VI at a serious crossroad- Edmund Maduro
“Ladies and gentlemen, the BVI is at a serious crossroad with regards to its national, social, political, and economic development,” Mr Maduro chose to start out with these words on his programme BVI Forum on CBN Channel 51 on April 20, 2013.
He followed up by noting that Virgin Islanders have become “seriously frustrated” about their position of minority with regards to population.
According to the talk show host, in 1961 the population of the Virgin Islands was an estimated 7000 persons. Today in 2013, 51 years later, the estimated population is said to be 32, 000, an increase of 25, 000 or a 357 percent increase at 490 persons or 7 percent per annum.
He said this rise in population due to the large number of expatriates coming into the Territory has caused many problems, one of which is the pressing issue of employment of Virgin Islanders or the alleged lack of it.
“There are serious problems where natives are being deprived of gainful employment in preference of non-natives. BVIslanders wake up. I am calling on you to wake up. This wakeup call is not for you to victimise non-BVIslanders living and working in the country but instead for you to call upon the authorities to enforce the Labour Code fairly and justly.”
In addition to that, Mr Maduro said he understands that Heads of Departments are currently being allowed to dismiss civil servants independently of the Governor and noted that while he finds it unbelievable, he will be inquiring into the “validity of these matters”.
The talk show host also said he believes that the time has come when it is imperative for Government to do all that is necessary to revive farming and fishing to the point where it is necessary to take mandatory steps or actions, “since food production is an indispensible industry including the operation of the greenhouses.”
Continuing to highlight social and economic issues, Mr Maduro also said it was time for government to look more professionally and responsibly at helping VIslanders who have fallen victim to drugs and other abusive lifestyles.
“I say these things because, like other BVIslanders, I see some bad days ahead that can bring with them lots of crimes and other social problems.”
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18 Responses to “VI at a serious crossroad- Edmund Maduro”
LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT.
Seize the time.
.
Well, Mr. Maduro, here are a few suggestions to assist your country at this crossroads:
1. To combat your daughters having babies in the US, allow the babies born here the dignity of automatic citizenship, because THEY BORN HERE.
2. Stop investing money in far fetched projects and create more scholarship programs for your children, so that they are better qualified to fill the jobs taken by expats.
3. Help HLSCC to become an accredited 4-year institution, with BA and BS programs, then your children will not have to travel afar to be educated.
4. GROW SOMETHING, BUILD SOMETHING, FISH, FARM, CREATE SOMETHING exportable!!!!
5. Learn to have country pride. Someone complained that the expats and islanders always boast their country flag, but not the BVI. WHERE IN GOD'S GOOD NAME CAN WE FIND THEM! DID THE COUNTRY COMMISSION ANY?
6. And finally, please recognize and accept who you are: AN ISLAND! NOT A CONTINENT! So STOP refering to other islanders as 'ISLAND PEOPLE' . YOU ARE NOT SO DAMN SUPER NATION, YOU ARE ALSO SEA WATER AND SAND!