He was at the time speaking on October 4, 2022, on the talk show Speak Out BVI on ZBVI 780 AM, hosted by Julio Sam Henry.

Mr Willock, who is also a former Permanent Secretary, noted that “it’s very easy to criticise, but we must also find solutions for the challenges.”

The man with solutions?

When asked by the host for some solutions, Mr Willock noted that the airport runway expansion is a must since it will contribute to the VI's tourism sector and the issues of raising revenue for the government must be at the forefront “as the government does not operate a bottomless pit of funds”.

He noted that that territory must look at small manufacturing and encourage corporations to bring their headquarters to the Virgin Islands.

Mr Willock noted also that the VI must strengthen its two current pillars: Tourism and Financial Services. He noted part of improving the tourism sector is more financial investment from the government and finding the right talent at all levels to run the Board.

The expansion of the runway at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport is necessary to boost tourism and increase revenue to the Virgin Islands, Mr Julian Willock has stated.

We must fight- Willock

The passionate Virgin Islander stated that the financial services sector is a legitimate business and “we must fight to protect it”. The former Speaker noted that the “money laundering places such as London, Paris, New York and Delaware seem to be never on a black list but only countries from the Caribbean…this cannot be fair and just”.

Mr Willock also noted that it is becoming hard to do business in the VI as the bureaucracy of work permits, Immigration clearances and visas can kill small businesses.

The businessman said if the VI is to remain competitive it must find ways to move this process faster. “Bigger countries that process thousands of these applications daily have a much shorter turnaround,” the seasoned public officer noted.

The former Speaker of the House of Assembly stated that he was not criticising these departments, but “we must find ways to correct this, whether we need more human resources or we need to use technology”.

The Virgin Islands is in need of leaders with solutions, former Speaker Julian Willock has stated.

Is he running?

Mr Willock was the first Director of the Water and Sewerage Department where he was credited with turning around the Department and improving revenues. He also served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works.

Many persons in the public reportedly continue to encourage Mr Willock to run for office because of his stellar record of getting things done. When contacted for a comment on whether he is running, he declined to comment but promised an announcement will be made shortly.