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No UK approval for Airport Expansion & Ports Pier Projects

There has been no approval by the United Kingdom for the T. B. Lettsome Airport runway expansion project, according to what Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith told the Parliament on April 25, 2013. However, his Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. Kedrick D. Pickering said already "the project is a done deal". Photo: VINO/File
The controversial Cruise Ship Port Development project has not been approved by the United Kingdom, according to Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith in response to a question in the House of Assembly on April 25, 2013 notwithstanding the Communications and Works Minister Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool saying the 'project is full speed ahead'. Photo: Provided
The controversial Cruise Ship Port Development project has not been approved by the United Kingdom, according to Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith in response to a question in the House of Assembly on April 25, 2013 notwithstanding the Communications and Works Minister Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool saying the 'project is full speed ahead'. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government of Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith appears on the surface to be full speed ahead with two major controversial projects; the Cruise Ship Port Development and the T. B. Lettsome Airport runway expansion, the issue of the United Kingdom approval has surfaced.

In responding to a question asked by First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie at the eight sitting of the second session of the second House of Assembly held on April 25, 2013, the Premier sought to address the matter.

Hon. Fahie, a former Education and Culture Minister in the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Administration, asked the Premier and Minister of Finance if the United Kingdom has already given approval in writing for the Cruise Ship Port Development Project and/or the T. B. Lettsome Airport runway expansion.

Dr. Smith told the House of Assembly, “Madam Speaker,  the UK Government has not already given approval in writing for the Cruise Ship Port Development Project nor the T. B Lettsome Airport  runway expansion project…..Madam Speaker, the answer therefore is not in the affirmative.”

The Premier told the House that permission for the two projects has not yet been sought in writing from the United Kingdom, “but will be sought at the appropriate time”.

This answer given by the leader of Government business is certainly in conflict to what two of his Ministers have been saying. His Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering, under which the airport project falls, has already declared “it’s a done deal”.

The Communications and Works Minister Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool said recently that the Ports Project is “full speed ahead.”

There have been media reports that some aspects of the Ports Project have been approved by Cabinet although there has been no official announcement by the Dr. Smith Administration.

The Deputy Premier, Dr. Pickering, continues to give frequent updates in the HOA on the progress of the airport expansion project including the hiring of controversial Trinidad and Tobago national Winston Wilson as a consultant.

The public in general has mixed opinions about those two projects and has often said the focus for the NDP should be on finishing the hospital, getting one for Virgin Gorda and improving the broken Education system.

25 Responses to “No UK approval for Airport Expansion & Ports Pier Projects”

  • A. Fahie (28/04/2013, 12:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    WOW
    • ... (28/04/2013, 16:04) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      its a done deal so why the fuss?
      • zoe (28/04/2013, 17:49) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        well just like Doc killed the NHI programme of Ronnie he will have to show some balls and kill these two projects..BAM
        • @ Zoe (28/04/2013, 23:01) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
          NHI was a VIP project that the NDP decided to continue as it is GREATLY needed in the BVI. We are the only country that pays so little in taxes and yet we want the government to give us everything wa ask for. We want the best roads, education and health. However, we only pay 8% taxes with a $10,000 exemption. Look at the US, they pay an average of 33% taxes on every dollar, and they still have to get private insurance. We really need to see that in order to get the best doctors, nurses and service at the hospital, we need to do our part and pay the damn bills and stop making everything a VIP or NDP race.
          • strupp (29/04/2013, 08:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            But the give back every April a good amount of Tax return are you ready for that. You all need to stop looking at other country and state u cannot compare here with the same down islands alyou always calling down
            • @ strupp (29/04/2013, 21:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
              Only a fool would not look at what other countries to determin what has a better chance of working and what most likely would fail. Yes the US gives a tax return but it sure is'nt a 25% return. Maybe you should do the tax-accounting class at HLSCC so it can help you to understand what tax return is. Also, just so you know, you don't always get a return, you sometimes have to pay more than you already paid throughtout the year. Like I said, lets stop the NDP-VIP-I born here mess, because at the end of the day when people like you turn the country upside down, you would no longer be proud to say "I born Here". Oh, and yes I born here too but unfortunately that's not a degree.......Fool
        • need (29/04/2013, 02:07) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
          tola will never move forward until the political tribalism here is put to an end...we need at least the ports project
    • mask man (28/04/2013, 16:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Right now this government running this country like China . Anything could happen and is cover up...where are we getting the money from for these projects if the VIP left us broke?
      • bad boy (29/04/2013, 02:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Satan was deceptive in Eden, and even after 1,000 years he will still be deceptive; so why would he not be deceptive today??

