Wheatley: Government to blame for “Virgin Islanders’ extinction”
This is according to talk show host Douglas Wheatley, who made the strong statement last evening May 23, 2012 on his talk show Speak Out BVI. He stated that in the 1970’s, Virgin Islanders were about 10, 000 strong in population, but 20-25 years later of that date, Virgin Islanders remained at being 10, 000 in population but no longer strong.
He added that 1/3 of the country is populated by the people of the VI while the rest, 2/3 are Belongers and visitors.
Wheatley explained that in a few years, when the 2/3 population may be able to vote, they will not only be able to decide the economic future of the Virgin Islands but its political future as well.
“In the next 25 or 30 years in the house of representatives, there may not be a lot of Virgin Islander’s names, names from all around the Caribbean with different cultures and background will be there."
“How did the British Virgin Islands get here,” Wheatley questioned.
He blamed the Government, stating that they are supposed to be obligated to protect the inhabitants of the Territory. “I think that they drop the ball and our locally elected politicians fail on a number of critical issues that are failing the island and our people.”
Wheatley stated that a country should never move ahead of its people. “The people should always be the one to benefit from any development or movement taking place.”
Wheatley said he wonders where Virgin Islanders will really be in the next couple of years as the foundations that should have been laid were not.
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