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UNICEF report 'Fake News' – Rhodni A. Skelton

Mr Rhodni A. Skelton has dismissed the UNICEF 2016 Report on the Virgin Islands as fake news. Photo: VINO/File
 The Facebook post by Mr Rhodni A. Skelton. Photo: Facebook
The Facebook post by Mr Rhodni A. Skelton. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – At least one Virgin Islander, Rhodni A. Skelton, has publicly challenged the published United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report of 2016, calling it 'Fake News'.

The report was tabled recently in the House of Assembly by Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and has since been headlining throughout the territory.

Among the issues UNICEF called for is an end to discrimination in the allocation of social services in the territory, adding that expats should have equal access to such services because they too pay taxes and social security.

“Central to the inequities identified in the territory is the difference in how services are made available to belongers, residents, and non-belongers. In the context of human rights, lack of resources does not justify the availability of social benefits for some groups and not others,” the report stated.

In another instance, UNICEF claims that expatriates have raised concern that they are being abused especially at the workplace more often than reported in the Virgin Islands (UK), adding that there also is an issue with tension in the territory.

“Despite a substantial presence of immigrants in the territory for many years, there is an implicit tension between those who ‘belong’ to the British Virgin Islands and those who do ‘not belong’. Sometimes, this tension is not so tacit.”

No respect for UNICEF

But these and other mentions of the territory are not sitting well with the son of Mr Skelton, the Minister for Health and Social Development.

Mr Rhodni A. Skelton, the Film Commissioner and Events Marketing Manager at the BVI Tourist Board, on April 25, 2017 posted on social media/Facebook, “This so-called UNICEF report on the BVI has me totally pissed off and annoyed! What a load of crock! Boys robbing to support single mothers? Stateless children? Expat abuse? Expats don't have access to social services? What in the Hades are these people talking about?

"Because there may be an instance or two of something or the other, doesn't mean that it is prevalent or the norm. And the news media is so quick to feature this nonsense report like it is credible simply because 'UNICEF said so'. They clearly hand picked who, if anyone, they interviewed and did no real research on the BVI. No respect for UNICEF!”

Fake News

This sparked a healthy discussion among commenters, most of whom sided with him. However, in a subsequent post on April 26, 2017 Mr Skelton came to the following conclusion.

“Ok ok. BVI. My last post about this UNICEF "so-called" report. Has anyone noticed that NO real research was done? They interviewed people (supposedly) and did their report based on these people’s perceptions and answers? Really? I want to see the SPSS Qualitative results. Perceptions formed a credible report, from a credible organization, on an entire country? BVI people resort to eating noodles and don't give our kids lunch just to make ends meet? We live a fake social life because we have homes, cars and modern phones? What?!!! I am going to have to come like Donald Trump and call this FAKE NEWS! Does any BVI resident know of any one single person who was actually interviewed?”

Why not just go back home?

To this persons were keen on justifying or providing further clarification. One such came from Samonia Vanterpool who said, “The reasons need closer examination. .. the one about exploitation is disturbing but honestly I hear people complain about not getting paid every day. My question to them always is why not just go back.”

Media houses locally rushed to the report following controversial Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL) rising in the House of Assembly recently and challenging his government to address certain issues relating to the now controversial report.

52 Responses to “UNICEF report 'Fake News' – Rhodni A. Skelton”

  • oh ho (27/04/2017, 13:22) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
    and i know he is sober
    • focus (27/04/2017, 16:12) Like (10) Dislike (16) Reply

      who is the guy , who some years ago , ran down an expat from sTo Dom, leaving him crippled?

