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

‘Do something! How are we going to eat?' Claude O. Skelton-Cline to Gov't

- said the VI is in a crisis, especially being 100% import dependent
Social commentator and host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline said shelves are becoming empty because merchants are unable to get their goods into the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source
Social commentator and host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has said the Virgin Islands (VI) is currently facing a crisis with food insecurity, being a country fully dependent on imports. Photo: Facebook
Social commentator and host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has said the Virgin Islands (VI) is currently facing a crisis with food insecurity, being a country fully dependent on imports. Photo: Facebook
Social commentator and host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline said Pier 10 is Sanu Juan, Puerto Rico, which was Virgin Islands shippers used is no longer available to them. Photo: Internet Source
Social commentator and host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline said Pier 10 is Sanu Juan, Puerto Rico, which was Virgin Islands shippers used is no longer available to them. Photo: Internet Source
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Social commentator and host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has said the Virgin Islands (VI) is currently facing a crisis with food insecurity, being a country fully dependent on imports.

During the June 2, 2026, airing of Honestly Speaking titled ‘What is not true’, Skelton-Cline called local shippers and shipping companies “our lifeline”. 

“We are a 100 per cent import destination and it has been under attack, and now our local shipping and shippers are in a state of crisis,” Skelton-Cline lamented, “There’s some stores who are closing and actually closing earlier and or are not being able to serve their full menu or certain items because they cannot get their products out of Puerto Rico or elsewhere.”

He said he spoke to merchants who had to hire a private charter shipping company to get their products into the Virgin Islands after a two-week delay. 

“Some of the grocers, if you noticed, some things are missing, some shelves are becoming empty.”

Businesses frustrated

Skelton-Cline said business owners, including food and beverage providers, are becoming frustrated because they are unable to get their goods. 

“We are in a state of crisis, and I spoke about this over a month ago. I don’t know if anybody moved.”

These business owners, he added, have also begun complaining about occurrences at the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA). There seems to be an issue with getting clear, decisive direction. 

“In a place of crisis, you have to be able to pivot; you have to adjust to meet the moment and meet the needs of the moment; we have to become more efficient.”

Skelton-Cline added that they are also complaints of the Government being “tone deaf” while the Opposition is unable to offer any options. 

“We are one hundred percent importers in this country, and you wonder why all 13 should go is becoming more of a slogan?”

Issues in Puerto Rico

Skelton-Cline reminded listeners that about 6 weeks ago on the show, he mentioned what is happening in Puerto Rico. 

“[Puerto Rico] is doing their own development, their own mega-yacht facilities. It impacts what is Pier 10 in Puerto Rico, San Juan, where our local shippers could receive products.”

According to Skelton-Cline, within a 24-hour period, that arrangement was gone. 

“So right now we only have two groups shipping. Prices are going up because demand is higher; they are unable to move the quantum…I’m telling you we are suffering, businesses are suffering, local persons, private, ordering products, folk can’t get their goods; food insecurity- here we are again.”

He called on the government of the day to do something, urging them to bring on board persons who would know what to do if they are unsure of the next steps, and to reach out directly to the Puerto Rican government or a local municipality

“Do something…This is a problem: How are we going to eat?”

