Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) promised to do things differently from the current NDP administration headed by Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith. Photo: VINO/File

He made the comment during a brief interview with Virgin Islands News Online during which he was asked to extrapolate on a statement he made on January 21, 2015 on the cruise pier development. He focused on the investment aspect of the project where Virgin Islanders have been invited to invest in what is being referring to as a Special Purpose Vehicle which is "headed nowhere."

“The VIP wants to assure the citizens and belongers of this Territory that all Government assets will be fully protected and investments that they involve themselves in regarding any Government property must be protected as well by legislation,” he said.

“We want to draw a clear distinction between ourselves and the current operation by the NDP Government,” he said.

Hon Fraser outlined just how it was that the VIP would distinguish itself from the NDP.

“Let me tell you how the Virgin Islands Party will deal with investment matters when elected as the next government of the Virgin Islands.

One: The VIP will maintain controlling stakes in all statutory bodies, public properties, and lands, so that we the people will make the decisions.

Two: A VIP Government will not allow statutory bodies to create spin-off private companies.

Three: no private company will manage public assets, unless it meets specific and rigorous standards.

Four: no statutory body will be allowed to simply take over and sell the people's resources and assets, or transfer public property to family, friends, and colleagues.

Five: The VIP will bring legislation to protect assets owned publicly and by the taxpayer. And

Six: The VIP will regulate the investment machinery to ensure the protection of the citizens of the Virgin Islands.”

“Sad to say my people, the Premier [Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith] and his cabinet have done nothing to protect you, in this whole matter. Instead, the Premier has taken refuge in spinning the details to unrealistic proportions, and posting these in on-line news and on social media forums,” said Hon Fraser.

“At the end of the day, I will tell you my people what is really going on. The Premier, his cabinet, and the BVI Ports Authority continue to underestimate your intelligence, by thinking that you the people are uninformed and disinterested in this very important matter that will affect not just you, but future generations as well,” he said.

Hon Fraser pointed a number of key factors, among them that: The extension of the pier is a MUST. The construction of the welcome center is a MUST.

However, he said that the construction and method of funding of the land-side development is an option that must be readdressed and redirected.

“The Premier and his NDP prefer the advice and schemes of select high minded persons they surround themselves with. However, I have got news for them all. The people of these Virgin Islands are much wiser than you may think,” he said in the statement.

“And the people, who I always refer to as the SILENT MAJORITY, are fully aware of these schemes drawn directly from the casino playbook designed to separate the people from their hard earned money, with no guarantee of return,” he said.