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Local businesses being undermined under NDP Gov’t- E.G. Maduro

- said Government has allowed foreign businesses to unfairly compete with locals’
Talk show host Edmund G. Maduro has blasted the National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration for allowing foreign businesses to come to the territory and compete with locally owned entities. Photo: VINO/File
The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government of Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (left) has been accused of failing to protect local businesses. Photo: VINO/File
The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government of Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (left) has been accused of failing to protect local businesses. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - “It is unbelievable that our government has allowed several companies from St Martin [and other countries] to come in to undermine our locals who are in the same business,” claimed talk show host Mr Edmund G. Maduro on his EGM Show on October 20, 2016 on ZROD 103.7 FM.

This he said is something no other governments in the Caribbean would allow to happen. “We as BVIslanders have to take a stand and not to allow such things to happen. If we standup and fight we will have our rights, if we standup and don’t fight we will have nothing.”

Stating that the Virgin Islands is today at a serious crossroad, as the ‘handwriting is on the wall’, Mr Maduro blasted the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government for allegedly allowing foreign entrepreneurs into the territory to set up businesses that are putting undue pressure on those owned by locals.

“Every time I read it [constitution] it makes my heart bleed to see what we and our forefathers have put in place are being ignored by our representatives, our elected representatives of the day,” said Mr Maduro.

Gov’t falling short of commitments

In his usual fashion of speech, Mr Maduro said government is falling short of its commitments even after making an oath to God when it was sworn into office to carry out the wants, wishes and the laws of the people of the Virgin Islands. “They are still leading us astray.”

“We have people coming as from as far as South Africa in particular and they are trying to destroy our businesses for their own good so that they can benefit,” he added.

He said some local businesses have been in operation for many years. “I know for sure that one particular business had been operating here from in the 1960s. I would say this to you, I can name more than one, I can name dozens… our elected representatives are not paying attention to the fact that we elected them to represent us and not to dictate to us.”

He continued to blast the government for not, allegedly, committing to the oath they took, “They have sworn to almighty God that they would do justice with all the integrity in the world to serve the people of the British Virgin Islands as required by our constitution.”

According to Mr Maduro, for the government of the day to allow companies from other countries to come in and operate the same businesses as locals is a big put down to the locals. “It is a big put down to the people of the British Virgin Islands,” adding that he heard as a child the old folks saying, “christen your own child first.”

Changing his tone of conversation, Mr Maduro said that, in reflection, all the blame cannot be put on the government but also on the locals as they are failing to stand up and fight for their rights.

“The people are the power, not the Queen, not Buckingham Palace, not the money man but the people… We as BVIslanders have to take a stand and not allow such things to continue to happen. This is a small territory and we as a people must stand up for our rights.”

