Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Territory facing difficult moments; Pray for Premier- Hon. Pickering

-Hons. Pickering & Walwyn admit to critical state of Financial Services
Deputy Premier Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering calls on the prayer warriors to lift up the Virgin Islands and the Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith in prayers. Photo: VINO
One of the graduating students captured a memorable moment with Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn. The minister spoke of the challenges the Virgin Islands is facing at this time and urged the graduates to step up to the challenge as the future of tomorrow. Photo: VINO
One of the graduating students captured a memorable moment with Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn. The minister spoke of the challenges the Virgin Islands is facing at this time and urged the graduates to step up to the challenge as the future of tomorrow. Photo: VINO
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI - On the occasion of the 20th Graduation of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) on June 13, 2013, a sombre atmosphere loomed with mentions of the state of the Virgin Islands financial services industry.

In giving remarks, Acting Premier Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering and Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn expressed their concerns about the air over the Territory.

Dr Pickering, in giving greetings on behalf of the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, called on those present to pray for the Premier who is currently among  leaders of other Territories who were summoned to caucus in the UK. “I will ask of you, especially those of you who are a praying people to pray for our Premier because these are difficult moments that our country has to face." said Dr. Pickering.

He challenged graduates to, among other things, make the issues of the financial services debating topics. “I wish to recognize the debating society or club which was established this year because in this time of our Territory there is a very important need for intellectual debate.”

He said debating is a way to talk about issues and solutions. He described it as intellectual discourse through which all will learn to respect each other’s point of view and learn how to understand that it is everyone’s right to disagree without being disagreeable. “We can improve our public speaking skills and we can build our critical thinking skills through indebt research which is required for healthy debate,” Dr Pickering noted.

According to the Acting Premier, it is imperative that the great issues of the day in the Territory be addressed. “We must begin to debate the issues of our environment; we must debate the issues of health care, especially the current issue of the National Health Insurance. We must debate the wider issues of the economy even more especially the issues related to financial services, especially now with all that is taking place in and around us on the international scene.”

He said the debates must be initiated by the students at the level of the College as opposed to it being done by the lecturers and the non-government organizations. “It must not be left to government to take the lead on this; the lead must come from the life of institutions such as the H. L. Stoutt community College.

Dr Pickering firmly believes healthy debates sharpen the mind and the intellect.

Hon. Walwyn noted that the financial services industry is currently under attack, even by those they had expected to be supporting them. He charged that the graduates position themselves to take on the leadership role of the Territory. “I hope that throughout your courses at this institution, as you are being empowered, and as the glasses have been cleared up, you have identified your role in our community as well as your opportunity to help these Virgin Islands sail through today’s tougher waters and even chart new courses,” said Hon Walwyn.

He recognized the urgent need to have the people and the country as a whole prepared to overcome the present challenges.  “Even as we gather here this afternoon, our main industry, our financial services industry is being attacked at all angles even from some that we would have expected to support us.”

He had also asked students what would be their role to play in helping the country emerge from the present shadow in Virgin Islands’ history.

23 Responses to “Territory facing difficult moments; Pray for Premier- Hon. Pickering”

  • Forbidden Truth (14/06/2013, 13:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    They All need to be honest and forthcoming with the people who voted for their collective butts and the virgin islands. For truth there is no deadline.
  • son of the soil (14/06/2013, 14:25) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Come on pico! lets pray for those locals who were recently laid off too.
  • question (14/06/2013, 14:47) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply

    So when I pray of what benefit will that do for me? No matter the party the people will still perish! I just want elections hurry up come so I can boot a certain minister outta here along with my league of young people who is frowning upon his most devious personal political attack against a noted lawyer who now no longer can work in the BVI... #TeamKenzie!

