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Some in VI 'believe all the wealth only belongs to them'– Hon Smith

- said everyone must learn to work together to promote investments for territory
Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Neville A. Smith (AL) has criticised what he deemed as the culture where some sections of society endeavour to prevent children of the working class from becoming wealthy. Photo: Facebook
The Virgin Islands Investment Act 2020 modernises the framework for attracting and driving investments in the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands Investment Act 2020 modernises the framework for attracting and driving investments in the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has said the Virgin Islands needs investments in all forms. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has said the Virgin Islands needs investments in all forms. Photo: VINO/File
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Neville A. Smith (AL) has criticised what he deemed as the culture where some sections of society endeavour to prevent children of the working class from becoming wealthy.

Honourable Smith, during his debate on the Virgin Islands Investment Act 2020, at the continuation of the Eleventh Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom on August 19, 2021, said he was speaking from experience because he did not come from money and had to work hard to become the man he is today.

“Mr Speaker, I want to keep it real; a lot of times, what happens here in the BVI is that some people don’t want to see some people make it because they believe all the wealth only belongs to them. I am saying this from somebody who comes from nothing to somebody,” Honourable Smith said.

“I work hard to reach where I am today, but when we have our own people trying to bring our own people down, that’s our downfall, and that’s why we are always going to be where we are. Unless we start working together and stop trying to keep each other down it's going to always be a problem no matter what investors we bring in here.”

He said persons would go to lengths to ‘bad talk’ each other even as far as to the investors who would be willing to invest in them.

We cannot choose who we want to be millionaires

“Anybody who has ambition who wants to make their livelihood, go out there and work for what they want, you need to give them an equal opportunity; we cannot choose who we want to be millionaires,” he stated.

“Because what’s going to happen is an investor coming to invest with Honourable De Castro, unless I don’t like Hon. De Castro, I am going to make sure to keep she down. So it’s our mentality is what have us where we are now.”

Labelling 

The Deputy Speaker said motivated young people also face another challenge- being falsely labelled as drug dealers.

“When some of our young people try to do that, first thing they want to say is label all our young people here, that they are drug dealers. That’s what they trying to do; every young person that try to make it here in the BVI, everyone. If they have a house, a car, them a drug dealer, we have to stop! We have some very intelligent, ambitious people here in the Virgin Islands that we need to support, and we need to stop labeling people,” an irate Honourable Smith said.

The Deputy Speaker and At Large Representative also questioned why the Virgin Islands Investment Act 2020 was not already passed in the House before.

“Why wasn’t this law passed before? Is it because some people felt like it would interfere with them getting something out of it? You have to ask these questions, why was this Bill not passed before? What stopped the Bill from being passed?” he asked.

'We need investments in all forms'- Hon Fahie

The Bill modernises the framework for attracting and driving investments in the VI “, and we all know that we need investments in the VI in all forms,” Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said about the Act.

“It aims to create a stable and balanced environment where persons local and foreign, who wish to invest in the VI, can feel welcome, comfortable, and confident because the systems are operating in an efficient and transparent manner with good governance,” he added.

29 Responses to “Some in VI 'believe all the wealth only belongs to them'– Hon Smith”

  • Sadly (20/08/2021, 08:08) Like (30) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is so true. Many believe that only some must have and live. Really a sad state of affairs here in the Virgin Islands. Lots of other countries are guilty of this as well. The rich must stay rich and the poor stay poor. Father in heaven, help us all.
  • JYD (20/08/2021, 08:11) Like (6) Dislike (24) Reply
    Some good questions we need some shoe shops like pay less better fast foods places
    sub way KFC clothing stores hardwear and appliances eg Courts all we have to do is make sure the work forces goes 65-35 BVI landers
    • Lol @ jvd (20/08/2021, 08:40) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
      I can tell you are a non belonger... FYI we don't want courts here.... try again.
  • pop eye (20/08/2021, 08:24) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    I cant say the same thing about the stage
  • shabazz (20/08/2021, 08:26) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
    "one term"
  • RedStorm (20/08/2021, 08:32) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The attitude of who get what, where and how much will always be a culture of people who need no others to progress. Imagine if this is done to the natives, the islanders/expats/ foreigners cannot stand. Supporting your own build unity, unity build strength, strength bring wholesomeness and humanity is then served with love.

