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I have been accused of taking land & giving to white people- Hon Pickering

- removes himself from Josiah’s Bay land disputes
Acting Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) said he has been accused of taking land from people and giving it to white people. Photo: VINO/File
In this continuing session of the House of Assembly, Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) will be asking the Acting Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering if he is selling out the concessionary rights of Prickly Pear Island, taking it from a local and giving to a non-local. Photo: Internet Source
In this continuing session of the House of Assembly, Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) will be asking the Acting Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering if he is selling out the concessionary rights of Prickly Pear Island, taking it from a local and giving to a non-local. Photo: Internet Source
Back in May 2015 Mr Collinson George was applauded when he called for Josiah's Bay to remain as a residential area, while the elderly woman seated in front row blasted politicians for allegedly only caring about money. Right is Chief Planning Officer Mr Gregory W. Adams. Photo: VINO/file
Back in May 2015 Mr Collinson George was applauded when he called for Josiah's Bay to remain as a residential area, while the elderly woman seated in front row blasted politicians for allegedly only caring about money. Right is Chief Planning Officer Mr Gregory W. Adams. Photo: VINO/file
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Acting premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) sought to remove himself from land issues that have been rife in the Virgin Islands, including in the Josiah’s Bay community on the island of Tortola.

Speaking during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly today, October 31, 2016, Hon Pickering said, “Land is such a sacred issue you get beat up left right and centre for land, for stuff you don’t even know anything about. I’ve been accused of thieving people land, taking people land, giving it to white people all kinds of story…”

He further said he has also been accused of creating a land situation in Josiah’s Bay. “I met my grandfather who has been there since 1978 and a number of people down there fighting…I have been accused of taking the land from the people them. I say help us Jesus.”

Hon Pickering was addressing the issues of land and its worthiness for agriculture in the territory as he made his contribution to the debate on the motion allowing Government to borrow $1.5M to “move forward” with the Greenhouses in Paraquita Bay.

Residents blame politicians for land issues

It was back in May of last year that several persons were very candid about the situation they face in the Josiah’s Bay community as it relates to land ownership.

“We can’t let the politicians come and do as they like at Josiah’s Bay. We have to tell them what we want. They don’t care about us all, what they care about is the money,” said a resident of Josiah’s Bay during a meeting held at the East End/Long Look Community Centre to discuss a development plan for Josiah’s Bay on May 5, 2015.

At that meeting, there were no mincing of words and smooth plastering of the issues relating to the lands and properties owned by residents of Josiah’s Bay as they straight talked about their concerns when they met with Chief Planning Officer of the Town and Country Department of the Government of the Virgin Islands, Mr Gregory W. Adams at that meeting.

Hon Pickering or no other government Minister was present at the meeting at the time.

Meanwhile, in this continuing session, Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) will be asking Hon Pickering if he is selling out the concessionary rights of Prickly Pear Island, taking it from a local and giving to a non-local.

