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‘C.B. Romney should be honoured’ – Edmund G. Maduro

-wants something in the cruise ship industry or financial services sector to be named after the former Chief Minister
The late Chief Minister Cyril Romney. Photo: VINO/File
The Labour Code, Financial Services and cruise ships, were some of the things the late Chief Minister Cyril B. Romney is credited for. Photo: VINO
The Labour Code, Financial Services and cruise ships, were some of the things the late Chief Minister Cyril B. Romney is credited for. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Radio talk show host Edmund G. Maduro wants the powers that be to name something after the late former Chief Minister Cyril B. Romney given the many contributions that he has made to the tourism and financial services sectors.

Maduro was speaking on his EGM Show aired on Thursday March 5, 2015 on ZROD 103.7FM.

Responding to a caller who had a question regarding who brought social security to the Territory, Maduro said, “I know for a fact that social security was brought [here] by the United Party. I know for a fact that the Labour Code was brought here by the United Party.”

“I know for sure that the cruise ships that you see coming here now were brought here by the late Honourable Cyril B. Romney. He went through a battle with a lot of people here to bring the cruise ships here. And Mr Romney was a United Party man,” Maduro said.

He said further that the late Honourable Cyril B. Romney could also be credited for the financial services sector here.
“When the Honourable C.B. Romney was bringing that here he went through a lot of problems and a lot of headaches,” said Maduro.

At this stage the caller said that he had appealed several times to the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) when they were in power to name something after Honourable Romney as a way of honouring his contribution to the territory.

“Mr Maduro you know how much times I beg the VIP when they were in to name something in the cruise ship [industry] or financial services after Cyril B. Romney?” asked the caller.

In affirmation, Maduro said, “yes, we need something to be named after the Honourable C.B. Romney.”

Political background of Cyril B. Romney

According to research, Cyril Romney had his political beginnings in 1975, when he stood as an independent candidate in the First District against Hon Hamilton Lavity Stoutt. He lost this race but was subsequently elected in 1979 as the representative for the Fifth District and became a member of the opposition.

Research revealed that Romney served a second political term from 1983 to 1986 and was Chief Minister of a coalition government with the United Party led by Willard Wheatley.

Romney is credited with bringing the International Business Companies Act into force while he was Chief Minister, an Act which was said to be responsible for so much of the Territory's economic success.

However, in 1986 Romney's ruling coalition lost power after calling an early election, but he was re-elected and continued to serve on the opposition benches for two more consecutive terms. It was said that in both 1995 and 1999, he tried unsuccessfully to recapture the Fifth District seat standing on a pro-independence platform.

The former Chief Minister died on July 19, 2007.

37 Responses to “‘C.B. Romney should be honoured’ – Edmund G. Maduro”

  • about time! (08/03/2015, 09:19) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    We are now reaping the fruits off the seeds that the late CB Romney planted such as the Financial Services and Cruise ship industry.
  • thing teh talk (08/03/2015, 09:21) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Lavity get credited for work done by romney.
    • @ thing to talk (08/03/2015, 10:09) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      Just like the do nothing ndp trying to take credit for vip projects
      • 00000 (08/03/2015, 13:29) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
        the NDP has blown over a billion dollars in 3 short years
        • Kingfish (08/03/2015, 14:05) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
          @00000

          Prove it, the budget has never been over $300 Million per year, it is therefore impossible for them to have spent over a $1Billion in 3 SHORT YEARS.
          • wize up (08/03/2015, 16:28) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
            yea!!! kingfish you represent your ndp party(how much did you get from them...just asking NOT hating)...
            • Kingfish (08/03/2015, 19:23) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
              @ wize up:

              Not a penny my friend, I am retired and not engaged in any business activities and besides I do not represent any political party, I vote for the individual and not for the party. The fact remains that we all
              must be fair when we say and write statements about people and or our preferred party.
  • yes (08/03/2015, 09:32) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    He should be honored and the Cruise Ship Dock is the first choice.
  • 123 (08/03/2015, 09:38) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    i agree he did nore in three years than the NDP did in four
  • kk (08/03/2015, 09:39) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    WOW, Finally somebody heard me and wants to do the right thing, .Its long over due.-These accomplishments are facts. Undeniable--- undisputed---We all have sins--All of us did wrong--Leave judgment to God. Honor the man
  • Plank (08/03/2015, 09:43) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    I agree with Maduro on this one, the man never convicted of any crime, it hurts to see Lavity getting all the credit
    • +++ (08/03/2015, 12:26) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply

      Not to say he didn't do some good things, but I would hate to have had an audit of his government in general now. choosing what laws to follow started with him and is deeply embedded in the way government does business. We are only looking at it now and I hope transparency becomes a more respected way of doing business.

  • Well... (08/03/2015, 10:53) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply

    I heard one of his daughters running. They will feel the wrath of the people I will tell you that..

    • @ well... (09/03/2015, 01:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Stop you ndp paid bloggers getting frighten already...ndp must go remains the cry
  • Trump (08/03/2015, 12:30) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    How do you say "conflict of interest"?
  • Plum (08/03/2015, 13:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    All of our Legislators who have passed should be honored. They have done a great deal for the country.
  • 10% (08/03/2015, 13:34) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Thats my boy cyril peas soup. I miss he mehson!
  • facts man (08/03/2015, 16:25) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Both cyril and lavity was a giant of men but cyril was always an advisor to h l stoutt
  • hat (08/03/2015, 18:14) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    How about naming the street from the stop light by FC- Bank into the Cruise-ship port area "CB ROMNEY STREET"?
  • Whoa.. Wait a min (08/03/2015, 19:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    if we going honor C.B Romney. Which I'm al for.. Then former Hon. Issac Glanville Fonseca should be honored too for his contribution in leading the March and the implementation of the now legislative council. So should a number past legislators who have contributed in an impactful way.
  • CK (08/03/2015, 20:03) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    maybe they should think about naming that street from the stop light by FC Bank up to the cruise ship port area "CB Romney Street" Just putting that out.
  • better yet (08/03/2015, 22:32) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    LET US PUT A STATUE OF CB ROMNEY ON THE PROSPECT REEF ROUNDABOUT.
  • +++ (08/03/2015, 22:35) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    short memories....
  • Realist (08/03/2015, 23:54) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mr. Romney was one of the brighest CM we have ever had in office Fraser will be the second
  • gkefkkdakxq (09/03/2015, 01:09) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Cyril was the man may he rip
  • SR (09/03/2015, 06:52) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Name the taxi stand in Town for him. He controlled/owned most of the ones that dealt with cruise ships
  • Jay (09/03/2015, 20:23) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Maybe the government should try to retrieve the owned to the time share owners of prospect reef, that would be a way his daughters could honour him
  • The Prophet (09/03/2015, 20:23) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    With an NDP Government in place C.B. Romney doesn't stand a chance. Most Government officials, including Tilford and Dr. Smith are aware of Romney's contribution to the economy of the Territory but neither one has the balls to acknowledge or accept his achievements, How sad.
    • +++ (10/03/2015, 00:01) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply

      CB Romney was a puppet master. Held the strings to a lot of things without people knowing. 

  • bright (10/03/2015, 09:18) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    How about the New Cruise ship dock after it is completed?
  • zoe (10/03/2015, 09:47) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mr romney did as much as lavity or even more
  • Stetson (11/05/2015, 16:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I miss him greatly. I often think about what we would talk about if he were alive. One item would be globalization and how the BVIs would survive this ever changing mercurial environment. There are so many forces at work such as big business and finance when it comes to B.V.Islanders. Everyone from every corner of the globe wants a piece of paradise. The key is for the B.V.Is to keep its beauty and splendor and its way of life intact. It will take a very special leader to do this. C.B. had this in spades.


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