  • tom cat (14/06/2013, 14:59) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Dem so wicked god studyin ayo
    • the real deal (14/06/2013, 21:02) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
      Let's pray that the ndp will answer the questions in the hoa
  • qc (14/06/2013, 15:11) Like (19) Dislike (31) Reply
    it times like deeds you need Uncle Ralph a the wheel
    • Wanda (17/06/2013, 19:25) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply

      @qc He was at the wheel for years and he and his croies were the ring leaders of all this mess. Where have you been? You think this just happened when NDP got in? You must not be from here. I know personally some people who crossed him allegedly could not even get a bank loan for their house to be built or to run their business all because they crossed him. This kind of personal vendetta is illegal and all who have done it should go to HMP. A new day will come when they are all gone.

  • double standard (14/06/2013, 15:28) Like (13) Dislike (11) Reply
    who praying for the people fired from governmet and vitimised by the NDP????
  • Olivia D (14/06/2013, 16:15) Like (8) Dislike (12) Reply

    P... is one of the main people living very well and by any means necessary he will never be poor so I heard. I hope all of the thieves and moochers who stole our money VIP and NDP feel what we have for years. Both electoral parties and their cronies who have been running these islands and pocketing the money know exactly what I am talking about and so do many others. The only thing we need to pray for is for all of them to get the heck out of office so some new blood can get a chance to do it right. Everytime someone tell them how the territory can make money to bring in revenue, they knock it down. Hope I live long enough to see them suffer the way we have. Now they want us to pray, I will, but not for them!!!!! Come election time we should vote for a new party, but ayo will still do the same thing and let them continue to abuse us....just watch. When the United States finish with our financial sector, see who will be squirming like worms then.

  • PRAYERS ALONE??? (14/06/2013, 16:24) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
    This man asking for prayers alone after they went on this spending spree fating up their cronies pocketbooks. What ayo need to pray for is that in the next General Election at least one of you all get back in because as far as I see it NONE will be in.
  • --------------------- (14/06/2013, 21:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    God help thoes who help themselves
  • wise up (15/06/2013, 13:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I do not understand; the leader of Government Business keep on telling the people of the territory that our economy is ok; yet Ministers within the party that he leads continues to paint a far different picture as it relates to the economy of this territory; in a so lost because do I believe the leader or do I side with his Ministers ( both parties can not be telling us the whole truth )…..i am siding with the leader of the country !!!!!!!!
  • ABC (15/06/2013, 22:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I never cease to be amazed how we take God as an instrument of convenience. He is kept safely in the closet and pulled out only in times of crisis. It is heart warming that we acknowledge that there is a God but that falls well short of the mark. Please, calling on God is the right thing to do, but we cannot expect him to answer our calls if we continue to treat Him as a stranger.
  • wise up (16/06/2013, 08:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    ABC; you are so right, i recall the days when God was fist in the life of the BV Islander NOW its the DOLLAR; as you noted when things get tuff how quickly we remember God(that is so sad)
  • again? (16/06/2013, 10:06) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    But they just had a prayer breakfast why the hell they did not pray for Dr. Smith then??? strupppps
  • wise up (16/06/2013, 12:45) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    to again; Dr Smith needs more than just pray !!!!!
  • Reminder (16/06/2013, 15:15) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Last time a government official asked for his citizens to pray for their welfare, half of Texas caught on fire.

    That is all....
  • Song Bird (17/06/2013, 10:09) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    It must be really bad that Pickering is asking for prayer. I personally don't understand his request as the people have nothing to do with the dilemma that the territory is in. Pickering should understand that it is their corrupt wasteful handling of the resources of this country is what brought this financial drought on the people. If they were to give back some of the money that all of them have pocketed, and encourage their CROONIES to do the same, this will help the BVI to rebound and gain some financial health. Further, they need to conduct business fair and honest so that the BVI can be prosperous again. So, Dr. Pickering no more WASTE, NEPOTISM, FAVORITISM, DISHONESTY, in Government. Please bring INTEGRITY back in Governance. Make, Fairness and Honesty a Lifestyle. BVI is more corrupt than big countries with millions of people. Pickering you all don't need Prayers, Government just need to CHANGE.
  • Olivia D (19/06/2013, 06:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank you Song Bird. I have been saying this as well as many people who know the truth but are scared to say it except in private because if they know who their enemies are, GOD forbid, our lives would be a living HELL! Worse than what it is now.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.