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Both NDP & VIP are corrupt – Donald de Castro
In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online, Mr de Castro said he never expected that the House of Commons would have replied saying anything other than what they did. “They replied saying that they did receive my letter.” He said knowing the diplomats they are they would not implicate themselves by saying anything further.
“In that letter I said what I had to say, I voiced my opinion and leave it like that,” he said. Mr de Castro, in his letter, blasted the government of the day for the manner in which they have been dealing with the Cruise Pier Project especially as it related to its transparency and fairness in the bidding process.
In his interview with this news site, Mr de Castro re-iterated his displeasure regarding the project and opined that an atmosphere was not created to allow other interested persons to submit a proposal during the bidding process.
“It wasn’t no new proposals, it was something that they had already approved. They knew who they had wanted to give it to so they just put it back like that as if it was something new but there was nothing new, they knew what they want to do and who they wanted to give.”
As it related to the concerns highlighted in some sections of the media as to the involvement of the BVI Ports Authority Managing Director, Mr Claude Skelton-Cline in the project, Mr de Castro said that there was not much he could have said on that issue other than he is aware that Mr Slekton-Cline was a contractor under the very ministry by which he is now employed. “I don’t really know too much on that issue but I know that he was consultant, Public Consultant at Ports Authority for a year and when that contract was up as consultant he was hired as Ports Director,” said de Castro. He added that there have been calls for Skelton-Cline’s qualifications for the job, “but they not saying so nobody don’t know much about what he is doing.”
The civilian maintains that, in his view, the project is a disaster for the Territory. “I wrote to Mark Simmons on that because as I see it, it’s not going to be beneficial to the Territory, it’s going to be beneficial to a few people.”
The proof in the pudding surfaced, Mr deCastro said, when he attempted to find out who the land that is slated to be developed belonged to. He said in the Land Registry all the land is being shown as Crown Land. “So when I went to find out who have the leases they said that’s confidential and they can’t tell me, but the whole story is right there when you find out who really has the leases for those lands.”
Mr de Castro believes the Territory is in a total disaster but is not sure if another party is the solution to the problem. “There is no difference between the NDP and the VIP, all they do is when they find a hole they go and dig a hole deeper.”
The radio talk show host also said he reserving more on this very issue for when he gets back on air with his regular talk show. “That would be the first issue I will be addressing." This according to him will not be before another two to three weeks as that was the timeframe given him for the erecting and constructing of the recently shipped in ZBVI transmission tower.
“I don’t want to be on air where only some people can be hearing me so I’ll be holding off until the tower is fully up and everyone can hear my show.”
However, de Castro had a message to send to the Chief Immigration Officer who he said is to expect a letter very soon as to the alleged harassment of visitors to the island. He said this stems from an experience last night, March 21, 2013 when a female visitor had come to visit him for the weekend. “Man, the rigors they put her through even though she had all her documents, she knew who she was coming to, had address and everything in place, yet it was hell for her and it’s not good to the fact that this was someone coming to visit on a return ticket for the first time. So the Chief Immigration Officer can expect a letter from me in a couple of days on that.”
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66 Responses to “Both NDP & VIP are corrupt – Donald de Castro”
While citizens want so desparately to trust public officials, and eventually go with the suggested programme more times than not- politicians are manipulating public opinion while they get their pet projects done- either legally or ill-legally. I am waiting for the day when the voting public holds officials accountable- not just by voting them out of office- but taking them to court if not throwing them in jail. There is a popular minister who years ago had a secret bank account in the Carolinas, US (can't remember which one), but that embezzlement should have gotten him thrown in jail and banned from public service. But no... he was re-elected.
There was a government charge account at varieties where ps and senior staff charged indiscriminately. The first thing Paul Wattley did when he found out was to pay it off and shut it down. I could go and on. The people did not like being separated from their easy life so they voted them out. Where was decastro. When the public treasury was being raided day and night and for frivolous spending and enrichment of a few while the country was neglected. Poor decastro does not really understand what the problem is
The problem is that the people of the BVI are generally corrupt., not every individual, but enough to cause the plight of the country. Politicians indulge in self-interest by accommodating this greed to get votes. They together destroy the country. If people are honest the politicians cannot get way with corruption.
would have spilled the beans by now.
it is difficult to hear a different situational account when the presenter is part of the problem. The negotiator being articulate, educated, sophisticated, credential-ed- is assumed to be telling an objective account of potential plans which would affect the quality of life for many as we know it. Outside information gives (UK) more facts to ponder the benefits of contested projects. Outside voices are critical to an honest and objective governance. wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have to do that. Good for Mr. De Castro.
If you know something fishy, you just sit there and complain and become complacent (that means self-satisfied and basically uninvolved)-- or do you become an overseer to make sure people see what is going on? there may be some peoplee who don't realize something going on... no harm in educating them.