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‘What’s made Guyana more compelling than Jamaica’ for visa lifting?- Elvin Grant

- Damion C. Grange accused gov’t of being one-track-minded
With the Government of the Virgin Islands announcing on Monday, September 30, 2024, visa-free access to Guyana nationals to the Virgin Islands, two talk show hosts are questioning why Guyana and not other countries such as Jamaica. From left: Damion C. Grange, Violet Thomas Gaul and Elvin Grant on Talking Points on September 30, 2024. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in announcing the visa lifting decision, said the move underscores his government’s shared vision of regional cooperation and opens new opportunities for people-to-people exchange. Photo: GIS
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in announcing the visa lifting decision, said the move underscores his government’s shared vision of regional cooperation and opens new opportunities for people-to-people exchange. Photo: GIS
A photo of Georgetown, Guyana. Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said Guyana is currently experiencing a historic economic transformation, posting a growth rate of 62.3 percent in 2022, the highest in the world. Photo: Internet Source
A photo of Georgetown, Guyana. Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said Guyana is currently experiencing a historic economic transformation, posting a growth rate of 62.3 percent in 2022, the highest in the world. Photo: Internet Source
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- With the Government of the Virgin Islands announcing on Monday, September 30, 2024, visa-free access to Guyana nationals to the Virgin Islands, two talk show hosts are questioning why Guyana and not other countries such as Jamaica. One of them even suggested the government was being “one-track-minded”.

“So, the question is now, if you are willing to do it for Guyana what about the other countries?” Co-host of Talking Points Damion C. Grange asked on the show aired on ZBVI 780 AM on Monday afternoon.

‘It’s very strange’- Grant

Co-host Elvin Grant remarked that he had the same question and wanted to know why Guyana has been given the privilege at this time.

“Because presumably there were other countries that had it before. Why wasn’t everyone reviewed at the same time? What’s made Guyana more compelling more than Jamaica? Is it just the finding of oil that has done the trick? Is that the criteria we are using?

“It’s very strange,” Grant stated.

Gov’t one-track-minded- Damion C. Grange

Mr Grange then said he believed the granting to visa-free access to the VI by Guyana nationals was a “forward move” but he still has some questions.

“I think you should have done a general review and take a more comprehensive approach and don’t just be one-track-minded because Guyana may have oil and you may see opportunities for expansion and revenue generation for the territory but the other countries do have other offerings and have been offering and why didn’t we evaluate those?” Mr Grange said.

‘Guyana a key partner for collaboration & investment’- Premier

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in announcing the visa lifting decision, said the move underscores his government’s shared vision of regional cooperation and opens new opportunities for people-to-people exchange.

“Many of our Caribbean brothers and sisters already benefit from visa-free access to the BVI and we are pleased to extend this reciprocal courtesy to Guyana, a giant in our Caribbean community,” Premier Wheatley stated at a press conference on Monday, September 30, 2024.

Further elaborating on the Cabinet decision, Premier Wheatley said Guyana is currently experiencing a historic economic transformation, posting a growth rate of 62.3 percent in 2022, the highest in the world. This growth, he said, is being driven primarily by its burgeoning oil and gas sector, alongside a diversified economy that includes strong expansions in agriculture, mining, and construction.

“For the BVI, this makes Guyana a key partner for collaboration and investment,” Dr Wheatley stated.

See related article below:

UPDATE: VI announces visa-free travel for Guyana nationals

22 Responses to “‘What’s made Guyana more compelling than Jamaica’ for visa lifting?- Elvin Grant”

  • This a joke? (03/10/2024, 10:46) Like (42) Dislike (2) Reply
    Jamaicans need visa to go everywhere for a reason.
    • Hot one (03/10/2024, 12:12) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Jamaica did not invite the Deputy Premier to come and stay in the best hotel in town for free.
    • Our Bistorian Premier.. (03/10/2024, 13:54) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      As a Historian he should have know that no Visa should have been placed on Santos and any lifting they should have been first..The Premier Knows the History..He should not let Lorna lead him down this dark hole....As for me. I think all Caribbean people need to be fred from these visa chains that keeping us in bondage
  • duh (03/10/2024, 11:12) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oil.
  • Bitter much (03/10/2024, 11:12) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder where Damion is from LOL
  • head count (03/10/2024, 11:44) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    how much of them could read and write, but now they can come here without a visa.
    • We live for God? (03/10/2024, 13:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      The education system up there is way more advance than BVI so I am not sure what you mean. If you are talking about the older generation, may be less advanced but only because they were more domestical and into agriculture which I believe apply to a vast of the older generations in many countries. BVI People don't like Guyanese but I am Guyanese living here for decades and never had a bad experience because of my race so it's either here is fake and falsely preaching so much about GOD and love, or you know what tree to climb.
  • DON’T LIFT THE VISA (03/10/2024, 11:55) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    FOR GOD SAKE DON’T LIFT THE VISA FOR JAMAICANS.
    THESE PEOPLE MEN AND WOMEN ARE IGNORANT PEOPLE AND ANY PROBLEM THEY HAVE IT’S MURDER FOR THEM.
    A NUMBER OF THEM GO ABROAD AND GET CAUGHT UP IN SERIOUS CRIMES, GET DEPORTED BACK TO THEIR COUNTRY AND CONTINUE THEIR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
    WE DON’T WANT THEM HERE. THERE’S ALREADY SOME HERE THAT WE NEED TO GET RID OF.
    ALSO DO NOT LIFT THE VISA FOR THOSE WICKED, RACIST INDIAN GUYANESE TO FLOOD HERE.
    THEY DON’T LIKE BLACK PEOPLE AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT U ALREADY KNOW AND CAN SEE.
    THEM BLACK AS HELL AND THINK THEM WHITE.
  • @this is a joke (03/10/2024, 12:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bloodclat, yes
  • WTF (03/10/2024, 12:12) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    only because Guyana found Oil because BVI hate Island People
    • @wtf (03/10/2024, 14:13) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Help me understand this because I thought Guyana always had oil. But I keeping seeing all these comments about Guyana now having it. Is this a new oil well or what???
  • home girl (03/10/2024, 12:17) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    Please leave the Jamaicans where they are
  • 9.58 (03/10/2024, 12:43) Like (4) Dislike (13) Reply
    Sack unuh mumma Jamaica recognize all over this world, nuh body nuh recognize unuh, and that's a fact! Straight
  • Funny (03/10/2024, 12:53) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    you people need to realise this is a British Territory and Guyana does not need a visa to enter UK anymore so it was always going to happen. Never for Jamdown or the DR
  • @ 9.58 (03/10/2024, 13:21) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    You see that ignorant attitude that is what people are afraid of. By the way while you puffin up your chest I recognize a book in a British library that is bound with leather made from the skin of Nanny. Now tell us where the expedition that captured Jamaica from the Spanish was organized...try guh siddung.
  • Visa (03/10/2024, 14:39) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wasn’t it a tit for tat sometime back where we imposed JA need visa to come here and the Jamaican government retaliated and put one back on us with the same speed?
  • NOT THE POLITICIANS (03/10/2024, 14:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    LET THE POPULATION DECIDE
  • RedStorm (03/10/2024, 15:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I pray one day the intelligent young generation would give some comments on these newspapers. To the host while you have the answer to the question start an intelligent conversation about the topic, so I could learn something. Those who spewing hatred would only receive anger and when anger give birth you will receive aggression. Guard the avenue of the mind, so that those three fools ( hatred, anger and aggression) would not enter, but come to a place of death. Free the mind.
  • IGNORANT FOOLS (03/10/2024, 15:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    @9.58
    JAMAICANS RECOGNIZED AROUND THE WORLD AS THE WORST SET OF PEOPLE TO ENTER ANOTHER COUNTRY.
    U ALL LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND TAKE THE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR WITH U ALL.
    JAMAICA GOVERNMENT HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN OTHER COUNTRIES DEPORT U ALL BACK HOME.
    THEY DON’T WANT U ALL BACK THERE CUZ THEY KNOW THE CRIME RATE WILL RISE HIGHER.
    STAY IN U ALL COUNTRY AND CONTINUE KILLING RACH OTHER LIKE DOG. 

  • Blind Man (03/10/2024, 15:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You leave the visa on jamaician you see the crime problem and killing spree we have our own problems already no offense to jamaician living here


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