56 Responses to “I have been accused of taking land & giving to white people- Hon Pickering”

  • smh h (31/10/2016, 15:42) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    wow
  • sha (31/10/2016, 15:44) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    Aren't you in the process of giving/selling sand box to Branson soon?!
    • Harry (31/10/2016, 16:23) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
      This cannot be true in this day and age .Crown land belongs to the people of the BVI not for the elected minister to do what he want . Private land you do what you want but it is time they stop doing what they want with crown land .
      What about leasing and leave it remain the property of the BVI. If that is true this man is taking advantage because he see they do not care a damn about us .But this time we will fight for our land.
      • born here (31/10/2016, 18:05) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
        @harry
        Harry boy i aint sure bout d leasing either , because if they ( gov ) lease to locals they give them /we 25 years ; but the white man dem get 99 years and then they renew it before it expires .
        Them same lease lands are being sold from one white man to the next whicknI think is wrong . If government rent you land and you leaving the territory then a NEW lease should be sorted out with the government ;it is the same --it dem letting happen when these businesses are sold and employees are sold also ( modern day slavery) New owners / new business / new rules , then le me get my severance pay and begin a new with mynnew boss
        Them NDP boys got we for fools
        But there will be an UPRISING for all the UNJUST that is being put on poor people
    • you mean (01/11/2016, 11:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      (Branson) or (Jhonson) I rather Branson have it then the dude from YCCS. Next topic it ain't going to happen. It's a national park donated to the BVI by L.Rockefeller, if they can sell Sandbox then The Baths/devils bay/sandy cay can be sold as well. Who's to blame the buyer or seller?
  • Yes (31/10/2016, 15:47) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Picko Say Help Us Jesus...
  • Correction (31/10/2016, 15:55) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    You didn't give it to them doc, you sold it. They need to come off your case, selling crown land and the public has no idea until we can't step foot on it, is not GIVING AWAY. It's betraying the trust the people put in who in that snap election, but like the Hon. D. Christopher said what Gov does with money aint none of our business.. lol lol 4 more years
    • John (01/11/2016, 04:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Michael Misick, former premiet of the TCI, is on trial for the very same thing.
  • just wrong (31/10/2016, 15:56) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    How can racial prejudice be eradicated when people, especially those in high places, continue to talk about "white people" and "black people"?
    • wize up (31/10/2016, 17:02) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
      @ just wrong: do you honestly know what is recital prejudice: if a person is white that person is white and if a person is black the person is black.... there is no harm in identifying a persons by their race....I challenge you or anyone else in this territory who thinks like you to name one hate crime that have been committed in the BVI: this territory is populated by over 100 different nationalities and to this day I have never heard about any racially motivated crime(now in the USA; that place is crawling with racial prejudice)....all of us are subjected to our personal opinion so you keep the faith
      • HUH!!! (31/10/2016, 20:41) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
        @wize up
        I have lived here for 30 years. I am white and I suffer racial prejudice every day here in the BVI. We are talking about apartheid type prejudice but it is a constant irritant especially when I have to deal with mid-ranking civil servants. The more senior civil servants are not so bad, and the juniors are mostly fine. Whilst the prejudice against down islanders might not be racist, it is prejudice never the less and it is very sad.
        • John (01/11/2016, 06:40) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
          HUH!!! back to you. This government favors whites and you know it. Why can't people say what they mean? Racial prejudice is a white creation for their own privilege. You people want to do dirt to others, but you don't want anyone to notice or mention it. Perhaps the mid-ranking civil servants are the generation who spent time in your country and suffered under your racial yoke. I don't believe you, but if what you said is true, then in my opinion, it is the result of your own prejudice meted out against them. You've been in the VI for 30 years and you haven't seen any favoritism towards whites? Baloney!!!
          • ** (01/11/2016, 23:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            I have been coming and going for 42 yrs. I have close local friends who visit us and we sponsor students at college. We have deep roots here. But I can also agree that I have been on the receiving end of prejudiced comments and behavior as well. I have been invisible when I am next in line at the RMV when someone is shouting over me. I have had people tell me to go back home. I have had sucking teeth. But I have also had great connections and long close friendships. I will say that what we used to enjoy is slowly getting eroded by behavior of monied visitors who think they are entitled. A little respect goes a long way as I was taught. But also, I agree that the mid-ranking civil servants are not fair in their behavior either. Keeping people waiting, picking out of turn, talking with co-workers etc. Respect goes the other way too.
        • wize up (01/11/2016, 06:41) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
          @ HUH: just a follow up-you in the territory for 30 years so your experience cant be that bad otherwise you might have departed: when some of us can not our own way we come up with all manner of social retreic: my family been dealing with civil servants from way back when, I continued that path and I have encounters with them but to blatantly label civil servants as prejudiced is an injustice..I will recommend you skip the mid ranking civil servants and deal directly with the minister(you here for 30 years so you already know the drill but you just looking thing to talk)...chatting bullshit about apartheid!!!!!
        • Red X (01/11/2016, 06:46) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
          Prejudice you say?

