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

Music Fest funds from gov’t should have gone to schools – Sowande Uhuru

- criticises delay in previous year’s Music Fest report
Commentator and social activist Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru believes government should have diverted funds spent on this year’s BVI Music Fest towards more pressing problems such as the mould issues affecting several of the Territory’s schools. Photo: VINO
The commentator was also critical of delays that prevented the report of the 2012 Music Fest event from being laid in the House of Assembly. “It doesn’t seem as if the government ever has intentions of laying it in the House and allowing it to become a public document so we can scrutinise it and see how our tax paying dollars are being spent,” he said. Photo: VINO/File
The commentator was also critical of delays that prevented the report of the 2012 Music Fest event from being laid in the House of Assembly. “It doesn’t seem as if the government ever has intentions of laying it in the House and allowing it to become a public document so we can scrutinise it and see how our tax paying dollars are being spent,” he said. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Commentator and social activist Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru believes government should have diverted funds spent on this year’s BVI Music Fest towards more pressing problems such as the mould issues affecting several of the Territory’s schools.

“I thought this year, maybe our government should have maybe taken that money that was going towards the Music Fest and maybe put it towards helping fix the mould problem down at the Isabella Morris Primary School and some of the mould problems that we’re having at the other schools,” the commentator said while appearing on the 3D Show on May 24, 2013.

Sowande made it clear that, while he supported the local artists and businesses that benefitted from the three-day event currently underway, he felt that at this time, the government needed to be very careful about how they spent taxpayers’ money.

He also suggested that the money being spent by government be distributed in a way that would allow the government to get the most ‘bang for the buck’.

The government reportedly spent $150,000 in support of this year's annual Music Fest event currently underway in Cane Garden Bay.

The commentator was also critical of delays that prevented the report of the 2012 Music Fest event from being laid in the House of Assembly. “It doesn’t seem as if the government ever has intentions of laying it in the House and allowing it to become a public document so we can scrutinise it and see how our tax paying dollars are being spent,” he said.

The annual Music Fest is billed as a community based event that showcases the best in local and regional talent in a safe and fun environment for persons of all ages.

17 Responses to “Music Fest funds from gov’t should have gone to schools – Sowande Uhuru”

  • Yes I (25/05/2013, 09:15) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH
  • smdh (25/05/2013, 09:35) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    One about him, he never misses a chance to open his mouth about any issue, he definitely giving Andrew and Frazer a run for their money. Now had the government not injected any money whatsoever into the MusicFest, he would be the one blasting them about not supporting their local artists. On the other spectrum he is also assuming or insinuating that the government isn't working on the mould problem, this I find very insulting. I suggest that before he flaps his gums at every little commentary, that he seek information and look at things from both sides.

    Gawd his mouth never tires!
    • bvi (25/05/2013, 12:04) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      Myron, go sit down and go do your job from here bloging, you know that this boy is one of your NDP stooge.
      • oh no! (25/05/2013, 18:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        And on top of wasting our money hardly anybody showed up….shame on this government they running the BVI to the ground!
    • @ smdh (25/05/2013, 19:11) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      I'm sorry I cannot believe you are so ignorant to make such a comment.
    • briefs (27/05/2013, 06:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      smdh always comes on with detailed spin from the government. definitely an insider.
  • bleep (25/05/2013, 09:38) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dsm if you do dam if you dont.
    • yes we can (25/05/2013, 19:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Most of dem NDP man dem are bean counters who doesn't seem to understand politics or how the little man is hurting out here.
  • we the people (25/05/2013, 09:56) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    This Government is showing it's true colors. NDP is like AT&T the Plan is for friends and family. Talk about conflict of interest!

    They will hide the failure of these clowns at all cost. Does anybody notice none of the online news publication is covering anything about this years Music Festival??? The advertising and marketing wing of the government has No advertising for the Music Fest can you imagine!

    They have to hide that document at all cost, nobody showed up last year and Friday night if we had 100 people we had a lot and most of them was from Cane Garden Bay

  • . (25/05/2013, 09:56) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    he is just riding on the wave.
  • wise up (25/05/2013, 14:01) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    the first time i ever agree with Mr. Wheatley; which is more important in these tuff time-i think education for the children is far more important than giving away large sums of money to artist that are already rich; what is the actual benifit of music fest any way.....after all of these years and Government still have to be pumping funds into that organization is bad business...spending millions to make a few thousand
  • Support the Schools (25/05/2013, 15:33) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    I support local artists but I have children in the public school system and money needs to be spent there. Straight up - there are 14 and 15 year olds in primary school right now and money should be invested in more special needs teachers, remedial programs and maintenance programs. Let's Fete for August! But invest in the children first!
  • Confucius (25/05/2013, 19:23) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    I have concluded the NDP will be a more effective Opposition and the VIP is better to run the country. So next election people put them to make noise what they do best from the opposition bench!
    • wise up (26/05/2013, 10:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Confucius; I think the time is right for a third party, until then the VIP is the better option they are more sympathetic towards the citizens & residents of these Virgin Islands...the NDP guys are more flamboyant they seeking to impress the rest of the world by bringing those foreign investors to our shores...take a look at Scrub Island(great investment) BUT the Citizens/Residents suffering while the investor(s) profiting....i remain very passionate about investment(it drives an economy) BUT development for a country at the expense or wellbeing of the people cannot be a prudent business practice....you simply should NOT giveaway our heritage simply to balance the Government books or impress the rest of the World BVI rolling in cash(our forefathers paid a very high price for these islands)....classic example; Wickhams Cay under the name of development NDP will soon be giving that Wickhams Cay away again(just for cash-flow/balance Government Books).....find more about History of Wickhams Cay!!!!!!
  • Really (25/05/2013, 20:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

    He making noise about music fest money should habe gone towards the schools. Shouldn't MW money for a bloody dinner that we all know didnt cost that much money go towards the actual schools itself to really show appreciation. Do something that will have a lasting effect

  • rattie (26/05/2013, 08:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The scandal-scarred music fest will be a two days talk
  • local girl (30/05/2013, 11:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have attended Music Fest in St. Kitts and Jamaica. The committees involved along with probably the Tourist Board plan way ahead of the events. Every cultural event here starts planning a few weeks before the event. How can this lack of planning produce success? Countries that have these annual cultural events use them to bring people to their shores, which translate in money for taxis, hotels and restaurants. Of course all governments have a stake in developing tourism in their country, especially if Tourism is one of their main economic pillars. You have to spend money to make money. St. Kitts Music Fest is next month. Check out the line up. Before Hammond, Lionel Richie and many other known musicians who can draw a crowd. Plus the event had been advertised for months giving people time to plan travel arrangements. Everything that is important to the development of this country to benefit everyone is done in a mediocre scale. If millions of dollars over the past decades has not been wasted and mis-appropriated, there will be money available to do important things to develop the country, improve the lives of people in the community, and provide education and health care for all. Government should stop wasting money, get value for what they spend instead of filling the pockets of a few, and operate from a fair and balanced platform. We need people to come here to help build the economy, so August Festival and the Music Fest if properly planned and managed are two yearly events that can bring visitors, as well as residents who live abroad to this beautiful country.


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.