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Fishing & Farming relief not top priority for NDP Gov't post Irma!

- Monies allocated to Ministry of Natural Resources are being sucked out to remove & ship out sunken vessels after Hurricane Irma – Hon Kedrick D. Pickering tells residents
Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) addressing residents of the First District on December 3, 2017. Photo: Facebook
Residents of the First District listening keenly to Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) at the Carrot Bay Methodist Church on December 3, 2017. Photo: Facebook
Residents of the First District listening keenly to Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) at the Carrot Bay Methodist Church on December 3, 2017. Photo: Facebook
Residents of the First District were told by Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) that Government would not be able to immediately render any financial assistance to farmers and fishermen, some of whom depend solely on their trade. Photo: Facebook
Residents of the First District were told by Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) that Government would not be able to immediately render any financial assistance to farmers and fishermen, some of whom depend solely on their trade. Photo: Facebook
CARROT BAY, Tortola, VI - Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) was not the bearer of much good news for some residents of the First District when he answered the initiative of Leader of the Opposition Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) to meet with those residents.

The Deputy Premier was bombarded with a slew of questions yesterday, December 3, 2017 at the Carrot Bay Methodist Church in Carrot Bay, on the western end of Tortola, of which included relief/assistances for fishermen and farmers. Addressing the concerned residents, some of whose livelihoods depend solely on those trades, Hon Pickering told them not to expect any financial assistance before the second quarter of 2018.

No money for now

He said, “As of now, we can help in non-monetary ways but in terms of giving financial support at this point in time, that is probably the best estimate that I could say.”

“It’s a question of budgetary allocation, so there is going to be some money allocated to fishing and farming but not in the immediate set of monies that we get...It is one of those things that will be given us in the recovery plan. Roads are more important and you got to get the roads fixed, you got to get the hospital fixed, you got to get the schools up and running,” residents were told by Hon Pickering.

It was not only the homes and other buildings housing businesses and government offices that were severely impacted by the September 6, 2017 Hurricane – Irma, but also farms/vegetation and instruments and vessels used by hundreds in plying the fishing and other marine trades.

We have no money

Residents told the Deputy Premier that since Hurricane Irma they have been subjected to a zero source of income and needed government’s help to get back on their feet.

But they were also told, “All the boats that are sunken anywhere in the BVI, whether on Jost van Dyke, Little Thatch, Peter Island, Virgin Gorda, those fall on us, that’s our responsibility to help get those removed, especially those that are sunken, and it is not cheap.”

According to Hon Pickering, “Getting them out of the water is only one half of the story. Getting them out of the country is another…that is consuming literally all of the little money that we have to do anything in our Ministry.”

Meanwhile, Hon Fahie intends to continue to have Ministers of Government and others in pivotal decision making offices join him at his regular meetings with residents of his district. The Opposition Leader said inviting the territory’s leaders came as a response to the request of the people of his district.

Hon Pickering is the first to attend.

26 Responses to “Fishing & Farming relief not top priority for NDP Gov't post Irma!”

  • Zion Hill (04/12/2017, 12:57) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply

    At least I admired his honesty unlike smith and walwyn

    • To Zion Hill (04/12/2017, 16:16) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
      I agree with you but I more admire Fahie for his leadership.
    • smh (06/12/2017, 19:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Reading this overseas. This is so ridiculous. No money for farmers or fishermen? They beed the assistance to provide local food and fish to the community and at the same time earn a living.
      I don't believe this
  • Ohh (04/12/2017, 12:57) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    This place is so damn depressing. And don't start with the well then leave. I was born in the old Pebbles Hospital.Maybe I should listen to my children and move to the States for a while.
    • @Ohh. (04/12/2017, 14:55) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Don't move as yet we need you here to help make the change..
    • Bertie (04/12/2017, 18:06) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      Me too. This place is depressing. Putting pressure on us financially to fix cars, house and out of work. Only the well to do can do all of these things ASAP, I cannot. I will sell my property and head state side and buy a home there. I am too beaten down now. My car is so damaged but runs, and now they talking about ticketing us. They won’t even give us 6 months to get another one. I am so done and leaving. For those with deep pockets with money, don’t even comment here, because you can’t understand.
  • pat (04/12/2017, 13:03) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man let just come funny man take all the money for schools; money buy land dr pic
  • Be responsible for yourself (04/12/2017, 13:13) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am not asking the Government for a damn thing. I have a nice big back yard that I am fencing in and I am going to plant a nice garden. I recently travel to the States to visit my daughter and we went to Walmart garden center and I purchase hundreds of seeds to plant. Any food seeds that can grow in hot weather I have.
    • anegada (04/12/2017, 16:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well said. I am with you..
      I do have a big yard and I love planting.
  • sinking feeling (04/12/2017, 13:55) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    why move 'em? before long the bvi will be down there on the bottom with 'em.
  • Ministry / Minister of Agriculture (04/12/2017, 14:53) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    There is a reason for those titles.. To enhance, help, advice, trained, Developed and marketing.. We need a change in that ministry. Alvera will do good in Agriculture and Culture give her those ministries.. Even as a Junior Minister. Then again Alvera need to find a new party. She will do good if given the opportunity. She is seen as a waste in NDP. She needs to Join Frazer and Willock and be guaranteed a ministry.
    • voiceofthevoiceless (04/12/2017, 23:08) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      When last you see Alvera? Fahie having weekly meetings and our district 6 rep cannot even hold once a month meetings yet you endorse her for Minister of Agriculture? You serious? So many issues plaguing district 6 and we cannot even see our Rep.
  • Just Woke (04/12/2017, 14:58) Like (5) Dislike (18) Reply
    When is Frazer and Willock going to announce their team and the party? We need something new and good.
    • @just woke (04/12/2017, 18:36) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
      Go back to sleep because you had a bad dream. When you wake again you will come to your real senses that Fraser is not a leader.
      • Honestly. (05/12/2017, 03:35) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
        Is Fahie a good Leader? For me know. Is Frazer a good leader for me no. The difference is Frazer had a cleaner slate, more courage and Will be more respected abroad. I will take Frazer any day over Fahie.. Having said that. Let's us see all the candidates early so we have time to look at them them listen tgwm , study them and chose.. As for a leader going Forward I always see Marlon Penn as that person base all that I'm seeing now maybe when I see the others I may change.
        • To Honestly (05/12/2017, 08:15) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
          All those who tried to destroyed Fahie hoping that rheir attacks can stop him from being our leader will have to sit and watch him become leader including you.
    • wize up (04/12/2017, 18:38) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ just woke: I asked the same question and got cussed out: I am trying to figure out what is the secret!!!! Some of us just want to know and vote for the very best persons come next election weather it be a snap election or goes down to the wire.....
    • @ just woke (05/12/2017, 07:04) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      Why YOU got mr willock name in your commest?

