‘Cruise pier project an Embarrassment to the Territory’ - Hon Fraser
In a statement to this news site on August 19, 2014, Hon. Fraser said that he has become aware of the Governor Duncan’s decision and it is one that he welcomes.
“I welcome the Governor's acknowledgement of the seriousness of the issues surrounding the Tortola Pier Park Project, and the urgency for quick attention, and action if deemed necessary,” said Hon Fraser.
It has been reported in selected sections of the media that the Governor, HE Mr. Duncan has considered the allegations in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report on the cruise pier project as very serious and he has indicated that the much called for inquiry is likely to be launched before the end of this year 2014.
It is this news site understanding that the new Governor was well informed about the report prior to his arrival as he indicated that he was informed of it by the former Governor HE William Boyd McCleary.
Hon Fraser said that the matter which has become an embarrassment to the Territory, and is becoming a threat to the Territory’s credibility, needed not have gotten this far had the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith stepped up and exhibited leadership.
He said that Governor McCleary should have acted when Royal Caribbean Cruises wrote to him and copied the Minister for Overseas Territories charging the process of being bias and prejudicial against their local partners, and that it was fraught with cronyism and an apparent conflict of interest.
According to Hon Fraser there were more than enough red flags for the Governor to act earlier, particularly since he was contacted by the Opposition on the matter, including blatant violations of the Protocols for Effective Financial Management. The Protocols being a contract between the Government of the UK and the Government of the Virgin Islands places an obligation on the Governor to police the way Government does business as it relates to the Protocols.
“What is important for the Governor and everyone else to bear in mind, is that the bringing into being of the Protocols has resulted into a sea change in the way our Government must conduct its business, including tendering. And that he must be mindful also, that this administration has willfully and deliberately chosen to ignore their obligations under the Protocols, since there actions were challenged in the House of Assembly on a regular basis,” he said.
The legislator said that the issue of credibility is not one which can be taken lightly given that a company with the stature of Royal Caribbean Cruises no longer sees the Virgin Islands as a credible partner, together with the Territory’s involvement in the project with other companies with questionable reputation.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
40 Responses to “‘Cruise pier project an Embarrassment to the Territory’ - Hon Fraser”
SHOT UP!!!
I hope when the Governor announces his decision you all don't sh.t yourself. There's nothing to defend, Mark and his team already made the two F's look like idiots. When you have to go to 'google' and print off nonsense that shows you have nothing to stand on. The debate started out about the Government doing wrong things and ended with name calling and google stories about law suits which are typical with big companies, especially auditors etc. Poor F's don't even know what bankrupt means. The piles are here and work is going on at the pier. What is there to defend again? I hope you guys ready for the other reports that are in the pipeline. But of course, once there's alleged wrongdoing by your side it's political and when it's alleged on NDP it's corruption. Been there, done that, got the shirt. Tired.
Bay marina, just a few V.I.P.
embarrassments.
Live is a glass house .. don't throw stones... U have done worse!!...