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'What start wrong can only end wrong'- Caller on BVI Airways fiasco

- VIP President Natalio D. Wheatley said investing $7.2 million was a ‘poorly conceived idea’
BVI Airways announced in a press release, yesterday, July 18, 2017 that they are laying off their staff and placed the blame on the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government of Premier, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL). Photo: Caribbean Journal
Natalio D. Wheatley, a guest on Speak Out BVI, explained that the investment that the government made in BVI Airways was a 'poorly conceived idea.' Photo: VINO/File
Natalio D. Wheatley, a guest on Speak Out BVI, explained that the investment that the government made in BVI Airways was a 'poorly conceived idea.' Photo: VINO/File
Callers to the radio programme 'Speak out BVI' on July 18, 2017 were not optimistic that BVI Airways will ever begin directs to the Virgin Islands from Miami as was announced. Photo: VINO/File
Callers to the radio programme 'Speak out BVI' on July 18, 2017 were not optimistic that BVI Airways will ever begin directs to the Virgin Islands from Miami as was announced. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – During the radio programme, ‘Speak Out BVI’ on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday July 18, 2017, callers took to the show and voiced their frustration on the controversy between BVI Airways and the government of the National Democratic Party (NDP).

The controversy heated up yesterday, July 18, 2017, when BVI Airways announced in a press release that they are laying off their staff and placed the blame on the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government of Premier, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL).

If something start wrong, it only could end wrong

A caller to the radio programme said, “My parent always taught me that if something start wrong, it only could end wrong. If I owe the government some money and they want to give me a contract, they are going to make sure that before they give me that contract, I clear my bill with them. So that is something people need to understand, if something start wrong, it only could end wrong and that’s the problem we going through with that controversy right now.”

Another caller to the show stated that the controversy is a “major blunder” and the NDP government should have invested in their own; VI Airlink. “It’s sad that they didn’t want to invest in their own and look what happen now.”

“It will be interesting to see how it’s going to be resolved. The airline was supposed to be flying as of July 22 - that’s in just a few days- but so far it seems that, that’s not going to happen,” commented the host of the show, Mr Doug Wheatley.

A disgruntled caller stated that the issue between the government and BVI Airways is causing a lot of difficulties and the airline might never commence flights.

“The airport thing is causing a lot of problem. To me, it seems like this ain’t going to come through at all. I don’t know how the Virgin Islands government going to get back there money; that’s $7 million. That might be another positive action movement again because I can’t see you take up $7 million and give those people. I don’t get it.”

This is a poorly conceived idea

In response to a caller’s question, President of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Natalio D. Wheatley, a guest on the show, explained that the investment the government made in BVI Airways was a “poorly conceived idea.”

“The government called this a subsidy and from my knowledge of subsidising airlines, normally you have an airline that is already in operation and the government simply buy seats. So this is more like a startup, you giving like a grant to start up a business, which is rather strange because the government doesn’t own shares in it. This is quite irregular. The government has no control over what is happening,” explained Mr Natalio Wheatley.

A disappointed caller said, “It’s not feeling good. If they care about our islands. If they care about our people. If they care about the whole Virgin Islands, they would know that this is painful, not only because we are not able to fly but we can’t afford more financial implications as we are right now.”

14 Responses to “'What start wrong can only end wrong'- Caller on BVI Airways fiasco”

  • Interested (19/07/2017, 11:29) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    This will bring down the NDP like BI- Water brought down the VIP.Have mercy.
    • nope (19/07/2017, 12:01) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
      NDP will have a full strong slate come next election which can be held in a few months. VIP and others are nowhere near ready for an election and thats the reality and maybe thats why the government is behaving the way they are
    • Well (19/07/2017, 16:20) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      This is said about each and every project that NDP has initiated but no other political party can compare.
      All the bad talk envy and resentment is the fuel in their tank so keep on lighting their fire.
  • youths for walwyn (19/07/2017, 11:49) Like (7) Dislike (17) Reply
    Vip still not going win the next election
  • Amazing (19/07/2017, 16:06) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    All this ballyhoo from those one would think; was more intelligent and responsible. Half a story and they leading the masses to hysteria. No idea what is truth and sensibility. Sensationalism won't get these wannabes elected.A temporary high then flat as a pancake and leaving a bad taste while NDP continues to leave them in the dust with no sweat. Either u have class or you don't.
    • What you smoking? (19/07/2017, 17:07) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dream on my friend. Nobody electing Ndp again to throw away the people money
      • Hopeinthefuture (19/07/2017, 19:03) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
        So glad it's not the bloggers electing the politicians. Hope some ah you could vote. Give us a replacement and we will consider, but if you coming poe-coe poe-coe, we not jumping ship. One lil slip up and they ready to kill the best hope for the future. Just give Ronnie Finance and you see a joke. But somebody want to plan vindictive before he goes. Hope he go out on BVI Airways.
        • Reply (19/07/2017, 22:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Political rube in the Admi Complex, with no vision for the country, no attention to details, no interest in learning, absolutely nothing.
        • John (20/07/2017, 04:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          You call this a lil slip up? No my friend, this is stupidly in the highest. Too bad some of you can't see that this is a big joke on all virgin islanders.
  • musa (19/07/2017, 18:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    change is very good but make sure u guys put a better team which i do not see yet
  • Tadow (19/07/2017, 21:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    YOUR EXCELLENCY BEFORE WE COME FOR REPRESENTATION IN THIS MATTER. RESERVE POWER WAS UTILIZED TO AFFORD THE POLICE MORE FUNDIND. WE ARE ASKING YOU TO USE YOUR RESERVE POWER TO DENY THE NDP GOVERMENT MORE FUNDING FOR BVI AIRWAYS. THE TWO OR THREE AIRCRAFT THAT THE SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS PURCHASE WE WILL PARK THEM BEEF ISLAND ON THE TERMAC AND WHEN WE ARE READY WE WILL GIVE THEM TO VI AIRLINK TO ADD TO THERE FLEET. THE NDP GOVERNMENT IS INCOMPETENT.
  • tola (20/07/2017, 00:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I tell ayo wait and see when July 22this plan will never fly how can the government take up 7.2 million of tax people's money to invest in this air plan these people's really got NDP as a joke .....something behind this is NDP knows something and them ain't telling us
  • wize up (22/07/2017, 17:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    boss !!!! the plane !!!! the plane(can you recall fantasy island)


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