Josiah’s Bay residents accuse Gov’t of not protecting their interests
One of the affected business persons grappling with this issue and was willing to go on record is Ms Naomi Frett-Patterson. She owns and operates one of the bars on the beach at Josiah’s Bay. The woman told this news site that the National Democratic Party Government is guilty of putting the interest of an expatriate above her, a local businesswoman.
One of Mrs Frett-Patterson’s main issues has to do with a South African being granted government permission to operate a surf school on the beach. This she said has and continues to ‘take bread’ out of her mouth as her surf and snorkeling business has since completely ended.
“Now my business, the surf board’s, out of business. I use to rent my surf boards but I never use to teach nobody because I don’t know how to teach that but I rented now I out of business. I born here, my parents and people are all born-bred Tortolians and we are supposed to be able to survive right here with our business,” said Mrs Frett-Patterson.
No help from Gov’t
Frett-Patterson said she went the full length to get government to intervene but to no avail. “I went to trade they didn’t give me justice, I went to the Natural Resources [Ministry] and an officer (name called) told me straight that no way they will revoke the surf school’s license. He said that not happening. I went to the Premier also.”
Efforts to reach officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour where not successful up to publication time.
Frett-Patterson explained that prior to going the length to get government to intervene in her interest she had approached one of the owners of the surf school and tried to negotiate an arrangement which would have seen them both being able to rent their boards and that was unsuccessful as the owner allegedly told her, “It’s a business he doing”.
“We are like a forgotten people behind God’s back her,” said another concerned businessman operating in the area who asked not to be named. He noted that the issue of the surf school’s operation is just a tip in the iceberg that needs to be properly investigated in the Josiah’s Bay community.
“We are calling on Government to come out here and do a serious investigation into these issues affecting us down here. A lot of underhand and illegal things happening and we be complaining and complaining and no one listening to us. That is why we call in the media now. These issues serious and some include corrupt (allegedly) government people,” adding the man.
Several other serious issues and allegations were raised with this news site by local residents in the Josiah’s Bay area which this news site is currently investigating.
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51 Responses to “Josiah’s Bay residents accuse Gov’t of not protecting their interests”
You sound like a damn *$s! You all go to St Thomas to shop because you say you can't get what you want here, but when the shi* hits home that's when you complain. Why should customers have to deal with SH*T just because it is LOCAL SH*T! You are FULL OF **T!
We don't have to watch no damn South Africans, we need to step our game up and stop the senseless whining to Government. If she had a proper set up down there, nobody else would try to start another business. Look at Cane Garden Bay, the local boys (whether you like them or not), continue to adjust accordingly and make money down on the beach strip. No south african or otherwise will get a spot down there doing what they do. This attitude where "people should support me because I'm here and I'm local, whether or not my business is sh*t!"..it needs to stop. The customers have rights too! Nowhere else in the Caribbean has more protections for locals than the BVI and that is a fact so the complaining is pure nonsense.
The FACT that this local woman saw a need, started her business, and now doing her best to keep it going is commendable. The various Gov't Departments with these various budgets to help train and guide these small business owners to achieve a standard where they can compete, need to get on with it and stop playing games in our country. Help the small businesses that are struggling so they can grow and employ some of our people.
This woman went to so many of these co-called Gov't Leaders for help and they could not suggest such a possible solution or direction? Go to SBA online for some solutions or get someome to research for you, then take some of those ideas to the Gov't Department that was formed to support small businesses in the territory.
These Present Gov't Leaders of Our Country are a piece of work, considering they (some) have businesses themselves. ALL-ABOUT-THEMSELVES.
“Truth Be Told”
Apartheid on the books supposedly came to an end a few years after the rise of the 1994 democratic general elections in South Africa.
The only reason all these South Africans are flocking to our shores at this time is because the True Indigenous South Africans have turned on them. Their CRIME RATE is through the ROOF.
When they had all their privileges and entitlements off the backs of the black people (the indigenous ones of the country), they were loving it.
Never allow their SMILES to fool you (only acting the part). They still harbour their deep-seated beliefs that they are of a more superior species of HUMAN BEINGS who should be able, at all times, to obtain what is not theirs.
Brother BOB said, “Give them an inch, they take a yard.”
Help the Sister! Critically read the articles and extract the full essence of what is not being properly articulated.
If we do not learn and know our story, we bound to repeat it.
THANK YOU FOR CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO. OUR STORY IS INDEED IMPORTANT; AND UNTIL IT IS GENUINELY ADDRESSED, IT SHOULD BE MADE AWARE NEAR AND FAR.
