UPDATE: Tortola Pier Partners names revealed
Following an article published by Virgin Islands News Online earlier today August 27, 2013, a release was issued this afternoon which states that the shareholders of Tortola Pier Partners (TPP) are currently subsidiaries/affiliates of United Infrastructure Group and IDEA with, Todd Malphrus, Gregg Malphrus, Hugh Darley and John Darley as the representatives, and McAlpine is expected to join the team to further enhance the group with building expertise.
According to the release, the Government of the Virgin Islands has also secured participation and investment opportunities for Virgin Islanders to purchase/own up to 20 percent shares.
It was further stated that a public offer will be made but no indiction was given when this would be done. “Interested persons or groups are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity when it becomes available,” the release advised.
See previous article posted August 27, 2013
Still no names for Pier Park Group from Premier!
With an entire week now gone, the echoing silence has proven even more deafening after Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith promised to reveal the names behind the Tortola Port Partners Group to the public but nothing was submitted to members of the media as promised.
During a press conference held last week, Premier Smith said he would release this information to members of the media immediately following the press conference, however, this was not done.
“The Tortola Pier Park Group, I’m afraid I don’t remember the names of the persons at the moment but I will let you know as soon as the meeting is over,” Premier Smith said during the press conference on August 20, 2013.
Calls have been made by members of the public and civic society clamouring for information about the group that has been contracted by government to have a major stake in the development of the Cruise Pier Development Project but details remain shrouded in apparant secrecy.
Premier Smith has steadily dodged questions regarding the project as posed in the House of Assembly by Members of the Opposition, giving no hints as to what negotiations have been going on behind closed doors between the government and the group, which reportedly won with their bid proposal ahead of Royal Caribbean to develop the cruise pier and adjacent land side construction.
Not concerned of audit results?
Regarding concerns about a pending audit about the Cruise Pier Project and whether this information will be released, Premier Smith repeated that his previous assertion that government did not order an audit and were not too bothered about what possible revelations an accompanying report might declare, if it ever came to light.
“We as a government did not order an audit and so that is not a matter for me, if an audit was ordered and whoever did that wishes to make it public then, so be it. I have no problem with that,” Premier Smith stated.
The National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Smith told members of the media during the press conference that final details are being awaited by the government from the company involved in the port project before a final application could be sent to the United Kingdom for approval.
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26 Responses to “UPDATE: Tortola Pier Partners names revealed”
(and I might as well just call myself "the real Pat" since the previous poster has ignored my pleas and requests to find his own ID. Have you no honor or consideration?)
The project is based on "first impressions" in creating a fantasy to entertain passengers to get them off the boat and it has no bearings on BVI identity. Darley explains his whole strategy on his web site which includes "how important Ports Authorities are to his planning developments". (he has one now...)
The basic commercial marketing, complete with "thematic story lines and entertainment" (from the website)and "branding" bypasses anything authentic or remotely culturally relative. Their Jamaica port cuts out any local vendors and skirting historic tourist sites according to reports. Money is contained in their "fantasy land".
A reported complaint is "most of the tourists stay far away from the locals...we are on the losing end"; "no more than 5% of revenue returns to the economy. Hotels usually produce 20% revenue".
just do some research on line... and it will make you question everything. Its all a game with huge money at stake..
less is more as the saying goes for architects that know better.
During original negotiations, the consultant representing the government was then made director of the port authority. His deputy is trained in the hotel business. The objectivity for this project was doomed from the beginning with government "yes" men. I do not believe that all members of the group are mentioned and that there are still secret players. When 4th minister says "we will listen to the people", but "we won't be distracted from our mission", how can any discourse continue?
Now a credible EIA gives the government priorities, but which ones will it take? Will it compromise to find a better solution to both protect the environment while scaling back a distinctive architectural plan? We know the planning authority and town and country have their limitations with oversight and concepts. All this government knows how to do is move straight ahead without any question or compromise. The plan is "divide and conquer". We still haven't seen an accurate plan yet. have the officials? The end result will be far from what was envisioned if they don't watch out.