Outsiders have brought some 'nasty habits'- Hon Archibald C. Christian
He was speaking yesterday evening November 2, 2015 during the Fourth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Third House of Assembly during the period designated for Any Other Business.
"Madam Speaker, I think that persons are taking for granted what this little territory means to our economy. I think I have to be more bold in what I'm trying to convey here. It may not come across comfortable for some people but the truth has to be told."
He said persons who come to the territory to work must understand that they are here for a reason, which is to better their economic standing in life.
"I think some of those persons are not paying attention to what is at stake in the BVI. Because truth be told, the minute or the day that the economic standards of this country begins to disappear because visitors no longer come, [it can spell trouble for those seeking a living here]," he said.
He cited examples where a truck is driving up a hill and a driver that he understands to be an expatriate worker was not paying due care and attention to what he was doing and as a result, waste matter was falling off the truck on to the road.
The backbencher said that he tried to speak to the driver to let him know the mess his truck was causing and for that he was verbally abused.
He also called on persons to stop driving heavily laden trucks on new roads just paved.
"Madam Speaker, I could go on and on citing examples of people who have no regards at all when it comes to keeping the BVI clean and if we are not careful we are going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg," he said.
Economy under threat
"I am seeing our economy under threat by this practice that we have of not ensuring that we keep the Virgin Islands clean. It had to be the responsibility of every person living and working in the BVI," he said.
In addition to appealing to members of the public he also made a strong call to members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force to be vigilant of persons bent on breaking the laws regarding littering.
Kick the nasty habits
In closing, Hon Christian thanked his colleagues in the House of Assembly for initiating beautification programmes in their various districts and said he was pleased that they are now seeing the necessity.
"I think my colleagues totally understand more than ever before what I have been trying to say. I remember years ago Hon [J. Alvin] Christopher stood in this House and said basically the same thing that I was saying, that we have a lot of people that have come to the BVI to live amongst us and, unfortunately, they have brought some nasty habits, so we need to kick those habits so that we can enjoy a comfortable standard of living, [so] that the reputation that the BVI has as being one of the most beautiful places on the planet can continue."
.png)
Follow Us On
90 Responses to “Outsiders have brought some 'nasty habits'- Hon Archibald C. Christian”
These nasti@$$ people came with their nasti@$$ habits.
I know not all expats are like this but they outnumber those who try to do the right thing.
I recall one time I gave a lady a lift and she started tossing her tissue paper and other unwanted items from her handbag out the window. I had to beg her to stop but she didn’t see what the big deal was. The car behind me started blowing their horn. I was so embarrassed because the person behind now associated me and my car with that dirty behavior. People will be upset with Hon. Christian but I totally understand what he is saying because I have experienced it and witness this behaviour for myself.
Personally I truck refuse as well, and sometimes a bag or branch might fall, which I would stop and pickup, or do so on my return.
I have also spoken to individuals who drop trash with no regard or use the side of the road as their dump area. I have gone as far as reporting to the police, and guess what, I am an outsider.
Besides understanding the detriment of litter to the economy, my "broughtupcy" would not allow me to litter willfully.
East End is one of the worst looking areas but all areas must be tackled. The B.V.I needs to implement a Litter and Waste Control Law. Stiff penalties must be put in place to deter individuals from littering and dumping waste.
Citations should be given to those businesses and residential properties where garbage or derelict vehicles are found. Homeowners need to take pride in their property ensuring that it is power wash periodically and painted when the necessary. Put a beautification committee in each district and have someone go around and compile a report of those non-abiding citizens.
If we continue on this downward spiral, trust me, the Tortola will be known as "Nature"s Nasty Secret". People of these beautiful Virgin Islands take pride in your island. Make the change!
Hon. Christian ah could shake your hand. What comes to mind is the setting up of these things all over the place selling provisions and other food items...The people were chased from the gas station/round about and they are right back there...I will say though that it is not only persons from outside but some of our very own. M>>>> Fa>>>> is one such person...she likes to talk about people children but she is too dam rude. She operates like the government owes her something. It seems that the rules/laws are only for some people.
Persons from the other islands are accustom of setting up and selling wherever and we are slowing beginning to look like them...A HOT MESS...
His d@6 was one of the nastiest persons ever migrated. Talk that.
Archie should go to Anegada. If you go off the main road you see piles of garbage everywhere collecting. I believe this is done by some locals and expats.
If a person sees anything piled up anywhere, a person would think this is the norm and do the same. Anegada really needs to be cleaned up.