      • @focus (28/04/2017, 09:52) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
        If you had stayed yourself in your country and feed yourself and your family you wouldn't know who run over who in the BVI. Talk that!
    • Ati (27/04/2017, 16:47) Like (22) Dislike (18) Reply
      Rhodni you are spot on. For a joke ask them for a list of persons interviewed...lol. FAKE, VERY BIAS, ONE SIDED NEWS
      • @Ati (28/04/2017, 09:26) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
        You'll have time with UNICEF and Xpats like Myron Walwyn. This country needs stricter immigration laws, and hire Hill and others who truly care for their country to enforce the laws. Who cares about these outsides false reports and propaganda speeches. Let's move forward and try to help our people...put immigration on the news agenda.
  • lord o. (27/04/2017, 13:27) Like (19) Dislike (16) Reply
    The haters are revealing themselves one by one. Its so Sad. Men I once respected and admired. So Sad.
    • @lord o. (28/04/2017, 08:27) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
      We do not need to reveal ourselves one by one we all hate you'll Hypocrisy, Jealous and will not be intimidated by any of you. 'This is our country and if you do not like it here... please go hime
  • Hmmmm (27/04/2017, 13:29) Like (30) Dislike (4) Reply
    Why deny the truth?
    • @hmmmm (29/04/2017, 01:08) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      I agree with the study, but here is a big part of the reason for the results of such a survey. Remember, who are the majority in the BVI. They always boast that they are more in numbers, now they want to bow out of the study results after answering to UNICEF survey.

      Go figure who were interviewed.

      http://bvinews.com/new/adultery-appears-common-in-the-bvi-unicef/

      I rest my case!!!!
  • cat (27/04/2017, 13:33) Like (23) Dislike (4) Reply
    So is he saying myron is fake also?
    • tash (27/04/2017, 22:26) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
      Yes he is fake! He is an expat minister who is trying to represent expats because he knows he is one of them. But if expat were hated he could not become a minister. These people are just trying to take advantage the BVI's kindness.
    • Comment (28/04/2017, 08:39) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      A fake BVIslander. 'Yes'
  • bona fide (27/04/2017, 13:42) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Do you mean that he is 'bona fide'?
  • Jack B Nimble. (27/04/2017, 13:45) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Simple--- People who don't like someone or something no matter How right they are will find reasons to knock it down ..People who like something or someone will find reasons to to lift it up.. There is God and their is the Devil...The question would be. What us Godly. What would God agrees with?
  • wow (27/04/2017, 13:50) Like (56) Dislike (13) Reply
    Rhodni is now a source of common sense? I beg you please! UNICEF reporting are ALL FACTS and the reason people are upset is because we love to hide things in the BVI and hate when outsiders spill the beans.
    • A lack of education is ignorance!! (27/04/2017, 16:02) Like (22) Dislike (3) Reply
      https://www.unicef.org/easterncaribbean/BVI_SitAN_2016_WEB_Ready_interactive.pdf

      I read the UNICEF report before making any comments. The Methodology section alone of the report reflects the lack of data support, facts or figures to justify the supposed findings.

      As described in the 2010 SitAn on the Eastern Caribbean Region (UNICEF Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean 2011), a major challenge in its preparation was the availability and accessibility of social data that could support disaggregated analysis and/or describe trends.

      For this SitAn of the British Virgin Islands, the quantitative analysis continued to be a challenge. The territory possesses limited disaggregated data, and the availability of inconsistent sources of data does not allow for measurements of trends, which is a limitation in an in-depth equity analysis.

