VG business allegedly got trade licence & work permits by telling lies- Rymer
One of the concerns raised by Mr Rymer was the allegation that a certain restaurant at St Thomas Bay managed somehow to get a trade license and permits allegedly by telling lies to the Government in claiming that they are in partnership with someone in Virgin Gorda.
“That is a big lie and we need to correct that.”
According to Mr Rymer, “the businesses in Virgin Gorda are supposed to be for the people of Virgin Gorda, supposed to be for the people of the Virgin Islands. We cannot afford to have anyone come to eat up the share that we are supposed to get. That is an abomination and needs to be corrected straight away.”
Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith said he was not aware of the information alleged by Mr Rymer. “All I can say is that when I go back to Tortola I will check with the Trade Department to establish exactly what is happening and then I can report back.”
Mr Rymer also claimed that persons on the outer Islands have been shipping their garbage and even faecal material to the garbage dump in Virgin Gorda. He stated that during the Tourist season there are some 300 vessels that come from Tortola with garbage that is deposited in the North Sound area. “And now the latest is that we have these mega yachts that come and when they pump their head and faecal matter from other septic tanks in those areas is also coming in the garbage area in the valley. This is not right at all.”
Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton agreed it was not right and said a similar concern has come up in Jost Van Dyke where garbage is being brought to the sister islands instead of them being taken directly to the incinerator in Pockwood Pond. “This is something we have to address in our whole solid waste management strategy. It is going to call for some kind of fees to be charged to these boats before garbage is accepted any place. I can’t stand and tell you I have the exact solution to the problem but I understand it is a problem and we need to address it and you have my assurance that it will be addressed, “ Hon. Skelton responded.
Meanwhile, Premier Smith had begun his remarks by reminding those in attendance and listening via the radio broadcast about the global economic recession and its impact on the Virgin Islands economy and said Government was aiming at finding ways of countering the effects including through prudent spending, working to increase businesses in the Territory and placing emphasis on improving and sustaining financial services and tourism.
Hon. Skelton said he was delighted by the responses and support given by residents who attended the community meeting on May 7 to review the proposed design for the Nurse Iris O’Neal medical centre. “The architect Ms Avaline Potter is currently working on the final drawings to be submitted by the end of July following which Government would proceed with the tendering process.
Staff shortages in Virgin Gorda
The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), according to Minister Skelton, continues to address the issue of staff shortages in Virgin Gorda. “An additional doctor started last month and an additional nurse started this month at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic.
He also said clerical and administrative staff are being recruited and is hoping to have the staffing challenges rectified very shortly.
Ambulance boat
“You may recall we had made a decision earlier this year to repair motor vessel Vigilant 2 to provide medical evacuation services by sea from Virgin Gorda to Peebles Hospital on Tortola. I am pleased and happy to report again that the new engine has been installed. The boat has been cleaned and final tests and inspections are being carried out,” Hon. Skelton reported.
In the meantime, he said the Health Services Authority has reached an agreement with Mr Daniel Flax of Big Ting Charters, who is able to provide transportation on a 24-hour basis at a rate commensurate with the commercial ferries.
Sprucing up of Public Cemetery
It was also announced by Minister Skelton that repairs will soon be underway for the repair of the public cemetery located in the Valley. He said two contractors have already submitted a quotation which is being evaluated by the Ministry and selection will be made by the end of the week and work will commence to put in walk ways and other aesthetically pleasing facilities such as benches and rest rooms.
Passenger/Cargo Dock
Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool said one of the key concerns of the public and his Ministry is that of the main dock on Virgin Gorda and the need to separate the passenger and cargo facilities.
“Government is actively, through the Port Authority, is making the final plans for this to take place within the shortest possible time. I am happy to report tonight that we have put funds in place. We want to bring the final development drawings top the public very shortly to get your comments and your views as we are hoping to build a new passenger dock alongside and close to the present dock and use the present one for cargo as we improve that.”
Road repair/lights installation
Minister Vanterpool said he was concerned about improving the roads, especially the roads in Virgin Gorda and that the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Infrastructural Development Project has, as one of the main comments, the project to upgrade the section of Lee Road between the junction of the road to the ferry dock and the round-about in the vicinity of Rock Cafe.
The scope of the project includes improved drainage facilities, sidewalks, improved grades and alignments and resurfacing the roads along the corridor. One of the main objects of this project, according to Hon. Vanterpool, is to alleviate the flooding and the drainage in the area.
