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PEP believes NDP Govt. has neglected agriculture

-party intends to make agriculture the Territory's 3rd economic pillar if given a chance to
The People’s Empowerment Party (PEP) believes that agriculture is being neglected under the current National Democratic Party (NDP) Government and said that this is one area that will be given much focus if the party – the Territory’s newest political party – is given an opportunity to govern. Photo: VINO/File
The People's Empowerment Party intends to make agriculture the Territory's third economic pillar. Photo: VINO/File
The People's Empowerment Party intends to make agriculture the Territory's third economic pillar. Photo: VINO/File
An example of a fish farm. Photo: Internet source
An example of a fish farm. Photo: Internet source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The People’s Empowerment Party (PEP) believes that agriculture is being neglected under the current National Democratic Party (NDP) Government and said that this is one area that will be given much focus if the party – the Territory’s newest political party – is given an opportunity to govern.

At the time, the party was on air with its debut radio show on Monday September 29, 2014 on ZBVI 780 AM.

“There are some [persons] who believe that the time for agriculture is over in our Territory and they govern in that way, as though the time for agriculture is passed. We in the PEP have a different view,” said President of the PEP Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru.

“We believe that we need to promote a well-balanced and sustainable development of our agriculture industry, making the best use of the resources in the Territory,” he said. At the time he was reading out and explaining the core principles of the PEP to the listening audience.

PEP Chairman Hon J. Alvin Christopher (R2) said that the Territory has one of the richest and most fertile waters suitable for fish farming and for years this has been talked about but not developed.

“This is an industry in itself that we need to develop…for years we have been talking about it and nothing is being done about it,” said Hon Christopher.

“I served as Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and we had done extensive research on [a certain areas] and we found out that it is second only to the Gulf of Mexico that you had a large congregation of migrating species,” he said.

“We have to try to develop that industry so that we have a third pillar to stand on and put food on our table and create new industries and new businesses,” said Hon Christopher.

“As a country and as a Government we need to turn to these resources to expand our sources of revenue,” said Hon Christopher.

“These are the areas which as a party we would [go further into] as a Government if given the opportunity to,” said Hon Christopher.

24 Responses to “PEP believes NDP Govt. has neglected agriculture”

  • facts man (05/10/2014, 09:36) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    The truth is the ndp has neglected all sectors so whats new here
    • flax (05/10/2014, 14:14) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Say that again facts man
      • she the cat mother (05/10/2014, 19:41) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
        oh please. neither of the two political parties NDP/VIP in it current state deserve to lead the the BVI people
  • xxxxxxxx (05/10/2014, 09:37) Like (4) Dislike (28) Reply
    Alvin you need to just go back to the gand ole party the VIP who will form the next goverment
    • @ xxxxxxxx (05/10/2014, 19:07) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      Regardless of campaigns, the essence of democracy is choice.
  • rewrsdffds (05/10/2014, 09:38) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Medical marijuana could be the 3rd pillar but no one got the balls to deal with it.
  • take that to the bank (05/10/2014, 09:40) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    The ndp will only show interest if a rich white boy shows up.
  • wize up (05/10/2014, 09:45) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    talk,talk and more talk!!!!!
  • Yes (05/10/2014, 10:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    A bunch of wom......s in yellow.

  • how? (05/10/2014, 10:45) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply

    How will they do that? Politicians need to be honest with the people and stop with this pie in the sky bull..it. The only way Agriculture makes money anywhere in the world is with mass production and very cheap labor. Otherwise you end up with overpriced s..t being sold or Govrnment subsidizing it. If we import labor for the greenhouses, sure I can see a future. IF we leave it up to locals who expect Govt to pay for water, buy all the produce, pay them big money etc. then it's doomed to fail. I feel for Sowande because if he does get elected he will surely get a rude awakening. People want realistic solutions not pandering and empty promises. Agriculture will NEVER be the 3rd pillar as long as it's cheaper to import. Agriculture will never be a 3rd Pillar if we are depending on the Green houses only. Back in the days we did bartering and were able to feed locally. The only way Agriculture becomes a pillar is if we start with medical marijuana. Otherwise it's just pure talk.

