Kadija Roberts (left) and Lawrence Kirton Wheatley both expressed visions of a brighter future for the VI during Territory Day Observations held on July 1, 2013 at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park. Photo: VINO

Social activist and commentator Donald de Castro (right) speaks with Wheatley after his speech. Photo: VINO

Section of the audience at Territory Day observations on July 1, 2013. Photo: VINO

Moviene Fahie at Territory Day observations. Photo: VINO

Roberts who attends Bregado Flax Educational Centre and Wheatley who attends Claudia Creque Educational Centre are both of the ninth District and participants of this year’s school debating competition.

Roberts called for an education system that catered to the needs of all the Territory’s children, a goal she felt would be best achieved through the introduction of more technical subjects being taught in schools as well as the realisation of vocational education.

“I believe that if our youths are well trained and if employment opportunities are afforded to them, there would be a decrease in criminal activities,” she said.

She also called for the upgrade of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) to a university so that “students would not have to leave home and face high tuition and accommodation costs just to further their education.”

Further, Roberts argued that in an age where people are placing more emphasis on what they eat and are making healthier choices, more growth in the agricultural sector was expected. She called for the introduction of agricultural science in all secondary schools as a consequence of this and asked that government make more crown lands available to residents for farming.

Meanwhile, Wheatley who stated that he was an aspiring politician, foresaw the extension of the VI’s financial pillar with the addition of multiple theme parks around the Territory. He cited The Baths and Coppermine in Virgin Gorda and the current mention of an amusement park at the cruise ship dock in Tortola as examples of this.

Wheatley said he envisioned more for his hometown, Anegada, “than a day at the beach eating lobster” despite its promotion as a place of quiet and relaxation. He said he envisioned a Busch Gardens type theme park for the island which would be promoted as a nature reserve complete with viewing stations for both locals and tourists alike.

He also envisioned the introduction of a sales tax to the VI because the additional revenue was needed.

Wheatley spoke about the VI’s march towards independence. “In my vision,” he stated, “we can take the first step towards national independence by developing moral independence as a nation.”

“I see politicians from all the parties not wasting time finding flaws in the opposing party but rather respecting the opinions of others even if they do not agree with those opinions,” Wheatley stated.

He also expressed hope that the people of the VI would no longer be demeaning its Caribbean neighbours but rather, strengthening its ties and benefitting from increased trade, education, health and legal opportunities as befitting the status of an Associate Member of CARICOM.

“The BVI will continue to be a paradise in the next 20 years,” Wheatley stated, “but one that will prosper economically and politically if we have the right attitude and work ethic.”