The approved budget through the Caribbean Development Bank project is in the region of $1.6M, Hon. Vanterpool disclosed.
“As parts of the designs process we anticipate the consultants having their formal work as well as informal discussions. We will be meeting with property owners along the way and other stakeholders as they finalise the design. It is expected that sometime in August this year that the final designs will be ready to go to a bid for the selection of a contractor to do this work.”
Interested contractors were encouraged to get into contact with Mr Drexel Glasgow who is in charge of the project at the Works Ministry.
The Ministry is also considering the widening of the entire stretch of road extending to The Baths.
It was also said that Virgin Gordians had made requests and suggestions about lighting the road to North Sound. “We have started doing some investigations into that and we are seeing this as part of the Government’s plan to create a greener Virgin Islands,” Hon. Vanterpool stated.
The Works Minister said rough estimates so far regarding the installing of solar lights in the area is in the region of $1M. “And as you know we are moving forward to put solar lights as much as possible throughout the Territory as well as LED lights and so we are investigating the possibility of lighting the North Sound road with solar lights in the not so distant future.”
“There are also concerns about the safety of the new road and so Government wants to improve safety on the North Sound alternative road with the installation of guard rails. We have transferred some of the guard rails over here already to begin this project in the coming month. We will look at the most vulnerable areas and about 10 have already been identified,” Hon. Vanterpool announced.
Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn said the education system in the past has served the Territory well, however, it is time for standards across the board to be raised and that the Territory must rise to the challenge of reforming the education system.
He also listed a few projects specific to Virgin Gorda and included the completion of the playground at the Robinson O’Neal Primary School and the efforts to create a park for persons of this district in the Valley. The Park is likely to officially open in the next three months.
School Boards to be implemented next school year
Hon. Walwyn disclosed that come the next school year his Ministry will be implementing school boards for the effective running of the Territory’s schools. Bregado Flax Primary and Secondary have been selected as the pilot schools for this initiative.
AC Units for Catholic Community Centre
It was said by Minister Walwyn that the Catholic Community Centre, a private facility, hosts most public functions in the community and that the relationship with the Catholic Church is very healthy “and I felt it was necessary to show our support to this private/public partnership by taking on the cost to have the air condition units installed in the Centre. Work is ongoing at the moment and am told that we will be completed in the next few weeks in time for the graduation season...”
Rubberised Track for Virgin Gorda!
Virgin Gorda, According to Hon. Walwyn, has a growing population of young people who are interested in sports and it is important that those young persons also have the same opportunities as their peers on Tortola. “If a young man or woman is striving to be a greater sprinter they should not have to travel to Tortola to train.”
The Minister responsible for sports then disclosed that his Ministry has begun to identify areas for a proper rubberised track and field facility that can house additional sports similar to the A.O. Shirley Ground.
“We are looking at the present field next to Bregado Flax. We would also like to hear from this community your suggestions as we would then need to find an alternative spot to host the Easter Festival. Fifty thousand dollars was placed in the budget this year as seed money for the development of the track.”
Members of the audience had many questions including that of lands for young people to build homes, the National Health Insurance scheme and the need for more discussion, update on the restroom facilities at The Baths, the condition of the senior citizens home on VG and crime.
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27 Responses to “VG business allegedly got trade licence & work permits by telling lies- Rymer”
lots got trade lic by lies...what about wils*n?
I also am curious why we need so many restrooms. a few well-placed ones are fine, but in the cemetery? who is going to maintain them and who is going to loiter?
IT doesn't surprise me that there may be a front for a businessman to qualify for permits. Similar thing was suggested at Lambert several years ago for Raffles resort. Also, how easily did Oil Nut Bay get their paperwork and pioneer status which allows for taxes to be waived on goods for the resort.
(I still find the design of the new medical centre totally wrong for the area. It is too big with lack of bed count, smaller manageable rooms. This is not to be a glamourous thing, but to be functional and belong to the community. Lately, architects have forgotten the rules of considering the environment in which buildings are to be placed).
Oil Nut has exemption due to the Hotel Aid act that was put in place after Hurricane Luis & Marilyn. An act that was put in place to help HOTELS, not multimillion dollar private homes on private estates! Once N.... & M.....o heard they applied & were approved too. Something wrong when i pay duty on everything I import. And some of the wealthiest people in the world furnishing & building their houses duty free. The original intent was to assist hotels affected by storms so they could get people back to work, notas a loophole for the wealthy to cheat the system....