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‘Outrageous for Govt to subsidise airline while owing persons’ – Donald E. de Castro

Donald E. de Castro slammed the NDP Government for subsidising foreign-owned BVI Airways and not doing the same for VI Airlink which is locally owned. Photo: Provided
De Castro was last evening January 13, 2016 speaking on his show Straight Talk aired on ZBVI 780 AM between the hours of 8:00pm and 9:00pm. It was de Castro’s first show for 2016 and he dealt with a number of issues. Photo: VINO/File
De Castro was last evening January 13, 2016 speaking on his show Straight Talk aired on ZBVI 780 AM between the hours of 8:00pm and 9:00pm. It was de Castro’s first show for 2016 and he dealt with a number of issues. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Radio talk show host Donald E. de Castro has slammed the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government for investing $7 million in taxpayers dollars into a foreign owned airline when persons in the territory cannot be paid for the services they rendered months ago.

De Castro was last evening January 13, 2016 speaking on his show Straight Talk aired on ZBVI 780 AM between the hours of 8:00pm and 9:00pm. It was de Castro’s first show for 2016 and he dealt with a number of issues.

Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith had on Tuesday January 12, 2016 announced that Government was putting $7 million into BVI Airways to allow it to make flights directly to and from Miami, Florida, USA, with the aim of improving direct access to the territory which he said would be a boost for tourism and financial services.

“One of the most disturbing [pieces] of news for the week is that we the taxpayers are now investing $7 million to BVI Airways which will fly between Miami, Florida, USA and Beef Island,” de Castro said.

“This is outrageous. They can’t pay their bills…the [artists] who played at the last festival cannot get their money. There are contractors who have been working and who cannot get their money. The individuals who are working cannot get their money,” he said.

He made the point that additional airlift to and from the territory is import. “But what happen to VI Airlink, owned by a local family?” he asked, noting that the family owning that airline has been in aviation since 1969.

“Wouldn’t it have been much better if this Government had the efficiency, common sense and intelligence to put that $7 million when [VI Airlink] was starting up? We would have had planes coming here long ago!”

de Castro went as far as to say that as long as you’re poor, you’re local, and you’re black, the NDP will know what to do with you. “If you’re black and you’re rich or you’re white, you have a song and dance with the NDP. We have to change this attitude,” he said.

According to the talk show host, the territory must not allow people from "outside" to dictate everything to it.

30 Responses to “‘Outrageous for Govt to subsidise airline while owing persons’ – Donald E. de Castro”

  • S.R. (14/01/2016, 08:34) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    VI airlink family not with NDP
    • HMPH (aka SoCal Comantatar) (14/01/2016, 11:44) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      me is worried - me always thinkin donald is wrong but me agrees wid him abot de airline

      is me losin it, or did donald finaly say sum tind sensable
  • TRUE SIDE OF NDP (14/01/2016, 08:36) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
    THE NDP GOV HAS NO RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE, ITS PLAIN TO SEE.
  • foxy (14/01/2016, 08:47) Like (25) Dislike (13) Reply
    Good points Mr. Decastro but remember they will never help the Brathwaite brothers because 1. They are locals, remember ball headed say government can’t help locals anymore and 2. They are black! Should I say more?
    • hard rock (14/01/2016, 11:15) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      that is mess up ,with the ball head mess up talk , he is a mess to our country.
    • @foxy (15/01/2016, 10:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      even if they still wont be able to do such as their aircraft registration cannot be landed in Miami
  • listen to hear (14/01/2016, 08:48) Like (38) Dislike (2) Reply
    De Castro you making soo much sense..Only if these people would listen.
  • trrefdrfds (14/01/2016, 08:49) Like (41) Dislike (2) Reply
    This man does talk a set of non sense when he ready but I must say that this time I totally agree with Mr. decastro
  • round of applause (14/01/2016, 08:51) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    for once i have to agree with something you say Mr. DeCastro. 1) some governments office cannot get their increment. 2) the hospital is still unpaid for, the money could've been donated towards that, 3) teachers staying for stuff out of their pockets. the list can go on and on and on. to cut a long story short that $7 million could have been donated to something of need to the territory.
    • Agree (14/01/2016, 10:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply

      The banks are selling people property who the Gov owes. the Gov bank they are the worst no compassion or respect especially for locals.

  • affected (14/01/2016, 09:11) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Donald ck with d big head one from duffs bottom
    He got answers
  • voter (14/01/2016, 09:57) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    We want this government dissolve
  • hdarley (14/01/2016, 09:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    pay me first
  • wize up (14/01/2016, 10:37) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    VIP subsidised amercia eagle !!!!
    • russian (14/01/2016, 11:52) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yes but not at the expense of locals who worked for them and EARNED their money. You all are something else!!
    • Boom (14/01/2016, 13:51) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      But back then the economy was booming and they were helping the small man at the same time. That is not happening now.
      The reason why we seeing so much rapid development with little regard for the local people is because the hospital, airport and others were requirements for a certain investor to invest here. They are doing exactly as they are being told.
  • Bernie Sanders (14/01/2016, 10:55) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    This Air Line company never ever contributed a copper cent to the country,they don't vote ,they don't contribute not event a pencil to the schools, One thing HL could get money from these broke people ,we got what the duck got again..'Feel The BERN'
  • focus (14/01/2016, 11:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    that ball head man is a mess .
  • hey (14/01/2016, 11:32) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    De Castro only look stupid but he smart. NDP HAS NO REGARD FOR LOCALS, I SAY WE BOYCOTT 2016 CARNIVAL AND GO TO ANTIGUA. f@$# NDP
  • chad (14/01/2016, 12:01) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Its just amazing how short our memories are for convenience. When VIP was subsidize American Eagle and LIAT
    it was no problem, I guess because it was Fraiser or Ralph.

    Get use to it election long gone. With this VIP NDP crap.
    • Bernie Sanders (14/01/2016, 15:07) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      This is no ViP or NDP this the BVI people tax money .We can't give agriculture 1$ but giving those cronies millions to do business else where.Imagine telling the Crucians no adgricultral fair this year,we bvi people just good enough for a vote on election day and that's all..
  • Waiting g (14/01/2016, 14:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just pay all those government contracts finished months ago please. Then spend more money.
  • SHAME (14/01/2016, 16:29) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Too bad all those posting opinions here don't have the motivation to go to the HOA and shout. Guess that might hve an effect on those little white envelopes you all eagerly await. You get what YOU got paid for.
  • Tax Payer (14/01/2016, 21:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    if you all think the NDP got you all to study them pocket full full full
  • Bernie Sanders (14/01/2016, 21:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shame!!!! we got what the duck got with out lube to booth...
  • SUSCIE (14/01/2016, 23:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have the feeling the next four years will be like a plane crash; once it’s happened, and is very much in people’s awareness, your odds are pretty good. I hope the NDP pull through without additional difficulties.
  • hillbilly (23/01/2016, 10:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    decastro probably have shares in VI AIRLINK make he fighting so, i guess he clearly forgot that you spend money on something to get back money on it, VI AIRLINK cant do much, so i dont know why decastro dont keep he mouth quiet and stay easy


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