'We should not have visa restrictions on C'bean people' - Dameon Percival
Mr Percival’s comments came during the August 16, 2023, edition of ‘Da Morning Braff’ radio show after a caller has complained that the VI is only offering Guyanese the possibility of visa-free entry to the VI, because the country is ‘looking’ something from Guyana in exchange.
Visa & International Trade
“You now offering Guyanese visa, because you looking for something from Guyana you offering visa… so what happened to the other countries who using visa?” he said.
“If you want to do something for somebody you suppose to do it from your heart, not became you want something from somebody you come up with the idea,” he complained.
The caller identified as "Pope" added that if there is a plan for visa-free entry to the VI, then it must be a complete one, and every Caribbean country that contributes to the VI, must be able to benefit.
However, Tola Radio VI co-host, Cindy Rosan disagreed with the caller noting that the move is one that is normal around the world from a negotiation perspective.
VI & Guyana looking to work together - Hon Smith
Deputy Premier Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE during a recent trade mission to Guyana had said that the VI would consider lifting visa restrictions for Guyanese traveling to the VI as a first step towards the two countries working together.
“If we are serious about doing business with Guyana and a partnership with Guyana, that is the first thing that has to be lifted.”
However, Tola Radio VI host, Mr Percival agrees with the caller’s perspective on using the lifting of visa restrictions as a negotiation tactic.
“I agree with the called… because the BVI is the melting pot of the Caribbean… my thing is the BVI has known this for almost 30 years but what have we done to progress from an immigration standpoint?”
Remove the restrictions - Damian Percival
He added, “You know people are coming to the territory to live for whatever reason… but the fact that we are still holding visa requirements, what is the purpose of the visa requirements?’ he said.
Percival said at one point, Guyana was the largest diaspora of people living in the VI and yet, immigration did not progress to have partnerships in place with Guyana or other countries in the Caribbean with ties, “we should not have visa restrictions on these people,” he added.
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39 Responses to “'We should not have visa restrictions on C'bean people' - Dameon Percival”
How can he hold his head in public - he should be hiding in shame.
That is where you are 100%.
The BVI is the only place in the caribbean where it is more expensive to get off island during festival that it is to get onto the island. Everybody who can afford to votes with their feet and leaves for our awful festival.
We missed Hertiage look at the low fb numbers as we now left in the backwoods to listen to this Jack *** plus the other crazy one this week
Ras hurry back before we died with them two moo moo who need to take serval seats
Stay away from or ignore people who are always trying to raise a storm in a tea cup. It was William Shakespeare, the Bard of Strasford -Upon-Avon, who says “What is past is prologue.” Nuff said, read between the lines.
The BVI is at a critical turning point, a fork in the road, etc, in its history and cannot and should be focusing on idle chatter, Dave for entertainment. It needs strong, workable, practical ideas to develop and grow a diversified, strong,
sustainable, resilient economy, build a First World infrastructure , build a strong and effective social safety net(s), a strong education system based on STEAM, building a modern accessible and affordable, quality healthcare system, building an effective security and judicial system based on the rule of law, speedy trials(too many people currently on remand for lengthy periods), due process etc.
We need the sanctions! End of story!
sustainable, resilient economy, build a First World infrastructure , build a strong and effective social safety net(s), a strong education system based on STEAM, building a modern accessible and affordable, quality healthcare system, building an effective security and judicial system based on the rule of law, speedy trials(too many people currently on remand for lengthy periods), due process etc.”
@Manjack, the above is a well-stated plan of action plan of action, a practical guide to where the territory is headed. I like the plan, for it all the critical areas, ie, health, education, economy, infrastructure, public safety, social safety net, etc. However, the political governing class is bright but is green, and inexperienced. Where have all our political heavy weights gone? They failed miserably to effectively tutor the next generation of politicians on the skills, art; etc., of effective governing. Some of the young guns was out of their depth, too far out on their skiies, getting drunk on their success, resorting to some outside the lines governing practices. The system of succession planning failed miserably and the country is paying a high cost.
It is sad that you guys with good ideas have to operate in the shadows. But I understand why, for the BVI is a small bedroom community. It takes sacrifice to speak out in the BVI, especially those with families to support. The BVI is tiny and government plays a vital role in the economy; it employs approx 33% of the workforce. Keep writing and putting forward ideas and perhaps if only by accident they may get attention.
People who are comfortable in their country will not pack up and move to the BVI to work. It’s the dregs that come to the BVI bringing their bad behaviors and lack of morals. Look at the way some of them dress and carry themselves through the streets. Some of them have NO MANNERS!! We need VISA restrictions for ALL of them. Too many of them are hard criminals in their own country and bring that sh** here. They need a fact checking process. People coming in here and killing people and leaving, etc. No way!! Just read the Guyana newspaper and see how they cutting up each other and putting the bodies in suitcases. We have police that can’t solve a traffic case much less the high level of crime some the other Caribbean countries face. Leave them people alone.