Some want to tear down the Virgin Islands — Premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has accused individuals of wanting to undermine the Virgin Islands, claiming they prefer direct rule by the United Kingdom.
Speaking in the House of Assembly during the Immigration Bill debate, the Premier acknowledged the Virgin Islands’ long history of immigration and its role in building the territory’s economy.
“The question is whether when the Virgin Islands does well, do you rejoice? Are you happy? There are some persons who would be here and, in some instances, tear down the Virgin Islands,” the Premier said.
He continued: “Some persons may say, ‘Well, the United Kingdom wants to take over the BVI. They should do it. They should go ahead and do it.’ Perhaps maybe they don’t have the same feeling for the Virgin Islands others do.”
The Premier argued that there must be some type of process beyond the amount of time spent in the territory that establishes whether an individual has a certain level of care, love, and passion for the BVI.
“We would have needed persons to come in and assist,” he said, referring to the growth the BVI has experienced since it established its own legislature in 1950. “From that point forward, of course, we’ve dealt with this phenomenon of immigration in the Virgin Islands to help bring the Virgin Islands to what it is today.”
However, Premier Wheatley highlighted the need for better immigration management and emphasised the importance of establishing a core identity for all residents. He stressed that everyone, regardless of origin, should rally around shared principles, values, and a way of life.
“Ultimately our goal,” he stated, “is that the great majority of the population has a kind of core identity that goes beyond just your origin, it goes just beyond language, it goes just beyond your race.”
He also touched upon the economic aspects of immigration, referencing the various tourism ordinances and the International Business Companies Act of 1984, both of which have attracted foreign investment and contributed to the territory’s economic growth. This growth has, in turn, attracted more immigrants to the BVI, seeking work opportunities in a thriving economy.
Over the years, the territory has faced challenges, balancing its economic dependence on international business with maintaining local control and identity.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
the people of the virgin islands rather be treated equally impartial under the UK than only a select few getting preferential treatment. whats so hard to understand?
So-called Premier you’re doing the most to try to tear down the Virgin Islands all by yourself.
Like a train wreck full speed ahead making one muck after the next.
I am a hundred percent in agreement with premiere Wheatley, but not on the jamming and party thing at all, but to become a citizen of a country it need love for that country and it’s people, not this balkanization where the Spanish have their separate sports and the Indians have theirs and a Guyanese club etc. when these people gets land and property in the BVI it means they get it in their countries name, not for the development of the BVI, and then they move in all their families, I hope the law is still in place that any crimes they could be deported and property ceased, I love to the BVI vernacular, to hear our girls speak etc.all the his fast life and killing are influences of America and that st Thomas and the amount of foreigner living in the country that create the disconnection as family,keeping price low and the bank giving lie interest easy financing can break that illusion of lustful wealth accumulation get rich scheme that drugs brings, and you know we killing our own color because it’s clear we don’t have any statistics showing the same is ever done to the white people them who come and living on.tjesr different cays they buy up, and not saying it should ever happen. It’s the portraying of ostentatious lavish life style of the rich capitalist boasting of some wealthy few that emasculate and intimidate some into crime to emulate that life style, in china the wealthy can’t be too lavish or else it’s jail, they try to set all citizens on the same footing, so as I concur, no BVI citizenship just because of the longevity you had in the BVI probably drinking and go to strip clubs.
The Premier needs to step down he not Qualified for the job he isn’t ready if it wasn’t for us currency or country would be a third world country look at the amount of money from traveling don’t day feel imberrice to see there own country almost 2 years and you can’t see anything that was done.How many of older leaders went to college they had a great vision for the Country. The new book scene leaders only have a vision for them self so the people is going to suffer.
UK dictatorship or BVI dictatorship.
Same whip different masters.
The only whip we should have been afraid of is the “UK whip”. There should never, ever be a “BVI whip”.
Is this what we should aspire to? Being whipped by our own? Is the blow softer, more manageable?
It is sad that it is even a choice in your comment.
Dictatorship? yall should get and more for the amount of years yall abuse of the expats lol having children here who were born here and have no rights, but yall having american and uk passports lol
We don’t want to undermine the Virgin Islands.
We just deserve better than the fraudulent leaders we have now and had the past few governments.
You claim you wish to have transparency and wish to fight corruption, however you haven’t done anything about the two ministers who gave money to their friends, you have not published the accounts of your American Airlines party. You do not publish who you do business with. You have not disassociated yourself from Fahie, the now proven criminal.
You are just as bad as the ones before you.
We want to self govern. But if that means terrible leaders like you we probably need the UK to clean up the house.
please u.k free us from this fool
Only traitors want the UK to take over. All of the traitors are more than likely expats.
only real traitors want to continue this corruption
Only the minds that still exist in a colonialist frame, those that see Blacks as inferior, those that hates them, those that firmly believes that they the Black people should have nothing, those that believe to this day that Black people should be considered and treated as sub humans; those that believe that Black people should not be in control of the BVI and its economy, those are the ones who regularly on this and other sites advocating for the return of the colonial era, that the colonial country UK should walk in and take over.
You know, if the UK had brought these islands from bird sanctuary to where they are today, i would say, welcome UK!!
