Edmund Maduro- VI still not ready for independence
Maduro and Igwe engaged in a discussion pertaining to the issues on independence and the VI's relationship with Britain, on the popular controversial TV show aired on CBN Channel 51, on April 28, 2012.
The issue of independence surfaced on the programme following discussions about the recent documents signed regarding, Protocols on Effective Finance Management between the United Kingdom (UK) and the Virgin Islands.
Host of the show, Mr. Maduro stated that, based on what he has seen, no country in the world is independent. "As far as I see, every country is inter-dependent they have to rely on other countries around the world for something, no matter how small, no matter how large."
"Independence for the BVI can only arrive at a position of inter-dependency and the way I see this for the British Virgin Islands, is why I appreciate so much the protocol being signed, because that protocol shows, that without a shadow of a doubt, that we can cooperate with Britain and by cooperating with Britain now, even if we go independent, we can have those types of protocols in place so that this continued solidarity remains a part of good governance,” Maduro said.Mr. Maduro gave an example, questioning that if there was a war, can the Virgin Islands provide its own defense?
"We need countries like Britain backing us."
He further claimed that if it wasn’t for Britain the VI's financial services wouldn’t have been in existence.
Guest of BVI Forum, Mr. Igwe, quoted an article written by Virgin Islands News Online, on February, 1, 2011, entitled, "Premier: VI not ready for Independence", which was an interview with former Premier, Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, regarding the Virgin Island's position in acquiring independence.
The excerpt read: “To have political independence I think you must have your mind fully made up to go through some very tough times."
In the article, Hon. O’Neal had said he doesn’t think the people of the Virgin Islands are actually ready for independence and to become an independent country, it immediately sends up the cost of government, which will be ultimately borne by the Virgin Islands tax payers.
In relation to independence, Mr. Maduro added that the country has to post ambassadors around the world, "who will be our ambassadors, can we afford them and can we really afford to have an ambassador in countries around the world."Mr. Igwe raised awareness of a survey conducted by the Virgin Islands, under Hon. O’Neal’s leadership as Premier, where he said; the survey investigated the cost, obligations and requirements of independence. He stated that the first Premier of the VI claimed that inadequate preparation for independence by some countries, became an albatross, when independence was eventually and fully granted to them, it brought regret, especially to the ordinary people.
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