    Honorable rise above the medocraties of this island and prove your point. Negativity have no strength until you feed it the same , that your are dealt with. Rising above this , means hard work, give it no space in your daily activities as it will consume you.
  • WELL FINALLY (20/08/2021, 08:49) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    a little confession is good for the SOUL , what you are saying is nothing NEW , and now you acting like people picking on YOU ,
    ( PLEASE) well let's see what the canaries got to sing about now ? / is it JASPERT / the UK / or the EXPATRIATES ?
  • Rich (20/08/2021, 09:01) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    BVI have no poor people so what you talking about
  • One & one (20/08/2021, 09:03) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    The sad truth is tola don't run by last name anymore so once the young people with these last names what ain't the usual names in the bvi start make it they badmind and slander our names but truth of the fact we going 2 make it still they just mad they ain't the only ones with nice things anymore and at the end of the day their not happy with their lives even in them departments we come for Jobs they low ball us with the salaries they offer us but God don't like ugly can't stop greatness
    • @one,&one (20/08/2021, 11:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's still those with the " last ,,names" who owns the real estate....the prime lands snd waterfronts and cays.
      Likely that they will sell to real foreign moneys,if they when and ever decide to unload their generational wealth/ land.
      The recent names can never afford the prime real estate of the VI.
  • Really (20/08/2021, 09:20) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Does trafficking drugs constitute hard work?
  • go seh down (20/08/2021, 09:31) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    your done say the NATION IS BEGGARS
  • My girl (20/08/2021, 10:36) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    The ndp is the only group trying to bill a class system
  • learn to love each other (20/08/2021, 10:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everbody in the Virgin Islands feel they are being victimized. The expats, the belongers, the indegenous, the so call big names, the no big names, the haves, the have nots. Lord have mercy on us untill we learn tol love each other we will go down hill like crab in a barrel.
  • 4sure (20/08/2021, 11:00) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    This man need to stop the noise about hard work they make me so sick since I know myself this is the first time in B V I history I see people swearing at politicians and this is because they have been disrespecting the people and talking us for fools and the people eyes have opened no more sleepers the time has come for us to gather in numbers and stop talking and March to government houses and ask the governor to end this madness another year of these people will be uncivilize it’s time for them to go like right now
  • Happens all around (20/08/2021, 11:46) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, let's talk about this. It happens at the government level too.

    Let's talk about the Pier Park development and government officials handpicking local partners for the jewelry and electronic stores based on last names and political connections.

    Let's talk about every major government construction project only going to one contractor who is already ridiculously wealthy.

    I can't with ayo! Sigh...
  • Wow just wow. (20/08/2021, 12:40) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Cheep shoots like this wouldn’t get you re-elected.
  • WEW (20/08/2021, 12:53) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    If one wants to start a business you first need to get a business license. Compete with a island BIG NAME forget it. License DENIED. Business as usual.
  • Citizen (20/08/2021, 13:27) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Surprising. And those in power like you violate the constitution to get ahead.
  • ausar (20/08/2021, 14:38) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    You know Mr. Smith, I almost wanted to believe your statements.

    But when your party, the VIP could build hillside homes and have ownership fees beginning in the 300 thousands, I am not convinced!

    To own a home has always been the gold standard for BVIslanders.

    And to be a part of a government that has dissallowed many of our people from owning homes for which was touted as low income, while spewing the nonsense you're here talking about, YOU need to wheel and come with better ownership opportunities!

    That, my friend, WILL BE THE PROOF IN THE PUDDING!
    • Really! (21/08/2021, 08:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You need to wake up and smell the coffee. I am building a home right now and $300k is joke. Most of you out of touch with the cost of raw supplies and labour. I bought my own supplies overseas.
  • hmm (20/08/2021, 14:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some politicians believe that
  • U made promises (20/08/2021, 15:41) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    This the reason why I support a Britain take over for atlease one yr, put things in Order...All these politicians do is make promise to do better when they are campaigning , Once they get in...They forgot all what they said and all what they promised during the campain...They become Rats and money become their cheese.....Need a britain take over..Pull things back to order..
  • Common Sense (20/08/2021, 15:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not only are you discriminating against outsiders, you are now discriminating amongst yourselves, no future down that road. Unless we open up the country and creat a level playing field there will be no outside investment, no jobs, and little future for the young generations. We need UK standard education, UK standard healthcare and the same standards for everyone. Locals need to compete as against having it given under a corrupt system, and that applies to the privileged few, it has to be totally open to both locals and expats if you want things to change.
  • Good Advisor: The problems are not that many of us haven't worked hard, but have we got our money honestly? don't wo (20/08/2021, 15:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    And have we paid others that worked for justly?
    And Have we represented unbiasly?
    And are we giving equal service for equal pay?
    And have we signed off on ideas that that deliberately leave out of the equation financially?
    And do you see the voters public as our transportation to the summit of Mount Wealthy?
    And etc., etc , etc.?
  • call (20/08/2021, 17:30) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    One vote sheep. Don't mind the noise you have a servant heart.
  • wow (20/08/2021, 19:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This the Issue with Our People. If they don't get what they want or because they voted for an individual they feel that everything will go their Way. If not, they have you up in their craw. Whether right or wrong, they will try to bring each other down instead of rendering a lift.
  • RAT RACE (20/08/2021, 21:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    EVERYWHERE IS WAR , SEEMS TO BE GETTING TO A POINT OF NO RETURN ( OR DOG EAT DOG
  • Wiserthanthem (22/08/2021, 02:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyman is innocent until proven guilty stop labeling a man n creating stigma that will only complex the progress he or she is trin to make , it's like a man work hard to be successful n some just envy n want to pull him down cause they hate to see a man climbing up the ladder for greatness. Smith is right stop treating others in a discriminatory manner cause u will be prejudiceing them the right to live . If u could have just lock a man up cause of stigma then most of us would be lock up then there would be no need for judges lawyers .... learn to let others enjoy there fundamental rights so we can pave the road for a better tomarow to much hard workin people gettin fight down cause of scandalous talk with intentions to make others dispise another cause they fear to see another man rise n shine like the sun minister is talkin facts stop putting yr brothers n sisters in deadlock situations cause u might be wrongfully accusing them. Time to wake up n Know our selves people take the shackles of yr mines


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