25 Responses to “‘Do something! How are we going to eat?' Claude O. Skelton-Cline to Gov't”

  • Water Bro. (03/06/2026, 08:31) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    We can't get water in our house. Where and how would they find water for famers....We are surrounded by water that cannot done some of us can step from our yard, cross the road inro the Sea. We cant get years of no water poor water supply solve....Privatizarion was a mistake...Private involved profit, profit involves greed. Greed involved selfishness...Now we are suffering..
  • Interesting (03/06/2026, 08:32) Like (37) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with you with this one. We need to get something done.
    • Innovation needed on the process (03/06/2026, 09:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      The process for clearing goods, particularly through an expedited channel for certain products, must be modernized. It is difficult to accept that countries handling millions of containers can move cargo more efficiently than we do with only a fraction of that volume. What is required is innovative thinking, a willingness to challenge outdated systems, and leadership that can look beyond the immediate horizon and plan for the future we wish to build.
  • Captain Obvious (03/06/2026, 09:03) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    our problems are well known but the government doesn't want to solve them
  • and (03/06/2026, 09:09) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    It will only get worse before it gets any better. I am so glad I made the choice to give up meat and poultry. I started planting a year ago and I can live off what I plant. Cucumbers, Cabbage, Egg plant, Beans, Peppers, Tomatoes, Herbs, Ginger, Garlic Pumpkin, Sweet Potatoes and a whole lot more.I have stuff growing out of old tires filled with soil. I even bake my own breads. There is no way I am going to pay almost $8.00 for a loaf of bread that is filled with all type of pesticides to give it more shelf life.
  • Frustration - Incinerator (03/06/2026, 09:17) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    For 26 years we’ve been without a scrubber on an incinerator and now it’s been over 4 years without an incinerator at all. This government can’t recognise an emergency when they see one. In addition to the immediate health emergency, if a storm passes through here, dealing with the debris is going to be an utter disaster. Where is the plan- silence for years.
    • Immediate Health Emergency (03/06/2026, 14:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Let me tell you a secret. If a pandemic comes here again the politicians will be manning the health centers. We had Healthcare workers die holding the line against covid and now they are the only group of first responders expected to spend empty promises in the stores. I sorry for the residents who continue to vote against their own best interest. Going home to glory might be better than this mess.
  • Fran (03/06/2026, 09:22) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Today, I am going to buy all of the dry goods I will need before the crisis hits here. I will fill my pantry. Canned milk, veggies, flour, sugar, rice, beans, tuna, cases of water, tissue, etc. I remember when the hurricane hit, and I wasn't prepared, and vowed it would never happen to me again. I can go fishing. I already have in my yard fruit trees, tea bushes, tomatoes, and greens. I will preserve as much as possible in jars because doomsday is coming, and we have to be ready all the time! We have land in our own backyards, and I advise everyone to use it.
    • @Fran (03/06/2026, 11:06) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are thinking like me. My first crop of strawberries, blueberries and green beans is coming along. My daughter send me some mason jars that I can make and store my strawberries and blue berry jams. I have very limited space but I am planting as much as I can. Don’t laugh at me but I gutted out an old fridge, fill it with soil, spray paint it black and planted all my bush teas and ginger in the gutted out fridge. They live together and they are doing well. All they need is water and TLC.
      • Who would have think about that (03/06/2026, 15:18) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
        A old gutted out refrigerator can be used to plant food.
        • Fran (04/06/2026, 03:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
          @@Fran. An old refrigerator or any container makes a good planter. I hope everyone is reading these good tips because, before you know it, Mother Nature has a way of playing tricks on us, and the supermarkets will be swamped with people buying up everything. We will survive off the land that GOD gave us.
        • Come to think of it (04/06/2026, 07:28) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
          That is also a way to recycle the old refrigerator. Remove the doors, gut the inside out and use it as a planter box. The next time I come across a old refrigerator or a old freezer that was tossed out I will pick it up and utilize it as a planter box
  • lmao (03/06/2026, 10:12) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    When he was a consultant from 2019-2022 and people were complaining all he did was scoffed and fixed his glasses on his nose bridge because he was GOLDEN! Now he has to sell Pizza and Meatballs for a living all of a sudden he understands the regular man's plight? This man is shameless. $600K of government funds, GONE, VANISHED, NO VALUE! If we had that $600K now we could feed the kids in all the public schools for the year.
  • believe (03/06/2026, 11:30) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't worry csc we wouldn't eat you because you are poison yak.
  • Anonymous (03/06/2026, 12:14) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    To their credit this government has put a lot of money in agriculture
  • Informed (03/06/2026, 12:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I would love to go to the supermarket but the roads as so bad ill just starve.
  • bvibuzz (03/06/2026, 13:18) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    jump high jump low vip going right back
  • OB (03/06/2026, 13:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Problem child!!!!
  • focus (03/06/2026, 14:18) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let us focus on finding solutions to our problems and not play the blame game...the incinerator this and how much government contract who get. How the hell is that going to help now. We been warning for decades and all we got was ridicule and abuse now reality is knocking on your door you still want to act the fool.
  • HEY CLAUDIA (03/06/2026, 20:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We would love if you could ask that dude they call CUBAN - WHY HE LEAVE THOSE ( GREEN HOUSE MACHINERY TO JUST SIT THERE AND DETEORATE TO hang out with BRONIE ON HIS ISLAND WITHOUT ANY CARE , FOR OUR WELLBEING / WE COULD OF BEEN WAY AHEAD ALL NOW SO . PRODUCING HEALTHY VEGATEBLES TO FEED OURSELVES , ( WE KNOW YOU GOT THE BALLZ TO ASK HIM .
  • Just as U R (04/06/2026, 06:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Supposed to be holy and fully tatented / you can still consult with the wigged one who has been very vocal on freeing up the weed - just as he is with ( free the DREW ) and he has repeatedly been hollering out that all we need for agriculture is the mighty " W E E D " so I guess we all can live on weed - maybe you two " mouth chimpz " can put your duplicitous talented minds together and see whats the best way forward / we'll be eating - drinking & smoking holy weed that is blessed with by his exelency / after he done bless them women's front ✨️ •••

  • oops (04/06/2026, 06:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Most of the farming lands are national park we need to free up some of dose land so people can get more involved in farming
  • @CSC (04/06/2026, 07:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ITS NOT HOW ARE WE GOING TO EAT ? ) ITS , WHAT ARE WE GOING TO EAT ? ) WIGGIE HAS ALREADY SUGGESTED THAT WEED IS IT . SO WHAT BOTH OF YOU HAVE TO DO IS LINK UP AND WIGGIE BUILD A FARM TO SUPPLY YOU WITH HIGH GRADE WEED AND YOU WILL BUILD A CHAIN OF * PIZZA PARLOZ * AROUND THE TERRITORY AND START PRODUCING WEED IS IT -VEGETARIANS PIZZAS / WEED SODAZ / & WEED JOINTZ , ONCE WIGGIE GETS IT LEGALIZED FIRST • AND THEN YA'AL CAN START THINKING ABOUT EXPORTING YOUR NATURAL & LOCALLY HOME GROWN VEGETARIANS PRODUCTS TO THE REST OF THE WORLD •
  • Macky (04/06/2026, 11:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This should be the primary agenda of the govt instead of re-election. But all govts are the same and prioritize the facade of power instead of service to the people.
  • WOW (04/06/2026, 21:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    roast bread fruit and whelks


Create a comment


Create a 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.