Wheatley plans to quash harsh Trade Department policy
The Department of Trade, Investment Promotion & Consumer Affairs currently has an oppressive policy in place that has been hindering young entrepreneurs, among others, from making progress with their business initiatives.That was the sentiment expressed by Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Eighth District candidate Allen Wheatley, who promised to right that proverbial wrong once he gets elected into office.
According to Wheatley, many young persons in the Eighth District have been complaining that they are unable to get trade licenses because the Trade Department has advised them they first needed to rent a property to get licensed.
“I don’t know who passed that policy, but I [will] quash that,” Wheatley said at a political rally in his district last evening. “It’s completely illogical for you to tell me that I have an idea, I want to set up a business, I may not have everything in place [so] you going to tell me I gotta go rent a place and start paying a thousand dollars a month until you give me a trade license, that might take six months.”
Wheatley said he went through a similar experience himself with a kiosk [vending booth] he owns and was forced to pay some $5,000 to process the license. With $3,000 already paid, the political hopeful said he still didn’t have a license.
“I like, mehson, you all people crazy? You all don’t understand the economy mashup? You going to make people got to pay $3,000, sign a lease, and all [the] Trade [Department] telling me, that’s the policy.”
Wheatley said although he was told that this is the Department’s current policy, this is not a policy that he will keep in place once elected and he assured residents that it will be fixed.
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even tho you dont know how to talk to people and power will make you more big headed this is one of the best solutions I have heard come out this election…everybody else with is beautification s**t is best I go sell plants when election finish
The problem is that the Trade Dept, like so many quasi regulatory govt departments like labour and immigration, believes that it’s job is to make life difficult for people, and is staffed by people who like to be difficult to show how powerful they are. What we need is more judicial challenges against Govt decisions – but they are too expensive for most people.
Get rid of trade licenses entirely. Go for free enterprise.
Some of yo own committee walked off on yo!
What arrogance he spoke and behaved like he’s the chairman of the board and the other ministers are the executive branch that runs the company and will take orders from him.
His head is still swollen like his trench coat days imitating vito corleone when he was a public servant and should have been a role model. No wonder any of them dont speak about the waywardness of the district in any true terms.
This nonsense about the youths wanting trade licenses and can’t get it is a cop-out many of these young people do not want to work hard they want quick money. They are on drugs and need mental help. And unless it’s addressed it will only get worst.
How come if you are convicted for fraud whilst in government, you can run again? Do we support criminals as VIP members?
Why does everything have to be about big outside investment giving away all of our eastern waterfronts to big investors for how long 100yrs.
You and your cousin and business partner are something else. Cant sell this country fast enough to these people. I guess you all company will get the job to build the harbor. 350000000 wow.
Clean the district and strengthen the policies at trade. You will know some of them only want these licenses to launder and don’t want to open any real business.
The former minister of the 7th before Natalio fill in the water edge down fat hogs bay and the water’s edge taking away the waterfront land from the original owners because their lands are no longer bound to the water. And those new reclaimed land going to new owners wicked.
Some of the people up Eastend have made it clear that they don’t want the development at their waterfront but in your arrogance, you insist and ignore them. We have to stop giving away this country in the name of development just because it will benefit us personally.
Sheep said it is the principles of the Eastend district that he lives by. Does that include taking every contract for yourself not sharing abuse of power?
Also, why did most of your career in sports basketball especially you played with Town teams the worst set of people who l; looked down at anybody outside of town at the time? Why not play with this pride you talking about for your district?
Sheep you try to help people but for the most part you leave alot to be desired.
This fella and his energy is very intimidating. How could he demand that we don’t bring up his criminal history? How could he show animosity and contempt to anyone who wants answers of his prison sentence?
Why can’t we find out what happened with the Beefisland bridge contract? How much did he make from the bridge contract? Why is he above the people?
He lives in the East, and turns a blind eye to the movers and shakers. He sits and drinks with them this week, and next week he sees them shot in the streets, funny thing he knows it was going to happen and will do nothing to stop it. RIP to the bloc
I like how showada called out the l**s of Walwyn
He is bad bad news for the BVI
Allen started off good but he has gone off the rails. I I I I I. Who this man think he is? I will do this, I going change this, I coming for them, I I I. Man look.
I wonder if he was tight last night?
He’s running for the VIP, who was the Government before Head Coach was found out to be the former criminal that he is. So if his own party didn’t fix the problem he identified, why should anyone think that it will do it if he is elected? These guys just talking s**t with no policies apart from sound bites to get elected so that they can continue to steal.
So so True…..Bunch of cr**ks….nurse, just let down herself to married this man
The same reason you can contest while on bail. Why is it an issue for one and not the other? The voters will decide, not your opinions.
This is a good idea that policy is a huge obstacle to small startups.
Spot on!
Support them? They almost REQUIRE them to be criminals. And the ones that just stand by and watch the crimes be committed are just as bad. All VIP need to go mehson.
Do not vote for no VIP candidate
Didnt the contract for the new bridge specify that the old bridge was to be demolished and reerected somewhere else as a tourist attraction?. Just askin. If it wasnt rebuilt was the contract price reduced? Just askin.
Jam today! Jam tomorrow! Jam everyday! When I get elected, don’t you dare mention jam.
For our next Premier, take your pick, Ronnie or Sowande..Thats it. I am still trying to decide.. My heart is telling Ronnie. My mind is telling me Sowande..
Sorry you need a new lifestyle
Difficult for local businesses? But who granted USVI exemption from the requirement of having trade license to operate business in bvi waters while the local businesses STILL NEED A TRADE LICENCE. Lying and fooling the people is an old tactic and people still falling for it. He saying what sound good but just step back and observe. What in the hell has his party done at all. Why they picking and choosing whose trade license application they going to sit on for the purpose of victimization. Dirty.
The BVI money is truly sweet sweet in these times that every body from the imcompetent to the criminal to the convicted want to get in position to feast on the perks, privilidges and onies. What a thing the BVI has come to. It is so garing and obvious to see.
speak for your district we good ova ya
Pleasr remove those evil flags in our 5th district
If they don’t remove those evil green cloths the disgraced former Premier allegedly put up they’re not getting my vote!
Allen did say he’s not referring to those who don’t want to work when speaking if trade licenses.
The bigger issue is the STUPIDNESS these licenses call for such as having a degree in the area you’re applying for, having a place to rent, etc. Why would anyone put the cart before the horse for the license not to be approved….the requirements MAKE ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE!!!!!
The trade license department is a disgrace and a hindrance to business. Sack the person in charge as soon as.
Does the flags still have power? Is the OB..MAN still getting paid? If so, by whom? If the response is in the negative, don’t worry. God’s power is greatest?.
Get rid of trade licenses for belongers. We dont want McDonalds etc.
Normally you are judged by the company you keep.
The VIPERS were Fahies gang.
You really think they didnt know?