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Maduro wants Queen to remove NCL & DCL agreements

- says cruise ships should be allowed to gamble at VI port
Talk show host Edmund Maduro has called for the intervention of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II following government’s signing of preferential berthing agreements between Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Disney Cruise Line (DCL). Photo: VINO/File
The agreements, which were signed with government on January 17, 2014 have since been made public and are now available at the High Court registry. Photo: VINO
The agreements, which were signed with government on January 17, 2014 have since been made public and are now available at the High Court registry. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Talk show host Edmund Maduro has called for the intervention of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II following government’s signing of preferential berthing agreements between Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Disney Cruise Line (DCL).

During his radio programme, EGM show aired on ZRod 103.7FM on February 7, 2014, Maduro termed the agreement for NCL a nasty agreement for its apparent exclusion of local taxi operators.

One clause of the NCL agreement stipulated that: Taxi operators and other ground transport operators who are not designated by Norwegian as Norwegian excursion tour operators may be given access to the designated areas of the port for such taxi operators. BVI Ports Authority will use reasonable efforts to control and monitor such taxi operators so as to minimise aggressive solicitation of Norwegian passengers by such tour operators.

Maduro took particular offense to this and stated that local ‘taxi boys’ were made out to be rude and uncivilised. “Why ridicule our taxi boys?” Maduro questioned, “They’re not worse than anybody else.” He added that this was clear discrimination and said Norwegian should stay on their ships.

He questioned the power of Norwegian to choose how locals will be treated in the taxi business, “the next thing you know they will be bringing white people from all over the world,” the talk show host shouted.

Calling on the Queen

While expressing that Norwegian would not be obliged to employ Virgin Islanders based on the agreement, Maduro termed the agreement a disgraceful one and felt the situation merited the Queen’s involvement.

“This is a disgraceful and dreadful agreement. Our people must not allow it to stand. We are going to call on Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to remove this thing from the face of the people of the British Virgin Islands,” Maduro declared.

He noted that he would be writing a letter to the Queen in this regard. "We are burying our own taxi guys alive," Maduro said.

He called for systems to be put in place to ensure that cruise ships be allowed to stay overnight and felt the lack of casino gambling was a significant factor in the reason ships did not do so.  

“We must commit them to do their gambling. There is nothing wrong with the gambling and that’s the reason why they don’t stay overnight because we don’t want them gambling here.”

He pointed out however, that Puerto Rico lottery tickets were being sold “right in front the bank” at the same time.  

“That arrangement with Norwegian and the other cruise line is unconstitutional!” Maduro exclaimed.  

The agreements, which were signed with government on January 17, 2014 have since been made public and are now available at the High Court registry.

