Commentator and clergyman, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on the Virgin Islands (VI) Government to let various local institutions offer a '3-month break' to citizens in the territory who continue to suffer as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These calls came on the Thursday, October 1, 2020, edition of his ‘Honestly’ speaking radio show where the man of the cloth noted that several in the territory continue to suffer due to the pandemic.

“Giving the critical times in which we are living, I am appealing on behalf of the citizens for a further three-month break for our people,” he said.

“And I want to say to our people… do not sit there and suffer in silence, do not sit there in anger with each other, when you know that’s not the source of that anger and the root of your frustration and stress.”

Skelton-Cline’s comments came on the heels of him raising concerns that Virgin Islanders were losing properties in the midst of the pandemic and that banks need to do more

Raise your voices - Skelton-Cline

Skelton-Cline’s comments came on the heels of him raising concerns that Virgin Islanders were losing properties in the midst of the pandemic and that banks needed to do more.

“Anegada was gone, Wickams Cay was gone,” he said calling for persons to speak up like the voices of the past who fought for Virgin Islanders.

Since the pandemic, the Government though NGO's has been providing food in addition to economic stimulus to persons and businesses in the territory, however, according to Skelton-Cline, a "financial break" is needed.

“Never underestimate the power of a voice, the power of one. Don’t sit back and say what can I do? One person can do a whole lot,” Skelton-Cline said in calling for Virgin Islanders to speak out about their plights.

He said regarding Social Security, Inland revenue and NHI, the Government should consider giving citizens and businesses a 12-month suspension on payments due as a stimulus action.