          Let's not pretend that "white people" haven't intentionally segregated themselves on the island. None of your children attend the public schools and they all populate private schools in an effort to 'escape' co-mingling with blacks. In fact, attendance to those schools ensures the only blacks your children come into contact with on a regular basis are white washed.

          I don't see that as racial prejudice on the side of blacks at all. How many blacks have you spoken to? How many do you know as personal friends? The answer is probably very few because you, yourself are segregated from the wider communities on the island by choice. It is a natural reaction for us to view you as different as you have removed yourself from the very community that you claim is ostracizing you.

          Please calm down. We aren't planning to enslave you all just because you're a minority.
          • woah (01/11/2016, 11:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
            This. Needs. To. Be. Framed.
          • wize up (01/11/2016, 12:18) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
            @ red...don't forget the segregated restaurants; the exclusive bike clubs; health clubs; jogging clubs; tennis clubs and private gate communities and some of them restrict some of us from going to the beach....let me say this without fear or prejudice; some of them can not enjoy this type of life style where they are from
          • YES! (02/11/2016, 13:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            Frame. This.
        • Joosey (01/11/2016, 09:28) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
          I have lived here fore 32 years, from my first day here to now I have been made to feel like I was from here. If you want to come to a man country just to make the US dollar to send home and you treat the locals as though you better than them because your country bigger than Tortola, what the hell you think you will get Love and kisses. Tortolians are very loving people but when they show love they get abuse and distained by the same people who they help.
          • Jack-B-Quik (01/11/2016, 15:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
            My GOD. I wish I could hit "Like" on your comment over and over and over again. Thank you!!! They just don't get it!!!
          • to Joosey (01/11/2016, 23:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            you are painting with a very broad brush. It is hurtful. Not everyone is like that. Many of us want to be accepted but that attitude and jumping to conclusions is the very thing you are complaining about.
            How about looking at the individual and his character, and not wave the hand.
        • TAKEIT (01/11/2016, 09:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          Take it in your skin. You guys been giving it a long time. If we don't keep you in your place, you will give us a repeated dose of apartheid. All those outer cays. Watch them. Ask what is going on on Cooper Island, Prickly Pear Island.
      • just wrong (31/10/2016, 21:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ wise up - Would not it been better for the Minister to have said something like "local" vs. "non local" rather than "black" vs "white" . I will assume your "recital" is a typo.
        • wize up (01/11/2016, 08:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          @ just wrong- some of us would see such language as prejudice or discrimination....this is 2016 and there is no need to be so sensitive especially with conversations: at the end of the day and taking various conventions in context this territory is still one of the safest places to live....stick and stones brake bones BUT words should be of no harm(freedom of speech)
    • Cantstop (01/11/2016, 09:38) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply

      We will cease to stop talk about "white and black" people when white people stop hating us and stop discriminating against us and stop trying to isolate us and stop thinking that they are superior and we are inferior. The day that stop, the day we stop juxtaposing the two colours. 

      • to cantstop (01/11/2016, 23:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        do you really thing it is one-sided? substitute "white" for "black" people stop hating us. The same thing is happening in reverse. While I basically agree with you that some people have no regard for the people who live here and throw their money around and buy their belonger status, there really are people who care and try to protect the environment and historic houses when the locals don't. Try to capture landscapes in paint, try to teach a craft, try to contribute to the community, teach swimming and sailing, help with computers- even when they are glared at. Try that for many years. So why should people try to belong when you don't want them either. you are throwing the baby out with the bath water. not everyone is bad.
  • if it walks like a duck it is a duck (31/10/2016, 16:13) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    if it waddles like a duck it is a duck
  • facts man (31/10/2016, 16:28) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Too much lies by this government
  • Sorry dude (31/10/2016, 17:29) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am going to get a little hard but, the talk is you are a sellout to your people. The talk is that you are trying to be or act like you are white.
    • @sorry dude (31/10/2016, 18:46) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
      The question is this - Is the talk true? We live in Talktola. People say anything they feel like saying. They have no principles. 50% of the talk is about bad mindedness and which is just repeated by gullible people who have no idea of its veracity.. 35% is about jealously and the other 15% is usually the truth. 85% of the blabbing which goes on here is just damaging, irresponsible, non productive and just sad!
  • True (31/10/2016, 18:10) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply

    they tried to give 131 acres of beachfront land to a white guy on Anegada, signed the letter of intent. A word in the previous governor's ear put a stop to this!

