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Minister for Tourism likely under new Gov't

Dr. Pickering said Government would address the issue of a Minister of Tourism as promised on the campaign trail. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Acting Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering says the idea to have a Minister responsible for Tourism will be given the consideration that the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) promised on the campaign trail.

In fact the new Government is seeking to have an “overall restructuring” of the Ministries said Dr. Pickering, who is also the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, on NDP Radio on Monday November 21, 2011.

The Minister was responding to a caller who had wanted to know if Government was going to address that issue as promised. “You guys have been campaigning on having a Minister of Tourism. Is this something that we are going to see happening because I am not hearing anything about that,” the caller said.

“The Premier as you know is away in London attending to serious matters of state and one of the things that he is looking at is the overall restructuring of the ministries. We are assigning different aspects of portfolios in different places where there are likely be better suited. The system in place now is one that has been in place from way back when, probably going back 40 years, so there is some restructuring that he is looking at and it will take some time to ensure that it is done right but we did campaign on that issue and it is something that will definitely be given the prominence that it deserves,” replied Dr. Pickering.

But the NDP was not the only party that had suggested a 6th Minister. In fact, it was the People’s Patriotic Alliance (PPA) that had first put the proposal forward publicly. Speaking exclusively to Virgin Islands News Online, the PPA had said one of its proposed ideas of political reform was to increase the House of Assembly to have a sixth ministry that would give the necessary attention to tourism and culture, which they believe are the Territory’s main revenue industries.

According to PPA member Elton Callwood, tourism was not getting the attention it deserved because the portfolios under the Premier are big. The Premier currently holds responsibility for Tourism and Finance.

“Finance itself is a big issue and it is even bigger now with the recession. Tourism, in the midst of the recession, is being handed a soggy dollar…and you have Culture which anyone can tell you is going by the wayside. That is under the Minister of Education, who has a big portfolio of trying to grow education from good to great. Let’s marry tourism and culture and put them together in one package,” Mr.Callwood had proposed.

The provision in the 2007 Constitution Order of the Virgin Islands allows for two additional seats to the membership of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands, which would be mandatory for a sixth minister of cabinet, however, the notion has had its fair share of criticism.

11 Responses to “Minister for Tourism likely under new Gov't”

  • Not Myron (23/11/2011, 08:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Any body but Sarah P, I mean Myron Whyyalose he had the job gave it up then Neil was doing a much better job. Once bitten twice shy.
    • billy b (23/11/2011, 08:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      exactly Myron, that's the whole point!!! Don't you get it????? Ha ha haaaaaaaa
      • please keep it away (23/11/2011, 23:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        yea just keep it away from Myron as he made a big mess the last time his hands were in the TB
    • PS (23/11/2011, 10:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You obviously have a personal vendetta against Myron but you need to learn how to evaluate talent. You also need to know the difference between competence and fanfare. Myron is eminently qualified and capable enough of handling just about any ministry in government. Your dislike of him does not diminish his qualities. He has a proven track record and can wear any hat given to him. In fact, when you look at the NDP from top to bottom you find a group of men and women that are very skilled and talented. The VIP has the fluff while the NDP has the stuff. We need the stuff and not the fluff. Substance is the meat of progress and the beverage of prosperity. We had four years of skulduggery, rascality and corruption to the detriment of the country. Some people who complain seemed to have been satisfied with the chaos, confusion, deceit and lies dished out to them providing they got a little hand out be it cash, appliance or some other. What we need are jobs and the means to sustain ourselves not to subsist on the paltry hand outs that come once every four years. We need to rise above that and and aspire to achieve greater things for ourselves and our children. Just as Myron said during the campaign, we must make the your our present before talking about them being our future for the future begins today. If we cannot secure ourselves today how can we have a future? The election is over and we need to support the government of the day. Heed the advice of the VIP candidates (winners and losers) who say we must throw our support behind the new government.
      • MEC (23/11/2011, 12:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        TO PS AKA MYRON: Myron please stop blogging for yourself it’s too obvious...go try and write so the secretary your step mommy can understand...and stop victimizing and intimidating the staff!
  • Candy Cane (23/11/2011, 12:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Kedrick needs to stop talking now. Just be quiet and wait for Doc and the others to return. More out of him and he will be creating chos.
    • billy b (24/11/2011, 12:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Candy Cane, who told you that he wasnt informed by the Premier already. You people not to speak what yuh know
  • Not Myron (23/11/2011, 15:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Qualified no doubt, but capabablity, talent, and ability to show up and work under pressure is certainly not evident.
  • observer (23/11/2011, 16:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the NDP Government is to acheive their goal by improving the economy they must seperate the Tourism from the ministry ot fiancance and a minister deal with tourism
  • Lilly (24/11/2011, 06:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think Tourism and Culture needs to be joined under one Ministry!!


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