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‘Pure unadulterated nonsense’- Hon Pickering on sale of Prickly Pear Island

- Loophole still means the current tenant could lose the lease of Prickly Pear Island
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), right, has refuted allegations on the sale of Prickley Pear Island. Photo: VINO/Internet Source
It was Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) who on Monday October 31, 2016 at the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) brought up the question of Prickly Pear Island. Photo: VINO/File
It was Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) who on Monday October 31, 2016 at the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) brought up the question of Prickly Pear Island. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) has sought to dismiss allegations that his administration is planning to either obtain a new tenant for or sell Prickly Pear Island to one of their “rich white friends.”

In a question asked on the subject by Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) a few weeks ago and answered on Monday October 31, 2016 at the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA), Dr Pickering, whose portfolio includes National Parks, dismissed the issue.

"The notion that this government is planning to take away concession rights or to sell the island of Prickly Pear is pure unadulterated nonsense," the Deputy Premier told the HoA.

Dr Pickering, who has been accused by some, according to him, of giving away lands to whites, explained that the National Parks Trust (NPT) entered into a license agreement with a concessionaire from December 1, 2010 for an initial period of ten years, with an option to renew for an additional ten years. He said the concessionaire can get the additional ten years, “if there are no breaches to the agreement.”

Loophole to get out?

When further pressed by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Fraser, in a follow up question whether the NPT knew Dr Pickering’s position; he replied, “the government has no intentions to interfere in the relationship between the National Parks Trust and the concessionaire….”

Many residents interpret this as a loophole answer, suggesting that if the NPT pulls the lease from the vendor Government will not get involved to block the NPT’s decision.

15 Responses to “‘Pure unadulterated nonsense’- Hon Pickering on sale of Prickly Pear Island”

  • Snappy (03/11/2016, 10:31) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    more in the mota
  • insider (03/11/2016, 10:42) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pure lies
  • Come on!!!!!! (03/11/2016, 11:46) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pickering, just tell the truth already. See, when you start things off bad, it ends bad. You and your gang done told so many lies. It is hard to believe if you are telling the truth.
  • John (03/11/2016, 12:52) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    How can the territory generate revenue and maintain ownership of its lands if the minister keeps giving control of our resources to his "rich white friends" who are not paying any taxes and who are just going to bring in more migrant workers to staff their establishments? There is nothing in that for Virgin Islanders.
  • TAXES OWED (03/11/2016, 13:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Money talk Bull S**T walks.
  • loop hole (03/11/2016, 13:24) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    They will blame the land-lady for some violation and then take the island away from her, just wait and see.
    • wize up (03/11/2016, 14:47) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ loop hole: I second that motion(you sound like you have inside information but I believe so as well).....
      • So (03/11/2016, 17:02) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
        So if the person owes monies/taxes under the agreement, they shouldn't be penalized accordingly because they're local?
  • watcher (04/11/2016, 05:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let them sell or lease Prickly Pear and see what will happpen to the 9th District Rep. He is already a do nothing who is likely to suffer a stinging defeat at the next election.
  • W*F (04/11/2016, 15:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't put anything pass this Con Man. Lmao


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