But hat is not the case. My ancestors work from can’t sees in the morning to can’t see in the night to bring this country and us out of abject poverty, while the UK and her people were sitting on their asses eating and bloating off of the wealth tat our enslaved ancestors created for them
It would be a case of cold bloodedness’ and. case of unconscionable conscience for them to walking now and take over..
They fought wars, killed thousands if not millions to claim these islands. They enslaved hundreds of thousands Africans on them to create wealth for them. They took the wealth and left the Africans to eat rocks and drink sea water for sustenance.
Now some of their heartless beast and others. are daily advocating for a return to colonial days.
What a heartless lot!
The Premier states: “Perhaps maybe they don’t have the same feeling for the Virgin Islands others do.”
Perhaps the Premier should realise that not everyone shares the principles, values and lifestyle that is primarily focused on financial gain.
Love, care and passion for the BVI can rightly manifest itself in vocal concern about the state the territory has got itself into.
Check the one behind of him, a waste of time
this is a very true remark. it is very true of what you are saying. a very true and accurate statement.
Sadly, it is apparent. We CAN SEE THE OPPOSITE, that is the Virgin Island Party’s plan of action!!! You lie to your teeth. Your plan is to full your pockets, let the roads deteriorate, (Give contracts to your families, wash money ) let the BVI’s infrastructure fall apart, while you enrich yourself and your family.
Sir you are tearing the virgin islands down all on ur own! Dont mix us in ur ung-fung!
Immigration as conducted by the Bzvi,hs been the detriment of these Vi. It will only become worse as it continues the process of merging with the dregs of the Caribbean while erasing its own once respected character,and identity.
A new and larger prison is urgent. The largest cost in these VIis expenses connected with crime ( Prioir to the import and installation of the worse the Caribbean had to offer,these VI were a zero crime zone with zero Homeless and zero beggars and admirable education
How will these BVI afford the cost of the effect of violent crime if we were to become a nonterritory of the UK.
No way no how would that be possible!!!!
I believe that those who want the UK to take over simply want a government that is accountable and that focuses on the issues that affect the community at large instead of the current plutocracy of the same recycled shameless politicians who have achieved very little in the last several decades other than padding their nests at public expense.
Mr Premier the BVI is torn up,spat put and rotting in harmonious unity,with the rest of the low hanging fruits of the Caribbean that have been invited to the trough of the
BVI self destruct mechanism.
Mr Premier the BVI is torn up,spat out and rotting in harmonious unity,with the rest of the low hanging fruits of the Caribbean that have been invited to the trough of the BVI self destructive mechanism.
Such a petty small minded individual. He’s a JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just while you’re in office
Get the f**k out of here the chicken is coming home to it’s rost. Let the chip drop were it lay
The statement is. factual, it was their plan preelection, they said so directly on medai, they got elected and probably acting on their plans, no doubt.
They are the ones who oull down the country
Most of the educated young people leave for greener pastures
Most of the indigenous population shop
Online and in St Thomas
Most of the indigenous population born their children else where for better educational opportunities
Most of the indigenous men father children with outside women
Most of the indigenous population do not want to do the menial work
It LEAVES a VACUUM in every sector of government and the business world …..
it is too late the horse is out of the barn
Continue to stay on your WhatsApp chat and point fingers !!! Too late for that
Hon primier let’s be honest here from since you took over office you havent done anything at all for this country ,look at the roads ,no running water from the pipes Internet, health care is a mess educación going down slowly and the list goes on Mr primier all you do is go in the house and look for attention like a big baby looking for there bottle to go to there bed .when is it we going to vote this man out of office this job is too big for he to handle .
Our own government want to tear the the virgin islands lol look where Andrew is now
Y’all some crooks
#greedybill
#grants
#ssbhomes
#potholes
#pricecontrol
Let me tell you all secret. The UK don’t want the BVI…..the BVI is a noose around the UKs neck. It’s of no value, nor could offer anything on today’s stage.
The lady sitting in the chair next to the Premier has clearly been seduced the Premier’s hypnotic powers!
Congratulations too to the photographer using the Premier’s head to obscure the A F portrait on the wall behind.
Look at what past and current administrations have done. Our GDP per capita is 25% per capita of what it used to be. Some might say country already torn down.
A Fahie has caused the territory so much embarrassment that they need to draft a bill that will ensure that his picture is removed from view in the house of assembly. This should be the standard for any other political criminal that disgraces and betrays the BVI in such a fashion in the future as well.
Natalio its you tearing down the BVI with your STUPIDITY.
Why cant you use the dislike button. who is behind BVInews? this is highly suspicious. What narrative are you trying to give the general public?
Nothing new there. Such has been happening for years.
It reflects the mind of people. Cntrol,control control, with severe leanings towards dictatorship and others.
This VIP Administration already pushed this Territory in the lowest Pit. I listened to the News today where Hon. Turnbull was speaking in the HOA about The Corna Woman being the only one making the decision about granting Status by Investment. This BVI is already Frigged and this again? No Man. Something got to happen. What has this BVI become?
The Late Hon. H.L. Stoutt and Hon. R.T O”Neal and others must be rolling in their Graves by now. What a Dis-grace and you mean to tell me there are People who is still against some kinda change in this place? Her Loyal Opposition PLEASE, its time for a Vote of NO CONFIDENCE. There must be someone on the other side who is Sane enough to by now realize what is going on in this BVI. the BVI is Frigged!!!
look like BVI people will never by happy with nothing is a better gov party around ?