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Donald E. de Castro blasts Gov't for owing locals but investing in foreign airline

- talk show host said that Government could have paid its outstanding debt to contractors & service providers the same way it used monies from the Fund to invest in BVI Airways
Radio talk show host and social commentator Donald E. de Castro has blasted the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government for failing to pay monies owed to numerous contractors and service providers but yet finding money from the Consolidated Fund to invest in BVI Airways, a foreign owned entity. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith had confirmed at a press conference on January 21, 2016 that the Government of the VI will be making its investment of $7 million into BVI Airways from the Government coffers. Photo: Provided
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith had confirmed at a press conference on January 21, 2016 that the Government of the VI will be making its investment of $7 million into BVI Airways from the Government coffers. Photo: Provided
The Premier at an event to announce the joint venture on January 12, 2016 said the Government was pumping $7 million into the venture, even though passenger numbers could not be guaranteed. Photo: VINO/File
The Premier at an event to announce the joint venture on January 12, 2016 said the Government was pumping $7 million into the venture, even though passenger numbers could not be guaranteed. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Radio talk show host and social commentator Donald E. de Castro has blasted the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government for failing to pay monies owed to numerous contractors and service providers but yet finding money from the Consolidated Fund to invest in BVI Airways, a foreign owned entity.

De Castro was speaking last evening February 10, 2016 on his radio programme Straight on radio ZBVI 780AM.

“The Premier is saying that $7M is coming from the Consolidated Fund to give a company that went bankrupt, apparently to get them back on their feet. They obviously are new owners [but] with the same name,” he said.

“However, there are people in this territory including me who have done work for this Government and we are still waiting to get paid. If they took money…$7 million out of the Consolidated Fund [for BVI Airways], couldn’t they have taken money out of the Consolidated Fund to pay their own people?” he asked.

He noted that some $500,000 have already gone to BVI Airways and there are “still hundreds of us waiting for our money. It is shameful that some many people are waiting to be paid.”

No guarantees

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith had confirmed at a press conference on January 21, 2016 that the Government of the VI will be making its investment of $7 million into BVI Airways from the Government coffers.

Government recently announced that in order to continue to open the tourism sector and to boost the financial services sector, it needed to collaborate with the private owners of BVI Airways to commence direct flights to the United States, in particular the Miami International Airport, from the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.

The Premier at an event to announce the joint venture on January 12, 2016 said the Government was pumping $7 million into the venture, even though passenger numbers could not be guaranteed.

17 Responses to “Donald E. de Castro blasts Gov't for owing locals but investing in foreign airline”

  • Contractor (11/02/2016, 15:52) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Donald Boy ,you don't see this government want the bank to go with us,so those expats could buy us out..Stevie Wonder could see what going on..I have to side you with this one Meh Boiiiii..
  • facts man (11/02/2016, 16:04) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Diffrence is the local are black and bvi airways owners are white!
    • Buzz Bvi (11/02/2016, 16:47) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      I guess your real point must be that the Government do not give out contracts to local white people. Is that the difference you are pointing out?
  • wize up (11/02/2016, 16:34) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    can someone explain this whole thing because it is very difficult for some of us to get paid from government after providing services for them yet the white boy is given money upfront...
  • tretretrete (11/02/2016, 17:05) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    If I say what I'm thinking I will be arrested. I need my money. Im a musician played for festival. Not yet paid. I need my money. Its nothing but evil and bad thing im thinling. Hmmmm.
  • Me Too (11/02/2016, 20:02) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Since last easter I can't get paid. All I hearing is no funding received yet. This is not right....
  • dem say (11/02/2016, 20:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mumu
  • For once (11/02/2016, 22:46) Like (45) Dislike (0) Reply
    For once Mr. Decastro you have a Point, now that there is nonsense,
    the government is doing I agree with you with this one 100%
  • Wendy (11/02/2016, 23:43) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Dr. Smith and the NDP should go nowwwwwwwwww
  • Ms. P (12/02/2016, 00:05) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    Have you ever seen a NDP MINISTER step down in your life? This will all blow over soon. No criminal found! No NDP stepping down!!! NDP COUNTRY!
  • Spy (12/02/2016, 09:36) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hey Vino MIss P is back ,she sober up ,she on another site talking Sh$$t about her cousin again..She should be shame with all the corruption her government is doing..Donald please tell Miss P get on the news and tell Miss P to Tell her government please pay us or she can can pay us out the contract Pow give her for talking hog wash..She say Doctor Smith sailing good but we heading straight up on round rock ,so i know she can't see because she always tight tight....
  • in the news (14/02/2016, 23:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The NDP had more to lose in the last election than the VIP, and as such will be maximizing their efforts on the campaign trail, rather that spending timeworring how locals.
  • Don1 (15/02/2016, 14:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I remember when everyone was up and down rallying ndp now look, I don't feel sorry for a man because you the people voted these crooks in. Look at the state of the bvi. Babylon the bandits!!


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