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‘Gov’t might have hidden agenda’ - Picko Moff on Fast Track Initiative

- Says intelligence insulted with ‘Fairy Tales’
‘Hard Talk’ radio host, Kaream K. Pickering aka 'Picko Moff' in questioning the 'Fast Track' move during the Monday, May 20, 2019, Town Hall meeting called by the Government, says that given the urgency by the VIP to get the issue moved, the government might have some type of hidden agenda. Photo: VINO/File
Already, the Second and Third Readings for the Bill entitled ‘Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act 2019’ designed to kick forward the initiative has been pulled from the Order Paper of the May 17, 2019, House of Assembly (HoA) following mounting pressure from protesters and lobbyist against the policy. Photo: VINO/File
Already, the Second and Third Readings for the Bill entitled ‘Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act 2019’ designed to kick forward the initiative has been pulled from the Order Paper of the May 17, 2019, House of Assembly (HoA) following mounting pressure from protesters and lobbyist against the policy. Photo: VINO/File
Two of the persons behind the petition that called for the removal of the Amendments to the Immigration and Passport Act on the Order Paper for the Friday May 17, 2019 House of Assembly (HoA) Sitting were Rosemary R. Rosan-Jones aka ‘Cindy’ and Attorney-at-Law Jamal S. Smith. Photo: VINO/Facebook
Two of the persons behind the petition that called for the removal of the Amendments to the Immigration and Passport Act on the Order Paper for the Friday May 17, 2019 House of Assembly (HoA) Sitting were Rosemary R. Rosan-Jones aka ‘Cindy’ and Attorney-at-Law Jamal S. Smith. Photo: VINO/Facebook
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI – ‘Why the rush?’ continues to be the persistent question surrounding the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) ‘Fast Track Initiative’ announced by Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) over the urgent need to grant Residency and Belonger status to persons residing in the territory fifteen years and more.

Hard Talk’ radio host, Kaream K. Pickering aka 'Picko Moff', in questioning the move during the Monday, May 20, 2019, Town Hall meeting at Eileene L. Parson Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), in Paraquita Bay, Tortola, said that given the urgency by the VIP Government to get the issue moved, there may be some type of hidden agenda.

'We ain't picking fruits'– Pickering

“What’s the rush… a month time to do all of this, if they were waiting for 25 years, two more ain't going hurt,” he said to loud applause regarding the need for immigrants to be regularised under what Premier Fahie called a ‘Grace Period’.

The young man made the point that one should not breeze through something so "critical and so important" and it made him wonder if there was a hidden agenda.

According to Pickering, “This is too important of an issue to be breezing through it like we picking fruits, we ain't picking fruits, it is the future we talking [about] here and this thing needs to be sit and looked at very keenly,” he said.

Meanwhile, as part of the Town Hall meeting, the administration noted that the views of citizens expressed at the event will be taken into consideration.

Already, the Second and Third Readings for the Bill entitled ‘Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act 2019’ designed to kick forward the initiative had been pulled from the Order Paper of the May 17, 2019, House of Assembly (HoA) following mounting pressure from protesters and lobbyist against the policy.

Forced Unity

According to Pickering, the government needs to slow down, “One wrong move and the BVI… they [immigrants] will wipe us out… why not deal with the backlog, if you want to do something why not deal with the backlog,” he reiterated.

The ‘Hard Talk’ host lashed out, saying the initiative only brings, “backlog on top of backlog with a timeline”, further, he said, “you couldn’t deal with the first backlog all of a sudden adding two more people to a department we will get all of these processed? No!” he implored.

Meanwhile, Premier Fahie has repeatedly said one of the main reasons for seeking to address the issue of regularisation is to unite the Virgin Islands to face the challenges that may lie ahead. Mr Pickering is not so convinced.

“It will not unite us one bit, so stop using that as some ploy to get us to fall for it, this will not unite us,” he charged while noting that the government is opening up VI resources to the world when no one is opening theirs to locals. 

He said the government has insulted his intelligence with fairy tales and they need to slow the process down to get it correct. “We don't owe anyone anything, BVI nice and that’s why them still here,” he said.

Meanwhile, Premier Fahie has since indicated that his VIP government is for the people and they will listen to all views expressed in charting a course forward.

