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4 years later Patrick Harrigan is still Acting!-SFC report

Patrick Harrigan has been acting as Director of Youth Affairs and Sports for well over 4 years, "from 2008". His Permanent Secretary (Ag) Mrs. Marcia Potter told the Standing Finance Committee that she sent a request for confirmation to the Public Service Commission over a year ago. However, a Virgin Islands News Online's source within the civil service told this news site that this is unusual as it means the subject Minister does not want him confirmed. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- He has outlasted many politicians who have only spent four years in office but after over 4 years plus Patrick Harrigan, the Youth Affairs and Sports Department top man, is still acting in his post with no date for confirmation.

This information was revealed at the 2012 Standing Finance Committee (SFC) hearings when Mr. Harrigan appeared before the House of Assembly (HOA) select committee to defend his Department’s Budget for 2013.

The Member for the third district, Honourable Julian Fraser RA, enquired why Mr. Harrigan was still acting in the post.  In addition, Minister for Health and Social Development Ronnie W. Skelton also asked as to how long he was acting.

The Acting Director of Youth Affairs and Sports informed the SFC that he had been acting in the post “since 2008.”

The Chairman of the SFC and Speaker of the HOA, Honourable Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe, asked the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Mrs. Marcia Potter to explain why Mr. Harrigan has acted for so long.  Mrs.  Potter told the select committee that a recommendation for his confirmation was before the Public Service Commission (PSC) and she was awaiting a response.

Honourable Fraser then asked how long since it was before the PSC to which Mrs. Potter stated that the recommendation for Mr. Harrigan to be confirmed was sent to the PSC approximately one year ago.

A senior civil servant with 20 years of service, when asked about this, told Virgin Islands News Online that “this is unusual for a confirmation to be sent to the PSC over a year ago and the PS and Minister not following up on it aggressively…they trying to fool someone…the bottom line is, with the civil service a highly political body the fact that he is not confirmed means the Minister for Education does not want him confirmed..bottom line…"

Territorial-At-Large Member Honourable Archibald C. Christian wished the Ag. Director of Youth Affairs and Sports well and expressed that he hoped that his appointment was confirmed before the end of 2012.

However,  a source within the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Government told this news site that the PSC is on vacation and Mr. Harrigan confirmation was not returned to the agenda before members proceeded on vacation.

30 Responses to “4 years later Patrick Harrigan is still Acting!-SFC report”

  • wet (25/12/2012, 11:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    well sah
  • up-town (25/12/2012, 11:56) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Poor boy he will never get confirmed under Myron as he as an Antiguan like himself for the post, Paul on the ball...but Patrick is an NDP so let he tek dat!
    • @ up-town (25/12/2012, 15:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well said!!! You have captured the reality of our current affairs in a commendable manner.

  • Vamp (25/12/2012, 14:28) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    he deh since 2008, vip had 3yrs to appoint him but now is myron and ndp fault after a year there? why vip didnt confirm him? stop making this politics. it may well be the man is not equipped to head the damn dept.
    • long look me come from (25/12/2012, 16:38) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      TO VAMP: But dats why me voted out VIP to put in NDP to fix deeds tings..how much longer are they going to blame the poor VIP mehson?
  • Opportunist (25/12/2012, 17:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    My pal Patrick ought to retire. Let them have their job. These people are too ridiculous man...!
    • my two cents (25/12/2012, 21:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Worry is fantasy. If you're going to have fantasies, have good ones."
  • ooooo (25/12/2012, 19:07) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    leh he tek dat....always bigging up ndp
    • open wide (26/12/2012, 08:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ms Potter sends his confirmation request to PSC a year ago!!! She’s got to be kidding, right? She’s joking, right? who they trying to fool...both she and Myron tinks we all ate our home work...set of bad minded pll
  • insider (25/12/2012, 21:00) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    like the director of culture Myron do not like she and Patrick he do not like you so kiss confirmation good by...but his day is coming!!
  • Eagle and Buffalo (25/12/2012, 23:55) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why do we abuse some public servants by letting thrm act for eternities. Is ii to frustrate them and hope that they will move along? Politics and political gamesmanship is ruining the public sector. If there is no policy on the maximum time that one can act in a position, there should be one. Furthermore, if one can act in a position for years, one deserves to be permanently appointed. It should be obvious within 6 months or less if an actor is up to job. Lets stop disrespecting our public servants.
  • Freddy (26/12/2012, 04:26) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply

    The bottom line is H@.........is not a person to take sports in the BVI nowhere, check all sports that are organised in the BVI have you ever seen any that says"in collaboration with the DYAS" if these organisations did not do it themselves they would have ended up like the others he kill. And when you invite he to anything he always late, and come looking like he just wake up and carrying the piece ah dress up broom stick he got with he.

    • lord man (26/12/2012, 08:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      dont mash he up so
    • 4 more years (26/12/2012, 12:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      after 4 years he still in hollywood? zum um bread
    • alpine (26/12/2012, 14:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Freddt I quite agree with u on that one my boy!!!!!!!!!!!! when they first sporst officer was they he had all sorts of sports beach volleyball, companies tournament, bingo, man all sorts, but them he a left be ps they sports start dropping like flies. Patrick then had skipping competion that too looks like it dead. Them came they other sports officer he tried but hesoon left them back to patrick still no improvement all they politicians watching him how he expect to get confirm i wish him luck any way.
    • @ Freddy (28/12/2012, 07:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Disgusting post...
  • ausar (26/12/2012, 16:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Aryo don confirm he. Tiz time that sports directors in this country start looking like "sports".

    Whatz wid de big guts and de desheveled clothes?

    MY GOD! Where is the Under Armour and the Nike Sportswear kind of look?

    Tiz time for a "new view" for the area of sports since Harrigan does not represent that kind of "look"!

  • facts man (26/12/2012, 19:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    he done know he not going get confirm so retire with grace no child
  • can't believe..... (26/12/2012, 21:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have never read so many comments that are hateful and mean spirited....what have we come to....Patrick worked with a program for the government when he was in college.....he was great then and he is now....where are all of the writers from, that they can say such unbelievable things?
  • virgin (26/12/2012, 23:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need proof of what he has done for the dept in four years!!
  • sportsman (27/12/2012, 09:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i hear paul telling people he going to be the next director so they are not going to confirm patrick so take your money and run paul is going to embarass them don forget the busta cup match here and what happens after
  • kevin (27/12/2012, 13:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am glad to see that this story stirred so much passionate debate
  • ousider (31/12/2012, 15:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    don't vote its simple as that
  • Outsider (31/12/2012, 15:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is a new year you all need to stand for something make this your new year resolution join with the police who is being treated unfair and march
  • sin (31/12/2012, 22:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BOUY PATRICK YOUR ONLY SIN IS BEING A B V ISLANDER


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