VG pushed too far! Wheatley vexed by sister island’s banking situation
Ninth District Representative Vincent Wheatley has lamented the poor state of banking in Virgin Gorda since the September 2017 hurricanes and has called for action to be taken to remedy the issue.
“We went from no banks in 2017 to one bank about three days a week. No, we have to push that up now. It’s been too long now that we’re here still limping on one bank for three days. In Anegada, [there is] no banking at all,” Wheatley said in the House of Assembly recently.
Wheatley also slammed the poor state of the privately owned Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, which he called a disaster in the middle of his beautiful island.
“I am happy to see that there is finally action on the ground to where they’re beautifying and they’re cleaning up this disaster in the middle of my transformation; in the middle of our transformation, here is this big disaster,” he stated.
The legislator pointed out that Virgin Gorda was highlighted in the prestigious Forbes magazine as number eight on a list of 23 places in the world to visit for 2023 and said this listing didn’t happen by accident.
According to Wheatley, ever since the hurricanes of 2017, residents have embarked on a journey of transformation for the island to take it to a whole new place.
But the lawmaker argued there were several changes to be made, given the fact that the island should be expecting more visitors ‘coming in droves’ in the face of that listing. “Let’s not be surprised if these persons are going to come to our shores, and a trip to Virgin Gorda or the BVI shouldn’t start when they arrive in Spanish Town,” he said.
The Ninth District Representative commented that the entire territory should be striving to make a future listing in a travel magazine, instead of relying solely on the island of Virgin Gorda which he represents.
Wheatley pointed to the long-term water woes being faced by the sister island and its poor road conditions which he said have to be fixed. He further said the territory needs to look at restructuring its budget to ensure there is equity among all its districts.
He also pointed to the difficulty of getting to Virgin Gorda once visitors arrive in the territory.
“Everybody knows that coming to the BVI, the sooner you get to your destination, the better. But the ports in Virgin Gorda have been closed since 2017 to international traffic. Why is that?” Wheatley asked.
Wheatley said he’s usually a very patient and understanding but felt his district was ‘being pushed too far’.
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Brotherman, you were a Government Minister until recently.
Couldn’t agree more.
The yacht harbor is a disgrace.
What used to be the gathering place for all on the island is now a desolate piece of land and empty buildings.
It’s happy hour somewhere in the world.
He’s not wrong. VGYH is an eyesore and the BVI Investment Club won’t sell it to someone with money and ideas. Until that marina is really open and guests have a place to eat, shop and get on/off boats, VG will continue to suffer.
Can’t Government confiscate it?
HE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE ALL THE CHANGES HE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE. INSTEAD, HE TRIED TO FOCUSED ONLY ON WORK PERMIT HOLDERS. WASTE OF TIME.
The i——–t club raped this poor lil country ….They dont maintain nothing….Just giving dividends to the top brass and crumbs to the small man
Anegada could do well with an ATM machine
Too true! Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour was the centre once… Now a mere shadow of its former self. Village Cay is the same. Both suffer from the same ownership.
The Investment Club ownership still gleefully runs off to the bank every week to deposit their cheques, all the while studiously avoiding writing any cheques.
It seems very clear, the Investment Club does not seem inclined to “invest”.
Why doesn’t the National Bank of the Virgin Islands take care of the ATM issue. There’s a thing called the internet (not facebook). ATM’s and internet solve 95% of all needs.
VGYH is a disgrace. Total and utter. I was shocked to see a place I remember so well as just a useless space.
VGYH should be eminent domain’d. It’s so unfair to the people of the community.
100% agree, why doesnt the National Bank step in with banking facilities (too busy funding rich people to write off their enormous loans)
You forget that the Investment Club usually borrows all the money to buy assets, so they have nothing left to develop or maintain them (or even insure them). They are not interested in developing the country – just in raping it
Does national bank have a working ATM in town?
While you are at it, take that Sand Box Beach Bar lease back! That place is the most unfriendly rip off in North Sound. All they want to do is charge you $15 to rent a chair for the day – and when you say no, she asks you to leave the beach!
She is now building a fence on the beach so people can not walk on the beach when the cruise ships are there. Prickly Pear is a National Park! All beachs are supposed to be open to the public!
Bring in someone that likes people and give them the concessions lease. Put in National Park mooring balls like St John’s. Fix up the old trail to the other side of the island.
Ok so no more talking this is time for actión.. we get the yacht habour up and running. Virgin Gorda roads needs beautifying.. driving from the ST Thomas bay dock passing by dixies road is also an eye sore im ready to see big beautiful Palm trees. Road to North sound needs resurfscing. Our roads getting smaller because too much wild bushes…tired of seeing a set of mattress and old tables, fridge by Our local garbage bins ..waste management can charge a small fee persons call and have these item remove from their homes. we needs another bank and the current bank really needs more days. Government of the VI we tired of having to go Tortola to HR and treasury we need a Branch in vg. Our big Iris Oneal clinic is beautiful but no resources, can’t even do a simple scan there… we need action.
1) dispose of aa white economic deminance, prejudice, hatred and hate for BBlack VIslanders from our shores.
2) Elected members must step up and begin to protectec BVIslanders from the gradual deterioration of our human rights and human freedoms; from having clear and unobstructed access to our beaches; from being denied access to the banks, oceans and other to fish and feedour faily. (indeed, many of our own electd will be bougt out and they will in turn sell our rights.) So we have cutt-ass job to do..
Let’s get it done.
abusethat
While Investment Club may have their issues, why is it every time an issue comes up in the 9th district he attacks them. Mister you are the one in Government you were a minister for God sake and every time you attacking these people. do what the hell you were voted in to do and stop make complaints about the dam Investment Club. If they tell you the roads need fixing, the school needs help, the banks needs improving, the dock at St.Thomas bay needs sorting, you bringing up the Investment Club and their marina. Come on man, what happen, you sorry they didn’t let you get a piece of their pie. Do your dam Job, listen to the people and stop whining and complaining.