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BVIHSA Chairman rakes in over $½M in no-bid hospital contracts

It is reported that Bishop John I. Cline (right) has interest in two companies involved in providing Request for Proposal Services (RFP) for the new Hospital. They are Infinite Solutions and S & D Security Systems which combined made eight hundred and fifty one thousand, one hundred and seventy eight dollars and seventy cents ($851,178.70), according to information supplied to the House of Assembly by Health Minister Ronnie W. Skelton. Photo: VINO/File
Chairman of the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority John I. Cline raked in over half a million dollars in contract from the new Peebles Hospital through two companies he has involvement in. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson
Chairman of the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority John I. Cline raked in over half a million dollars in contract from the new Peebles Hospital through two companies he has involvement in. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson
Hon Andrew A. Fahie (left) had asked Minister Skelton to state and provide a comprehensive listing of all contracts and purchase orders issued by names, amounts and purpose of all medical equipment, furnishings, security systems, IT systems and electronic equipment, among others, for and on behalf of the BVI Health Services for the benefit of the new Peebles Hospital. Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Chairman Julian Fraser RA (R3) was asked about this matter on his Party’s Radio Show ‘Let’s Talk’ last evening February 18, 2014 on ZBVI but said time had run out and the matter will be dealt with at a later date. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Andrew A. Fahie (left) had asked Minister Skelton to state and provide a comprehensive listing of all contracts and purchase orders issued by names, amounts and purpose of all medical equipment, furnishings, security systems, IT systems and electronic equipment, among others, for and on behalf of the BVI Health Services for the benefit of the new Peebles Hospital. Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Chairman Julian Fraser RA (R3) was asked about this matter on his Party’s Radio Show ‘Let’s Talk’ last evening February 18, 2014 on ZBVI but said time had run out and the matter will be dealt with at a later date. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- In what some claim is a conflict of interest, the current Chairman of the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority John I. Cline raked in over half a million dollars in contract from the new Peebles Hospital through two companies he has involvement in.

This was made public in the response given by the Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton to a question asked by the Member for the First District Honourable Andrew A. Fahie at the third sitting of the fourth session of the second House of Assembly on February 12, 2015.

Hon Fahie had asked Minister Skelton to state and provide a comprehensive listing of all contracts and purchase orders issued by names, amounts and purpose of all medical equipment, furnishings, security systems, IT systems and electronic equipment, among others, for and on behalf of the BVI Health Services for the benefit of the new Peebles Hospital.

The VIP member had also asked that Hon Skelton indicate which contracts were issued using the Central Tender Process and which were not and, in the cases where the aforementioned tender process were not used, to explain why.

Hon Skelton related that Infinite Solutions collected $ 378,980.85 for the “Supply and installation of servers” for the BVIHSA under the Request for Proposal (RFP) and a further $118,757.90 for the “Supply and installation of TV's” to the BVIHSA.

It was also revealed by Hon Skelton that S&D Security Systems was paid $255,325.00 for the “Supply and installation of access control and CCTV” to the BVIHSA under the RFP/Public Tender Process and a further $98,114.95 for the “Supply and installation of access control and CCTV”.

Is there a conflict of interest?

It is reported that Bishop Cline allegedly has interest in two companies involved in providing Request for Proposal Services (RFP) for the new Hospital. They are Infinite Solutions and S & D Security Systems which combined made eight hundred and fifty one thousand, one hundred and seventy eight dollars and seventy cents ($851,178.70).

Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Chairman Julian Fraser RA (R3) was asked about this matter on his Party’s Radio Show ‘Let’s Talk’ last evening February 18, 2014 on ZBVI but said time had run out and the matter will be dealt with at a later date.

When reached today, February 19, 2015 Bishop Cline confirmed that he indeed has interest in the two named companies but denied any conflict of interest, saying that he had no part in the selection process and that it was transparent.

“For the last 23 years, I have run a legitimate business in the BVI and not at any time has it come into question on conflict of interest whether in Government or anything and I would be foolhardy to start now. The Chairmanship is a volunteer position…it is not a paid position,” he said.

Further to that, we were very deliberate in ensuring transparency and independence. Nothing was awarded to any company that I’m a part of with my hand in it. I was completely removed from the process. We hired an independent accounting firm to oversee the process and allow the chips to fall where they may. They happened to fall in Infinite Solutions and S&D Security Systems favour and that was it,” he said.

“Anybody can go and follow the paper trail and or they could call BDO, a reputable nationwide and worldwide accounting firm from Africa to the BVI and they would find that the process was fair and transparent. So there is nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of,” Bishop Cline said.

