They can’t walk in my shoes! Premier dismisses ‘poor leadership’ tag
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has dismissed criticisms of poor economic leadership, insisting his administration has achieved record revenue and spending levels while navigating the BVI through multiple crises.
“We probably had the biggest budget we’ve ever had in our history,” Wheatley stated during a recent interview on JTV’s Big Story programme. “We probably made more revenue than we’ve ever had in our history. We probably had the most expenditure than we’ve ever had in our history.”
The Premier’s comments follow recent opposition criticism and public concern over government spending, particularly on travel and entertainment. Dr Wheatley, however, defended the government’s financial strategy, arguing that significant investments are necessary to drive growth, especially in the tourism sector.
“I would say that I’ve taken the Virgin Islands through a very difficult period. We’ve had hurricanes, we’ve had pandemics, and then we had political instability due to the commission of inquiry,” he explained. “So people will talk, but can they walk a mile in your shoes? A lot of them can’t. A lot of them are just interested in talking.”
Concerns about entertainment expenditures
Addressing concerns about entertainment expenditures and the widely criticised $220,000 government contribution to the upcoming Vybz Kartel show, Dr Wheatley said, “When you stimulate your tourism product, you get the money back. You have to spend money to make money.” He added that such events attract tourists, generate revenue for local businesses, and contribute to government coffers through taxes and fees.
Responding to criticism over government travel expenses, Wheatley stated, “We have to travel. Without a shadow of a doubt, we have to travel.” He noted that the financial services sector, which accounts for 60 percent of government revenue, relies on building international relationships. “If Asia is where the majority of our financial services business is, we must ensure that it remains strong and vibrant,” he said.
Dr Wheatley also addressed delays in infrastructure projects, acknowledging challenges in bureaucratic processes. “Some persons have the idea that things are not done because there’s no money. That’s a misnomer. At the end of a budget year, millions of dollars are unspent. Our challenge is not money. Our challenge is slow bureaucratic processes in getting the money spent,” he explained.
The Premier pointed to the recently passed Public Service Management Act as a step towards improving accountability and accelerating project completion. “It has clear accountability measures for the leader of government, for ministers, to hold everybody who is working to implement these things accountable to get things done more quickly,” Dr Wheatley said.
Despite criticisms, the Premier insisted his government is addressing the territory’s challenges. “Yes, we have a lot of challenges. We met these challenges here and all we can do is take them one challenge at a time and keep solving them, which we’ve been doing,” he said.
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Where he get shoes from? Please don’t make me laugh.
WHAT POLITICAL INSTABILITY? C.O.I WAS ALYOU FAULT
For the record, the Red Cross and International Assist/Aids assisted us. Please stop talking piSs this Wednesday morning.
We need facts, not “probably.
Don’t forget that $20M shortfall. Also seems like they now can’t get that $100M spent because things are very quiet. Or they are waiting for election.
The BVI is generating record revenue, yet our roads remain in terrible condition. The BVIHSA is poorly managed, crime is at an all-time high, and the minimum wage hasn’t increased. Grocery prices are unbearable, ferry fares are still $50 one way even though COVID is over, and our beaches lack lifeguards.
I’m pretty sure some leaders can walk a mile or more in the shoes of the people struggling daily. It’s time to focus on the future generations, not just the present. The YN’s still have their whole lives ahead of them—create opportunities and jobs for them so they have a future to look forward to.
I’m not a fan of the Premier but i would never say he’s a poor leader. That is inaccurate.
He has learned alot .I believe that prior to this he was self centered and did not support his Party members , someone (probably the brother ) have given him some great lessons in leadership aand loyalty so has come a far way. And so I would say he is a good leader. His greatness will be determined by the next election and how he supports and campagins for his TEAM and whether he is successful . One thing about Fahie he was out there advocating for his TEAM. He had their back
quite proud of he self but wait til the long look ppl get we hands on u we jus waiting to next election jus waiting
Boy haul yo (fill in the blanks)
The REAL Truth is he is the leader of only 487 people. I agree with him that the poor leadership tag is wrong as their is NO leadership.
Only when he shows signs of any leadership at all
will we be able to say whether he is poor at it or not.
His current role of concert promoter and the continued promotion of illegal ways is filling his time that he should be using to try and be a leader.
It’s sad but the Premier is right. When you look at the BVI’s landscape one has to ask how did it turn out like this? Look at the Opposition? It’s shameful! On the Government side, ministers have stepped aside, compromised to ensure that the VIP maintains the government. On the Opposition side they had the perfect opportunity to unite and instead, they have splintered. What is really going on? Who is really power hungry and who should we really be supporting? The Opposition is telling us the country is being run badly but they themselves are split?
I was wondering when alternative reality would gain a solid foothold in the Territory. His latest orations sound lifted right out of the Orange Peril’s speech book.Fact-free hyperbole… think about the comment regarding “millions of unspent dollars” at the end of each budget year.
the accidental premier has let the power gone to his head
No, we want bang for our monies. If a limitation had not be placed on government spending because of prior reckless behavior then we would be in far worse conditions than now. Nothing is ever done right in Tola – fix here, fix there but no true engineering to give sound structure. A wasteful territory run by greedy, unimaginative, narcissistic non-visionaries. When will you all create actual great results for your territory? Pathetic!
Greater men have stood where you stood and sat where you sat, and could have probably ran laps around your head. The question is: Can YOU ever fill their shoes? Go sidddunnnngggg!
Who would want to walk in your shoes? They’re full of fecal material.
The leader of a true “Banana Republic”
Cant walk in your shoes as your shoes are constantly heading in the wrong direction.