Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has called ‘Inaccurate & misleading’ reports from some sections of the media, that he made appointments of Permanent Secretaries in the various government ministries and that those appointments were rejected by Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) Augustus J. U. Jasper. Photo: Facebook

The Premier was at the time speaking on the Tuesday, September 3, 2019, new series of ‘Honestly Speaking’ with Host Claude O. Skelton-Cline on ZBVI 780am and simulated on Flow Television. Photo: Facebook

New Permanent Secretary appointments include Mr Kedrick E. Malone, centre, who has been hired on a contractual basis at the Premier’s Office for a period of six months; and Mrs Sharleen S. Dabreo-Lettsome MBE, right, who will be the acting Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor. Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt-Igwe has been transferred from the Office of the Deputy Governor to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture. Photo: GIS/VINO/File

The Premier was at the time speaking on the Tuesday, September 3, 2019, new series of ‘Honestly Speaking’ with host Claude O. Skelton-Cline on ZBVI 780am and simulcasted on Flow Television.

The Premiere noted that since the Friday, August 30, 2019, announcement by Governor Jaspert of his selection and assignment of Permanent Secretaries to the various Government Ministries, there has been a lot of discussion among the general population on the topic

“There has also been a flood of commentary on the social media channels and online newspaper websites, perhaps higher than normal, much of which contains inaccurate and misleading information,” the Premier said.

Inaccurate Reporting 

Citing ‘Internet trolls,’ the Premier said those spreading misinformation are well organised in their hidden agenda to discredit and undermine the work of his Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government.

“Unfortunately there has also been inaccurate reporting from members of the media which has only served to compound the confusion,” he said.

Hon Fahie noted that in his capacity as Premier and Leader of the Government business, he is independent to the process and never appointed anyone, rather, appointments were recommended by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Local media house, BVINews.com, in an article entitled “Insulting’ | Governor rejects govt’s choice of permanent secretaries, will select his own,” had inaccurately reported that the selection of Permanent Secretaries were made by the government.

Another Facebook-based local media house had reported, that “Governor of the Virgin Islands Augustus J. U Jaspert... has put a stop to the recent reshuffling and new appointments by the Fahie Administration of Permanent Secretaries.“

Gov lacks confidence in PSC - Hon Fahie 

The Premier noted that the PSC and not the Government would have presented the Governor with recommendations; however, the Governor opted to ‘use his own discretion’ in making the appointments, outside of the recommendations of the PSC.

According to information from Government Information Service (GIS), new Permanent Secretary appointments include Mr Kedrick E. Malone at the Premier's office and Mrs Sharleen S. Dabreo-Lettsome, MBE in the Office of the Deputy Governor. Existing Permanent Secretaries that have been transferred and given new portfolios are Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt-Igwe, Dr Marcia Potter and Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley.

“I am not preview to whether the consultation that is required, according to the constitution, took place between the Governor and the PSC, however, if the proper constitutional prescribed procedure was followed, the members of the commission would have been asked to reconsider their recommendations and to submit new recommendations if they wish.”

He said assuming proper protocols were followed, the PSC would have affirmed and reaffirmed its confidence in its recommendations after a request to reconsider the submission.

Hon Fahie noted, “By trashing the PSC’s recommendations, the Governor has signaled his lack of confidence in the members of the commission to perform in a manner that protects Her Majesty’s Service.”

The Premier in statements delivered at the continuation of the Sixth Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands on, September 2, 2019, had called the Governor’s rejection of the PSC recommendations an ‘insult’.