19 Responses to “Local businesses being undermined under NDP Gov’t- E.G. Maduro”

  • sugar aloes (22/10/2016, 10:18) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    "you got the government you deserve"
  • pep (22/10/2016, 10:19) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    I HATE THE NDP
  • fronting (22/10/2016, 10:22) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr.Maduro if you check the trade licenses for these businesses you will notice that locals are the ones whose names are on them.
  • Wake Up! (22/10/2016, 10:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Locals are getting these trade licenses for a small annual fee in disguise as a business partner or share holder. It starts from the top down including the house of assembly.
  • loop hole (22/10/2016, 10:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Legally all the businesses on the cruise pier belong to locals but we know better because a lot of fronting going on.
    • lmao (22/10/2016, 13:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      You all are just haters! On one hand you want locals treated with respect and given opportunities and on the other hand youre talking as if locals are not smart enough to actually own anything.
    • wize up (23/10/2016, 09:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ loop hole: just a follow up to your blog because a number of white folks are given authorization to build a "residential house" in the Territory however once that house is built it suddenly becomes a "rental property" under the control of a real estate company somehow others can do as they please in this country but the locals must take a back seat but I know the devil will always be a liar(it is shameful how your own black race find all manner of foolishness to talk while others full speed going with our children and grandchildren inheritance)....the time you are wasting looking around for bullshit to talk please do something productive for yourself or join the lions club
  • dog (22/10/2016, 10:29) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    But u all voted them in so take that
  • dem tek us fo foolz (22/10/2016, 10:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    unfortunately that swearing in thing is just a sham.
  • Stree Reporter. (22/10/2016, 13:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow. Wow. Finally someone wake up and get courage to speak about a real issue that's affecting us. We can't go to St Martin and Puerto Rico and go around selling we will be either deported or in Jail. Or both.
  • Concerned (22/10/2016, 20:45) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of us too gullible . So many of our people have had woll pull over their eyes for a small portion of money with this " fronting " thing , yet it continues
    Why cant " black people " see it is a modern day type of slavery . How many people you know got trade license for outsiders and their name in as director or some thing But how many are SHARE HOLDERS and get commisdion?
    I know one woman who was paid out in the first year and ask to not even visit the business place
    Its a shame. "
    Where there s no vision -----
    • wize up (23/10/2016, 05:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ concerned: you sound vex at the very least some of us smart enough to make a few pennies while some of us only bringing talk to the poker-game:
      • concern (23/10/2016, 12:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ wise up
        Naaa bro , i aint "vex" but it hurts to see we as a black ppl still allow the "boys " to put us to fight against each other . I cry for my ppl to see us as crabs in a barrel jus pulling each other down . Example : how many 20 yd trucks in tola and how many Hi macks ; how many white ppl invest in them ? There is only so much work to go around , so many are sitting idle and hurting . QUESTION. Now
        HOW MANY SAILBOATS cats / mono hulls / cabin cruisers are in bvi waters ? How many black ppl own or even have shares in one of these ? That is where the money is being made , in the sailing industry . I would just like to see us " blach people " live like the " syrians " let us band together and build each other up rather than pulling each other . We are our GREATEST enemy , because of our small minded ness and greed .
        Awiat your positive comment
        • wize up (23/10/2016, 13:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          @ concerned: I agree with you because we no longer united as a people: I can recall the days when our forefathers were the boat captains; the boat builders; the farmers; the home builders; the tart makers; coalpit masters; landowners and those village days when we depending and embraced each other however by 2016 things are very different and here is the burning question who to blame: progress is wonderful but it comes at a very high price are we paying the price for our progress as a territory now...at the end of the day we have because so divided and money caused it because in those we had no money and all was wonderful; we now have Amex, Visa and Master Card but not comfortable in the Virgin Islands: i dont think the territory will ever be united wholeheartedly because of politics and poor leadership
  • Really? (22/10/2016, 21:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why would people come from outside with the express purpose of destroying the economy. Surely, it's in their best interest to contribute to it so that they can continue to benefit from it. This has nothing to do with the success of businesses. Those that plan, pay attention to market conditions, understand their customers and their needs, and pay attention to keeping track of their finances, and evolve accordingly tend to prevail. Those that do not generally fail. Running any business requires dedication, constant self-analysis and hard work. Being born here does not automatically endow anyone with those qualities though they can be taught and learned. Mr. Walwyn should consider introducing small business management as a subject for children in their final year of high school.
  • wize up (22/10/2016, 23:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    some of doing lots of talking but doing nothing to help the state of the economy ask Maduro how many local people on his payroll....The local man builds his appartement and persons from outside rents it, been happening for years: most of those buildings in road town are owned by locals so the local man gets income from the rent: the pier park is owned by the government of this territory therefore the rents goes into our treasury...do this(call anyone of them on tv or radio talking then ask them for a job)....the whites been raping this territory for many years and doing so all now BUT that is ok in the eyes of some of us)....the BVI is branded as the sailing capital of the world but the whites continues to pocket millions and millions from using the tranquil waters of the territory and folks like Maduro saying nothing(now that's ting to talk!!')
  • tretretrete (23/10/2016, 13:39) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Locals own a lot more than you may think. Keep thinking that all locals are fools. Sometimes having the white face at the forefront bodes well for the business. The funniest thing is that most locals talking shit will not support when they think its yours but put a sweet talking white and theyre there everyday. Life in the BVI!
    • Concerned (23/10/2016, 18:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @hmmmm
      More power to the locals who have invested and are doin great , but those who wont support their own is exactly what who I refer to about keeping the slave mentality alive .
      I know exactly what you talk about ; any successfu restuarant that does sit down dinners MUST have a white front house ; why ; because Whites support whites,
      Let us open our eyes and. Be observant of what is happening around us and uplift each for the good of our land or we will become strangers in our own homes
  • Ah LAUGH (23/10/2016, 16:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The irony here is that the negative comments will be from a bunch of 9-5 working cowards that will never own a thing in their entire life and are bitter about seeing other people get things done. Locals own majority of apartments, commercial buildings, taxis etc and many locals have invested in maritime and other businesses. People seem to think that every white expat that comes here are flush with cash and thats not true. There are many locals here invested in businesses and collecting big behind the scenes. Only idiots will put their names on businesses thats not their own.


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