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Gov’t selling out VG farmland to outsiders – E. Maduro

Mr Edmund Maduro, on his talk show EDM on November 28, 2013 accused Government of 'selling out farmland in Virgin Gorda to outsiders'. Photo: VINO/File
According to Mr Edmund Maduro, some of the most beautiful farmlands that were being preserved for local farmers on Virgin Gorda are being sold to ‘outsiders’. Photo: VINO/File
According to Mr Edmund Maduro, some of the most beautiful farmlands that were being preserved for local farmers on Virgin Gorda are being sold to ‘outsiders’. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – “There is a piece of land in Virgin Gorda, beautiful piece of land called Long Bay, and I understand that the government just sold 28 acres or something like that … a good piece of the land to an outsider. Why are they burying our own people alive?” alleged Mr Edmund Maduro on his talk show EDM on November 28, 2013.

The land he was referring to, he said, was being used by locals for farming purposing for over 70 years. “… and they are being ejected, ignored, it’s just like the beaches in Virgin Gorda, Beef Islands, some parts of Tortola, are being denied access by our own people,” the talk show host further alleged.

According to Mr Maduro, some of the most beautiful farmlands that were being preserved for local farmers on Virgin Gorda are being sold to ‘outsiders’.

“One of our farmers was told that he could only get half an acre. These things are serious matters,” stressed Mr Maduro. He insisted that the farming industry is one that the Virgin Islands cannot do without and must be allowed to survive.

“When the Minister for agriculture is going to say he is not interested in agriculture and the premier is going to allow that subject to remain under that minister where we are going?” alleged Maduro as he continued to stress on the importance of farming.

He said he had some time back presented a proposal to a minister of Government in which he highlighted that the greenhouses must be run by all the farmers , “But there he is busy sending it out on tender for people to take it over,” said Mr Maduro.

It is the talk show host’s contention that should the government succeed in leasing or giving the farmlands to outsiders, the local farmers will see the “doom of day”. “What it is, it is so easy to run the greenhouse, all we need to do is to bring back the good gentleman who was brought in here to run the greenhouses, let him teach the farmers, how to run the greenhouses, let the farmers run the greenhouses as one project instead of splitting it up in a hundred little pieces,” he added

Mr Maduro contended that the minister responsible for agriculture said openly that he has more interest in sport fishing, which is a subject of the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D Orlando Smith. “He has more interest in the Premier’s subject than he has in his own. Where do we go from here ladies and gentlemen, it is heart breaking,” stated Mr Maduro.

He called on the people of the VI to stand together and put a number of issues forward, including farming, to the government of the day.

25 Responses to “Gov’t selling out VG farmland to outsiders – E. Maduro”

  • alvin (03/12/2013, 08:39) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    The invaders are back
  • DON Q (03/12/2013, 08:48) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Its a done deal, move on!!
    • Seth (03/12/2013, 21:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Don Q, It's a done deal, move on? This is how for so many years the likes of YOU have no regard for anyone but yourselves. Whoever sold this land without bringing it to the people first should be FIRED from their position. 28 acres only means another resort. I for one am tired of this. Why don't you and yours go to HELL and buy a piece of prime property there. I hear it is the busiest place around where you and the corrupt Officials will wind up anyway.
  • born here (03/12/2013, 09:04) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    No surprise here as we have had two years of
    nothing done on the port....
    nothing done on the airport...
    nothing done to reduce cost of living or doing business...
    businesses closing every day....
    selling out of government lands…...
    Immigration reform was shambolic but it only applies to our Caribbean brothers and sisters while whites come in and get work permit and jobs like that....
    THE NDP MUST GO
    • vg to the bone (03/12/2013, 10:47) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
      Yes theirs a particular house in North sound that was once occupied by locals for yrs .the land lord gave them notice they have to move out for repairs and it was repaired but now it’s full of whites and local ppl looking for places to live & are looking for jobs an these ppl coming in finding places to live and jobs like that. When things turn hard in the bvi just know the ppl of the bvi have their selves to blame ,they don’t look out for each other but smile up in each other face an talk behind each others back, look at the whites & Philippines that live here the Syrians they all hold one head, why can’t we.
      • Truthy (03/12/2013, 11:10) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
        Real problem is this: owners do what they want with there property and you are not the owner, so stop talking s**t. Every time I hear balling about whites and Phillipinos (and Santos and....) it always come back to the same thing: a local sold or rented them the property. You talk big, but what you really say is you want something for nothing, which is what you got in your lazy hands right now! Siddown!
        • live (08/12/2013, 23:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Yes, it was a great win for the shark and the thief, but it was a terrible loss for the public purse!

