Questions linger following pier deal collapse with TPP
The Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) announced last Friday, September 27, 2013 that it had discontinued negotiations with the group as conditions precedent to the agreement were not concluded in a timely manner.
Concern has been expressed about a proposed payment of $1.7M towards the TPP Group and calls were made for the reasons behind this by commentators on the Open Mic radio show aired on Z-ROD FM last evening, October 2, 2013.
Host Julio Sam Henry questioned the relationship that saw government having to pay TPP the proposed sum, “Why would the government pay Tortola [Pier] Partners, if it’s a government body, for doing work that it has to do anyway?” he asked.
Guest on the show, Natalio Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru agreed and said the companies are supposed to be in partnership with the BVI Ports Authority.
Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool disclosed previously, “We had made a deal with TPP that we would go ahead and pay for those things over the last couple of months and if the negotiations had broken off, which it has now, the Ports Authority could pay them for those items and they become their property (BVI Ports Authority).”
Henry further questioned how the government would proceed now that they have expressed a desire to go forward with the development project. “Is it a new plan? Do we have new drawings? Is it a new concept?” he asked.
Wheatley also questioned whether the existing concept was ‘right’ for the VI.
“If it’s the same concept or the same people involved; or if it’s a new concept, where is it?” Henry asked while adding that the people of the territory deserve to know.
In a clear reference to the secrecy surrounding the project, Henry related that when something was being executed on behalf of the people, there should be clear understanding and transparency.
According to Henry, the bottom line is that the government has to set the standard for cruise tourism, “They have to be serious about cruise tourism and I don’t think they’re serious about cruise tourism in the perspective that cruise tourism can generate overnight tourism, which eventually is what you want,” he said.
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17 Responses to “Questions linger following pier deal collapse with TPP”
The same government that cannot manage a simple little festival or music fest?
Why does this government not pay people from festival but in a split second they can take on a multi million dollars project? Look at the roads in the BVI? Are they also going to do the beach at Brandy Wine Bay also or is that off the table now.
People are not stupid. Give us the details of why they pulled out and an itemized bill so we can see what 1.7 million dollars is paying for!
LMAO! I agree that Government cannot handle this project but it's you guys that were against outside people doing it saying we could do it ourselves. Same Sam Henry was frothing and foaming at the mouth wanting BVI people and the Government to do the project ourselves. Now that this is the case he's back pedalling saying he doesn't think we have the ability to do it alone. These guys are just a bunch of "£$%^g idiots making noise and love to hear themselves. They have no plan. Look at their track record. What has Sam or Sowande accomplished in their lifetime?? What ideas do they have? Who can they bring to the table? Ya'll got time. They just love to see and hear themselves, no different to Sean Hannity, Bill OReilly and other nuisances around the world in the media. It's easy to sit back in an A/C studio and chat "£$% all day and night. Step up and show what you got man.
If the 1.7 mil includes ownership of the watercolor plans, it is not worth it. get rid of those plans based on principle and re-do for a more appropriate and fitting project. There is no need to move forward on those plans as is. They are horrible! But I think it is funny to hold others accountable for timing when they can't even do it themselves.
Please forgive me but we gonna talk until we can vote then we will decide on who can screw us the least. It does not feel to good right now my friend pretty painful!!!