      There is something called a representative sample which is used to ensure researcher biases do not creep in. They said explicitly that they did not have sufficient data to draw conclusive evidence so they had to include some qualitative aspects. If 10 persons say panchie food is bad in a population of 30,000 your reporting is bias because it does account for opinion of a significant amount of the population. So when you don't have a representative sample, you have an obligation to say I only interviewed 10 chicken eaters which they did not do.
      • yes (27/04/2017, 20:02) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
        You are spot on the truth!!! Typical reason we are so lost is because we are at times so gullible and never question anything.
        • pat (29/04/2017, 10:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          or we are so lost because the culture doesn't allow for transparency or true opinions because of fear of retaliation. I do not doubt the basic premise of the UNICEF report. Details may need clarification. But it is something to think about.
    • wow (28/04/2017, 08:53) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      There is nothing to hide. If a man comes to another man's country and is abused constantly and this person makes enough money to pay for a plane ticket to return back home then why would he stay for such an extended period of time. Why would he want to have children in this country and put his child to such abuse? ( that's what the majority of BVIslanders get for for voting NDP 'all the way'). You better become more selective next time around. This country needs stricter immigration policies.
  • Expat (27/04/2017, 13:59) Like (31) Dislike (7) Reply
    I am so disturbed about all this comments an news about expat I beg of all the expats don't voice your opinion we are nobody we are only expats let us leave these people to God let's try an save our money an go home back
    • @Expat (28/04/2017, 08:30) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
      We are no one in your country either... save up quickly. ( bunch of hypocrites)!
  • Yes (27/04/2017, 14:19) Like (33) Dislike (7) Reply
    He say this fake news on Facebook he say concrete dumping in little bay not a problem. He need to check he self
    • Mass Son (27/04/2017, 14:33) Like (34) Dislike (9) Reply
      LOL I was saying the same thing he nearly bite off the lady's head just because she posted the pic and shamed "their" company. Sometimes book sense don't really mean common sense
  • Observer (27/04/2017, 14:22) Like (45) Dislike (11) Reply
    Someone please help me out here, what is his area of expertise again? "It is better to be thought of as a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
    • Expat (27/04/2017, 21:15) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      He is bonified
    • @observer (28/04/2017, 09:01) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
      Well then this phrase relates to you as well...for it doesn't take a rocket science with all the credentials in the world to understand what this man is saying. A little child can understand this.
      • Observer (28/04/2017, 15:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        "...a rocket science ...". What in heavens (no pun intended) is this??????? SMH.
  • VG (27/04/2017, 14:25) Like (10) Dislike (9) Reply
    The report has half truths
  • wize up (27/04/2017, 14:59) Like (10) Dislike (9) Reply
    just like to pick on little British Virgin Islands: over 100 different nationalities reside in harmony right here: the United States of America have the biggest haters of Black Floks in the world; the United States of America is one of the biggest consumers of elicit drugs on this planet: the arm forces of America kills a number of innocent men, women and children each year:
  • Citizen (27/04/2017, 15:09) Like (21) Dislike (18) Reply
    I tend to agree with Skelton. Let us know who were the people interviewed. How do we know if this was not made up by some politicians to destroy Virginislanders. In the first place those who are unhappy should go to their own country. No one is encouraging them to stay. Some people are like fowls. They eat the feed and wipe their mouths. We cannot go to their country and make demands the way they do. Check out the social services and see who get the help. Many of those people benefit from our tax dollars than Virginislanders. This country has been destroyed by those who come to receive and interfere in Virginislanders marriage.
    • @citizen (27/04/2017, 15:33) Like (38) Dislike (17) Reply
      You are the man, move, you not fooling anyone! UNICEF Reports are dead on, stop being in denial! If UNICEF said we had the best and brightest people in the Region, cleanest streets, lowest crime, we would all be jumping for joy, we wouldn't ask who were interviewed. Come out of your bubble, real life is REAL! BVI has problems and the only way to solve them is to ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR EXISTENCE!!!!!!!!!!
  • Mr Honesty (27/04/2017, 15:33) Like (31) Dislike (15) Reply
    Skelton is in a state of denial.
  • What? (27/04/2017, 15:34) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
    @Citizen stop talking nonsense! If you notice Social Security Board have been the one to lean on for funding of a lot of Government major projects lately, thank god for them and their $500mil fund. Who contributes the most to that, locals or expat workers? Who benefits most from it? Let me hear you!
    • Justified (27/04/2017, 16:48) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      What. You hit the nail right on the head. I totally agreed.
    • @wHAT (27/04/2017, 23:25) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
      You sound stupid. Everyone has to contribute. If expats leave their jobs will be taken by other expats or belongers and they all still will have to pay social security and NHI. You have no valid point. That report is a bunch of nonsense. Expats benefit most times more than
      Belongers in this country. That report should have never been laid in the house. The minister needed to read that report and challenge UNICEF on their so call findings. Everyone benefiting from
      Our country but every chance they get, they throwing us under the bus. Where were you when our people fought to keep this country and build it after the queen said to leave it for the birds? Give me a break. Every time we implement something to protect our people, it's a problem. Every other country protecting their own and it's ok but when BVI try to do the same you hearing all kind of negative things. If we do not be careful
      We will become another Dominican Republic.. search your history and you will see what I mean
  • dude (27/04/2017, 15:43) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
    I agree with Skelton on this issue but I know that some will use the report to justify their pt of view. This report is incomplete yet they jumped to certain conclusions which imply that they only researched enough to valid their conclusion.

