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

Minister Rymer fires back @Flax-Charles over VG land purchase

Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), right, has debunked statements by Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL), left, who has said the Virgin Gorda waterfront property purchased by government was not a good idea and that it would not be developed in the foreseeable future. Photo: YouTube
The BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) in October 2022, announced it had purchased parcels of land to expand the Virgin Gorda port facility by separating the cargo and passenger ports. Photo: VINO/File
The BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) in October 2022, announced it had purchased parcels of land to expand the Virgin Gorda port facility by separating the cargo and passenger ports. Photo: VINO/File
DUFFS BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- It was during the first day of the 2023 Budget Debate on December 20, 2022, that Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) went against her own government and the BVI Ports Authority’s decision to purchase waterfront property on Virgin Gorda two years ago.

The land, which had been in the works for almost 10 years to be purchased, will be used to separate the cargo vessels from passenger boat traffic on Virgin Gorda. The cost for the land, according to the former Premier Andrew A. Fahie, was $2 million, which he had said was below market value.

The Junior Minister claimed that it was “a mistake to purchase the land” and that she had fought against it “tooth and nail” at the time.

She also said there were "buyers willing to take it off the government's hands" and that nothing would become of the property in the foreseeable future.

Excellent purchase not a waste of money-Minister Rymer

However, Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), who is now responsible for the ports, fired back in his contribution during the same debate. He noted that the land will be developed by the BVI Ports Authority, and said he looks forward to the Authority doing something to improve the unsightly area.

However, he slammed Hon Flax-Charles, saying “I think it was a good purchase, that is why the board and this government agree with this purchase, and it was prime property,” Hon Rymer told the public.

Despite the lack of funds currently by the Ports Authority, Minister Rymer noted that “the new board at the Ports Authority is aware of the importance of that building and they are working to develop some plans to turn it into a proper facility.”

International Standards- Dean B. Fahie

Jr Minister Flax-Charles also stated: “I want it to be clear here today. My name was never on the deeds for that property. I didn’t get a cent for that property when it was bought. I instead tried to prevent that sale from happening.”

Acting Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority Mr Dean B. Fahie noted that the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) mandates that cargo and passengers be separated.

16 Responses to “Minister Rymer fires back @Flax-Charles over VG land purchase”

  • jack (22/12/2022, 22:22) Like (18) Dislike (10) Reply
    We with you kye
    • K*e (22/12/2022, 23:02) Like (4) Dislike (13) Reply

      Olease ñññññ go sittt down. Please and thanks

    • Mr. Minister. (23/12/2022, 05:46) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Take time to visit and observed the operations at Pier Park when 2, or 3 ships are in Port. See for yourself,. Be your own judge of what the operations look like.
    • Hgp (23/12/2022, 06:25) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      National disunity Govt
  • Annettee (23/12/2022, 04:53) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    She could never get my vote again she thinks she is the ninth district rep and has ignored Tortola and jvd
    • Lily Ann (23/12/2022, 09:33) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      I have my qualms about her, but don't come for her under this topic. Tortola got a WHOLE Premier,Sheep, Sharie, plus 8 district reps and u want to come for Shereen because she's devoting her time to 2 WHOLE DAM ISLANDS !?!?!? TRY AGAIN !!!!
  • Kie. Pls. Stop (23/12/2022, 05:36) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    You have away of defending everything wrong, starts with the house of crime in Miami...Why isn't the Port has an MD as yet? Stop the in fighting and focus on the country's needs,.
  • Truth (23/12/2022, 06:41) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    He need to clean up that area. The rats running un and out of the building. It is an eyesore. Kye should be ashamed that this place has been left abandoned and rundown. If it was such a good buy why is it STILL IN THIS CONDITUON KYE?
  • Hospitality (23/12/2022, 07:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The rats have taken over the building KYE DO SOMETHUNG IF IT IS SUCH A GOOD BUU
  • Challenges (23/12/2022, 07:05) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    Rymer,YOU are irresponsible, look at you here refuting the truth. You here is justifying the wrong you're past premier did. You have e no clue of the reason behind the purchase. But here you are making the junior minister look bad. You have become a Real politician now, you have graduated in the deceptive upper class. This is a shame. Call a spade a spade. The junior minister is speaking the truth and yall know it too. All a yall are nasty. The country had so much hope with the VIP now is lies after lies just to stay in power
  • Reply (23/12/2022, 07:14) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    If flax wanr to become another cindy?
  • Missing at large Member (23/12/2022, 07:18) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where is Honourable DeCastro. She's very silent on issues and development. You all used to blame Andrew but neither she nor Sowande are leaders. She did an education expo them went straight back to sleep. We need active leaders.
    • New Port Boss (23/12/2022, 09:34) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
      This should be a matter of urgency.. I have a few names..With extensive discipline, Military, legal and administrative raining No nonsense. More than qualified 1/ X super. Kenrick Headley..2/ Levo walters .
  • one eye (23/12/2022, 07:58) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    Kye is right again
  • wash (23/12/2022, 09:11) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Any purchases made or projects started by the former could have been for the aim of washing dirty money. It should be questioned with high scrutiny. What bank was the transactions made through. Not surprised if it was the one the wife managed. Who would have gotten the construction and works contracts. Is it the businesses owned by the persons in the ring who was headed by their coach? I do not think people understand how money laundering works. NPOs, casinos, questionably owned construction companies. The place was headed to be a drug money laundering haven. And the former deputy said NOTHING. He was just in it for the weed. That was it. No wonder things are the way it is right now.
  • @ WASH (23/12/2022, 19:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    THAT WAS FUNNY , I HAD TO TAKE A BATH IN IT ☺


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.