  • cvv (05/10/2014, 13:21) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Cubana done say he likes fishing not farming
  • qc (05/10/2014, 18:47) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    No surprise here ..the NDP and their neglect of all the people will go down in history, as the most incompetent goverment in the history of modern Caribbean !.....
  • eat rocks (05/10/2014, 19:01) Like (34) Dislike (3) Reply
    Truth is truth and no way of getting around it. But NDP always has a smoking gun that they hid all the time. Lets get rid of them for once and all.
  • bystander (05/10/2014, 19:03) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Brotehr Alvin Just wait until the NDP and VIP buy out the voters when they hear the proises and see a couple of dollars and you will see how soon they forget!
    • @ bystander (05/10/2014, 19:45) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      BVI people are no so fool fool like one time eno
    • CountryAboveSelf (06/10/2014, 08:50) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Bystander, there is a saying that says: "If you say something long enough, and repeated enough, you will make a believer out of yourself and others" (paraphrased).
      This time around, I am betting on the voters. I am betting on their sense of Urgency. I am betting on their Understanding our country being at the CROSSROADS; with our chances running slim. How much more DUTY FREE gifts can we afford to offer Mr. Rich ? .How much longer can we allow investors (I refuse to use the word Developers), Tax Exempt, Duty Free, Import-supplies-from-outside, import their well-paid management staff (while locals are paid minimum wages)?.
      Some of these developments, by the time you put a dollar value of what we have given away wouldn't made a difference or impact our economy.
      I further believe that "Joe and Sally voter" now understand that when we make theses overgenerous offers/exemptions to investors, we will still have an Expensive and over-priced government to run, schools to build, manage and upkeep, and expensive an over-price hospital to run, roads to repair etc., and that all of this takes money that will l come from no one else but us (by way of increased and New Taxes, increases in various fees; trade licenses, property taxes, VAT Taxes, parking tickets etc, etc.
      Most of all, I believe in our Virgin Islanders as Responsible people who want a Better Life for our off-springs; who want, when it comes time to depart this life, to leave our country in a better condition than we met it. When the history books are written (and they will), we will want to be judged as a Vigilant people, Wise folks, an out-of-the-box thoughtful people..
      I believe that we are finally getting the picture and will be guided by our conscience and the biblical principles we espouse, when it comes time to do our electoral duties; VOTE !!

      I thank you for your understanding and Vigilance..
  • rice (05/10/2014, 19:12) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's a set up.....Lull PEP into false sense of optimism and then swing the tuide at the crucuial moment...one fool makes many.....
  • ndp (05/10/2014, 19:33) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    It’s amassing how we act blind when we are able to see clearly. Mr. Alvin at times seems out of touch with reality that he will not be the Premier. Sir Fraser is lost in the midst of hoping for power. All our political parties seem concern about is POWER. So sad. When things not going our way we quickly blame those in power but let’s look would those who seek to be any better. If only our leaders for a short time put away leading and opposing to come together for the better of the country we might see hope.
  • shaw (05/10/2014, 19:49) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    The country is waking up and realizing we have been hoodwinked
  • Pool Has no water (05/10/2014, 19:54) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The contradiction of our kind of democracy is that after elections, the governing party acts as a short-term dictator setting policy from above thus alienating the bulk of the populace who have to pay the price. A truly democratic system would involve consultation, on-going monitoring and ownership of government policies by the people....our creditors are happy but the rest of us....not so much....more anon
    • Sorry... (07/10/2014, 12:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      ...But, there's no such thing as a democracy! We have been drinking the American koolaid for far too long. Look at the meaning of democratic and then look at America's system and our system. Those are NOT democratic societies. America elects its Leader by an electoral college that confuses the best of them. It's not one man, one vote. In the BVI, the leader is chosen by the Party. Again, what's democratic about that? We have 12,000 voters, but a potential leader only needs 500 out of that bunch to lead the Territory as its Premier. Those buzz words sound nice but let's be for real. There's no democracy here and none in the US. It's just a false notion to make people think they really have power when they vote. True democracy would be when people stand for election and would need to be elected by ALL people (At-Large) if they want a seat in HOA, especially Cabinet. Then and only then you would see real action. Right now, one only needs to look after his little core of people and once they vote for him/her, that's that. F the rest of us. America is supposed to be the bastion of democracy but look at them. They hand pick who can contest seats in the first place, the media then kicks into action and determines who gets the nod by their messaging and then, they campaign in certain states just to get enough electoral college votes. That is not democracy, it's a card game and we are the JOKERS!
  • 16 year old (05/10/2014, 23:08) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    I voting vip my life was better


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