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Gov’t can’t build VI alone; civil society & businesses must pitch in– Hon Wheatley

Virgin Islands (VI) Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has called on local businesses along with Civic society to help the government achieve the goal of building the VI together. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Vincent O. Wheatley made the statement while a guest on the May 5, 2023, edition of The Big Story with Cathy O. Richards on ZBVI 780 AM. Photo: Facebook
Hon Vincent O. Wheatley made the statement while a guest on the May 5, 2023, edition of The Big Story with Cathy O. Richards on ZBVI 780 AM. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands (VI) Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has called on local businesses, along with civil society, to help the government achieve the goal of building the VI together.

Hon Wheatley, the now Acting Premier, made the statement while as a guest on the May 5, 2023, edition of The Big Story with Cathy O. Richards on ZBVI 780 AM. 

“We can't do it by ourselves as a government. We must take the people, the businesses, work with the government in one accord to advance this country, to make the country better for all of us, not just for the future, but for those who are alive today.” 

Hon Wheatley was at the time speaking on issues such as waste management, health care, and the local labour sector as it related to VI’s healthcare sectors and the need to build those areas.

All in VI called to pitch in - Hon Wheatley  

“It's important [that] we alive today also realize some successes [and] some wins. Yes, of course, the ultimate goal is to make it better for the next generation. We can't leave ourselves out. It cannot be total, total sacrifice for us, for somebody else,” he said.

He called on the VI community, the local civic bodies, and individual businesses to work along with the government for the betterment of the entire territory.

“Old people say when the tide in the harbour, all the boats rise together, and this should be our goal, all of us working together for the betterment of this country,” he declared while adding there are areas, such as National Health Insurance (NHI), that need reform.

Hon Wheatley, in his first term in elected office, had served as Minister for Natural Resources, Labour, and Immigration but is now serving as Minister for Health and Social Development.