18 Responses to “Maduro wants Queen to remove NCL & DCL agreements”

  • please (10/02/2014, 08:14) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    What is in the contract regarding Booked Taxi Tours is no different from what already exist. If I am booking island tours from a company's perspective, I have to make sure that I make arrangements with someone/a company that I can rely on to do these tours and in return pay the company (prebooked tours). With this, I get quotes from BVI Taxi companies and decide which has the best offer and can best execute what I am trying to accomplish. Once an agreement is made, that will be the company who will be responsible to do prebooked tours. Prebooked tours are currently done by Romney(RAMASCO) and Elroy Fahie. We can't expect that 100 taxi drivers would pick up an individual with a prepaid tour pass and then have 100 drivers contactin NCL/Disney trying to get paid, what a storm that would be. So thats just to say that we need to read and understand rather than jumping to POLITICAL conclusions.
    • under the bus (10/02/2014, 09:27) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
      ha ha you NDP paid bloggers out early mehson..look work
    • APPLAUSE!! (10/02/2014, 09:38) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Common sense is not common anymore. People are so horny for controversy that they nit pick until they find bullshit to try fooling people with. I tried and tried to figure out what the hoopla was about and couldn't find it. As far as I'm aware what's being signed is industry standard and not a 'sell out'. The people have a right to know who will be representing them on the landside. Jesus christ man.
  • x factor (10/02/2014, 08:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lawd a mussy Edmund
  • tola born (10/02/2014, 08:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    this deal is not trickle down to the lil man; it is more like trickle up.
  • No (10/02/2014, 09:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wrong again Edmund, they will not bring in any overseas drivers or vehicles they will approve local drivers that are known to have full insurance, well kept vehicles etc. This man crazy!
  • Say wah? (10/02/2014, 09:37) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I want the Queen remove Edmund!!!! The agreement as it relates to Taxi/Tours is the same as is now with Carnival, Norwegian and others. He need to find a new dead horse to beat.
  • Strength (10/02/2014, 10:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Edmund need to stop talking ish. Mr. Edmund go enjoy life.
  • ... (10/02/2014, 11:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    some body need to go to jail
  • VIlander (10/02/2014, 11:17) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    LOL the queen??? Your queen is a colonizer boss she doesn't care about us.
  • Windy (10/02/2014, 11:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You statement ref. taxi drivers "theyre not worse than any body else" is STUPID Not being worse than anybody else makes ruse & crude behavior OK ?????
  • Lily Ann (10/02/2014, 12:04) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    REALLY Edmond...Really??.............Come on man....we already have School age Legislators dealing with (Fraser walking out in HOA) now we have thisssss? You with your niss about calling Queen and harassing her with stupidity???? Whats the difference between Cruise taxi's and Romney chartered buses?? Things will be the same in the future....no bread will be coming from anyones mouth. And if it does, that should hold the taxy drivers .... cause they like to turn their backs on the locals when multiple ships are in....and then want to hustle you when slow season is upon them!!!!!!!!!! Lets GO AHEAD with the Berthing agreement NDP!!!!!!!!!
  • Ah Luv it (10/02/2014, 13:29) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    The taxi man them voted ndp all the way so let them tek dat.
  • Shara Parlin (10/02/2014, 14:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let the developers bring ther eown money!!!
  • bigger picture (10/02/2014, 15:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I tend to agree that if you are planning for a "big conference" you want to get all the details covered before hand- that includes transportation to the various venues. It is basic practice. But I do not agree with nothing wrong with gambling and that is what gets the passengers out of here. They are traveling to the next destination for full excursion.
    But I DO agree with Edmond's passion about something smelling fishy. That despite what the audit uncovered (conflict of interest, corruption and illegalities), that the government went ahead and signed an agreement- then it was to be secret- then public (if we are to believe that all the fine print is public). We do not know what the pier park shopping mall will look like, what chain stores are going in, and are there any public meetings about this? I would think that Maria's guests would care where the air-conditioning units are going to go, how the lights are, noise, traffic etc. A development this size usually requires a model to look at shadows, height, volume, set backs, scale, appropriateness of design etc. (of course that requires zoning and enforcement). We have none of that. the NDP has hijacked road town and the community.
  • sense (10/02/2014, 15:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    People need to take Edmund to task. Ok Edmund, let's take away the agreements, then what? You claim the 'poor' taxi men NEED not want NEED these ships for their living. Many other businesses depend on them for their bread. The Government by way of head tax depend on them. So let's take the agreement and throw it in the bin, then what? Do you know what 'need' means? When you 'NEED' something and you enter into an 'AGREEMENT' to fulfill that need, it cannot go in your favor 100%. Every time these things come up it's the same story, oh how much money they will make. Who cares? If I come up with an initiative now where Government can make an extra $50mil and in the process I will make $20mil for myself, we should'nt do it simply because I'll be making too much? Nevermind it's because of ME and MY INITIATIVE why the Govt would get the $50mil? This is not charity, it's business. If you want the cruise ships to come then you have to give and take. The only reason VIP started talks to extend the pier was because the cruise liners said do it or they won't come back. From HL Stoutt days we have been wheeling and dealing on behalf of the economy, get with the program or get left behind.
  • wise up (11/02/2014, 06:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i have a queation for Maduro; what have you done to improve the cruse-ship industry in this country; you have done nothing and you are not in any fininical position to do anything; all you do is pull-down what you can not do; it is only a good idea if Maduro comes up with it.....how many ideas have this man come up with in the past 10-years...run go talk that !!!!!!
  • facts man (11/02/2014, 16:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Edmund you are spot on do not get distracted by the NDP paid bloggers


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