13 years later, Millions spent on ASSI, still no Civil Aviation Dept for VI
It is costing tax payers some $400,000 USD plus a year and this can go up to some $500,000 per year depending on the British Sterling Pound vs the United States Dollar in any given year.
During the 2017 Standing Finance Committee meeting, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works Mr Anthony S. McMaster confirmed that to date ASSI is still carrying out the functions of the local civil aviation department.
Qualified people in the VI; Is ASSI a rip off?
It is import to note that there are many qualified people in the Virgin Islands (VI) who can do what ASSI is doing; however, the tax payers are required to foot the bill to the tune of over four hundred thousand dollars a year plus ($400, 000) for an agency without even office space in the Territory.
The United Kingdom appointed Governors over the years have backed this arrangement with ASSI and have done nothing to help change this situation. Many have labeled this situation a rip off and another form of colonialism.
One Legislator from the party that killed the Department, Hon Archibald C. Christian (AL), who is the Junior Minister for Tourism, said he would like to see the Civil Aviation Authority returned to the VI.
However, he did not provide to the SFC of the House of Assembly how this is to be done. Currently, Mr Andrew L. St Hilaire, who is also a pilot, holds the substantive post of Director of Civil Aviation. He is now operating as an Acting Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works.
Background to how we got here!
It was in 2004 under a NDP Administration [2003-2007], some 13 years ago, that the VI lost its Civil Aviation Department and some say went backwards to the colonial days.
The same year, 2004, the then Civil Aviation Department had been approved by Government in the then Legislative Council to be turned into a Statutory Body, making the organisation a limited liability called the BVI Airports Authority. The objective of the new Authority was to own and operate all airports within the VI; the Taddy Bay Airport on Virgin Gorda, the Terrance B. Lettsome International on Beef Island and the Auguste George Airport on Anegada.
The following year, 2005, the Airport Act came into full effect, along with its regulations, having been passed late 2004 and giving way to the separation of the BVI Airports Authority Limited, which was incorporated on August 15, 2005 and a Department of Civil Aviation with regulatory duties.
This meant the Civil Aviation Department was to continue, but to be the agency to regulate the airports, and the aviation sector in general, focusing on safety and proper and updated legislation for the territory in keeping with international standards.
The public is still asking when this will happen and why ASSI is still in the VI some 13 years later making millions and millions of dollars with little or nothing to show.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
30 Responses to “13 years later, Millions spent on ASSI, still no Civil Aviation Dept for VI”
For that and many other reasons our brothers continue to play the crab in a barrel challenge.
Until then there will be no empowerment for many of them.