        Doc watch yourself with these two projects
    • staff (29/04/2013, 01:07) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Fahie we miss you in education poor myron does not get it!
  • wise-up (28/04/2013, 13:11) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    All the time i thought the Premier was in charge BUT after seeing this article, it looks like the Minsters are running things
  • God Save The Queen (28/04/2013, 17:03) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Buckingham Palace residents will be rolling on the floor laughing when they hear the far fetched requests from a Banana Republic Government that can't even keep the lights on. "I must assume they have a very good coconut crop this year" says the Queen, "Because they certainly don't have the money and we sure aren't paying for it".
  • ooooo (28/04/2013, 18:38) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    no approval...cart before horse gain and wilson laughing all the way to the bank
  • critic (28/04/2013, 18:40) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Projects fullspeed ahead, no greenlight >>>Listen to stupidness buddy
  • pete (28/04/2013, 23:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    the ultimate definition of "railroad" or "bulldoze". To push things through or get up a head of steam so people just have to get out of the way --until they realize they have a right to stand firm and not get intimidated.
  • asur (29/04/2013, 01:09) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dr smith my cry listen to the people stop deeds projects it will make you loose!
  • wise-up (29/04/2013, 07:06) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    The NDP have their special interest groups(white investors) having them coming to these BVIs in the name of development BUT i say, what is the purpose of development WHEN the people of BVI will be given the medial jobs, driving the guest around, cleaning the rooms, waiting on tables, mopping floors, cleaning vomit, trimming the trees and mowing the laws then given 4.50 per hours while the investors take home all the profits;;;; listen, investment is good & business development is great BUT not at the expense of the citizens of BVI;;;; it personally call it economic slavery( the only difference we no longer picking cotton or cutting cane).....let take as an example Gun Creek; the NDP Government gone VG with yet another “done deal project”, why can the government find the VI Landers that seriously wants to developer BVI and aid them.....our forefathers did not RUSH to give the BVI away to the first white-developer that came with a fist filled with green-backs;;;;always remember he who holds the land holds the power....yes we need to create jobs for our people BUT what kind of jobs (21 century slavery is wrong NDP)....whats the mad rush ???????
    • links (29/04/2013, 09:08) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      So you suggest the white investors bring their millions, invest it, build up the place and leave it to us right? Why aren't the locals investing in the country? Without investment the country is dead. The locals aren't doing it because most times they don't have access to financing and capital like overseas investors. Stop making everything black and white. The people spending the money always get the most say. when will we start reinvesting in our country? You sound so damn stupid. I don't know how you expect people to invest millions but then you want to run the show. that doesn't make sense.
      • wise up (30/04/2013, 06:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

        To links:- reading is not some of your strong point(is it ???), simply take a few days or have one of your other stupid friends explain what is written; if you are a virgin islander and have the nerve to sit and write such dumb F@@@K them it is clear that our children have no future...the article made reference to identifying BV Islands who are serious about investing....how long should the citizens of this country be the gardeners, how should the citizens of this country be the maids and how long must the citizens of this country continue to work for less-than???...i can easily conclude that you can NOT be citizen of this place and can not understand the true purpose of developing the BVI country;;; ;its a$$e$ like you that will see us right bank into the hands of MASTER.... it just might be challenging for you BUT please read the article again and again....(i love you to)

  • jj (29/04/2013, 15:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stueeps. Dr. Smith thinks he is speaking to kindergarten but then it must be jet lag.
  • LPG (29/04/2013, 20:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How much has all the investigation for the port and the airport cost??? I shudder to think of the money already gone out on these poorly thought out projects - and yes Wilson will definately be laughing all the way to the bank. Still if the airport did happen - having him at the helm did not bode well.


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