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‘Absolutely not true!’ - Dr the Hon Kedrick D. Pickering

-On whether the Government has given another island of the Territory to billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in exchange for money to extend Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport
Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering dismissed out of hand the assertion that the Government of the Virgin Islands gave another island to billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in exchange for money to develop the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport. Photo: VINO/File
Sir Richard Branson owns real estate on Necker Island. Photo: www.neckercup.com
Sir Richard Branson owns real estate on Necker Island. Photo: www.neckercup.com
“I heard that the Government give a next island to [Sir Richard Branson] in exchange for money to extend the airport,” said a caller to the National Democratic (NDP) Party radio show heard on ZBVI on Monday November 3, 2014 from 8:00 pm. Photo: VINO/File
“I heard that the Government give a next island to [Sir Richard Branson] in exchange for money to extend the airport,” said a caller to the National Democratic (NDP) Party radio show heard on ZBVI on Monday November 3, 2014 from 8:00 pm. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering dismissed out of hand the assertion that the Government of the Virgin Islands gave another island to billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in exchange for money to develop the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.

“I heard that the Government give a next island to [Sir Richard Branson] in exchange for money to extend the airport,” said a caller to the National Democratic (NDP) Party radio show heard on ZBVI 780 AM on Monday November 3, 2014 from 8:00 pm.

“This is absolutely not true,” retorted Hon Pickering on the show. He was there with his colleague NDP Ministers, including Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith.

Sir Richard Branson owns real estate on Necker Island.

Many, including radio and television talk show hosts and numerous bloggers to this news site, have decried what they term the selling out of the Virgin Islands to the detriment of locals. Some have raised the issue of racial discrimination and a return to the colonial attitudes of the past as it relates to selling off of lands in the Territory to whites.

35 Responses to “‘Absolutely not true!’ - Dr the Hon Kedrick D. Pickering”

  • asura (06/11/2014, 15:39) Like (23) Dislike (12) Reply
    We do not trust the ndp but time will tell what dr Pickering knows
    • born Tolian (06/11/2014, 16:03) Like (40) Dislike (11) Reply
      Richard Branson does nothing for the BVI...is it only me can see through this, shame!
      • virgin (06/11/2014, 18:54) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
        Dont SRB carry these islands name on his aircraft and business. Free advertising, invaluable. Does nothing?
      • Dust (06/11/2014, 20:21) Like (20) Dislike (7) Reply
        Thank god for sir Branson for coming to our aid by pumping millions of dollars in the construction industry to help our economy we in the bvi is to ungrateful we looking to bite the same hand that feed us Give the dr some respect and trust Stop calling down the man give him your support
        • Hmmmm (08/11/2014, 22:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          @Dust so he started work on Mosquito so when you finish build it, you think you going back there as you like? He built the stuff there for his business, not for you to call it home. If Pickering did that then only God can help them, this would be treason of the highest order. I keep asking and saying, I really don't think this guy have any care or concern about us and if this is true, man oh man.
      • ? (08/11/2014, 09:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        What do you do for him?
      • Gwenth (08/11/2014, 21:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Everything will come out in the light real soon. I hear a certain politician has an apartment on Necker Island to hide his infidelities since he is married. But everyone knows and is talking about it anyway, Time will tell.
  • Wretched (06/11/2014, 15:59) Like (27) Dislike (5) Reply
    Branson and Jarecki living large in the BVI, have anyone of them through their foundation donated furnishings for a ward, or fix a wing in the hospital with the necessary equipment? They can choose whether they want to support a critical care ward for children, or whoa an adequate intensive care unit (ICU). What contributions are these billionaires making to the community where they are making millions of dollars? To rent Necker Island for a day it is upwards of $46,000. You can't count the money he done made from that investment what he paid the government peanuts for, and they don't give back. Is the rumour that government going to give him another island just a rumour??? Well, it's left to be seen. I won't be surprised if it is so though. Hmmmmm
    • oook (07/11/2014, 08:42) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      You're right, Necker doe rent for $64,000 per day, but did you know it cost about $50,000 just to run the island per day? you better know what your taking about..
      • Soooooooo (10/11/2014, 20:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        What is your point? Are you saying that these billionaires should not give back to the community where they live and make their money. You need to be more clear in what you want to say.
  • presscot (06/11/2014, 16:14) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    ....who's to believe anything the NDP say...you all have done so much already!
    • qc (06/11/2014, 17:53) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      I see what Alvin meant when he said the invaders are coming!
      • .... (06/11/2014, 21:46) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Alvin said the Invaders were low income workers...lol. Yeah right...
    • shaw (07/11/2014, 09:22) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      presscot- This is how it all begins. We have seen how the development of the cruise ship park began- with avoidance and lies. I doubt this governor will open inquiry. Probably a friend to Branson and definitely a friend of the premier. He openly stated the airport will move forward when he knows there is a logical argument against. In 3 months he has been more visible in the press than the other two combined. I suggest this will be the trend from now on.
  • bob marley (06/11/2014, 17:04) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    "what's in the darkness must come to light"
  • 7th district remove him (06/11/2014, 17:12) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
    He is diligently telling us a lie.
  • EYYY! (06/11/2014, 17:44) Like (31) Dislike (4) Reply

    Dr. Pickering will sell the white on rice if that have to be the last thing that the government owns while NDP in power.