THE TRUTH MUST BE TOLD, AND WITHOUT APOLOGIES!
HE JEWS NEVER ALLOW YOU TO FORGET THEIR FEW YEARS (ALTHOUGH HORIFIC) WHAT THEY BEEN THROUGH AS A RESULT OF THEIR OWN MAKINGS. BUT WE, DESCENDENTS OF ORIGINAL MAN AND WOMAN, WHO WERE ENSLAVED FOR 1200 = + YEARS (SOME STILL DEEPLY ENTRENCHED BY MENTAL CONDITIONING), ALWAYS HAVE TO MAKE EXCUSES, WATERDOWN, AND APOLOGIZE FOR THE TRUTH.
St. Thomians do it VI to the Bone they say, Crucians and St. Johnians as well. But Native BVI Landers Cant?
Sorry I dont agree. USE IT ITS YOUR RIGHT !! Yuh Born here say it proud AH from Ha!!
But when BVI Landers say ah bhan here or ah from here ppl always have an issue with it. That is the only part of the aritcle Im going to comment on.
Signed proud Thomian !!
One: this business is owned by a local BVIslander. It is run in partnership with a guy who is Australian, South African and English in heritage. He has worked as a surf life saver around the world his whole professional life.
Two: That gentleman did not waltz in here and set up. He was invited here by BVI government to work for us as a lifeguard. He did this for 8+ years.
Three: He saved many, many lives. On Josiah's Bay and other beaches of the BVI.
Four: When all the other foreign lifeguards left to go home, he stayed and dedicated his time to continuing to work here for government and saving lives. He did more than that. He set up a lifesaving club for the kids of East End and Tortola to come and learn how to be safe and enjoy the dangerous waters of Josiah's Bay. He taught them how to surf. He shared his skills and knowledge freely with anyone and everyone - tourist, local, whatever.
Four: Mrs Frett-Patterson had been renting surfboards but she stopped. Four years ago when the surf school started there was no one renting boards. And no one teaching surfing.
Five: The company was set up because it was clear that a lot of people come to Josiah's and want to surf. This man was the best qualified person to teach people to do it safely. No question. Work permit applications were made and eventually everything went through, via the usual channels, no favors, no politics.
Six: Surfing is dangerous. Renting boards to people when conditions are bad and you don't know how experienced they are, is a sure way to initiate either a drowning, or at best, a rescue. Rescues are dangerous. They put lifeguards at risk. Point: knowledge is required to play in the surf.
Seven: To my knowledge, no one has ever told the lady she couldn't rent out surfboards. Business gravitated to to the surf school because it is clear that they know about the sport, the equipment, the sea conditions and they are qualified as instructors and lifeguards. They are also expert and friendly teachers. That is why business goes there.
Eight: The surf school attracts business. Every surfer wants a drink. They want lunch. They wants shade. What do they do? They go to one of the two bars on Josiah's Bay. Business on the beach is increased and the two bars benefit.
Nine: The school is located on land rented from local land owners, it is licensed, insured, it pays taxes every month and it outreaches to the kids and anyone else that wants to learn how to enjoy the dangerous waters of Josiah's Bay.
There is plenty more to say but the bottom line is, no one with deep pockets walked in from a foreign land and stole business from local people. No government help was solicited or used. This is a small business that benefits everyone in the area by bringing customers, raising Josiah's Bay's profile and helping to keep people safe.
The fact is- your info still don't make it right. Come in for a few years, learn the lay of the land, play your part, and then, set yourself up by using our people with the intention to completely take over. Most South Africans living among us today have no home to return too. We shall not be fooled by their Smiles any longer.
" Winners never whine and whiners never win". In closing, as its said, when little Jonny from the mainland comes for a surf lesson from the legendary South African surf instructor, Jonny's ma and pa will certainly love a drink at the bar!! It goes hand in hand. Aloha.
Well said, that should calm the bullsh*t now.
Did black locals applied to the school and were denied
entry? If that is not the case, then the reason why there were no black children in the summer classes, might very well be that they were not interested and did not apply.
This territory is going down, I hope you all see where this backward 1800s mentality gonna take you. In case you haven't noticed the VI is going down, things getting more expensive, money ain stretching as it used to, less people coming in more leaving and the minute shit hits the fan, all the foreigners and expats who built this shithole and made it what it is today gon' up and leave mih son and when they do, Britain ain' gon help as she cyaah even help herself after Brexit. Britain wants to give ayo independence and get ayo out her hair! Watch, 2 years ain gon pass and the country dont collapse!!!!