What are the facts about the proposed Vybz Kartel concert in VI?
Ms Rosan, who was terminated from the BVI Tourist Board a few years ago and has them in court over her job being made redundant, published an article on her tabloid Facebook page, Guavaberry Media dated October 3, 2024, accusing the Premier of squandering the government’s funds for another ‘party.’
Should nothing else be sponsored by Office of the Premier?
The Office of the Premier continues to sponsor many events throughout the Territory to help promote the entertainment and sailing sectors and boost the economy. Events that have received sponsorship from the Office of the Premier include the One VI Music Festival, BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival, Anegada Lobster Festival, Poker Runs, BVI Charter Yachts Boat Shows, A Taste of Virgin Gorda, BVI Wreck Week, Caribbean Baking Awards, various basketball tournaments, among others. Most of these events are private-sector-driven and organised.
It is believed that the Office of the Premier sees the value in these events to promote the Virgin Islands and keep activities alive, with the long-term goal of promoting the Virgin Islands.
With this in mind, it is our understanding that a private promoter, believed to be ‘YOLO Promotions’, has now secured sponsorship from the Office of the Premier to bring the King of Dancehall, superstar Vybz Kartel (born Adidja Azim Palmer), to Tortola in 2025. The funds were not taken from the BVI Tourist Board’s budget despite the misleading information being spread by Ms Rosan just this morning, October 4, 2024, on Tola Radio 100.5 FM.
Ms Rosan, in her usual rant and malicious behaviour, claimed the Premier is wasting money on ‘parties’. It was the same Rosan who was among those pressing the Premier and Minister of Finance to ensure that the One VI Music Festival held in Cane Garden Bay, a private group involving a legislator and his brother, received sponsorship.
While it’s our understanding that a deposit was made to negotiate the bringing of Vybz Kartel, it is unclear when the show will be confirmed.
Is it a waste of money?
Governments throughout the region have continued to pour millions and millions of dollars into entertainment tourism including Music and Jazz Festivals, different cultural events and national carnivals.
Critics of the Wheatley Administration have continued to claim that the sponsorship of entertainment tourism should have gone to other areas like education, roads, water and health care. However, national budgets cover all areas in an attempt to boost the economy.
YOLO Promotions is a group of residents that include two popular Disc Jockeys, a retired basketball player and businessman and other support personnel.
The amount sponsored by the Office of the Premier is believed to be in keeping with the amount given to other organisations to support their annual events; however, it's not a million dollars.
Ms Rosan has made public her disdain for Premier Wheatley, the former Speaker of the House of Assembly Julian Willock and the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and continues to spread lies, and misinformation and write malicious articles about them.
Nothing to get over a lawsuit?
She once said that former Premier Andrew A Fahie should "get the death penalty" for his conviction over his US court case where he is serving eleven years for conspiring to import cocaine into the United States.
Her critics have accused her of being involved with the ‘Mika Barry’ social media fabrication; however, our newsroom still cannot independently verify these allegations. Local Attorneys have alleged that, because of her poor financial position, it’s not worth bringing libel and slander cases against her.
Members of YOLO Promotions have asked her to remove the misleading story, 'Premier Set To Squander More Funds On Partying', on her tabloid, but she has refused.
Our News Centre reached out to Ms Rosan for comment but is yet to receive one.
28 Responses to “What are the facts about the proposed Vybz Kartel concert in VI?”
coach did - you cannot fool god - so you will have to be * sincere *
There are reasons for the disrespect, warranted and earned and your subconscious says it all.
She must remember she has children
Back to drinking water
Government need to give the ppl a stimulus instead of $%^&**() up money with them private promoters. Let them go beg them dope king pins for money