    I am so disappointed in that man as a BVIslander and a politician that I can't wait for the day he is voted out.

    A total waste of time. Don't represent the people 

  • 7th district (06/11/2014, 19:07) Like (16) Dislike (10) Reply
    Pickering is a good man just miss understood
  • pass word (06/11/2014, 20:26) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    Despite all the talk no one can beat Dr pico in the 7th
  • Dr Pickering (06/11/2014, 20:48) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    We all need to go jail for messing up the country
  • Music (07/11/2014, 06:51) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Doesn't Sir Richard also own Mosquito Island where he is building an Eco resort?
    Quite often wealthy people make donations anonymously, or without any fanfare.
  • Limpe (07/11/2014, 10:06) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Richard Bronson need to give some the money to help with the hospital. But every thing they give they have to gain from it. It's all about them. He does nothing but gain ,gain from these islands.
  • Just saying (07/11/2014, 10:07) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    I have news for all of you who love to tell "down-island" expats "you not from hea". The ones to watch are the white folks who are making their kids born here, while you run to the U.S. to born your own. Give them a few generations and your Premiere will be white. "Nature's Little Secret" is already sold out to the highest bidders. The horse done gone through the gate...just saying.
    • Marcus (07/11/2014, 13:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just saying you are absolutely right. Its a shame that the uneducated among us are to busy fighting down our own Carribbean peopkle while the White Expats are getting their chaildren here as as you rightly stated BVslanders are running to Puerto Rico and the US mainland to get their children there. For those people who dont know. The US Congress has a draft bill that will prohibit Non-US Citizens from coming to the US to have their children.
  • Yah!Yah! (07/11/2014, 11:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hello, you have the wrong BILLIONAIRE!!!!!!!!!!
  • XGirl (07/11/2014, 14:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's shame to ear on 2014 " the difference between white and black people"
    I'm black caribeean, but I refuse the discrimination as i can ear on several place in the BVI.

    Mr Bronson is honorable person.
    The shame is to see some minister have business and have all right to do what they want !



  • easydog (07/11/2014, 16:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    good bless the b v i
  • speedy (08/11/2014, 21:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    LIAR LIAR Pants on fire.
  • Over Lord (08/11/2014, 22:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We will make North Sound a play ground for us and none of you locals will be able to play there. You come earn your 300.00 a week, serving us and cleaning our mess and go to your servant quarters. So what if he gave us another one, we have so much cash that none of you will ever count. Yeah ok we gave you a bone here and there, a little computer etc.. just be grateful for us. We will complete Anegada ownership and buy a few more islands and then we take your Government away. We left it as a Bird Nest and you have a done a lovely job keeping the grounds but now we are back to resume our business. So Field People stop questioning our House Man, he is only doing what we want. Get back to your business, taking care of our homes and fields.
  • Really (08/11/2014, 22:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pickering and Smith, seriously man, what is going on with you? What did we do to you guys? You build a port of entry in North Sound so these people no longer have to come to tortola, You gave oil nut a government dock in north sound where caucasian people telling our people they can't dock there. You gave Oil Nut water rights where they have lines in the water and chasing people off the docks. And now this. We have been hearing for a while now you guys were offered airport money in exchange for another island North Sound. Now this article and you deny, deny until you going come up with a modified story of how they get the last Government Property up there. I mean whats the obsession of your need to be in Government. Your parents must be turning in their graves. Don't back the people into a corner, look at Bates Hill, don't repeat history. The people of today are a little more harsh than those in the past. Rethink your behavior guys, Don't back the people into a corner. The people did not vote for any sales men, they vote for leaders who will preserve our heritage and our future for us, not for anyone else.
  • rasta (10/11/2014, 21:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shoot them dirty politician. Burn them out !! Stand up to them, make do right by the people.
  • tola (12/11/2014, 17:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sir Branson has contributed to the territory. Loans are available to youths who first time business owners. His operations in the BVI provides employment and buying supplies locally support our stores. Government must take the money from the cruize piere development and invest that in the hospital. That is government responsibility. Further Sir Branson does not have to go telling the world what he has done fOr the BVI.


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