BVI News

Rymer rebuts Flax-Charles! $2M was well-spent on VG property

Deputy Premier Kye Rymer

Minister responsible for ports, Kye Rymer has defended the government’s purchase of two parcels of land worth $2 million that was supposed to be developed by the BVI Port Authority.

The land is located on Virgin Gorda and hasn’t been developed to date. Tuesday, Junior Minister for trade Shereen Flax-Charles said the purchase was a waste of money, especially the parcel that has an old building which visitors find unsightly.

While making his contribution to the budget debate, Rymer admitted that the government must do something to improve the condition of the unsightly building. But he rebutted Flax-Charles’ claim that the purchase was a waste and said the government still has time to put the property to good use.

“Based on what I was told, that building is in prime property and it was purchased to separate the cargo from the passengers who are going to Virgin Gorda,” Rymer said. “The new board at the Ports Authority is aware of the importance of that building and they are working to develop some plans to turn it into a proper facility.”

He said the purchase of the property was made so that the BVI could remain compliant with an international protocol which dictates that cargo and passengers have to be separated.

“I think it was a good purchase. The board (BVIPA) and this government agree with this purchase,” Rymer said.

Flaxx-Charles called the purchase a crucial mistake and revealed that she fought against the land deal ’tooth and nail’ at the time.

She also alleged that the purchase may have been done for sentimental reasons and asserted that it was made despite the government’s claims of having no funds available.

Shares

Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

31 Comments

Disclaimer: BVI News and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the comments below or other interaction among the users.

  1. Continue says:

    And things fall apart.

  2. Sara says:

    I would not agree that things fall apart. Flax-Charles only making noise because she seeing votes based on what her constituents are telling her. If the purchase was indeed for international standards, then it was a good purchase, but she should have made her voice louder a year ago, not now.

    Like 13
    Dislike 2
  3. VG woman says:

    Thanks Hon. Rymer for speaking sense and clearing up the intentional confusion caused by that confusion specialist of a woman.

    Like 16
    Dislike 2
  4. Vip cogress says:

    We need to get rid of flax charles

    Like 12
    Dislike 3
  5. To Sara says:

    I do not know what constituents telling her anything bad about that purchase other than her own selfish mind and narrow siteness. There are more of us from VG who are the sense of the purchase and we checked and confirm that it was value for money with the purchase.

    Like 6
    Dislike 3
  6. Here we go again says:

    One minute we telling government to purchase prime property like this for future development and do not let it get in the wrong hands. When they do it in a legitimate and transparent manner we then fuss. The BVI just exist to criticize and tear down.

    Like 10
    Dislike 1
  7. Hold on says:

    I remember this from last budget. The land was appraised by a reputable company and bought for at the appraised value as it was more than one piece of land in a prime spot in VG. As usual this woman always up to some kind of confusion.

    Like 6
    Dislike 2
  8. If you don't know says:

    Buying that property WAS a waste of money. The property is unusable especially when ground sea is up. And why is it Port is who owns the property but the former owner is still collecting rent from the tenants?

    Like 12
    Dislike 2
  9. @If you don't know says:

    Now you know what you are saying is pure nonsense. I can only imagine who blog this is from.

    Like 2
    Dislike 2
  10. LB says:

    He said the sports and the government agreed with the purchase. I guess it is clear now that SFC is not the government!

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  11. History says:

    The history of this land would show that the NDP Government was purchasing the land for the same purpose but for five million dollars but the value of the land was found to be two million dollars which is what the VIP Government purchase it for to try to address a long outstanding issue of separating the cargo from regular passengers at the present site. Some agree with this move and some didn’t but it is worth a try as no one has ever tried to resolve this matter. All some people in the BVI do is complain and find fault in every effort that is made to better the BVI.

  12. the Real Deal says:

    when I tell you all we need to do better in terms of mental health you all say we are disrespecting women.

    Not one person in VG against the land purchase but her and her sister.

    Can’t wait until, the next election boss

  13. lol says:

    Disunity in the House…these folks are falling apart at the seams

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  14. That's all i have to say says:

    Too much lil chayren in government

  15. @sara says:

    Nothing that took place at Ports the past three years had anything to do with international standards. They using this to cover the foul deals they are caught up in. If anybody knows anything about the MD, she has dealings written all over her hands. Stop letting Kye and the Board Members distract you all from the corrupt practices of the VIP. They are the the reasons we are in this crisis. Vote them out.

