We are not using our educated people – Skelton
Opposition lawmaker Ronnie Skelton has called for greater use of the Virgin Islands’ educated professionals, arguing that local expertise is being wasted while essential projects stall across the territory.
Speaking on National Democratic Party (NDP) Radio, Skelton said the public service and wider economy are suffering from poor management and a lack of leadership, not a lack of qualified Virgin Islanders.
“We have educated people who went to colleges, with PhDs, masters, whatever discipline you could think about… and we are not using our people or we are not giving them the opportunity,” Skelton stated. “Something is happening that makes no sense.”
He criticised what he described as an inefficient civil service, saying it has become dormant. “We have basically put the civil service system to sleep,” Skelton argued, pointing to Public Works projects such as the reconstruction of roads and government buildings left incomplete for months or years.
According to Skelton, “Public Works used to get things done… make sure it happened as quickly as possible. These are the main thoroughfares in the country. These are not side roads, someplace. And to take it out of commission for eight, 10 months, 12 months, to me, that’s not good management at all. It’s terrible.”
Fellow NDP member Marlon Penn echoed Skelton’s concerns, highlighting that the government’s infrastructure projects remain unfinished despite money being borrowed. “Over a hundred plus million dollars has gone back into the treasury… we’ve failed to execute projects to stimulate the economy,” Penn stated.
Skelton noted that the territory has both the financial and human resources to move forward. “These things are not difficult for me. All I need is a team of people who are willing to work. I’ll get it done,” he asserted.
The issue was raised against the backdrop of the incomplete Hodge’s Creek road, which lawmakers complained was taking too long despite being less than a mile long.
The NDP leaders suggested that poor planning and leadership have left educated Virgin Islanders sidelined, while imported expertise is prioritised.
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Look at who talking about not giving our educated people opportunities. Ronnie is almost 75 years and he wouldn’t create space for the next generation of leaders and those who were with him have left him. When he was elected first he complained about Ralph being old and that he needed to go home. Now look who is Ralphing. He broke up the NDP because a younger leader, competent leader emerged. He got mad and returned to the NDP when a younger, competent leader replaced as leader of the opposition. What he is saying is hypocrisy. They say things to sound good but their actions are different. Give the next generation of leaders like Myron, Marlon, Mitch and other a chance. He came back to NDP to displace Marlon and the others after his failed PVIM experiment. Why at 75 years you still in the way causing confusion and you don’t have anything to bring? Why? Entitlement!
I am 38yrs old but let us be real. I was hopeful that with my generation running the country things would be better. Our leaders for the most part (Premier etc) are under 50 and this is the absolute worst shape the BVI has been in. To blame this on Ronnie and others is not right. We need to demand more from our leaders. Natalio, Kye, Mather, Sharie, Marlon, Mitch are all under 50yrs old so what is the excuse? It is ok to support who you want but let us not make things up. This is not an issue of age, it is an issue of COMPETENCE!
Ronnie is the problem? Really? Well, the Government Ministers every single one of them are under 50, except Fraser and you have a problem with Ronnie and his age?
Well, the old people used to say who you for you for. Because Ronnie who is a lot younger than 75 can fix all the bull shiggidy going on in this country with his one hand tied behind his back because he is capable and competent and knows what the hell to do. So you think he is the problem, you want to do a little test? I dare you. Vote him in as Premier in this country and you will see action. He will have this place turned around likkity split. You people jokey. I guess he is the one you have to throw down and bash because Hon. L. Smith and Hon. Fraser are on the Government side and has a say on what happens while Ronnie can only talk sitting on the Opposition but they are not to blame?. But as meh mammy say, who you for you for. Lol.
Many locals want him there and i’m one of them.
A lot of the older heads don’t want to give the young people an opportunity. They create all kind of road blocks sometimes. And sometimes the younger heads don’t want to wait to learn as well. It has to be a balance. Once the younger head shows maturity and competence they should be given a chance. This is not a license for the older heads to keep saying that they are not mature enough or competent enough to keep themselves in a position which many of them do.
Yeah yeah we need younger heads like the current misleading Premier and dem others….ha hah…
The majority of the current Government group are young and younger educated Fools…You must be another fool to have missed this pathetic circus.
THEM EDUCATED BUT KNOW COMMON SENSE THAT IS WHY THE HIGH SCHOOL DROP OUT WILL MAKE THEM LOOK LIKE A**ES
Where in the hell are you going with that Carmen Santiago antiquated thinking?
educated persons KNOW not to get involved with any projects by the BVI government.
Y’ALL THINK ONLY EDUCATED PEOPLE CAN DO THE WORK. BUT I’VE ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL EDUCATED PEOPLE BUT LACK COMMON SENSE. WHAT THE BVI NEEDS IS SOME COMMON SENSE FIXES. JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT’S GOING WRONG NOW IN THE BVI IT WAS SOMEBODY FULLY EDUCATED WHO CAUSED IT. Y’ALL THINKING IF YOU DONT HAVE MASTERS OR PHDs PEOPLE NOT CAPABLE TO DO ANYTHING. THIS PLACE JUST MAKES ME SICK. THAT’S CALLED DISCRIMINATION IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW!!!!!!
One Good Example is the One at The Helm. Educated, Young But an Educated Fool!!! I guess Common Sense is Not so Common anymore….
The only capable legislator we had in the past years was PAUL WATLEY, sadly taken from us far too early.
I say, Education,+, Commonsense;
Age, +, the youthful!
Yes, we need our young people. After all, they are the future, of this country!
But, we also need older heads, to offer mentorship, and guidance!
THIS, is the missing formula!
The Government are not even aware that there are highly educated locals not working or under employed. For listening tot he pundits, it is said that we have failed to educate our people for the jobs that we are giving away to whosoever will may come. That could not be further from the truth. The majority of the work permits handed out are for entry level jobs, cashiers, receptionists, clerks, short order cooks, waiters, waitresses, supermarket workers, in other words starter jobs for locals fresh out of school while attending HLSCC and before University or for those who are not interested in higher education, a first job for important work experience. No problem with anyone coming to our country, not at all. But saying we are not educated ordon’t want to work is foolishness. You should be offering those who are unemployed a job before you bring somebody in because idle hands make for real problems in any country and we are leading their fast. 875 petty crimes between January and April I heard the Police Commissioner say today. Which is up from last year. So let’s give locals the preferential treatment that they deserve. They won’t get it anywhere else but at home.
This is the reality.
Far too often in government, non-technical managers and supervisors undermine or challenge the very staff they should be supporting. Instead of embracing the expertise of professionals in specialized fields, they respond with resistance—driven by insecurity or a misguided sense of competition.
It’s time for that to change.
Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about empowering those with the knowledge and skills to move us forward. Until we begin to respect and uplift the experts working within our own systems, this territory will continue to struggle to reach its full potential.
A damn shame indeed—but one we have the power to correct.