28 Responses to “Gov’t can’t build VI alone; civil society & businesses must pitch in– Hon Wheatley”

  • Local (11/05/2023, 16:56) Like (13) Dislike (15) Reply
    Here he goes again, have to make the news every week.
    Love the front page.
    • @local (11/05/2023, 19:24) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
      When will the hate end? When you are a public figure you will likely make the front page news ...even if it's every week. Most of you are waiting to see this man and the government make mistakes or fail. Please note that if this happen the territory as a whole would suffer. keep reading the front page it will do you a lot of good.
  • Hmm (11/05/2023, 17:28) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    Where is all the money was being seized on all those drug busts??? That should be quite a bit there to rebuild the roads.
  • Work 2 (11/05/2023, 17:43) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    Yes, you have a point, but if you in government keep killing the small companies, give all the JOBS and projects to friends. where are they now?
    they will only help if the next big project has their name on it.
    We the small business people try our best to bring new business, but it will be blocked by a small-minded civil workers that is getting mad when others try to feed their family
  • VG PRINCE ???? (11/05/2023, 17:53) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Boi you really sounding good ???? , have you been in consultation with cSc ( aka ) Mr FriG ????
  • Reality check (11/05/2023, 18:06) Like (19) Dislike (6) Reply
    Why should local businesses pitch in to help build these Virgin Islands when the govt pass a budget for millions of dollars. That make any sense? If you politicians learn how to manage the finances properly without wasting on petty contracts and pocketing for sell gain then we can accomplish alot more. Why you all don't cut your big salaries and put in to help make things better for all of us. You made so many promises while on your campaign trail stating if we put you back in power you will finish what you started. Now you talking about looking help from the same people who put you there? We already paying our taxes and the cost of living already so high, businesses barely making any profits and you talking about pitch-in?
    • @Reality Check (11/05/2023, 18:46) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
      It is the civil duty of businesses to give back to the community. It does not matter in what portion they contribute but don't sit by and say everything is on government for they can't do it alone that's a know fact.
      • Well.. (12/05/2023, 13:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        They gov needs to prove they can be trusted. My employer tells me straight, we will give in kind but never cash. Plus...are you aware of the taxes these (legitimate) businesses already pay? Yall crazy...didn't the public raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for some special machine at the hospital only to be told they can't buy it because purple Palace already have one and so they wouldnt make as much money of hospital also had one. GTFOH with that BS, ain't nobody going out of their way to help people that won't help themselves.
  • WOW (11/05/2023, 18:21) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Y’all give certain ppl contracts religiously…they should be the first to contribute…y’all making certain ppl millionaires while the country suffer….Find the balance
  • Tadow (11/05/2023, 18:50) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    If governments after governments cease mismanaging tax payers funds they can do 85% Currently they only doing 25%
  • Youth (11/05/2023, 18:55) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    The Minister is correct.
  • Facial expression (11/05/2023, 18:56) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    IS SAYING )> IF THIS CHARMINGLY INNOCENT LOOK , DON'T BREAK THEIR HEARTS ~ AM FRIGGED ????
  • WTF (11/05/2023, 19:27) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyone pitches in in a way that is designed to be fair and equalitarian. This is called taxation. Is this man suggesting double taxation on the basis that government is not capable of administering the funds collected?
  • Quiet Rebel (11/05/2023, 19:32) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Why don’t this guy shut his damn trap and enjoy the time as Acting Premier instead of yapping his trying to be in the new. He is should using his time trying to find functional, working, etc to health, waste disposal, etc, some of the most criitical and challenging services facing the territory. He should trying to proving the critics wrong. Instead, it yap, yap, yap! He make the dog sick.
  • Pitch in??!! (11/05/2023, 20:44) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    If allya damn politician would stop th€|£ the £@ckin money....BVI could of been an 8th wonder.
  • Seamore Bush (11/05/2023, 21:49) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Does this man think we are dumb. All the millions that have been squandered over the decades by our politicians and jobs for the boys.
    I thought April fools day had passed.
    Small business are struggling and being blocked every step of the way with bs.
    Can we please have some brains in power.
    Bunch of crabs in a bucket.
  • Dancing with the Stars (11/05/2023, 23:40) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The acting Premier statement is timely as we try to move the Territory forward. The involvement of the residents is of paramount importance. After all, the residents would be proud of what we accomplish together. Gone are the days when the government would do everything. Whatever contribution is made by the citizens would be recognized. Let us strive to develop the Territory together.
  • Horsepath iam (11/05/2023, 23:53) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    The minister is absolutely correct. Many of the preceding statements are reminiscent of narrow minded politically driven thought that is not beneficial to the advancement of the BVI. Nature’ Little Secret is a major player on the world stage judging from its financial service and tourism economy. The time is now for everyone to support a government that is going to advance good governance and elevate the lives of all its citizens. Let’s support this cause by demanding transparency and accountability rather than finding fault where there is none.
  • vi (12/05/2023, 06:42) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    just don't understand why this man in power again, this clown was in labor for years what did he do but a bunch of foolishness and now he is Minister for Health wow is the same people who vote for him will be saying why did we vote for him very soon.
  • sk**tington (12/05/2023, 09:04) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    ask the expats and the locals with favorable government contracts and monopolies to chip in not those just getting by on the low median income.
  • round rock (12/05/2023, 09:06) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    It is a pity that many of the bloggers are expressing their sentiments without doing an analysis of the services provided by the government. It is the civic duty of ALL citizens to make a contribution towards the development of the Territory. The government has done much for this country. We have water, roads, electricity, health centers, schools. Though, they are not efficient. Why can parents assist to paint the schools where their children have free education? Why can businesses that use heavy duty equipment help to repair the streets that their equipment destroy? If we visit other countries and see the contributions of volunteers to their countries. We will be shocked. You would see people cleaning the road sides, building schools, feeding the poor and much more. Those countries are poorer than the B.V.I.
  • Sampson (12/05/2023, 09:37) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    $6.00 per hour is poverty wages.
  • musa (12/05/2023, 10:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    hon
  • stfu (12/05/2023, 13:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    businesss and poor ppl looking help
  • incompetent (13/05/2023, 11:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you can't do your job or don't want to do your job you need to be fired. Or quit. Stop talking nonsense. Stop with talking about future plans. Start fixing problems now. Has attendance at the west end community meeting regarding fixing the insinerator was a joke.
  • Gfj (13/05/2023, 18:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is back to the airwaves with his nonsense. Why he doesn't like to zip it. He is the least people want to listen to.
  • @ GfJ (14/05/2023, 20:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WELL , EVERY JACK ASZ LOVE TO HEAR THEMSELVES BRAY , AND THE KEY WORD HERE IS ( ACTING ) AND THATS EXACTLY WHAT HE'S DOING ???? WE HAVE BECOME ACTORS NOW , AND WE SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED WHEN YOU SEE SOME OF THEM START WALKING WITH A BIBLE IN THEIR HANDS / TALKING ABOUT THE BIBLE , WHATEVER , HAPPENED TO CSC ( AKA ) CITY SLICKER D CLINE ) SEEMS TO TURN GHOST OVERNIGHT ~ " HOLY FRIG " ????


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