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Customs Officers working in shameful conditions – Donald E. De Castro 

- but said government can spend $92K on a new car for the Premier & $500,000 to BVI Airways 
Radio talk show host Donald E. de Castro has slammed the conditions under which customs officers have to do their jobs at the Road Town Ferry Dock, calling their surroundings cramped and uncomfortable and said government needs to attend to these issues rather than making huge expenditures. Photo: Internet source
Mr Donald E. de Castro said it is shameful for the territory’s dedicated and hard working customs officers to work in these conditions. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Donald E. de Castro said it is shameful for the territory’s dedicated and hard working customs officers to work in these conditions. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Radio talk show host Donald E. de Castro has slammed the conditions under which customs officers have to do their jobs at the Road Town Ferry Dock, calling their surroundings cramped and uncomfortable and said government needs to attend to these issues rather than making huge expenditures. 

He was speaking on his radio programme Straight Talk on Wednesday February 10, 2016 on ZBVI 780 AM. 

“The Ports Authority has done so much to that building to improve the departure lounge but nothing to improve the inspection of passengers and luggage when you get into Customs.” 

Mr de Castro said it is shameful for the territory’s dedicated and hard working customs officers to work in these conditions. 

“But no. We will find $92,000 to buy a car. We will find $500,000 to give a foreign company to get their airline off the ground. We as Virgin islanders have got to unite. Until we unite and hold one head, we will always be taken advantage of,” he said. 

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith confirmed that his government is purchasing a new car for him at a cost of $92,500 and this he defended as being fiscally responsible.

Further, the government has advanced $500,000 out of $7 million to BVI Airways as a means of kick-starting the once defunct airline and enabling it to make direct flights from Miami to Beef Island from around July this year. Even though there has been no study done, Government is confident that the flights will be full and that the monies invested will be paid back, in addition to boosting the tourism and financial services sectors.

7 Responses to “Customs Officers working in shameful conditions – Donald E. De Castro ”

  • yeah (16/02/2016, 10:16) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    everybody seeing wha yo buy
    • HMPH (socal comanatatar) (17/02/2016, 05:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If only all dem custom officars join Donald union then he get proper working condatians o dem
  • wize up (16/02/2016, 11:22) Like (8) Dislike (38) Reply
    all the lawful ports of entry in the territory were in deplorable conditions for at least 20 years: looks like donald trying to pin the shameful conditions on the current administration..... the 650k that fahie give away to Cline and the drag racing study tax payers money should have gone to fix the ports of entry throughout the territory..the west end port was refurbished back in 2004 as a temporary facility we are in 2016 and the building still there..apparently decastro dont leave BVI to often(over 20 years those ports needed upgrading)
  • fish (16/02/2016, 12:26) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    Telll it like it is donald
  • de silent one (16/02/2016, 13:33) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Like Donald don't travel to St Thomas, because it's no different there either. All the passengers that comes off the ferry could see what's in your luggage. He need to stop knocking the d..m Government. He must be want a contract too, but what can he do?
  • useless (16/02/2016, 15:39) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    The head Wade needs removing...Waste ah time!
  • pete (17/02/2016, 08:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    why Donald does not donate some money from them run down building he rents to help improve things at customs?


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