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Hon Penn claims VIP Gov’t was looking to build runway through Hans Creek

- Premier Wheatley said he never heard or seen such a plan
It was the controversial Hans Creek Development Project on Beef Island that the NDP administration was pushing in 2006 that many believe cost it the elections in 2007. Photo: Google Earth
Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Chairman and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has; however, said he has never heard or seen of any such plans to put a runway through Hans Creek and called the claims by Hon Marlon A. Penn as ‘imaginary’. Photo: Facebook
Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Chairman and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has; however, said he has never heard or seen of any such plans to put a runway through Hans Creek and called the claims by Hon Marlon A. Penn as ‘imaginary’. Photo: Facebook
Without providing any proof to support his claims, National Democratic Party (NDP) Chairman and Eighth District Representative Hon Marlon A. Penn accused the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration of planning to build an airport runway through Hans Creek on Beef Island. Photo: Facebook
Without providing any proof to support his claims, National Democratic Party (NDP) Chairman and Eighth District Representative Hon Marlon A. Penn accused the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration of planning to build an airport runway through Hans Creek on Beef Island. Photo: Facebook
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI- Without providing any proof to support his claims, National Democratic Party (NDP) Chairman and Eighth District Representative Hon Marlon A. Penn accused the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration of planning to build an airport runway through Hans Creek on Beef Island.

VIP Chairman and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has; however, said he has never heard or seen of any such plans and called it “imaginary”.

Hon Penn was at the time responding to a comment made by Dr Wheatley during the Party Leaders Debate held at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium last evening, March 11, 2023.

Earlier, Dr Wheatley, responding to a question about the environment, said it was fighting for the environment that brought him into the political life, recalling that it was in 2006 when the then NDP administration was coming forward with a Beef Island development, which was going to dig up a 10-acre salt pond on Beef Island and destroy an environmentally pristine area known as Hans Creek.

The Premier said he and members of the Virgin Islands Environmental Council stood up against it and since then he has been fighting for the environment.

‘Imaginary plan’- Premier Wheatley

Hon Penn used time on a different question to respond to Dr Wheatley, saying he was concerned that former Premier Andrew A. Fahie was “running a runway through the entire Hans Creek.

“I didn’t hear anything about that activism,” Hon Penn stated.

Dr Wheatley also used time on a different question to respond to Hon Penn, saying: “This is the first time I am learning about some, I would say, imaginary plan to put a highway through Hans Creek.”

The Premier explained that Beef Island is privately owned, besides the airport.

“That land is privately owned and I have never seen and never heard of any plan to put a highway through Hans Creek.”

Dr Wheatley noted; however, that his Government had intentions to extend the runway at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, “where it is right now, [to] over 6000 ft to get direct flights from New York, Boston, North Carolina.

“I am aware of no plans to put a runway through Hans Creek and I would never support any plans to do that,” Dr Wheatley stated.

It was the controversial Hans Creek Development Project that the NDP administration was pushing in 2006 that many believe cost it the elections in 2007.

18 Responses to “Hon Penn claims VIP Gov’t was looking to build runway through Hans Creek”

  • WOW (12/04/2023, 16:07) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The picture looks like the darkness has taken hold of the A.P.
  • cherry (12/04/2023, 16:11) Like (21) Dislike (15) Reply
    Where would the vehicles run if that was done? It just doesn't make any sense. Let's go VIP!!!! You are great. Continue to do the great work.
    • laughable (12/04/2023, 16:15) Like (23) Dislike (11) Reply
      Exactly, this makes no sense and shows Marlon as a desperate man at what was supposed to be a respectable debate for leaders. After NDP lose a whole election over Hans Creek you think the VIP would then go and pull that stunt? Marlon you better bring some documents and drop them by the speed bump because you not looking too good.
      • @laughable (12/04/2023, 16:20) Like (33) Dislike (14) Reply
        No, Andrew wanted to buy the Surfsung property and the Dawson land to build the runway from there all the way to Loose and the road would be tunneled. That's why he was going after Surfsung. That was their way of runway expansion so Marlon knows what he is talking about.
        • look here (12/04/2023, 19:28) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
          https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/domains/virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/govt-seeking-to-acquire-600-acres-of-land-around-tb-lettsome-airport
          • @look here (13/04/2023, 10:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            Where is it stated in that article that the VIP government had plans to use Hans Creek, an 'environmentally protected area' as a runway? It is important to return Beef Island to the citizens of the territory. Hans Creek does not make up the complete 600 plus acreage of lands in Beef Island and it is a protected section of the lands.

