VI is ‘behind the ball’ in strategic planning- Claude O. Skelton-Cline
During his radio show, Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM, on Tuesday, October 4, 2025, Skelton-Cline said the Virgin Islands is “behind the ball” when it comes to strategic planning.
“The Virgin Islands is in need of a 2045 Development Plan. Studies show that increments of 5 years are a realistic economic cycle. So what I’m saying to us, we need a strategic plan to address some immediate needs.”
Skelton-Cline said the pace at which things are going in the VI is not ideal.
“There’s some things we have to turn aside and address so as to brace ourselves for impact, economic impact, particularly in our tourism product and in our supply chain.”
Strategic Plan should match budget and HR priorities
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is presenting the 2026 Budget Address during the Twelfth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly today, November 6, 2025, under the theme ‘Pillars of Progress – Building a Sustainable Nation’.
“We need to come up with a 20-year plan with 5-year increments and determine what are the priorities of the first 5 years and then to match our budget and match our human resources that is commensurate with the priorities of this 20-year Virgin Islands Development Plan 2045, and focus on the first 5 years,” Skelton-Cline insisted on his show.
Elected officials will become talking heads without it
Skelton-Cline pressed on, saying that in the absence of such a strategic development plan for the VI, the House of Assembly and its elected officials will become “nothing more than talking heads”.
He reiterated, “There must be a strategic plan, supported by the resources, both human and financial, reflected in your annual budget, identifying the resources, be it human resources, technical resources that you are going to need, train, invest in and ensure that they are in place for what you say you want.”
Without such a plan, he said boldly, the Virgin Islands will keep importing human resources while at the same time complaining about it.
“We got to stop being spectators, we got to stop being just talking heads, we got to start using ourselves.”
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3 Responses to “VI is ‘behind the ball’ in strategic planning- Claude O. Skelton-Cline ”
Have people stopped listening to his radio show. Is that why we have to read about them in the media.
Only place where radio shows are news. Ha ha.
Is it that you enjoying provoking the majority of us, or you fronting others deceitful maneuvers for money?
It is hard fir me to believe that you are this stupid, know your past positive contributions when you were the Manager of the B.V.I Port Authority. But over the pass five years or there about, your elevated yourself to a level, in your mind, where you are not, I suppose because of material posession, and flattering speaking.
In short, sir, you are not qualified to advice us. You are in need of advice, but you crave leadership rather than humbleness. Please do yourself a favor, at least for you and your family peace of mind, calm down, and trust God's guidance before you over stress yourself beyond repair. In other words, stop trying to lead from the back of the line or close to it.
May the peace, not a bigger piece, of God's grace help you recognize your own insecurities needs.
Stop behaving like a bug. It's not helpful to you, and us, shhhhhhhh.