  • ooooo (03/12/2013, 09:09) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
    if ayo had listened to me, ndp would not have been in power now selling us out again...who dont hear does feel!..."eject them dont elect them"
  • chad (03/12/2013, 09:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr Done Deal strikes again!!!!! NDP knows that there are people who can run these Green houses but playing games. What happens to the local farmers if a big entity is given free reign with the greenhouses? That is worrying.
  • As always (03/12/2013, 10:32) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is nothing new in Virgin Gorda, been happening for the last 50 years
    and the fools that go to vote for the same crap.
    Please look beyound two years.
  • pat (03/12/2013, 10:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    not all farmers can use the same land or green house like a team club. each has their secrets and ways to make a better vegetable. It is also a pride thing, a spiritual thing, an autonomous thing. There should be land set aside for these gifted people. sports fishing has given an opportunity for a new marina and development in sopers hole west end. How can charters, ferries and fishing boats all compete for a small area? sports fishing sounds so easy, but it entails gas, oil, building facilities, and with that, a hotel, restaurant, etc. It is bigger than just a plot of land that can be used and saved for the future.
  • True (03/12/2013, 11:27) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Sportfishing you say? A company has just bought 3 multimillion dollar properties in Virgin Gorda for this very sport. They are trying to sell 52 acres on Anegada to "invaders"
  • he again? (03/12/2013, 11:40) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    give me some of what Edmund smoking..
  • Vantage (03/12/2013, 12:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    So you telling me that because no locals don't want to spend money on proper sports fishing, we just should do without it? lol. The money spent on rims, sound systems, range rovers, cigarette boats and spanish women could be invested in businesses then the profits could then purchase these 'toys'. people here so $%%^^& misguided it isn't funny.

    • True (03/12/2013, 14:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      as said above a company that makes protective covers for phones has purchased 3 multimillion villas on VG to start their business with multimillion dollar sportsfishers to go along with the project, making North Sound a millionaires playground. But a local had to sell their land in the first place....
  • John (03/12/2013, 13:23) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well its up to the NDP Government to dispel these rumours. If not they will loose big next election like they did in 2007. I am not saying I want this to happen beacuse I don't want the VIP in power either but it just disturbes me that NDP will come back repeating the past.
  • pat (03/12/2013, 16:51) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    why is anyone taking Edmund serious?
  • For Real? (03/12/2013, 19:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    During the last elections, many Virgin Gordians campaigned for the VIP with empty promises of acquiring that same land by the District Rep. This is not a surprise. A promise is a comfort to a Fool. He didn't act then and will probably never act again. Fools, why didn't you see this coming? That is only the tip of the iceberg. More to come. How long? Not long. We are being closed in from the North, East, now West and soon South. Mark my word according to the grasshopper.
  • tell all (03/12/2013, 19:22) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply

    why edmund dont go and get his house in order.

  • correcto (04/12/2013, 09:30) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Maduro is indeed correct, and you disrespectful folks on here need to address the man better, talking nonsense about his house and the like..He is indeed right, we are being pushed out of our own country and it is sad. You will all feel the pinch when you or your offspring looking piece of land in the years to come, because as far as I know, once the outsiders purchase land, they try to keep the locals out of the area, by purchasing the lots nearby and jacking up the price, ridiculous! In the coopermine area of VG, pure outsiders live in both corners of the neighbourhood, with ONE-THREE local homes at the median, this is serious business, so I applaud Mr. Maduro big time!
    • Outsiders? (04/12/2013, 11:04) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
      You sound like the people in the UK in the 70's protesting when minorities/foreigners moved in to their village. Discriminating against people because of where they are from or how they look. The BVI needs money from outside, a local person sold the land, stop blaming and learn to live in harmony.
  • Harriganizer (08/12/2013, 18:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    VG represents a clear case of an island territory in urgent need of some type of zoning policy. Agriculture is a broad subject running the gamut from farming (both crops and animals) to processing, transportation, and delivery to end consumer. Selling out VG lands is packaged intimately in the 'selling out' (a lack) of a comprehensive plan to enact appropriate zoning laws that set aside space for recreation, environmental tourism, and of course, the production of food. Policy-makers take note!


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