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by pltm
(PLTM) - Deputy Premier, Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering is being asked to show what his many rich white friends have done for the BVI, post Hurricane Irma.
During a radio programme with Premier Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith on Sunday evening, November 19, a resident raised the question.
“During the campaign season, one of your Ministers mentioned that the people of the Virgin Islands jealous him and his rich white friends. That said Minister now paints a dark gloomy picture for the Virgin Islands,” the resident lamented.
He continued, “We now know that Virgin Gorda has rich white friends, we don’t know about him (Dr. Pickering). I am asking you (Premier), have you asked him to contact some of his rich white friends that we are jealous of, to assist us in our recovery?”
Premier Smith however dodged the question and simply mentioned that the BVI continues to receive help from many persons.
“I just want to say BVI, we have many friends; some live in the BVI, whether Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Puerto Rico, wherever. They have all been working with us to aid in the recovery efforts that we are engaged in.”
Premier Smith added, “I want to say a big thank you to all the individuals who have contributed and continue to contribute to the recovery efforts.”
During the June 2015 elections campaign, Dr. Pickering, who is also the Minister of Natural Resources and Labour, said he is proud to say he has rich friends.
"There are people going around saying that because I have a friendship with Mr. David Johnson (of Oil Nut Bay), he is my friend. I am proud to say that I have rich friends. I am not somebody who is afraid of my friends,” he said to a large gathering at the Stickett in Long Look back then.
The Seventh District Representative had further stated, “I got rich white friends and they got people who are envious and jealous, and so they are blaming me for all kinds of things.”
In a quick response, then At-Large candidate for the opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Charmaine Rosan-Bunbury shut down the suggestion made by Dr. Pickering.
"We are not jealous of our Ministers who have rich white friends. We the people of the Virgin Islands are jealous of their rich white friends owning our maritime boundaries. That is why a VIP government will take it back," she said.
At the time, she added, "We favour foreign direct investment and will give Mr. Johnson’s Oil Nut Bay project blessing and support, but we cannot give you our economic and security zone. It is as simple as that."
Following the devastation caused by hurricane Irma, Dr. Pickering straight forwardly said that the people of the BVI need to prepare for dark days ahead, noting that the road to recovery will be a long one.
