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

It's time for Natalio D. Wheatley administration 'to get cracking,- Julian Willock

- said he is still confident in current regime but time is running out
Former Speaker of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly, Mr Julian Willock, reiterated his confidence in the Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley administration but warned that time is running out. Photo: Facebook
The government, led by Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), has been urged to begin work on the ground to improve residents’ way of life. Photo: GIS
The government, led by Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), has been urged to begin work on the ground to improve residents’ way of life. Photo: GIS
FORT HILL, Devonshire, Bermuda- Former Speaker of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly, Mr Julian Willock, has made it clear he still has confidence in the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration led by Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), but warned time is running out.

Mr Willock was a guest on ‘Motion to Adjourn Territories Talk’ on Bermuda’s Power 95 FM on Thursday, June 12, 2025, where he spoke to a wide range of developments occurring in the Virgin Islands (VI). 

Time to get things going on the ground

“You have a $100 million loan, and it’s time to get cracking.”

The government signed a $100 million loan with the CIBC First Caribbean Bank (Cayman) Limited in October 2024. 

Premier Wheatley informed the HoA on June 5, 2025, that of the loan funds, only $10 million has been drawn so far, which was the first disbursement. 

“There has been no further drawdown on this loan facility,” Dr Wheatley had said. 

Mr Willock said, “It’s time to get the airport runway expanded, it’s time to get the Prospect Reef project going, it’s time for water, the infrastructure…and it’s time for us to get things going on the ground.”

Still confident in gov’t but time is running out

A few residents participated in a protest on June 2, 2025, and submitted a letter outlining longstanding and critical national concerns. 

Premier Wheatley, in a statement following the protest, said many of the issues raised are already being addressed through ongoing initiatives to improve the quality of life for all residents.

“These include efforts in infrastructure development, public sector reform, cost of living adjustments, public safety enhancements, and strengthened social support systems.”

Mr Willock said people are hurting in certain areas, adding that while some of the cries are legitimate, others are from the normal political opportunists. 

“I call on my government, my party, to start getting things executed. The CoI thing is gone now, you have fulfilled all the things that you promised the British; now it’s to focus on our people to make a better life for the people of the Virgin Islands and they cannot wait any longer for that better way of life.”

The former Speaker, however, said he still has confidence in the government under Dr Wheatley’s leadership. 

“But my message to them is that you’re running out of time.”

18 Responses to “It's time for Natalio D. Wheatley administration 'to get cracking,- Julian Willock”

  • jack (13/06/2025, 11:19) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    Willock is right on this one
    • Be Warned VIp. (13/06/2025, 14:20) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
      We are not happy, as a matter afact, we are frustrated with the little or no progress..When we jump off of the VIP Boat we will not jump back gone, we are gone for good. Why is water so hard for us to get, big holiday? "No Water-why?" .Why are the Roads and adminbuilding so hard to fix. Why this much expenditure in rent?
    • the rock (13/06/2025, 17:32) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's too late now, they are out ot here next election sorry the people scared to throw them out now!
  • Really (13/06/2025, 12:25) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    The COI thing. Has made things better for OUR people!! But still it all carries on. Asia Bank what a saga!!
  • WEW (13/06/2025, 12:52) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Time for The Nat to disappear
  • Winky (13/06/2025, 13:40) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    The first smart thing I have ever heard out of this man's mouth !
  • Fair Enough.. (13/06/2025, 14:06) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great speech. I will say the as Willock. The quension is how long before time run out, ? How long before we lose confidence?. By 31st October 4 full months we expect to see things improving getting lot better, Water, Roads, admin building, etc.. or, its time to jump off ship..
  • BOTTOM LINE (13/06/2025, 14:30) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    These people going do what they specialize in regardless. Despite the COI recommendations, things still didn’t change. There’s a lot of talk on the media and more recently press conferences with empty promises. the bottom line is that the more things change in the country, the more they remain the same. No deadline for nothing. no accountability. The country needs help.
  • BE SMART (13/06/2025, 14:32) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Government need not spend any of that money on prospect reef . It would take all and still won't be finish. Stay out of the horse racing , entertainment and that prospect reef project, that should become a private investment..
  • Love him but (13/06/2025, 15:45) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Willock aka the esteemed has always been one of the brilliant minds around but he to aggressive
  • Prospect No... (13/06/2025, 15:55) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Level the Prospect Reef Hotel and build affordable housing for residents...
  • time (13/06/2025, 16:23) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    To start all efforts on getting off the FATF grey list as we have placed under increased monitoring by the FATF. This is concerning
  • @ LOVE HIM / BUT (13/06/2025, 16:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    IS HE "FAIR EMOUGH " - OPE
  • madam speaker (13/06/2025, 16:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can the Finance Minister say if there is any money on the Reserve Fund?
  • hmm (13/06/2025, 17:12) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Agreed… is like how long you going to blame hurricanes and the COI and uk colonialism for why we not making any progress. We don’t want hear nothing about carricom we don’t want to hear nothing about uk what we want is to see our government making some kind of progress tackling our problems here on the ground locally. All these man doing is trying to hit every conference in every corner of the planet to come back here and deliver nothing; no new insights no new strategies, no grants, no action, no progress just excuses but first-thing in their speech will be to say the trip was a success. I agree with willock, time is running out is only so long you can stay there making excuses and not delivering before everybody concludes that you a waste of time.
  • milk man (13/06/2025, 17:38) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Willock for number 3
  • 10mill - 5mil... (13/06/2025, 18:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Of that 10 mil.... that was drawn down , did he put 5,il..... in the bank of Asia.
  • system (14/06/2025, 08:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This country will never advance unless we change the system of having old incompetent and spiteful permanent secretaries who are under the portfolio of the Governor running this country. Whether it’s the NDP or the VIP government in office, they should be able to select their own permanent secretaries and fire the old ones so that the government of the day agenda can be implemented . period………..


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit 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.