Hire Me, Pastor Urges Leaders
Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline warned of a potential "energy lockdown" on his ZBVI show, urging British Virgin Islands leaders and residents to prepare for fuel shortages that could affect transportation, electricity and supplies. He called on officials to seek expert advice—offering his own services—and pointed to global chokepoints and ongoing conflicts as drivers of local impacts.
Skelton-Cline used his June 2 appearance on ZBVI 780 AM's Honestly Speaking to warn Virgin Islands residents and officials about what he described as an impending "energy lockdown" brought on by fuel shortages. "Look for what is going to result into an energy lockdown. A lockdown that’s going to come as a result of a lack of fuel," Skelton-Cline said, adding that similar measures are already visible in places like Australia and could spread to the United States.
He described a scenario where movement, air-conditioning use and fuel sales are restricted by area or by day. The pastor emphasised that global events — including conflicts and disruptions in major shipping lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca — can have direct effects on local prices and supplies. "Think that the Strait of Hormuz and Strait of Malacca are not impacting what happens in the grocery stores in this country, what happens in the local businesses, what’s happening with fuel charges at BVIEC," he said, referring to the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation.
Skelton-Cline said he was not trying to create panic but to encourage preparedness among both leaders and residents. He urged decision-makers to seek expertise where they lack it, saying, "You all don’t know what to do? Call me, hire me." He described leadership as the ability to convene specialists, take their advice and execute plans.
For BVI residents, the pastor's warning highlights known vulnerabilities: the Territory relies heavily on imported fuel for power generation, transport and tourism services, making it sensitive to global supply shocks and price spikes. Disruptions can cascade quickly into higher grocery and operating costs, service interruptions and reduced tourism capacity — all of which affect livelihoods.
Practical steps for government and community channels include reviewing emergency fuel reserves and distribution plans, ensuring BVIEC contingency protocols are up to date, promoting energy efficiency and accelerating renewable-energy projects that reduce dependence on imported fuel, and communicating clear rationing or priority-use plans if shortages occur.
Skelton-Cline said he has been raising these concerns for months and urged prompt action. His message to officials was simple: when you lack the answers, bring in qualified people and act on their guidance to protect the community from foreseeable energy-related shocks.
Primary source: VINO