    • W*F (01/11/2016, 07:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Liar
      • W*F (01/11/2016, 09:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        never a truer word written, lease for 99 years for a small sum of $1.5 million less than a 20th of what its worth. FACT
    • talkit (01/11/2016, 10:01) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply

      Maybe that is why they had the topic hot, hot about big airport on Anegada. You think any of those men we are giving and leasing land to would have leased any black man an acre? People, wake up. One befriended a local man on the Southern Cays, he sold him an acre, man moved the bound post to claim more. Now, the people want to land lock the black people. This is the nature of those people. Everywhere they go, they making trouble, segregate themselves because they always think them better with their non-melaninated skin. Why we let them to these shores bothers me. If they did it in the past, they will do it again -- enslave us. It will come to a head one day. They ran left it and they will run again. Don't frigg us up, man. We believe also that the Minister of Natural Resources is not dealing in the best interest of the Virgin Islands people. We will fix him next four years like a sheep without a pasture. Not in this country, we say. Our ancestors died to give us this land and we are not handing it over without a fight.

  • cay (31/10/2016, 18:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    PURE LIES MEHSON
  • 7 district (31/10/2016, 18:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Picko need to be fired from destroying the country and whatever is left of the ndp before he makes a disaster
    Doc take the lead fire him or you all will be fired unless your entire ndp team don't care about we as a country
    Ralph was asleep but he balls is bigger than yours cause he did it when it had to be done
  • 9th District Voter (31/10/2016, 19:34) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Selling Prickley pear? Let the NDP Government make that mistake and they will see what will happen to their 9th District Rep come next election. This is no joke. Enough is enough. Wait and see. Doctor O'Neal be forewarned. If u don't want to be a one termer go right ahead and let Picko and the gang mess with Prickly Pear..
    • SPEAKTHETRUTH (01/11/2016, 10:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Let us as a people stop mumbling. Let us stop the sale of Prickly Pear. Let us march on this one. Let us show togetherness. Let the local girl have her 99-year lease. These white people too out of order and are being facilitated by the Minister. If he let the ink dry on a lease to Branson or anyone of them, we got to have a big show down. Send the work to the Minister, that the BVI is not for sale.
  • R (31/10/2016, 21:09) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I cant stand this dude. Imagine he witholding land from bvilanders and at the same time selling out land to expats
    • Picko for Picko (02/11/2016, 21:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can't stand him either. I could never figure out why we have an obstetrician/gynecologist (Picko) and a general practitioner or whatever he was forgot (premier smith) in charge of running the GOVERNMENT OF THE BVI. What sense that makes? Then we wonder why the place upside down.

      If you have a toothache, do you go to a mechanic? If your jeep breaks down, do you go to dentist? Struuppees!
  • poor land (31/10/2016, 22:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is this the place where someone can expand and build on the beach without permits or regulations just because he's been doing it for years? Is this the place where a hotel is on the beach without knowing if water is enough, plumbing and sewage are adequate, building too tall and big? Sometimes planning is for the safety and protection of everyone and future generations. But now Pickering wants to charge non-belongers all sorts of taxes too to make up for it.
    • where is the Happiness and the love. (01/11/2016, 07:04) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      This Government is so individualistic--- meaning they created a culture where every Mam for himself, it's all about individual wealth...Dividing the People. Very little care for the Masses...When I see Dominica Creole Festival and St. Kitts Music Festival the fun, the smiles, the unity..What happen to we... Happiness money can't buy. .Happiness the best medicine...Happy people make God Happy.. We really think we are living in Heaven but we are living in hell
  • Chain block (01/11/2016, 05:53) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    The white man come hare and take our land. Our politicians give our land to the white man. The white man so rasist he come here hating all the time. (suck my teeth) burn fire pon dem.