63 Responses to “BVIHSA Chairman rakes in over $½M in no-bid hospital contracts”

  • gg (19/02/2015, 15:10) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    My god....
    • Yep (19/02/2015, 19:14) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
      He jus a good for nothing and want to be out bad talking decent people. God don't like ugly.
  • wow (19/02/2015, 15:25) Like (22) Dislike (8) Reply
    nepotism at its finest
  • DON Q (19/02/2015, 15:30) Like (23) Dislike (25) Reply
    Look trouble with the ndp
    • hummmm (19/02/2015, 23:00) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      I'm getting worried that there will be no viable candidates left on the NDP side after this vetting process we have here in the BVI is over.
  • ann (19/02/2015, 15:46) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ok hon fahie curupption speech in full effect
  • Well Sah (19/02/2015, 16:09) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    Conflict of interest and greed....
  • well well well (19/02/2015, 16:22) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    In the absence of a full tender process then this is not transparent.
  • Liat 521 (19/02/2015, 16:22) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    how much of that went to china
  • long look me come from (19/02/2015, 16:31) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    It is about the lack of transparency in the entire process....John knows better
  • onlooker (19/02/2015, 16:31) Like (3) Dislike (22) Reply
    whats wrong with giving locals business? leave Cline alone!
  • Spelling Bee (19/02/2015, 16:33) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    CHARIRM + pecuniary interest equals what?
  • g string (19/02/2015, 17:03) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Who owns them excavators and big trucks in west end
  • ooooo (19/02/2015, 18:06) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    all i can say is WOW!
    • under the bus (19/02/2015, 23:29) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      Nooooooo!
      First Claude on the Ports, now John?!?

      Who am I supposed to watch with my popcorn???
  • voter (19/02/2015, 18:07) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    dig deeper Vino you will see that the interest is closer to 2 million.

    This man is one of VI's finest treasury nipple suckers!
  • Boo (19/02/2015, 18:09) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
    a next one sucking hard on the government TT. Aka Bishop Land for Medical Bills
  • Well Sah (19/02/2015, 18:10) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Godbless we have an opposition.
  • HSA (19/02/2015, 18:11) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    it got a next one on the Board with a nice fat contract. COI at its best
  • Madea (19/02/2015, 18:19) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    let me tell yall something. Just Hursh> God will handle this.
  • Worker (19/02/2015, 18:28) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply

    twhy is he the chairman of the board he dont know a thing about health but he makes the decisions ..he dont care bout the workers just showing face and collecting behind the scenes bvi is so backward...the increment for the past five years the workers are owed gone to cline p....t

  • yellow (19/02/2015, 18:31) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Just look at the rich getting richer under ndp the 1 percent
  • wize up (19/02/2015, 18:32) Like (12) Dislike (17) Reply
    just curious; the man born right down there cane garden bay; we make no noise when non-citizens are given bigger contracts...the VIP have handed out similar contracts to their bosom-buddies and not to even mention family-members..WTF; a local get a contract we upset; an outside company gets a contact we upset(black-people really some-!ucking-thing-else .....just saying(I no VINO will not print this one but no love lost)
    • Wes (19/02/2015, 19:35) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
      @wize up look up the term "conflict of interest" and the definition of the word "corruption"