29 Responses to “‘Gov’t might have hidden agenda’ - Picko Moff on Fast Track Initiative”

  • Vg man (22/05/2019, 16:44) Like (24) Dislike (16) Reply
    Da Moff your on point.Some of us know what is going on already.
  • wize up (22/05/2019, 17:07) Like (17) Dislike (9) Reply
    there are non-caribbean people living here for 15 plus years as well; this new and urgent initiative is to regularise those non caribbean residents in a timely manner: these folks control the purse strings in the BVI(political or socially)
  • ccc (22/05/2019, 17:10) Like (24) Dislike (37) Reply
    Set of cowbirds talking piss hon premier you on the right track
    • Not Today (23/05/2019, 07:35) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      WHat do you say to the god of death(caucasians living in the territory for more than 15 years and control the purse strings economically and socially?) NOT TODAY. Waiting on that status to assist more of yours to dominate....you could wait a few more years.
  • Hmm (22/05/2019, 17:53) Like (40) Dislike (34) Reply
    picko moff sound so stupid never one day made sense
  • Really (22/05/2019, 18:51) Like (25) Dislike (10) Reply
    Why is he relevant. Everyone want their voice heard for the wrong reason. Everyone looking for the negative but not the positive.

    Whom ever look for the negative will never prosper in life.
    • Hummmmm (23/05/2019, 12:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are correct, but please be mindful that those words also apply to you.
  • trouble (22/05/2019, 19:05) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    @vg man.I with you.Lets just help them to understand a bit.The agenda has began years ago...We will become slaves in our own country.
  • legal team (22/05/2019, 19:55) Like (35) Dislike (8) Reply
    Section 16 of the Immigration and passport ordinance Chapter 130 of the laws of the BVI,makes provision for non-belongers residing in the BVI to become belongers, following an application process etc.

    Certain policies are fpllowed,as it relates to the amount of years to be considered before a nonbelonger can be qualified to apply..

    There are laws in the BVI from which policies,rules etc are enacted to guide the authorities under the BVI Immigration system

    Where is it written in the law or the Constitution,that in 2019, the Premier must first seek the advice of other belongers in the public to decide who should be granted belonger status in the BVI?

    There is no such law..

    Pico moff, Cindy and Jamal must show us the law,which gives them the authority to object to the Premier's decision..


    Lawyer, Jamal Smith: Show me the law..
  • Futuristic (22/05/2019, 20:02) Like (14) Dislike (11) Reply
    Why so much pressure on the Easten Caribbean people when is we help build dis place. Your fore fathers went to Santo , SKB , and the while Caribbean but never to Phillipines or Arabia , or Lebanon and we cherish dem and hate de Vinci and Caribbean brother
    • ndp (23/05/2019, 05:55) Like (26) Dislike (10) Reply
      @ Futuristic: you making it sound as do you doing the BVI a favor. You arrived in the BVI did your work got your salary then sent most of it via western union or money gram back to your homelands. Big deal and what is your point. You came to the BVI sought employment and you were paid by your employer. Some folks makes 10.00 then send 9.99 of that 10.00 back to there family. You need somewhere to live and pay your rent for living in the people’s apartment. Some of you been living in BVI for 30 years and owns nothing here. What business have you started in the BVI and employed BVI people. You are in BVI for your own personal gratification. Those of you that have a business in BVI mostly employs people from your home country.....lets all keep it real and continue to live in love & harmony
      • Wrong Focus (23/05/2019, 06:40) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
        so did all the caucasians that are still here waiting on status. They are who the BVIslanders should be worrying about
        • wize up (23/05/2019, 08:09) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
          @ wring focus: the new immigration movement is for the Caucasian: for almost 50 years that sector of this BVI society controlled the financial industry; law firms; villa rentals; dive companies; charter boating industry, BVI costal waters and still have no rights to vote or run for political office in the British Virgin Islands and the UK intends to change those rules: just before this last election a new political party was being organized by the same Cindy; that new group was functioning on behalf of the caucasians and I submit that new political party will be back come 2023: only the poor man feels it
      • lol (23/05/2019, 12:29) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
        Should you buy land, build a house in a place that you have no papers for? Most wait until they receive residency or belonger status before they take such a huge risk.
        • No (24/05/2019, 06:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          You should buy land in the place from which you came. You can also contribute there and get many times more land for much less.
  • Revenue (22/05/2019, 21:41) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Come on Island man lets push start the treasury $1500 x 2000 = $3,000,000
  • trrefdrfds (22/05/2019, 23:19) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    I love the premier ideas
  • pope paul (22/05/2019, 23:23) Like (16) Dislike (10) Reply
    help me please because some folks live in their own country for 50 years and owns nothing in their own city they somehow shows up in BVI for a few years and demanding we give this and give them that so tell me about it
    • answer to pope pau (23/05/2019, 08:44) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      The british virgin islands is owned by the queen of England. belongers belong to the bvi,and is entitled to beloner rights in the constitution so no oneno belonger can own the bvi,the most we can have in bvi is to buy a piece of land and build a house,own a car and a job go to school then we go overseas to study and maybe just decide to stay in usa for whatever reason 15 years later we sold what we have to another personin bvi and society moves on..saying ah born here and ah belong here is constitutionally correct but it would be unlawful; for anyone to say ah own here,because here bvi is owned by her majesty the queen as I understood it recently.ah barn heer ah doh own heer.
    • Runway (23/05/2019, 21:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Cut your nonsense, ok, how many Locals live here for 60 years and have to be sheltered by Caribbean nature? Check yourself ok.
      • You runway (24/05/2019, 09:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        When you came here you met people living in their own houses on their own land. We didn't need you to build us a house. When you came here you couldn't even drive a nail without pounding your finger. You learned from Virgin Islanders who were kind enough to give you a job. If you could build back then, you would have built in your own country.
  • Lawyer (22/05/2019, 23:24) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    show us the law jamal
  • musa (23/05/2019, 07:46) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    proper screening must be done with 15 yrs a lot of us change ;
  • bvinice (23/05/2019, 09:08) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am a BVILander. BVI is nice because MAJORITY of the businesses, FOR ONE, is owned my ARABS and OUTSIDERS. When a ARAB die, and (because of their religion), all the ARABS close their stores. One Word #GHOSTTOWN. Most DOCTORS are OUTSIDERS. So YES, they do get paid for their work and contribution. BUT ACKNOWLEDGING people and SEEING how much OUTSIDERS (who yall bashing so much now) CONTRIBUTE, is a VERY VITAL point!!! THIS ISLAND IS DEAD WITHOUT DIVERSITY. AND THAT IS FACT!! NOT AND OPINION. DO A SURVEY. EVEN OUR OWN IS GOING AWAY FOR A BETTER LIFE. YALL MAKE POINTS ON PURE NEGATIVE. I HAVE NOT SEEN A GOOD POSITIVE REASON. BUT THERE ARE MANY. THE IGNORANT WILL NOT LIST THEM THOUGH.
  • Game of Thrones (23/05/2019, 10:03) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    To locals