    PSFO

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  16. Vg says:

    Mr.Rhumer you are out of it why Vincent can’t comment on such.You guys don’t connect with us in VG going forward with such decision makings only when s**t hit the fan.That dock for ferries usage will cost Govt.just as much as pierpark or more cause of the elements.You came put a container for Agr/fisher shit not done-Nurse Iris Oneal Clinic far from finish now, Carvin every day here venting ,Vincent can’t respond.People of VG WAKE TO F**K UP

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  17. Pat says:

    So shameful the government debating itself smh

    We need a change

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  18. Lily Ann says:

    From outside looking in, this sounds like a great purchase. U can’t expect to give Porta manicured plot of land,land is land, its foreign trucks and heavy equipment. The port storage needs to move entirely, and Govt should erect a “Craft AliveVillage and restaurant in the spot. Let the place look touristy inviting. Tourists don’t study tortola, t90% of them visit Virgin Gorda!!!! Get rid of Port and let the Port get build up like itshould, I have a business I want to erect in a stall as well !!!! COME ON, WE CAN DO IT!!!!

  19. @Vg says:

    This is a matter of a purchase and here we have a backbencher who apparently at the dawn of an election coming with rubbish of non support of property sold to her own family.

    Can’t you see this is more of a family grudge matter? She claimed she did not received a penny and lobbied to block the purchase. Now claiming 2 yrs later that it was not money’s well invested.

    Why do you want the district Rep to jump into hot mess??? There is no need to. She has a right to her opinion and he has a right to remain silent. He don’t have to rescue bad-mindedness.

    The property will be developed at the right time. Better Ports Authority than some slave master.

  20. VG Resident says:

    This is indeed a bad buy. Hon. Flax is 100% correct. Nothing will change the current situation. It will just be 2 of the same. There’s no parking, no free flow of traffic. This facility will become worse than current one.
    Virgin Gorda needs a deep-water port facility and the ideal place for this is down manchineel bottom.
    Govt needs to acquire the land and do what needs to be done.

    Like 5
    Dislike 3
  21. Smdh says:

    Dam if you do and dam if you don’t. If the government had let a foreign investor come in and bought that land we would have been hitting the roof with criticism. The government went and bought it at market price and some people still hitting the roof. The property is valuable and that is an undisputable FACT.

  22. Fact says:

    Kye need to talk about Manchonielle Bottom. He from Tola. He has no clue. We will have to spen upwards of 50 million to get this done while Manchioneel bottom will cost 10M

  23. Kye is LIAR says:

    Kye is a yes man. . Fooling the VG PEOPLE. WHILE PUSHING FOR EVERYTHING IN TOLA.
    THERE US NO PLAN FOR THIS PROPERTY from the Ministry or the Ports Authority. Key refused to spend 39K to make the place presentable several cruise lines have refused to anchor in the VG harbor. He Kye want them I. The 4th and 5 th district

  24. Fact says:

    In the next 20 years

  25. Local all the way says:

    K6e in congress say he still loyal to Andrew and NOT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VI. SHAME ON YOU KYE. WE HAD LOVE YOU. BUT YOU JUST LIKE THE REST. FLAX CHARLES REAL SEG TELL IT LIKE IT IS.

  26. Fact says:

    THERE WAS NEVER ANY UNITY

  27. Wow says:

    This cr**k kye

  28. Shame says:

    Kye you disappointing. You really let us down

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  29. Shame on you Kye says:

    You know you ha e NO PLAN KYE. YOU ARE ANDTEWS PUPPET. PATSYS PUPPET.SLOWWA DES PUPPET. LISTEN TO REAL WOMAN TALK ND stip poppyshowing. . She is the real deal. Strait as an arrow

  30. :) says:

    Land is never a waste of money.

  31. Truth says:

    Wake up VG and ask yourself why the trying to squeeze Hon Vincent Wheatley out ? As well as Hon Calvin Malone. ask yourself and wake the f$*k up . Those 2 are the most experienced and qualified . So they don’t want the competition but they will get it anyway.

Leave a Comment

Shares