      Esteem told me he is with the VIP ALL THE WAY
  • wize up (04/12/2017, 15:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whats new; however I see trees were purchased by government to put on the beach(is this a tourist/tourism move????)
  • What a ting to tell da King (04/12/2017, 19:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dear All, this was not your typical hurricane, it set records and caused a great deal of damage. The road to recovery will be long and hard. I am thankful that it did not take more lives in the Caribbean.
    What are we really looking for from Government?
    How quickly do we expect the country to be built back?
    How are we going to build back our infrastructure with very little to no customs revenue, tourism or financial services?
    How many of you are now thankful for the hospital and it's structural integrity?
    Peter Island, Little Dix, Bitter End, Sebastian, The Moorings, the entire yachting industry Real Estate destroyed!
    I would really like to hear a long term plan for reconstruction of the BVI, I am not unreasonable, I realize the rebuilding of this country will take many years. Life and the prosperity that we enjoyed in the BVI for many years was destroyed by a storm called Erma. I only pray that we can learn from our past mistakes and figure out the best way to move forward in developing this great country.

    We elected the this Government to lead and we demand leadership and accountability. We want to know how any loan that the people of these Islands will have to be pay back is used. We have wasted a great deal of money on Beaches, Airlines, walls etc. Lets thank God for our blessings and help each other during these hard times. Nothing is never as Good as it seems and nothing is never as bad as it seems. We will be ok in Time Do Your Part and help those who are in need. Electricity Department is doing a great Job in getting the lights back on. Contributions from abroad is greatly appreciated. We are blessed Anyone who claims to have all the answers after such a historic Hurricane is lying. I do expect more from this Gov!!! That 7 Million that went to BVI Airways would come in handy now!
  • Well look (04/12/2017, 20:55) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    From the way it looks, you guys are on your own. I saw on another site dude had the look on his face like, what am I doing here. They have money to import trees but no money to help the farmers and fishermen to get back on their feet. Trees is expensive to import unless they got some type of deal. I guess if dude want beef, he can order Black Angus beef or Kobe beef and have it shipped to him overnight. Or if he want fish or lobster he can have it shipped to him overnight from Key West.
  • clear (05/12/2017, 04:01) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    You are seeing more and more that the ministers in this government care nothing about the people in this country who are indigenous. How many of those boats belong to locals? The few locals who can help to put food on the table are told there is nothing in the purse for themten right now. It shows they prefer people to starve. Their first priority is to retrieve sunken boats and get them out of the country. Just hope it is not the aid being used that way. They are taking care of themselves and their friends. They better know they are being watched and listened to from outside. Do those boat owners have to sign up like the locals have to for aid?
  • See (05/12/2017, 06:18) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    But we have money for TREES ? WTF !! Most of the beaches are polluted to begin with ... remember all the filled in salt ponds ? Help the local fishermen and farmers ... but wait .... that will not help the big grocery stores .... hmmm .
  • zone 7 (05/12/2017, 07:06) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I will take pico over muron and Frazer still yea yea
  • comman sense (05/12/2017, 11:27) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I heard the government doesnt have the money to pay the BVIEC workers on Virgin Gorda and private individuals are actually paying the BVIEC wages to get the lines back up!!!!


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