    Seriously imagine the governor made a remark about black men. Imagine the uproar. Imagine Farrage bemoaned all the dark men crossing the border. There would be outrage. I find his comments as offensive as this post.
  • X-mann (01/11/2016, 06:49) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The government need to understand that they work for US the people of the BVI. We are the ones that put them in control, and we need to realize that we have more power than them.In all reality they're our puppets not the outsiders. I lived in America for many years and I had a love for the movement of the 50's until. We the people need to learn from that. Organize ourselves come together protest all government offices, the private sector, charter companies, texting ,and its only then. The ones if office with see that's it's we the people that run this country.
  • My respect gone. (01/11/2016, 06:53) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    You all realize every time this government need money for something the people won't support they find a good reason to borrow it. This time they are using the green house loans Just to find money to give these junior Ministers their raises and back pay...I always think and still think that if these guys so call junior Ministers were caring and good people knowing the shortages of money flow they would have decline the increase. Take the allowances and refuse the increases. I lost respect for two guys I always admire.
  • Street reporter (01/11/2016, 07:15) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    He wants to take the Music Festival to Brandy Wine Bay Beach which would be a beautiful thing.. The problem with that is " Brandy Wine Bay will never become a beach no matter what they do. Time to stop wasting tax payers money" Time to take a serious look at Beef Island Beach... That's perfect for Music Festival, Mega parking. Mega space. Sponsors will be able to set up their boots and get maximum millage. The Committee can sell spots to vendors. Do a study put the necessary in place. Perfect. Put us back on the fun and entertainment world mop.
  • casper (01/11/2016, 07:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I guess you have to be real 'special' kind of white to get in on this show.
  • B Savage (01/11/2016, 08:30) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    You all going to learn about these JESUITS talking bout we grow up together. They selling us out for LESS than 30 pieces of silver. YOU BLINK! Tortola is MANCHESTER you will learn. I hope you all still grow up together then.
  • Canttrust (01/11/2016, 10:12) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply

    Not all white people are bad. Some stood for justice with Martin Luther, but we got a lot of prejudice white people in this lil Tola. They envious, begrudgeous and wicked. They want our land because we owned 60 percent of it at one time. Between the white surveyors, the white realtors, the half-white Ministers and half-white locals, they are hell bent on taking our land. Let one come and ask me to sell them a piece. I bet they would never pass back when I tell them the answer and give them a price. We need a good shaking up in this place, Labour, Immigration, Natural Resources. Do not enslave our people again, please. We are surrounded by them on the outer islands. This is not good at all. Who don't hear going feel. The money they got under the table will not be able to withstand the anger that would boil in the people.

    • John (01/11/2016, 12:46) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Well if we own 60%, that means we lost 25% since last I heard and for what...just crums. Branson go necker for $300,000; Rockerfeller got VG for $2.00 an acre. Today we are broke. How can these representatives, on both sides of the isle, live with themselves?
  • Noman (01/11/2016, 14:08) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    No, man they did not lose 25%. Some people who were hungry sold some; some people who were thirsty, thief some; some people who were envious, swindled some. But what is left back, they want to burn fire under locals backside to get off of it. Don't mess with the BVI people and their land, them say. They calling on the dead relatives to frighten you off it. Jumbie days back in the BVI. What a ting.
  • Ajic (01/11/2016, 16:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who the cap fits let them wear it...SELLOUT
  • tola (01/11/2016, 17:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    You all hear making noise you all vote them in
  • boy O Boy (01/11/2016, 21:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Boy o boy we miss uncle Ralphy that man wod of send picko foolish a-- home long time let him go be a doctor he even can't be Picko is just a foolish uneducated dum a-- can't even talk proper English foolish waste of sperm


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