“We built a cruise pier 10 years ago,” Vanterpool said. “The last major project in the BVI was 10 years ago. No new vision, no new plans, no new developments.”
People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) leader Mark Vanterpool has blasted the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration over what he described as a decade without major infrastructure development, arguing that the Territory has fallen behind regional competitors.
“We built a cruise pier 10 years ago,” Vanterpool said. “The last major project in the BVI was 10 years ago. No new vision, no new plans, no new developments.”
Vanterpool, who served as Minister for Communications and Works under the former National Democratic Party (NDP) administration, was instrumental in the development and execution of the controversial Tortola Pier Park Project, which according to him, is the last major infrastructure undertaking in the Territory.
The Tortola Pier Park, completed in 2015, was designed to accommodate larger cruise ships and stimulate economic activity through retail and tourism. The project remains controversial after costs climbed to approximately $83 million, representing over $30 million overrun above initial estimates.
Despite criticism surrounding the project’s cost, Vanterpool pointed to the pier development as evidence of action and execution, contrasting it with what he described as years of studies and planning under the current government.
“We keep studying, we keep making new plans,” he said. “Another study, and another study. But who is executing? Where is the action?”
Vanterpool warned that the Virgin Islands risks being overtaken by neighbouring Caribbean territories investing heavily in airports, hotels and tourism infrastructure.
Recalling a recent conversation with a businessman, Vanterpool said the Territory may soon face an uncomfortable reality.
“Years ago, the rest of the Caribbean came here looking for work,” he said. “We are getting close to going down to those Caribbean islands to look for work. Wake up.”
“We built a cruise pier 10 years ago,” Vanterpool said. “The last major project in the BVI was 10 years ago. No new vision, no new plans, no new developments.”
Vanterpool, who served as Minister for Communications and Works under the former National Democratic Party (NDP) administration, was instrumental in the development and execution of the controversial Tortola Pier Park Project, which according to him, is the last major infrastructure undertaking in the Territory.
The Tortola Pier Park, completed in 2015, was designed to accommodate larger cruise ships and stimulate economic activity through retail and tourism. The project remains controversial after costs climbed to approximately $83 million, representing over $30 million overrun above initial estimates.
Despite criticism surrounding the project’s cost, Vanterpool pointed to the pier development as evidence of action and execution, contrasting it with what he described as years of studies and planning under the current government.
“We keep studying, we keep making new plans,” he said. “Another study, and another study. But who is executing? Where is the action?”
Vanterpool warned that the Virgin Islands risks being overtaken by neighbouring Caribbean territories investing heavily in airports, hotels and tourism infrastructure.
Recalling a recent conversation with a businessman, Vanterpool said the Territory may soon face an uncomfortable reality.
“Years ago, the rest of the Caribbean came here looking for work,” he said. “We are getting close to going down to those Caribbean islands to look for work. Wake up.”
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