            Article Clip
            “We are also working with the BVI Airports Authority to get back 600 plus acres of land in Beef Island for this Territory so that we can develop those lands which will also provide additional income and opportunities for the Territory,” Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) stated on Saturday, January 11, 2020, while giving his yearly First District Report at the Cappoons Bay Recreation Grounds."
        • Concerned (13/04/2023, 06:46) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
          VINO, you are my new site. Please don't disappoint me do your job. The evidence is out there publish it
  • DON'T FORGET (12/04/2023, 17:39) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Andrew promised the dragstrip there
  • ALL I KNOW (12/04/2023, 17:49) Like (5) Dislike (25) Reply
    Ronnie is the best one to lead us going forward..So don't mind them who think they know it all competition...Ronnie is highly respected in both the private and public industry..when he speaks people listen...We good with Ronnie..
  • 2023 (12/04/2023, 19:20) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    hope a change in administration will not see this project being placed on the back burner

    when it comes to our people local government does now show enough interest or interest
    • Sorry Marlon. Wrong.. (13/04/2023, 05:17) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      It was that #7 rep and NDP who were pushing this project...Is a lot of money spent on that project, just like Brandy wine Bay.. Its a lot of Monies that previous #7 rep wasted by bullying his way, Just to get work for the Mayors in his district...Who out stay out get new occupants for the house..
  • 123 (12/04/2023, 20:00) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    why penn always looks to dig up stupid talk as the head of a political party penn should be more skillful this is the same man who sat with his colleagues and all now penn or his colleagues are not telling the people about that 7.2 million the National Democratic Party gave away for an aeroplane(the people tax money) some who Penn & others can not this conduct as fraudulent: Hon Penn tell your district where the 8 million sewage money went and was done so unlawfully

    eight years
    • Concerned (13/04/2023, 06:54) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
      Hon. Penn speak only the facts you are the one inventing things. Hon. Penn is by far our best candidate and leader to lead our country at this time.
  • DrNatalioforthewin. (12/04/2023, 20:48) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
    Well who won the debates last night, like how the US normally.say? Well, In my opinion, Dr. The Hon. Natalio Wheatly. His answers were on point, with:
    1. Understanding of the questions
    2. Opening statement
    3. Laid out Points
    4. Supported by facts
    5. Proper convincing conclusion.
    As they say in.local language, "Them couldn't hold him last night."
    Dr. Wheatley is a Knowledgeable eader. Last night showed it.
    Marlon was good too, but Sowande edged him out!
    Well, you know who got the "Cup"?
    Ask a Virgin Islander what it means.
  • Curious (12/04/2023, 22:20) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    Marlon always chatting frooth
  • cut and paste (12/04/2023, 23:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    https://bvinews.com/present-airport-expansion-plan-will-destroy-natural-resources-business/
  • Hmm (13/04/2023, 08:07) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I see the document by a speed bump. The drawing show the runway from dawson beach all the way to trellis bay just south of loose mongoose. Shortly after Andrew announce we getting a new airport.
  • 2023 (13/04/2023, 13:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    we need an international airport who wants to go st thomas to catch flights ups to them some of we wish to drive across the bridge and fly internationally: when will the talking stop; my goodness: sometime back we went from the age old terminal building to what we have today but we need to move forward for goodness sake

    government after government just a set of talk: why when it comes to improving life for the residents and citizens of this country there is hardly any progress

    1. No access to 24 hours of street water
    2. No lights on Public highways
    3. No more smooth public highways
    4. No proper sewage systems

    We are now in 2023; will take bets that in 2027 who live, not very much will be done…..

    some of the mentioned was around back in the 60s(we have more money now also modern day equipment and the residents & citizens suffers election after election



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