Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Akeem R. Pickering to be appointed BVI Ports Authority Deputy MD for 1 year

Akeem R. Pickering, has been appointed Managing Director of the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority, for one-year. Photo: Team of Reporters
The Ports Development Project popularly known as the Tortola Pier Project, had seen a whopping $40M overrun. Photo: VINO/File
The Ports Development Project popularly known as the Tortola Pier Project, had seen a whopping $40M overrun. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Word reaching our news desk from a senior National Democratic Party (NDP) Cabinet Official, is that local, Akeem R. Pickering, has been appointed Deputy Managing Director (MD) of the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA), for one-year.

His appointment will begin from August 20, 2018, according to the source. Last week's Cabinet meeting, confirmed the minutes, making the appointment official.

It is unclear if the Board or Mr Pickering has been advised—as our news desk is waiting to obtain a copy of the Cabinet extract.

The BVI Ports Authority has been rocked by scandals from 2013 under the NDP. 

The Ports Development Project popularly known as the Tortola Pier Project (TPP), had seen a whopping $40M overrun.

The Public Accounts Committee, Auditor General, Sonia M. Webster, and Project Manager Huge E.  Darley, had all alleged there was corruption on the project, no value for money and conflict of interest. 

In court for rights

Former BVIPA Managing Director, Claude O. Skelton-Cline, was also forced out of his job, and is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the government, over “legitimate expectations.”

Court papers filed, reveals he was promised that after the 2015 General Election, his contract will be renewed by Cabinet, after being approved by the Ports Board.

The court ruling is expected in a few weeks.

Last month Minister for Communications and  Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), had also confirmed for members of the House of Assembly (HoA)—in an answer to a question—that a former Acting BVI Ports MD, Alfred A. Henley, had spent $2.1 M on contracts without the Board’s approval.

28 Responses to “Akeem R. Pickering to be appointed BVI Ports Authority Deputy MD for 1 year”

  • Adic (14/08/2018, 16:42) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep pushing my friend.
    • Tee (14/08/2018, 17:30) Like (30) Dislike (0) Reply
      I don't know him personally, but I had an issue(s) in the port and he handled it in a very professional manner. Good luck!!!
    • Lol@adic (15/08/2018, 07:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Adic alright.. The Board is a failure and should be dissolved now.
  • tola (14/08/2018, 17:46) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    Great. Love it. All the best !! Congratulations
  • Rat (14/08/2018, 17:54) Like (5) Dislike (26) Reply
    the port gone from bad to worst they just gave Houdini a post look trouble
  • Jaigon Jumbie (14/08/2018, 18:13) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
    Akeem they playing games with you, it’s buy they trying to buy you but take the year and as usual continue to do your best. People come in here and get 3 and 4 years contract and you can only get one. Let’s wait and see the consultancy contract they trying to give to a high school principal, how much years they will give to that principal. They want to play politics, let them go ahead.
  • shark (14/08/2018, 18:23) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great choice.
  • Good vibes (14/08/2018, 18:50) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats to you!! All the best
  • cay (14/08/2018, 18:58) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good more so no hope for the st lucian?
  • Hmm (14/08/2018, 19:36) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
    I got some questions. Why have he been blocking the native son ferry trips from since the hurricane irma so I was told? They were only given one departure. When others are given their full ferry schedule. It seems that he have a personal problem with the company. What’s the issue? I dislike traveling on other ferries. Question and answer
    • lmao (15/08/2018, 10:21) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
      Joyous seem to have brought her bitterness to this post. Native Son operating their RT schedule just as before. The Red Hook schedule was not allowed to accommodate space for Inter Island to operate. Neither Native Son or Inter Island are BVI owned companies and they still want everything their way. Good try J. Congrats Akeem, Just make sure you keep a leash on Romeo and you will be just fine.
      • Hmm (15/08/2018, 16:36) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
        Fool this ain't joy I'm damn customer that wants to speak for them since they don't want to fight for their trips. I talk to Jackie, crew and share holders. I could tell you one thing Joy won't ever waste time and comment. Then you call her bitter I guess u have a personal problem with her. Seem like u know everything probably because you work for Port. Stfu and sit down!
    • Yes (15/08/2018, 14:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Contact romeo at port he will answer u
  • --------------- (14/08/2018, 19:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    keep your eyes on instructions from the minister
  • Luvz (14/08/2018, 20:00) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations Mr Pickering! Do your best and leave the rest in God’s hands.
  • Board Member (15/08/2018, 07:08) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    Cronyism again. John Samuel interviewed for this position and next to the St. Lucian was the better and most qualified person. The Minister cannot control John so he confirmed a boy toy. Shame on you cabinet, shame on you Chairman. Pick might be local but he is not fit for this position. Bad to worst.
    • Agenda (15/08/2018, 15:31) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
      so John running because he is bitter for not getting the post.
    • sally (15/08/2018, 18:27) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      If you think John Samuel is more qualified than this young man you have to be crazy. This man knows the running of Ports inside and out. The Board got it right this time.
  • musa (15/08/2018, 07:31) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    about time a young man have a chance to prove himself...........
  • Prayer Warrior (15/08/2018, 13:57) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    You have been raised to do your best and rely on God. In all hinge God come first not man.. do not bend to anything illegal as there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. Nothing in this world is worth losing out on eternity. For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul. Snakes come with a smile be careful. Much love.
  • Ajic (15/08/2018, 14:09) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    AKEEM is the right man for the job. GOOD CHOICE. The people of the BVI is in agreement with this choice and we would like for the powers that be to confirm Mr. Pickering to this post.
  • enough (16/08/2018, 07:09) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    When a position is given to an expat persons rant and rave why not find a local. Here Mr. Pickering who has worked at BVIPA forever is given the opportunity he deserves, as he has been acting in said post and we can’t just say congratulations and encourage him to do his best - stop hating this is why we can’t get pass our noses - we are our worse enemies! Congratulations Mr. Pickering please don’t let any Minister make you do anything that is illegal.
  • VG (17/08/2018, 06:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great choice
  • Honesty (17/08/2018, 20:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    There's no room for a director that can easily be persuaded (Mr. Pickering), but i guess thats the new trend. The country already in shambles, we don't need our port in shambles too. #EverybodyWantsAPuppetNowadays


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.