2 Gov Ministers oppose sponsorship of dance hall artiste Vybz Kartel!
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in keeping with his tradition of sponsoring entertainment and other tourism related events has made a substantive contribution to local group 'Yolo Promotions' who will be bringing Vybz Kartel in March of 2025.
We do not support- Hons Smith & Rymer
However, Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Hon Lorna G. Smith (AL) told a local radio station on Friday October 4, 2024, that she “was not aware of Vybz Kartel coming to the BVI…this Government has not been informed”.
When asked if she would support it, she stated, “Absolutely not, the government has more urgent priorities such as cleaning up the country…the tourism season is upon us and the country looks like a wilderness, we need to clean our country up, we need to restore the beauty…we need to fix our infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) also told the same local radio station on October 4, 2024, that he does not think it’s the right time in terms of government involvement.
“I do not support it at this time, we are making some moves in terms of moving forward with our road infrastructure …lots happening now that should take priority over this show, it’s not the right thing at this time, it will not get my support at this time,” Hon Rymer opined.
Minister Rymer noted that the Premier is aware of his position.
Bad Timing for Premier?
The Office of the Premier continues to sponsor many events throughout the Territory to help promote the entertainment and sailing sectors and boost the economy. Events that have received sponsorship from the Office of the Premier include the One VI Music Festival, BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival, Anegada Lobster Festival, Poker Runs, BVI Charter Yachts Boat Shows, A Taste of Virgin Gorda, BVI Wreck Week, Caribbean Baking Awards, various basketball tournaments, among others. Most of these events are private-sector-driven and organised.
Both Senior Ministers Smith and Rymer believe the Premier’s timing was bad as there are too many other priorities that the funds could have gone to.
The donation to the local group, headed by Physical Education Teacher and Businessman Steve E. Parillon, has already been given according to three persons familiar with the sponsorship. The group has today October 5, 2024, announced their big artiste performance is set for March 2025.
Public fight?
With the two Ministers opposed to their Premier’s decision on the Vybz Kartel sponsorship, it is unclear the way forward in terms of Government cohesiveness. However, one local political commentator warns about reading too much into this public spat and predicts that the Premier will easily survive the Vote of No Confidence motion to be brought to the House of Assembly by the tri-party Opposition.
.png)
Follow Us On
84 Responses to “2 Gov Ministers oppose sponsorship of dance hall artiste Vybz Kartel!”
Govt should not be funding YOLO.
Like 1 Dislike
This concert is neither the will of the people at large nor those of District 7. It is the will of a small-minded child with no business leading government. They are right to speak up. The only questions are: Where are the rest of them? Where were they for the last "musicfest"? Where were they for the "free concert"? Most importantly, when will the electorate see accountability for those things? We won't forget at the next election. If we get an election; it is a sad state when the average BVIslander would rather see a UK takeover than a duly elected local government. With the quality of the governments of late, it's not a choice of what is of benefit to the electorate; it is a case of the lesser evil. We must aspire to be better. H. Lavity Stoutt is spinning in his grave.
Can dictator Natalio still proceed?
A sure sign we don’t need independence as guys like Natalio will run wild with no it money.
asking the esteemed one
Is DJ Taz up to date with S.S NHI Inland Revenue?
Is DJ MAC mili up to date with Inland Revenue S.S NHI?
If YOLO up to date with NHI Inland Revenue S.S?
Where’s the money from the last BOB? WOW? Big Belly Season and the other events?
How can a business focus on making money yet doesn’t have money?
As as fully paid taxpayer who doesn’t owe on NHI S.S or Inland Revenue I’d like if my tax dollars goes into anything else than Kartel to anyone else besides Stevie. If YOLO needs money hold fundraiser. If need cash get a loan. If you have $30k to go the bank and loan $30k to of your $30k. Mc Mili Taz and Steve are criminals for really trying to do this. The average person who can’t afford to pay taxes but have to will now have to sell themselves to enjoy their own money. What’s crazy is any citizen who talks out against this will be side eye and that’s fine for they did Jesus Christ worse.
The radio station | News medias | Hotels | Villas associations need to put their foot down in not supporting certain things until the country is at a certain point in terms of not looking like a waste land. Like it or not a bit over half of the people on Tortola will be there with the newest outfit yet looking good and having a bath are two different things. I’ll leave that right there. I’m not a Cindy fan but that way Stevie, Taz and Mac made or try to make Cindy look like she’s crazy is insane to me. The premier should called off this event. I’m with Smith & Rymer.
the next plateau of growth and development. The Premier has the opportunity to lead the territory towards a better tomorrow but he must be laser focused assessing the territory ‘s needs, developing strategies and tactics to address them—-GOSTO ( goals, objectives, strategies, tactics, operations, etc).
If there is any profit will the government get a share?
If a promoter does not have the money to run his business then he should try his hand at something else.
What’s really going on?