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

Africa trip cost would be better spent on Health Services-Queen Shereen

Ms Shereen D. Flax-Charles also known as Queen Shereen, when she appeared as a guest on Honestly Speaking, with Claude O. Skelton Cline on his radio programme on Tuesday, September 24, 2018. Photo: Team of Reporters
Africa trip cost would be better spent on Health Services. Photo: VINO/File
Africa trip cost would be better spent on Health Services. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The cancellation of a trip to Africa by a Government led delegation is being welcomed as good news since the monies could be better used in the Virgin Islands (VI).

At least this is according to Ms Shereen D. Flax-Charles also known as Queen Shereen, when she appeared as a guest on Honestly Speaking, with Claude O. Skelton Cline on his radio programme on Tuesday, September 24, 2018.

Taken Aback

The guest said when she heard of the trip, she decided to check the prices and realized that a single business class ticket from Beef Island to Nigeria can cost as much as $20,000.

“When I saw the article about the trip to Africa I was a little taken aback…my mind is saying how much is the trip going to cost,” she said.

Ms Flax-Charles noted that having done the research, “for whatever reason they cancel the trip I think it was the best thing, those funds can be utilized in a much better way.”

She suggested “maybe some of those funds can be diverted to the Health Services.”

According to Ms Flax-Charles the money could even be used to help rebuilding of persons homes.

Next Year

The announcement of the cancellation of the trip to Africa was made on September 25, 2018 in a Government Information Service (GIS) press release which said “the proposed trade mission to visit Africa in November by Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) and a team from BVI Finance has been postponed until early next year.”

The Government did not give a new date for “next year”, however, they claimed that “Premier Smith will instead direct all necessary resources towards supporting the territory’s financial services sector after a further review of the timeline relating to the EU’s assessment of international finance centres.”

8 Responses to “Africa trip cost would be better spent on Health Services-Queen Shereen ”

  • voter (05/10/2018, 13:38) Like (18) Dislike (8) Reply
    " guest said when she heard of the trip, she decided to check the prices and realized that a single business class ticket from Beef Island to Nigeria can cost as much as $20,000.". Ever thought of what the benefits long term would be? So if it cost $20,000 to negotiate business that would generate $2,000,000 per annum in BVI income you would not make the trip. Wow!!!!
  • VG (05/10/2018, 14:14) Like (5) Dislike (11) Reply
    She right
  • Real Talk (05/10/2018, 14:16) Like (11) Dislike (9) Reply
    Our Primier going to Africa is not for trade,with the African people the Chinese control most of the African investments,but we would be so happy to hear the mother land name,than China so we need to wake up and see what tricks Mr smith is running.
  • Reminder (05/10/2018, 19:49) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    If I recall well, some of these Smith critics were quite comfortable when they were on the government payroll travelling all over the globe say they representing the BVI. Wonder if they were travelling coach? All of a sudden first class is too good for our head of state. Hmmm. We will remember this if you ever get elected.
  • the rock (06/10/2018, 05:40) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Claude we the youths want out $600,000.00 you took from the VIP to create a youth program to benefit us that you never delivered, tgat money ud desperately needed now.
  • VG (06/10/2018, 09:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    she walking hard to get on the VIP at large! well sah
  • Outsider (08/10/2018, 12:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can we coronate Queen Shereen and ditch Queen Elizabeth?


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit 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.