Gov’t collecting trophies for races they didn’t run — Walwyn
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn slammed the government for claiming achievements they did not contribute to.
Walwyn described this trend as “collecting trophies for races they didn’t run,” referring to the government’s pride in private sector developments in which they had little involvement.
The legislator highlighted key projects such as Peter Island, JOMA Properties, and Nanny Cay, explaining that these initiatives progressed despite government bureaucracy. “Those things had nothing to do with the government,” Walwyn stated. “This Virgin Islands Party government has a way of collecting trophies for races they didn’t run. Lining up on the podium to stand up there and they know they didn’t run no race to win nothing.”
He also accused the administration of delaying other projects due to inefficiency. “I am sure, based on the government bureaucracy, that they are holding up a lot of those things in the pipeline from coming to where they need to come to,” Walwyn added.
Tourism industry decline
A former Minister of Education under the NDP administration, Walwyn expressed concern about the state of the tourism sector, which he said was “dying on the vine.” Walwyn pointed out that competitor destinations like St Kitts and St Vincent are securing major hotel developments, such as Ritz-Carlton and Sandals. Meanwhile, the BVI has failed to attract similar investments. “Our tourism product remains stagnant,” he said, attributing the decline to poor planning and a lack of a national tourism strategy.
Walwyn further noted that the BVI Tourist Board is underfunded, with only $1.2 million left for marketing after operational expenses. Comparing this to neighbouring territories with marketing budgets upwards of $20 million, he questioned how the BVI could remain competitive.
No strategic plan
Walwyn argued that the BVI’s challenges stem from a lack of strategic planning and leadership. He pointed to legal obligations under the Public Finance Management Act of 2012, which requires the creation of an Economic and Fiscal Advisory Council and a strategic plan within six months of a general election.
He noted that while the Act allows for discretion in establishing the Council, a prudent Minister of Finance would see the value in expert economic advice. However, he emphasised that the strategic plan is mandatory, and its absence highlights the government’s lack of direction in addressing the territory’s financial challenges.
“The country does not have a strategic plan,” he emphasised. “This shows you why we are having some of the challenges that we are having.”
Despite his criticisms, Walwyn extended an olive branch to the government, offering support from the Opposition to address the territory’s economic woes.
“We are available to assist in any way we can,” he stated.
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I back Myron walwyn with what he is saying, but old people say when you see other people jumping up on two foot you go ahead hop on one foot, a lot of those so call hotels can go to the independent territory and call for all sort a tax concessions and exemption for fifty years and buffer zone like in antigua and Barbuda where white people get the government to do what ever laws in parliament for them and Jim crow style racism buffer zone that if one black skin swim in the water the police are called by a company called PLH with their machine guns to evict you from god sea water, the BVI has external governance that these investors know they can’t manipulate, the independent countries have merchant politicians like shop keepers that can be paid to change the constitution for white monopoly capital, they sit in waiting for white supervision, I like that the BVI is not dominated by the Kentucky and other white businesses, the onliest problem is that you all allowing the white people to buy up the cays or small islands, remember Epstein had one in st Thomas he took under aged girls, but keep batting Myron you are doing some incredible work in parliament, when I hear Ronnie he sound tired as though he had too much steak and wine, and your interaction in parliament cause the others to be more competitive instead a sleeping because their belly full.
But that’s what narcissistic, sociopathic leaders do.
He also needs to ask the emperor where his clothes have gone because he is naked