VIP rally zooms on Norman Island, Beef Island

By Mellica McPherson

Members of the Virgin Islands Party raised a number of concerns at the launching of the VIP's   Territorial at-Large Candidate, Mr. Vernon E. Malone.

Leader of the Opposition and of the VIP, Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal listed some matters of importance as he saw them.  At the top of Mr. O'Neal's list was the Norman Island issue.  He said, "the question of water rights has been going around. As far as we know the seabed and the sea is owned by the crown. Sometime somebody will lease a portion of it to put down some buoys and moorings. All of that is fine but I understand that there is a document submitted to Government, a draft memorandum of agreement between Government and the Norman Island Development Corporation. In that agreement the corporation asks for identification of environmental standards."

The Leader of the Opposition then explained, "Norman Island Service Corporation and Government agreed on certain environmental standards that will govern activities on Norman Island. Those standards include a prohibition on anchorage on the Bight or around the island except on designated moorings, and probation on anchorage on the Bight or around the island by ships capable of carrying 20 people. They requested the lease for 30 years, in the first instance and then renewable for 20 years or anytime Government would agree to."

Hon. O'Neal further explained that the Caves are major tourist attractions. According to Hon. O'Neal, there is nothing wrong with the submissions of proposals by people, but he said that "if people submit proposals like this there is nothing wrong with Government telling the people of the BVI that a proposal was submitted, because anyone can submit anything."

Five Star Hotel

The second matter discussed by the VIP leader was the issue of the proposed Five Star Resort that is to be built on Beef Island. O'Neal recalled when the licence for the Five Star Resort was granted in 1994. He stated that the then Government said that "they must do an environmental study and this must be approved before anything is done on the land."  "The gentleman who was supposed to do the development on the land went broke, he said that he had big losses in the stock market and therefore could not do any more development. He went out of the picture all together," Hon. O'Neal disclosed. "The NDP has brought him back and I understand that if that development goes on as proposed it will kill the biggest hatchery for fish in the area. Although the Chief Minister said a few months ago, that he plans to make agriculture and fishing the third and fourth pillar of the economy. Now if you kill the hatchery what will happen?".

Third District representative, Hon. Julian Fraser told the audience that this by-election is not about the candidate of the VIP against the candidate of the NDP. Instead, he said that this by-election is about the policies of the VIP versus the failed policies of the NDP. He also noted that since the NDP has decided to name the BVI High School after Elmore Stoutt, it was only fair that the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force be named after Vernon Malone.

First District representative, Hon. Andrew Fahie said that he respects that Mr. Malone has put aside all of his obligations in order to contest in the by-election, even though he has more to gain by staying out of politics, he still dropped everything  to offer himself to the people of the BVI  to serve as the Territorial-at-Large representative. Hon. Fahie said that team VIP has nothing to offer Mr. Malone no government, no ministry, no rich friends. "Vernon Malone has truly displayed country before self, and for this we must applaud him," Hon. Fahie said.