Bible and should be ashamed , and you hiding
behind your
precious WIG / and
a whole set of fancy names , ( don’t talk about that overgrown ego of yours , the lord will deal with both of you ●, please stay on your yello site , thank you
I don’t know what part of the BVI you live But clearly you are acting like one of the corrupt ones who are either delusional or Insane. The BVI is corrupt from the Head down. The Churches included. Why do you think most of the illegal Immigrants end up in BVI? Why do you think The Drug Trade is continuing in BVI? Why do you think Criminals are not caught when they commit major Crimes in BVI? Why do you think the Church is silent concerning wrong doing in BVI? Who do you think silence Good people who want to stop the corruption in BVI? Pastor Turnbull, Wake up. The Hour is later than you think.
True independence is dependant on self sufficiency. And for that, I doubt that many Virgin Islanders would be willing to revert back to a simpler lifestyle. Tourism and Financial Services are fickle and rely on foreign entities.
Assuming independence, China would be more than willing to fix the roads – after a fashion! But at the end of the day, in terms of colonial involvement, that would be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.
African and Caribbean Small Island States that have taken that route are beginning to see the light.
Lorna-Who would trust her again?
Natalio – Only 487 votes. 1 friend, A Fahie.
Skelton- Thinks laws Dont apply to him.
Turnbull- Death, dumb and blind.
VI does not stand a chance wallowing in a sea of corruption while nothing gets fixed but frienda and cronies get paid.
There is no hope.
As a pas
How can you say such a thing ?!!!
Well how much more cur—- rut can we get in our narrative
with all due respect YOU are a fool!!
Even cruise ship guests in the BVI for less than 8 hours can see and experience the rampant corruption in the BVI.
You see independence means standing on your own, friends but on your own feet.
You’ve made a big mistake in assuming we would give up one master for another when the very concept of independence is to be master of one’s self.
We will accept gifts gladly from those that are sincere, but no loans.
We know the lender is slave to the borrower
That is why the UK wanted so badly for us to borrow $300million dollars from them after Hurricane Irma, years after we moved on too.
By the way I think your comments are not genuine.
The only reason you would think we will have China as a master rather than friendly world power is because you are of the UK perspective… and can not stand to see us doing well without the UK, thus you make up some story rooted in jealousy, with China being the boogey man of your story.
Yes, you are corrupt if 1) you refuse to pay former civil servants their increments 2) refuse to pay current civil servants their money 3)refuse to pay seniors a living retirement, pension and social security, but can pay yourselslves handsomely with greedy bills, exorbitant pension , perks and retirement benefits..
Whowould have tought the BVI would have come to such a despicable place in huan existence so soon?
Satan, is the deceiver of mankind. Obviously Mr. Turnbull speaks from devilation, nothing that he has said lined up with God’s Word and is accursed. God tarries because He is merciful, loving and kind, heed the great commission and stop peddling deceipt and corruption. What will it profit you if you gain the whole wide world and lose your soul?