      both pot and kettle are black. However a spade is a spade and this dear fellow is a spade
      • wize up (19/02/2015, 22:47) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
        a fool will always be a fool; both ndp and vip are equally as guilty of doing wrong( you can spin or call it what you want to satisfy your political desire)....
  • ABC (19/02/2015, 19:21) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    And where is Dr. Smith in all of this? A lamb before the slaughter.
    • wize up (20/02/2015, 07:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      where was oneal during the airport project(FYI; man went jail in that matter)..
  • Security (19/02/2015, 20:25) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dat S&D boy aint eat the whole pie he had to share. sad!
    • pat (19/02/2015, 22:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      some people applauds arrogance, practices political malfeasance and ignores the responsibility of good governance. The smart money will not be smart if they buy that package,
  • belloo (19/02/2015, 20:54) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    somebody in the computer department getting a drawback
  • Plank (19/02/2015, 21:02) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    These boards are vehicles for corruption and personal glory. Get an administrator in the appropriate ministry to control these entities, ---TRC--Peebles--etc-. give them a manager. Have the manager responsible to the administrator who reports to the PS and the Minister. How long I`ve been making this case. change the law.
  • Just Checking (19/02/2015, 21:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why didn't they give S&D one part of the security system,e.g the cctv or the access and give another security company that's right here in the bvi one?
  • New Life (19/02/2015, 22:34) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    i hear church memebrs and people jumping ship, no focus.
    • @New Life (20/02/2015, 09:44) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      Let them go. God will raise up new people in their stead to do his work. New Life was there before them and will be after they leave. The Spirit of Jezebel always knows everything. The church needed a purging a long time now. Amen
  • open wide (19/02/2015, 22:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shocking.
  • raja (19/02/2015, 22:50) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    From the sound of this, even John knows he's toast and is just too proud to admit it.
  • .... (19/02/2015, 22:55) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Didn't the Chairman of VIP get Sewage contracts too?? What's new man...
  • WHAT??? (19/02/2015, 22:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What has the BVI come to as I don't recognize it anymore?
  • Carrot Bay (20/02/2015, 00:04) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lord I can’t tek it no more. I went back and read Hon Fahie speech on what he said about cruption
  • cat (20/02/2015, 00:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I smell a rat
  • Robinhood (20/02/2015, 03:05) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    One of natures little secrets is that " God helps those who help themselves" Remember the $note reads " in God we trust" Seems the Bishop is familiar with the chessboard. Your move next
  • Hmmmm (20/02/2015, 09:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    God does not sleep and will handle every wrong doing in his time
  • Concern Citizen (20/02/2015, 09:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cline you know better you are on the board conflict of interest Tortola gone to the dog sorry to say the NDP have no intrest in the less fortunate
    • The Legal Position (20/02/2015, 10:37) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      A conflict of interest is only an indicator, a flag raised where a person who has the ability to vote on a matter also has an interest in the matter from which he can gain financially. The conflict does not mean the deal cannot go through. It simply means the interested person has to declare the interest and that the transaction should be at arm's length (meaning, decided upon by an independent third party). In this case, BDO was that third party that made the decision to select the entities in which John is interested and not John or the Board. The BVI Business comapnies Act provides for conflict of interest situations and does not even preclude the director interested (the Chairman in this context), as applicable from voting on the matter once the interest has been disclosed. However, the Chairman made it clear that he removed himself entirely from the process.

      If it can be proven that he coerced or bribed or otherwise influenced BDO to make the decisions, or that the contracts provide no real benefit to the HSA over and above putting money in the Chairman's pockets, then there is at least a case to be proven. Otherwise, there is nothing to see here over and above a regular, everyday, corporate transaction, sensationalised for political mileage or personal gratification.

      Hope this was helpful to those confused over what a conflict of interest really means and how it is dealt with in financial transactions. To those who are not interested to understand but only want to personally or politically cast aspersions on John and the NDP, no clarificationwould be satisfactory to you.

  • Let ,e sleep (20/02/2015, 10:14) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    John pay them no mind. Your company was award a contract, not John Cline.
  • Jane (20/02/2015, 10:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the Government of the VI set policies things will run differently governmemt after government do the same thing
  • karma (20/02/2015, 15:05) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply

    @ Legal even though you put that out there and thank you for doing it. This name John I Cline will always be surrounded by controversy. But he had a praying mother and father and is in connection with the most high God, and when you mess with the man of God, wrath shall be descended upon you. He has worked for what he has and everytime someone gets in trouble who do they run to, to ask for money. I know some of you all sorry a..s who on here blogging are some of them. Karma is a bitch.

  • small minds (20/02/2015, 15:09) Like (1) Dislike (16) Reply
    Wait nobody in Tola ain't suppose to get anything. When you all can tell me what other company in the BVI was capable of putting up the money for all this equipment before collecting a dime for this contract then you all can talk.
  • voter (20/02/2015, 19:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What else has he benefited from his tenure at the HSA?
  • george w. touch (20/02/2015, 23:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    that recklessness behaviour was compounded by a failure to set and enforce standards at the BVIHS
  • why did he do it? (20/02/2015, 23:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Did the glare of the spotlight dazzle him? A very sad plunge from grace to disgraceful.
    • Boo (21/02/2015, 21:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

      He was never any angel. This self proclaimed bishop's true colours are now shining through for all to see. Thanks goes to Mr. Fraser for exposing this seemingly gross and unrepentant m....asance. Enquiring minds are only left to ask what else lurks under various other stones yet to be overturned.

  • gig (25/02/2015, 10:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    1 timothy 3:2&3 a bishop then must be blameless,the husband of one wife vigilant,sober of good behavior giving to hospitality apt to teach not giving to wine or striker not greedy of lucre but patient not a brawler not covetous


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