There are places in town where businesses or land owners left steel to rust and is kept in an untidy manner, plants growing between the decaying metal. Nothing has been done about it for years. What about houses falling apart and left standing? What about properties that are close to the road side, looking like the place has been abandoned for some time, but people actually live there and it looks like an eyesore? What about guts around the territory not being cleaned to prevent a stench and/or build-up? This list can go on for miles. If the Government starts addressing those issues, it would be a step in the right direction. Look at the way construction sites are kept. They sometimes fail to secure the materials and leave the area in chaos for the next work day. All this needs to be addressed.
IT is really a BVI problem not an expat vs. local problem. If certain standards were in place and enforced, we would not be in this situation.
These words are from a young person whose ancestors are from the BVI, but born elsewhere and lived where I was born (AN EXPAT maybe?) but grew up here most of my life.
I say (an EXPAT maybe) because I was not born here. It is funny this was not an issue when I was in BVI High School. Now we have a huge issue with where a person comes from. News flash a lot of us with local names did not originally stem only from the BVI. Our BVI ancestors I am sure never had this mentality and it is a shame that our leaders are saying it is alright to think this way. It tells me that these persons really don’t know their own history.
I know my local ancestors had family that migrated from England, Ireland, Trinidad and other parts of the world to the BVI. This diversity is what makes me who I am, unique and I embrace it. STOP saying the words that will divide us, because it means we are denying our own identity and spitting on those who came before us and did great things for the BVI.
The older (elders) need to be wiser and lead us younger persons in the right direction. STOP teaching us that we are better than others and should get preferential treatment just because of our names and where we are from! Why? Because when we have to leave this island to further our studies or work, we will (1) not be getting preferential treatment, (2) not have the right attitude in life and (3) fail miserably. IT is only based on own merits and good attitude will any person succeed in life, where ever s/he goes.
We know there are problems in the BVI. Let us just solve them and STOP pointing fingers.
A recycling plan most definitely needs to be in place and I feel not only the Government should be involved in the clean-up efforts. Legislation needs to be in place so that entrepreneurial endeavors can prosper in regards to this concern of keeping the BVI beautiful.
That same m*n**** liter a lot of times so what he talking about when he is no different
I was driving down Sophie Bay Hill one sunday morning and watch someone cleaning out his jeep and tossing what looked like Heiniken bottles in the bushes just as he got down the hill. I got beside him by Cedar school and told him that it was not a nice thing to do, and he curse the hell out of me. I also had some tenants from Santo Domingo who use to put their garbage on top of their jeep, and often in the evenings you meet it on the hill or scattered all over the yard. The garbage bin is not very far, so if he stopped to take down the garbage and notice that it was not there, he would never turn around to look for it, and in the afternoons they often got home first and you would think they would pick it up, but they never did. Sorry, but it is darn truth. Locals probably do it too, but he is speaking about his recent upsetting experiences. (I knew the media would run with this.)
Amazing that the entire Assembly would remain quiet and not one would chose to rebut this kind of rhetoric. That my friends is truly disturbing.
In addition, all properties shall be fenced, and his or her vehicle must be parked on the property.
For new homeowners, he or she must have the appropriate parking spaces on his or her property for the amount of anticipated vehicles for the household; no parking on Government road.
No boats or derelict vehicles shall be parked on any property.
All properties shall be properly manicured and landscaped. We will seek a grandfather clause for those houses in Ghettos and have them complying also..
Why is the Government afraid to pass such an Act? But if the Caucasian was in power he would have passed it and you would have run by Drakes to get your fencing and your plants and you would have hired trucks left and right to clean up though? We need to have pride in ourselves and pride for the island, ma.
Archie is saying, all and sundry, clean up the place.
Ladies and Gentlemen, please vote for me, if you believe that what I am proposing will be good for the BVI, vote for me. I am your intended candidate for the next general election, "Mr. Icoming Strong Nexttime."
What about the whites? People has to see through you
What type of person you are..2 faced ...you are not a good man.you have been expose out to the people of the bvi
from BVI Born and Raised
Is ayo vote fuh he, some expats and locals have the place nasty not the expats alone, sometime i does wonder why this #$&@ had to go in, instead of encouraging to keep da place clean he just @$&#&$ you up, just like how his life is $&#@$d up
Thank you Archie!
On another note, two terms (8 years)for a legislator to qualify for a full government pension is much too generous. How long does it take for constituents to qualify for a government pension? Is it 25 or 30 years? Dah mek sense? Clearly, the system needs to change, aligning more closely the two pension plans. Here is news flash, though. Politicians have a vested self interest and will not advocate for a change. If change will occur, the people must advocate for the change. The change should entail age and time requirement. Grandfather some current members and enact a new system soonest.
Ar..ie you don't like black people your father wear all white at all time he was no good at all and you the same god will deal with you you will lose power one day what goes around comes around