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VI should make proposals rather than accept instructions- Hon Malone

- calls out territory for being too reactive
Opposition Member Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) has called out the Virgin Islands (VI) for being in a reactive state rather than a proactive state when it comes to policies. Photo: GIS/Facebook
While proposing a framework for a master plan that could become the
While proposing a framework for a master plan that could become the "One BVI agenda" for a sustainable socio-economic development and political advancement, Hon Malone says VI remains too reactive while appearing on Honestly Speaking show on ZBVI 780 AM on July 26, 2022. Photo: Facebook/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI– Opposition Member Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) has called out the Virgin Islands (VI) for being in a reactive state rather than proactive when it comes to policies.

While proposing a framework for a master plan that could become the "One BVI agenda" for a sustainable socio-economic development and political advancement, Hon Malone said the VI remains too reactive.

“We are too comfortable waiting until something happens before we react, we are too comfortable fighting against everything as opposed to developing,” he added during the Honestly Speaking show on ZBVI 780 AM on July 26, 2022.

'VI should make proposals rather than accept instructions'

The former Health Minister said the VI must ask key questions about what it wants and does not want and whether it is prepared to fight for it.

“Everyone is always talking about they are prepared to advance the fight, and whenever the battle comes you can’t find a person,” he added while agreeing that VI should be making proposals rather than accepting instructions.

Hon Malone raised the point that if the parallel Commissioner of Inquiry (CoI) report had been commissioned, some anxiety would be taken away from the VI which could have helped the VI move forward.

“While our officials are being called up to the UK to see what is next, we are busy down here trying to fight yesterday’s history… when are we going to protect what is coming for our people tomorrow?” he added.  

The VI opposition member said he is not hearing enough cry from the people of the VI for what is right; however, Guest Host Mr Cromwell Smith aka 'Edju En Ka' said the VI people can't cry out for things they don't understand or have no clue about. 

Parallel CoI report 

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) during the July 21, 2022, sitting of the House of Assembly (HoA) said his Unity Government had decided to not let Withers; the Law Firm contracted by the Government of the Virgin Islands to represent Cabinet members during the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) hearings, create a written response to the CoI Report, citing its potential $1M cost.

Hon Malone revealed that after large sums of money were spent for legal defence and for what would have been a detailed response to the COI report, the VI should have the report not just for historical reasons, but in order to get another perspective other than that of the Commissioner Gary R. Hickinbottom, who controversially recommended direct rule of the Virgin Islands.

20 Responses to “VI should make proposals rather than accept instructions- Hon Malone”

  • Eagle Eye (27/07/2022, 12:35) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    The vaccine minister speaking on other topics now. Why don't you tell us who is responsible for the deaths we had in the hospital before moving on to other areas
  • one (27/07/2022, 12:51) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    See them fighting for power cause they know not the hour
  • Proposals? (27/07/2022, 13:30) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    The COI has made proposals, either follow them and shut up, or find yourself another job
    • @ proposal?? (27/07/2022, 14:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Amen Amen and Amen

    • WOW (27/07/2022, 17:51) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      They had all the time in the world to fix issues they knew about. Now stop complaining and implement the improvements.
  • hypocrites (27/07/2022, 13:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    ONE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT HIS REAL NAME IS AND THE OTHER IS LOST , WE SUGGEST BBOTH
  • BOTH AH THEM (27/07/2022, 13:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    ONE TRYING TO FIND HIS TRUE IDENTITY / AND THE OTHER IS LOST / AND WE SUGGEST BOTH OF YOU TO GO AND TAKE A SEAT IN THE ROAD AT MID DAY TOMORROW , YOU WILL GET ALL THE ATTENTION YOU SEEKING
  • what (27/07/2022, 14:00) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is so amazing. when these guys hold given position they do nothing

    As soon as they become opposition suddenly they know how the government should be run

    Set ah waste ✔️
  • Runako Francis (27/07/2022, 14:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    On which planet is Hon Calvin Malone? He seems to forget that the BVI is a colony of Great Britain, a position which he endorses. That is how it works, Sir. You do not have self-determination so you accept instructions.
  • lol (27/07/2022, 16:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This guy king Puppet.....lol
  • big show (27/07/2022, 16:41) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    Partner nobody wants to hear you

