'BVIslander must be at the forefront of revenue initiatives' - Winston E. Nibbs
Mr Willock appeared on the 3D Show hosted by Doug Wheatley on ZBVI 780 AM on Friday, February 9, 2018. Mr Winston E. Nibbs aka 'La Fontey', local businessman was also a guest on the show.
Businessman, Mr Willock during the show, explained that within a year or two the Virgin Islands (VI) will have $1 billion plus in loans with no solid plan in place to repay the loan.
The four revenue initiatives suggested are national lottery system, citizen by investment program, manufacturing and hotel branding.
"It is time for our government to be serious about revenue initiatives and these times call for strong leadership. It calls for thinking outside the box. It calls for solutions," said Mr Willock.
"BVIslander must be at the forefront"- Winston E. Nibbs
In response, Mr Nibbs stated that he would want to see VIslanders at the forefront of any means of " revenue raising venture".
"I have a grave concern with the development of the country without then people of the country not being a part of that development. So my core argument comes about as to suggesting whatever means of revenue raising venture we decide to take on that we be in it," emphasised Mr Nibbs.
The indigenous Virgin Islander suggested that the hurricanes of September 2017 has given opportunities for persons to create revenue driven ideas as well.
"Taxes & fees alone cannot repay loans" - Mr Julian Willock
The local businessman emphasised that the government cannot expect to repay $1 billion plus in loans solely through taxes and fees.
He said, "Its amazing that our Premier would be up and down all over the world trying to get loans and grants going to cost us up what's worth of $1 billion and the only thing within the Recovery Plan is about taxes."
Mr Willock further explained that the VI will not be able to depend on traditional ways of raising revenues due to hurricanes Irma and Maria, adding that 30 percent of the population left, so the taxes that were normally collected is no more.
"Any government that is in office has to be talking about how to pay back those loans," he said.
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15 Responses to “'BVIslander must be at the forefront of revenue initiatives' - Winston E. Nibbs”
I do not see a public relations person on a valuable board as useful. We need architect/ engineer/ environmentalist/ historian to contribute to reconstruction. People will do their own thing and disregard the bigger picture. And please, no billboards or big advertising. It will look like Times Sq NYC.