    That’s how the “Game of Thrones” is played.
    Belonged, belonger, deem to belong, resident,
    Immigrants, non-immigrants, are concepts that should be analyzed.
    You will be wiped out at some point, so unite and build a better nation.
  • Expat Express (23/05/2019, 10:31) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Pickering makes valid-serious points on behalf of his country. I know I'm not the only expat who agrees with him. There are some people who've lived here (and only here) for years, decades, and have done so because they recognize and value the uniqueness, beauty and culture of these islands and the people of the BVI. And for this reason, would agree with the slowing down the "Fast-track" initiative and thinking things through and planning a way forward.



  • Quiet Rebel (23/05/2019, 11:39) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I do not know what is in the Premier’s heart or his motives for the mad dash on this critical issue. The mad dash give rise to all kind of conspiracies, ie, the move is for short term political mileage........etc. If it is a political move, it is short-term at best, for the longevity of the ruling government with its current course of action may be short term/one term at best. We need to stop playing games and playing with peoples’ (all of us) emotions. Immigration issues are hot button issues the world over, ie, in developed countries, in developing countries, in emerging countries.........etc. The hopes and high expectations that many had for this government have are being quickly eroded or even dashed. Trying to do everything big and little today without a central strategic plan is a recipe for——disaster. Ok. I’m off my soap box and back to Immigration issue. The BVI is a tiny country and should have a controlled residency policy. An open policy that is available in big countries ( and even they are growing increasingly anxious about their open policies) will lead to social friction and disruption. There should be the opportunity for residency; nonetheless, it should be a controlled process. Moreover, this regularized issue may be an important and urgent issue to the Premier and potential belongers and many residents but it is not a national emergency or a national crisis. Consequently, if I were the Premier, I would appoint an ad hoc committee to evaluate the issue and make recommendations. Mr. Premier stop the stumbling from pillar to post trying to keep every Joe, Jane, Jamie, Jose.....etc happy all at once. You are squandering the opportunity and tarnishing your legacy as the 3rd Premier. Rejuvenate the high hopes and expectations. It is not an insurmountable task.
  • Nation Fever (23/05/2019, 11:47) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    I see the people of St Kitts are kicking up a storm on a similar issue. This must be the season of lunacy with government leaders. These initiatives must be brought to the people first. We are becoming second class citizens in our own country. Picko keep talking, we agree with you solidly on this point.
  • Oh Well (23/05/2019, 12:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    How many Hatians Dominican Republic sent home about a year ago? Plenty of them were even born in the Dominican Republic and some lived there for rolling years.


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