Virgin Islands Platinum News ... BVI Daily News You Can Count On

No Image Found! — Gordon French/BVI Platinum News

(PLTM) - Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Hon. Melvin Turnbull has warned that several agencies will be collaborating to ensure that beach users comply with the Beach Policy.

Delivering a statement during the sitting of the House of Assembly on Thursday, January 26, Hon. Turnbull said he wanted to make the public aware of the requirements to apply for permission to use beaches for any commercial activity as well as non-commercial uses in cases where there would be groups larger than 50 persons, loudspeakers or open fires, and to remind persons of other requirements around beach use, set out in the Beach Policy.

"The main purpose of my intervention today is to warn all members of the public and commercial operators that the Ministry will not continue to tolerate such blatant violations around beach use and management,” Hon. Turnbull stated.

He added, “The Ministry will collaborate with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the Town and Country Planning Department, Trade Department, the Attorney General’s Chambers and other relevant authorities to uphold the Beach Policy and enforce all applicable legislation. This means that, in the future, persons can expect for unapproved events and commercial activities to be shut down.”

The Minister pointed out that the Ministry is aware that many persons and organizations are carrying out commercial activities and non-commercial events on beaches without the required permission.

According to Hon. Turnbull, in carrying out these activities, in addition to violating the Beach Policy, in many instances persons are building structures on the beach illegally and even squatting on Crown land.

“Persons are also operating without basic legal requirements like a trade licence, liquor licence and food handler’s licence,” Hon. Turnbull said.

-----
Copyright 2023 by Virgin Islands Platinum News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Reader Opinion

Please note that the opinions posted are the opinions of its author and does not in any way reflect the views of the management, staff, parent company or sponsors of Virgin Islands Platinum News.

Road Runner

I for one see very few issues with the current situation, providing that people respect our beautiful natural beaches and clean up after themselves (sometimes not the case). People love the BVI because of the freedoms it affords both residence & visitors alike. Stifle those freedoms and you make the BVI far less attractive. Meanwhile we have many unsolved murders, an out of control scooter problem, Drug trafficking and associated crimes plus many other far more pressing problems to address than a handful of law-abiding (if not policy abiding) people enjoying our beautiful surroundings - looks as though we have our priorities ass backwards.

Smugglers

There is perhaps no better example of bad governance than the situation at Smugglers where a known **** operates illegally in violation of multiple ordinances and requirements. If Turnbull follows through and succeeds he will earn my respect.

From Barbados PM.

The so call squatters as we call them are the ones responsible for the nation growth, they put their little money to good use and ensure their children get a college education, I am a product of one, So you all please leave them alone and let them be.

Jah

BVI police state

West

And when are they going to shut down the bar that a mental patient operates on Smugglers Cove???

Beach Policy

Out of curiosity - where does one find a copy of the 'beach policy' and generally a policy is not law, so if I have a birthday party and more than 50 people turn up .... am I breaking any law?
I believe BVI Constitution chapter 24 - Protection of freedom of assembly and association - does not allow the government to stop private citizens from gathering.....

New Tourism Slogan?

Please Stop!
This is not how to drive tourism. The BVI is known for Beaches - NEVER yell 'we crack down on people using Beaches!'
You are KILLING my business (my business is not doing stuff on the beach, but it is renting houses). The BVI govenment should consider what they can do to HELP tourism. The first question we should ask before new legislation is 'Will this Hurt Tourism?'
There is just one financial pillar for the common man in the BVI - TOURISM!
All 3 BVI newspapers have this as a headline story! PLEASE Stop this nonsense!