‘Watch me work baby!’ Premier tells Cindy
He pointed out that Hon Walwyn has been saying there is no new hotel developments in the territory; however, the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government of which Hon Walwyn was a part of missed many opportunities to have hotel developments between 2011 and 2019.
NDP ‘fumbled’ many opportunities for hotel developments- Premier
“They had Prospect Reef on the table [but they fumbled it. They had the Beef Island Development on the table [but] they fumbled it. They had Norman Island on the table, they fumbled it. They fumbled a whole bunch of opportunities to have hotel development,” Premier Wheatley stated on the International Morning Braff Show on Tola Radio VI on November 2, 2023.
He said not only did the NDP fumble the hotel developments, but they had the opportunity to extend the runway at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport and they “fumbled” it.
“When you see St Vincent opening Sandals [resort], you think St Vincent opening Sandals just like that? It’s because they invested in their airport development is why they could open a Sandals [resort]. That is the reason, because Sandals needs to know that they have air access for the people who going to be staying in their hotel.”
He said one of the significant developments in tourism during his short tenure as Minister for Tourism is the return of American Airlines to the Virgin Islands this year.
“What did the National Democratic Party do as it pertains to getting better air access? They gave seven million dollars to a fake company,” Premier Wheatley said in reference to the failed BVI Airways deal.
Dr Wheatley said for persons to now have the audacity to say his government is fumbling the ball on tourism, shows they don’t have a conscience.
‘Watch me work baby!’
Co-host of the show Rosemary Cindy Rosan then told the Premier that his VIP government also seemed to be failing to redevelop Prospect Reef.
Dr Wheatley said he has only been Tourism Minister for a matter of months; however, if he fumbles the ball for his 4-year tenure, she can rightfully criticise him.
“All I going to say to you is watch me work baby, watch me work, and you are going to see things you have never seen before.”
Dr Wheatley then proceeded to outline some of the things he has set out to accomplish in his term as Premier and Tourism Minister, including hotel developments.
“We will start Prospect Reef. We want to start that in 2024. We also want to start the Beef Island development. We also want to see Nanny Cay [hotel development] start. We also want to see Blunder Bay start. We also want to see Norman Island start. We also want to extend the [airport] runway [on Beef Island].
He said the plan is also to fix the roads and the water infrastructure.
Additionally, Premier Wheatley said his Government wants to “properly” develop an unemployment programme.
Regarding housing development, he said the intention is to pass the Crown Land Policy and start distributing land deeds in places like Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Tortola.
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