    A more complete report is needed in order for this to be valid.
    • oh (27/04/2017, 16:58) Like (21) Dislike (10) Reply
      So when BVI is voted best this and that by agencies why dont we ask how the voting was done or data collected?
  • .... (27/04/2017, 16:46) Like (22) Dislike (4) Reply
    I wouldnt call it fake news Papa i wud jus say what they bringing to the light is not news to us, we been kno the ong-fong but no one pays attention till a outside body shines a light
  • tretretrete (27/04/2017, 18:27) Like (11) Dislike (14) Reply
    The comments just show the type of greedy people living among us. Bvislanders want to see the statistics behind the report who was interviewed and when. Is that too much to ask you hypocrytes?
    We need people as migrants in this country who know and accept right from wrong Not those who accept only the things that can profit them.
    The report is FAKE if it cannon be substantiated END OF STORY
    • vita (27/04/2017, 19:10) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
      Rod go sit down! Ylu never demanded to see any statistics when BVI are shown in a positive light! Take the blinders off and stop the nonsense. They are only upset because its an outside agency shining the light. What about all the reports from our own Social Development? What about the reports from Family Support Network? I even hear ppl tryint to refute information from Family Support Network when they are the ones on the ground dealing with these things regularly. We want to act good and christian in a nasty place. As a local Im glad for these reports which will force us to finally deal with issues and stop brushing them under the rug. This also reminds me of a story years back when a senior govt person told a consultant that the special need students in BVI are expats and the locals dont have those issues. You believe that too?
  • @hmmmm (27/04/2017, 19:12) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Speak for yourself. Many BVIslanders like myself are willing to accept the realities mentioned in those reports because for too long we played dumb, go to church and pray and act like all is well when its not. Stop making it us vs them when the problems affect us all.
  • Irony (27/04/2017, 19:26) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply

    What Rhodni and others need to understand is that the people on Facebook liking and agreeing with them are.the same ones killing them on these blogs with fake names. On FB you use your real name.and most of them are @#$*& cowards.

  • Wake Up! (27/04/2017, 20:06) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are all playing into the hands of the politicians and some of the media: DIVIDE AND CONQUER! We need to wake up and soon!
  • Liat 521 (27/04/2017, 20:45) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    The same report myron used to bash the bvi he should be run back to antigua
  • @Lack of (27/04/2017, 21:03) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    All of that is so but again why when we have agencies publish positive things about the BVI we dont ask these same questions? Its not about UNICEF, its about us being a people who love to hide things. Even if we have one instance of what they speak of then its one too many. Speak with Teachers, Counselors, social workers and others and Im sure they would agree with UNICEF.
  • Egocentric (27/04/2017, 21:03) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    This egocentric dude just can't handle the truth.

  • qc (27/04/2017, 21:23) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    We should really take a deep look at ourselves, values and, our leadership

    Leadership and, parenting more so as where did we go wrong. Why was there no opportunity?
  • Interested (28/04/2017, 06:20) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    I totally agree with Rodni, although I don't often do.If these people are so dissatisfied,go home The solution is a simple one.
    This report should never have been tabled in HOA.
  • trrefdrfds (28/04/2017, 07:30) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Not everybody has a political father to save us from certain things, RA. And when the truth hurts, something is wrong.

    You should shut up and live better to avoid the Hades you talk about…. Wink wink.
  • teacher john (29/04/2017, 21:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    In that sense, it was a balancing of the scales of history in the context of colonialism.
  • Hmm (01/05/2017, 10:38) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    TRUTH HURTS. ALWAYS.


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