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Building HLSCC on farm lands was a plan to sideline agricultre- Ulric Scatliffe

The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) was built on agricultural lands, prompting talk show host Mr Ulric Scatliffe to speculate that it was a deliberate attempt to put agriculture on the back burner in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Ulric Scatliffe said the territory is heavily dependent on the tourist dollar and agro-tourism is one area that the Virgin Islands (UK) is missing out on. Photo: Internet Source
Mr Ulric Scatliffe said the territory is heavily dependent on the tourist dollar and agro-tourism is one area that the Virgin Islands (UK) is missing out on. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Host of the radio programme A look at the Community on ZBVI 780 AM, Mr Ulric Scatliffe said the decision to build the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) on prime agricultural land in Paraquita Bay, was a “deliberate” attempt by Government to put agriculture on the back burner.

Speaking on his 60-minute show on Saturday November 12, 2016, Mr Scatliffe noted that what’s even worse is the HLSCC does not have an agricultural programme.

He was addressing the territory’s agricultural sector.

“The Chief Minister [H. Lavity Stoutt] took all the farm land which was ideal for farming and gave it to the college and there is nothing now, just a skeleton of what they are doing there; not even offering a programme on agriculture in the college. So again it was a deliberate act it seemed to get out of agriculture,” he said.

Tourism is affected

The programme host also brought up the fact that the territory is heavily dependent on the tourist dollar and agro-tourism is one area that the Virgin Islands (UK) is missing out on.

He said over and over again these tourists are brought to the same attractions.

“…and people are suffering, because we are into tourism and the people who come here want to see all the stuff that we are growing,” Mr Scatliffe added.

The HLSCC was officially opened in 1990 under the leadership of the late Chief Minister Hamilton Lavity Stoutt who was a founding Chairman, which the college was named after. Prior to the college, the land was used for agriculture.

16 Responses to “Building HLSCC on farm lands was a plan to sideline agricultre- Ulric Scatliffe”

  • wize up (13/11/2016, 10:55) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hear the level of conversation this joker having in 2016(how many years that educational institution was developed for the people of the Territory)....over the years look at the scholars that passed through that facility)...Mr Scatliffe was an educator for many years and he did nothing( he could have established an agricultural course).... here is the joke;most of these guys on the talk shows were in positions and did nothing to better this territory now 30 years later talking utter foolishness......biwater got the same agricultural lands; why Ulric dont talk that(how many years HLSCC up and running) but thank God for freedom of speech!!!!
  • i could remember clearly (13/11/2016, 11:05) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Miss P once said "we don't have to listen to no darm farmers"
  • just asking.. (13/11/2016, 11:20) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why cant they do both?
  • Real talk. (13/11/2016, 11:52) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    There are more than enough good farm land in Tortola.. Land and farmers are not the issue ... It's the interest and the will of the people in power..
    • wize up (13/11/2016, 12:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ real talk: thanks, great comment: I recall the days of farming but its is more comfortable for me to purchase what I need that to be out in hot sun: honestly speaking which one of us can get our children interested in taking up farming(we did back then)....maybe the scientific way of farming(greenhouses) the young folks might have an interest
    • farmer (13/11/2016, 14:58) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      So if Stoutt is taking farm land for the college, why not designate some other land for farming, or do we prefer pesticide laden foods...; suit yourself.
  • geoff (13/11/2016, 15:55) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Knock it down, agro-tourism is the way forward. Need more industry rather than expensive non productive overhead.
  • This man here (13/11/2016, 16:22) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    What wrong with this guy mehson?....so much farming land in Tortola....
  • Saw dah (13/11/2016, 19:03) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Misleaders can't get kick back from local farmers so they killed the local farmers and brought in green houses..Millions was spend and can't even get a tomato to eat with out dressing.Inquiring minds will like to know wea the money gone santo or Jam down..
  • grave yard (13/11/2016, 20:37) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    idots sure does get too much air time
  • MOO-MOO (13/11/2016, 21:00) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Scatliffe still living in the era when it was not punishable for a teacher to have an underaged student as a girl-friend. What nonsense is he talking about about sideling agriculture. Mr. Stoutt was never a person without vision. There was a need for the college. Where was it going to go? It is after the college was put there agriculture began to grow with more concern. There are loads of land in BVI for farmland. What we need to do is encourage all to plant. We do not know what may lie ahead in the future. We must always be in a position to feed ourselves from agricultural products. Right now we are not. When Mr. Fraser was in that Ministry, it was booming. Perhaps the present Minister should ask Mr. Fraser how he did it. We should not be too big to draw knowledge from the other. Mr. Scatliffe needs to take a rest. He appears to be tired in his thinking. Not relevant to the day.
  • Hmm (14/11/2016, 11:08) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    i dont care were they put it. Investment in HLCSS was and is better than in farming
  • WOW LIE (14/11/2016, 11:29) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    That is not true Scatliffe, you know better than that. Conrad came with the same nonsense and you and him are in the same failed CCM party. The plan Stoutt had was to integrate the two together. Bring the students to the farm. So i guess building the Marine Science Center which is a part of the same campus is to sideline the fishing industry. Lavity Stoutt always coin the biblical phrase " Where there is no vision, the People Perish" . If you cannot understand that you need to come off the air. Government need a food policy law. A food security law to guide us in times of disaster. Agriculture have to see to it that is in place. Food production need to get up to speed. lots of work. So what you said Scatliffe is a lie.
  • HLSCC The Farm (14/11/2016, 20:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's still a farm! Just a while ago you could have tell when the cow and goat release them feces lol


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