  • Ambush.. (27/07/2022, 17:05) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Don't be surprise if The Premier is in England to get briefing on the evidence of criminality that Britain has on our Politicians and our officials... When Fahie and Maynard start trying to safe themselves by talking, they will sink the BVI to it Knees...
  • You are part of the Global Reset (27/07/2022, 17:38) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    https://www.thedesertreview.com/opinion/columnists/gates-fauci-and-daszak-charged-with-genocide-in-court-filing/article_76c6081c-61b8-11ec-ae59-7718e6d063ed.html
  • Lord me fight evil (27/07/2022, 17:51) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    My bowy your administration had the opportunity to set thing right,but instead your government which includ yourself had one agenda is to get rich fast by robbing taxpayers how their hard earnings,during the pandemic you speak so much with potential from a piece of paper which take you hours to put together,some of which make no sense to people who you don't recognize as your friends that never had any affiliation with farming and fisheries..the COI open the eyes of people who was neglected for years,,when head coach come up with the idea of fast track of residence and belongor status was just take people money knowingly the right policies was 10 years..you need to step aside and give people a chance to prove themselves,you had your chance that is why you wasn't choosing to be in current government.
  • Fools Gold (27/07/2022, 18:40) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    This Guy thinks the BVI is in charge of the UK and not the UK in charge of the BVI. We are a protectorate of the UK so the UK has total responsibility and control of the BVI. Face Facts and get over it. Not so long ago you were a yes man. Now you regain your voice.
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (27/07/2022, 22:55) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    I see. So you got some problems with the UK, the CoI, and the current Governor. Why don't you tell them, rather than trying to blame others, and not yourself for some of the insurficiences that we now lack. You have been a VIP chairman for years. Only now your eyes are opening, or are you worried about the conclusion of the CoI recommendations that may show further mismanagement violations,. A matter of facts, we are in no position now other than to follow the CoI recommendations, (instructions) or else the pressure will increase believe me or not. Like or dislike.
    • Worried (28/07/2022, 00:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Them know the wrongs they did. So they are very concerned, They know the hammer going to drop on them, but they don't know when. It might get messy when Sowande return after his briefing...
  • josiah'sbay (28/07/2022, 08:24) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    We are a colony of the UK only if we choose to stay with the UK. The UN charter says we have choices, but many are afraid to exercise any of the choice because we are mentally colonize. Our Government slips up and instead of trying to fix the problem we say bring on direct rule. If we succumb to direct rule and there is a complete turn around most of us will not benefit from it. We will be gentrified to the lowest rung on the ladder and many will be force to leave. It won't be our VI it will be theirs.
    • Mr. Josh (28/07/2022, 11:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      UK has no wish or reason to take over our country. Nothing wrong with taking over the country for a few years and build system that will set us on the road to independence. Just imagine if all of this happened when we are independent with no one to call a halt to this level of corruption and do a reset. We deserve better than this. We are headed down the roads of the other other Caribbean countries of stunted growth, minimal development,. poverty and corruption. Just look at Jamaica, a country of huge potential; every time there is an audit of a government department Hundreds of million of Dollars are missing due to corruption. I guest it is OK because it is black men who are stealing it. Just look at the opportunity cost from such theft on their healthcare and educational system. Just recently the auditor discovered $64 million fraudulently deposited into one man's account from the garbage collection department. We do not need this level of corruption here.
    • think about it (28/07/2022, 11:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hey Josiah'sbay: Indeed life presents us all choices. Many work the same job they hate for years because their other choice is to quit and perhaps have no job. It's hard to imagine that over the decades no BVI politicians were aware of the problems threatening the territory (corruption, cronyism, squandering the public purse) while not addressing critical issues such as education and infrastructure (water, electricity, roads). Their choice was to do not anything but carry on with the same old same old, and fattening their bank accounts. It is not just a slip up when this has been going on for decades. A slip up is forgetting to pay the BVI EC and getting cut off-easily fixed. Same said governments knowingly duped many of the voters and rewarded those they knew and liked. As to having the UK rule the place, the main problem people would face is likely to be that they will impose a program of making people follow the BVI's rules, and making people accountable. I'd imagine that would encourage people to stay rather than to leave. That's not gentrification. That's already happening when locals are cashing out when they're selling the properties to outsiders anyway. Think Oil Nut Bay, for example.

      Many seem to think UK wants to take the BVIs over when in reality all they want is for the unruly BVIs to behave according to BVIs laws. While there may be money making opportunities here for individual wealthy outsiders, the size of any financial benefit the UK might gain by taking the place would add something like 0.01% to their GDP (BVI GDP is about $ 400 million, UK GDP is about $3.2 trillion). Kinda like picking up a quarter off the floor and thinking of it as a meaningful contribution to a house downpayment (anywhere). And, for the record, the UK has no colonies. Just overseas territories just like the US (e.g. US VIs and Puerto Rico).

      The best choice BVI voters can make is insist on good and transparent governance, and to insist that those who have taken advantage of their position be brought to account.


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