.png)
Ports Project opens! No fireworks but fiery speech by Hon Vanterpool
According to Honourable Vanterpool, the legacy of which he spoke is that in which Dr Smith by the end of this term in office would have invested some $600 million into the territory in various projects – Tortola Pier Park being chief amongst them.
“That deserves a clap,” the Minister said as he urged applause for the achievements of the National Democratic Party Government over the three terms they have been in office (2003-2007 & 2011-current), even though he said it was not a campaign speech.
Comprising the $600 million in projects are the Peebles Hospital, the mini hospital in Virgin Gorda, upgrades to clinics and health centres around the territory, the cruise pier development project, roads development, electricity and renewable energy initiatives, sewerage and water works, and schools, the Minister said.
Not broke
Further, he said that on top of the $600 that would have been invested by the end of this term, Dr Smith intends to leave $100 million in the treasury, $50 million of which is already in the Reserve Fund. Honourable Vanterpool said this is not an indication of a “broke” Government.
“Many of you would have already visited the park and we have been getting favourable comments from experts in the field, from visitors and from residents here in the Virgin Islands that this is indeed a well executed project and a worthy investment of the people of the Virgin Islands,” he said.
He said given what has been invested and the end result, Tortola Pier Park is a new town within the city of Road Town.
“The architecture of the park is designed to be consistent with a Main Street look and we have hand laid approximately 107,000 bricks throughout the park, using local labour and you will see for yourself the magnificent work done.”
He said Tortola Pier Park is not just to accommodate the soon to be one million annual cruise visitors to the island but also residents and visitors who can now have access to one of the best shopping, entertainment and recreational facilities in the entire Caribbean.
200 new jobs
“We have created expanded business opportunities for many entrepreneurs and hundreds of workers. This has already translated into a boost to the economy of the Virgin Islands and will certainly be a catalyst for economic growth for many, many years to come,” said Minister Vanterpool.
“So far ladies and gentlemen this project has provided work for close to 250 persons including 200 at the retail shops here and another 50 or so at the Tortola Pier Park including service providers,” he said.
The Minister reported that between July and December 2015 the Tortola Pier Park garnered rental revenue in excess of $350,000. He said projected annual revenue is expected to be in excess of $2.3 million.
Past VI stalwarts honoured
The Minister said that while it is fitting to honour the Premier for the success of the project, it would be remiss of him not to mention the initial building of the cruise pier by the Late Chief Minister H. Lavity Stoutt. He also gave credit to Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal OBE for carrying out further upgrades to the pier during his term in office.
He said also it would be remiss of him if he did not paint into the annals of history the one individual he said was most instrumental in bringing cruise tourism in the territory – the Late Cyril B. Romney.
“It is my hope and my expectation that before I leave office, the name Cyril B. Romney will be a more prominent feature of this cruise pier park,” he said.
On hand for the opening were personnel from Disney and Norwegien Cruise lines and members of the Government as well as prominent persons within the Virgin Islands society.
The Ports Development Project has been under a cloud of allegations of wrongdoing, however, calls for Governor John S. Duncan OBE to establish a Commission of Inquiry have been rejected. It was also shockingly revealed in the House of Assembly on January 25, 2016 that the cost for the scaled back Tortola Pier Park has reached $82.9M even though it is yet incomplete. It was first estimated that the cost for the project would be $45M.
_(1)1.png)
.png)
_-_Made_with_PosterMyWall.jpg)
4.png)
_01.png)
Follow Us On
32 Responses to “Ports Project opens! No fireworks but fiery speech by Hon Vanterpool”
“Imagination” is a component seems to be fundamentally missing in the development and sustainability of our tourism sector.
While the global innovative thought-leaders, who are pretty much involved in the tourist industry themselves, are moving toward more environmentally sustainable development and fervently working to protect and preserve the surrounding nature ecology; here we are, full-boat ahead trying to completely devastate an already poor infrastructure and our endangered natural ecology. Let us just acknowledge where the tourists prefer to visit: Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Cooper Island, [and] Peter Island, and I am more than certain that the surrounding private islands would have been first on their list, if they were allowed, but cannot, because these owners have already clearly defined their target market.
For years I have looked at the area allocated for the cruise ship port of entrance and pondered, “Why could we not develop a more unique experience for our people and tourists alike by developing an environmentally/friendly cultural village around our evolving timeline from the olden days to present.” “Where everyone (tourist and residents alike can fully experience the beauty, the nuances and ambiance of these evolutionary stages through historical periods- magnified in the structures (building and landscape, late to present living icons), customs and traditions, even as far as the products and gift items sold for that period of time (small coal pots, package herbs and seasonings, carvings and paintings, cooking and baking demos with utilities of the times etc.” This can become an inclusive long-lasting-learning experience that will be talk-about in-depth and breadth for all who visit (tourists and residents alike).
This whole project is just a bunch of mirage crayon coloured buildings and huts with no concrete theme nor story. Why do we always have to be told what direction we should take? If we truly learned how to love ourselves first, and those around us, only then we can sincerely work together, pool our ideas for the advancement of us all; thus passing on a “genuine legacy” for generations to come.
At this juncture, we must define our market we intend to capture and devise our strategy from there. Are we targeting high-volume low-cost markets, high-cost low-volume markets or niche markets, or a “hybrid” between all these markets, which hardly ever works without a clearly defined balance? If we have decided to target a hybrid, them special attention should be given to the “law of diminishing returns,” because each market has it own distinct characteristics and do not particularly appreciate sharing communal spaces, environments, and experiences with the other(s). As a consequence, one will eventually dominate predicated on the “animal” that is fed the most.
These shortsighted demands for enormous cost expansions without a long-term strategic vision will eventually bring about our destruction.
One of our late former political leaders consistently echoed, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
We have been in the business of tourism for sometime now. We have observed the trends and the changing mindset of our tourists and the industry, but we continue to follow the standard programs that have gotten so many of our neighbouring countries in trouble, economically. A project of that magnitude should tell our stories of a People and our evolution from our past-before the plantation era- to present- and our direction ahead. It should be in our buildings, landscapes and signage- our culture: customs, traditions, values, clothing, languages and accents. These are the different characteristics that make us a unique People. “A Theme, Our-Story.”
Before we allow these big money spenders to lavishly indulge on their next big money-spree with public funds that they would not be held accountable to payback, we urgently need, to clearly define- who we are and our uniqueness as a people- and boldly present this renewed outlook in our vision and direction, with self-determination. We must discontinue following the failures of other countries that we have clearly witnessed over the years. All stakeholders must share in the vision for this to be realized- we must embrace a “Government of Inclusion.”
The lack of proper upgrades to an already stressed infrastructure to accommodate increased demands and our somewhat indifference to our natural ecology will eventually take devastating tolls on us all. Mind the god we are in such hurry to worship. Take Heed!
“Our children’s Dreams are under our feet, so we must tread softly as to not trample upon them.”