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Cruise pier tendering process a ‘sham’ – Speak Your Mind Caller

- ‘Sam’ Henry refers to 'episode' as disgraceful
Julio 'Sam' Henry expressed that the episode surrounding the cruise pier tender project was 'disgraceful'. Photo: VINO/File
Premier, Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith felt that the process surrounding the cruise pier tendering process was transparent and open. Photo: VINO/File
Premier, Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith felt that the process surrounding the cruise pier tendering process was transparent and open. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – One caller on the Speak Your Mind TV show expressed that the cruise ship tendering process was a sham.

During the programme, which was aired on a local television station on March 23, 2013 the caller asked, “The cruise ship port, you see what happened to the company?”

“…you see it come out now that it’s a sham,” the caller said while claiming that he had forewarned that this was the case from the inception.

Host of the programme, Julio ‘Sam’ Henry felt that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) should be refunded after reportedly claiming that the procurement process for the proposed Cruise Pier Project lacked fairness and transparency.

The company reportedly wrote a letter requesting that they be reimbursed $190,000 which was money spent on consultants and attorneys to put their bid together.

Henry also said he found the entire episode to be ‘disgraceful’. “I want the people to know, that if that’s the case, I think it’s wrong,” he added in reference to claims the company made about goal posts being moved.

“My biggest plea,” he added, “is to the people who are responsible… I want the people who are responsible for this to let them know, ‘man we got to stop this fighting, we got to stop this fighting’ there is no need for us to fight over something like this.”

The host also felt that taxi drivers were sleeping on the issue. “You try to educate some of our taxi fellow men and they fall asleep on the programme…”

He further stated, “I’ll tell you something about this Royal Caribbean deal, the Government has to be very, very careful. These people don’t’ realise that Royal Caribbean is the #2 player out here, in the entire cruising industry. Royal Caribbean commands almost 40 ships and they have marketing power in Germany, eastern Europe, all over North America…”

He continued, “I thought that the people who were negotiating would know who they’re up against and say ‘you know, maybe we should consider these guys because they’re most likely to do the things that we’re asking for an looking for’”.

Meanwhile, Premier Dr. The Hon. D. Orlando Smith, appearing on a recent NDP radio programme was asked by Hon. Archibald C. Christian whether it was accurate to say that of the five Ministers of Government, there was no discussion with respect to who would have been chosen at any point in time… “it was all left to the recommendations of the external team.”

Premier Smith responded by saying, “Of course, that is the way negotiations took place, in the form of transparency and openness. We appointed a negotiating team [and] they did all the work and reported back to government.”

48 Responses to “Cruise pier tendering process a ‘sham’ – Speak Your Mind Caller”

  • trust and obey (25/03/2013, 07:51) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    now during the election the NDP promised government in the sun shine...what do you call this government in the dark room!
    • shaw (25/03/2013, 11:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Please stop stealing my money - Expat

      • the real shaw (25/03/2013, 12:21) Like (2) Dislike (21) Reply
        please find your own identification. this is not the real "shaw" above.
        • the real shaw (25/03/2013, 16:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          is there a reason why, when someone is stealing my name and I speak up, I get dislikes? cum on!!
      • MEME (25/03/2013, 12:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Again are we surprised. This sort of thing has been going on for years, they don't report their friends
  • big fat rat (25/03/2013, 07:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Every week we continue to get little pieces of this port pier project which make no sense...Look I smell a RAT and big fat corruption NDP RAT!!!
    • Everest (25/03/2013, 12:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Where is the governor and attorney general over this failed project?
  • mother hen (25/03/2013, 08:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    wonder if there any more retreat before more of this Watergate type scandal continues to come out?.

    • rattie (25/03/2013, 10:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dr. Smith make it public and vindicate your government from the cloud of corruption over the ports project
      • black boy (25/03/2013, 11:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        There really needs to be a change in the Election Laws
      • Virgin Islands (25/03/2013, 11:53) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
        Martin Luther King Jr.

      • nonsense (25/03/2013, 11:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        In the land of the blind, yea the BVI.....everyone is blind!

      • JACK BE STILL (25/03/2013, 14:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        As usual the partisan rhetoric. the real issue here is who went back on their words to the people about transparency
  • insider (25/03/2013, 08:27) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    despite what all the NDP dreamers are hoping for, the port project is not going anywhere soon as the thing getting ready to start as someone will not stay under the bus alone and will not carry these politicians on their backs anymore!!!!
    • Fat Head (25/03/2013, 10:57) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      This project is just falling apart as the days go by...all I can say is London Bridge is falling down...time for new elections.

  • Virgin Son (25/03/2013, 08:35) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    This port project has a lot of potential, but the problem is too much self interest, disloyalty to each other, and lack of leadership, as Mark does not have the right people around he.
    • usa (25/03/2013, 11:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      My one vote done!!!!! No other good ones in the BVI to vote for now....NDP spoil themselves over corruption and trying to get rich fast
  • Everest (25/03/2013, 09:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    A simple building of a port, we as a country can not even complete? This is UTTER NONSENSE! Why must there be backlash and corruption in everything we do as a country? Someone please tell me why. When Saint Kitts built their new port, you didnt hear nothing from them, when Saint Maarten built their extension to accommodate the Oasis of the Seas, no backlash there. When Grand Turk made their extension that was spearheaded by Carnival Cruises, no backlash there. Why everything we do in the BVI must be done in an embarrassing manner, yet we want to step out like we are Premiers, compared to other countries. We HAVE to stop this BACKWARDNESS!
    • . (25/03/2013, 09:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Because we got some people who cant be trusted dealing with this thing here
      • DaFluff (25/03/2013, 11:52) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        All we can do tis wait until the next elections bro! This corruption will continue as long as you say nothing.

    • shaw (25/03/2013, 10:40) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      although I don't care for the extension of the cruise ship dock precisely because it invites those 4000 ppl floating hotels, the problem I really have is the landside development and what it (wrongly) presents as BVI.

      The generic design which could be anywhere says nothing about our culture, architecture and won't necessarily contribute to the economy as wildly expected. Plus- these developers want to "re-develop main street" and "contribute to developing the beaches for our passengers", which means cruise ship people going to run the territory and fancy it up to where it is not recognizable. This truly is the fox in the hen house mentality. The ministers have always wanted a "CITY" to compete with other metropolises. problem is this is an island and different from their target competition by its very nature.
      • Everest (25/03/2013, 12:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        And I share some of your sentiments. I believe that, "Who can get it really done but a LOCAL." We have invested our tax dollars into locals through numerous educational scholarships, allowing one to study and master these subject areas. If not given the opportunity to complete the whole project, why not at least give them the opportunity to "Duke" it out for the architectural components. Its high time we as a country start to look amongst ourselves, and stop looking abroad with the mentality that they must be know better than us!
    • DaSalt (25/03/2013, 13:22) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Everest; do you notice who is always in the centre of it when it comes to money? "THE BVI INVESTMENT CLUB". They are the Government Ministers. This Club believe that if it involve money they must be involved. Remember the stink they kick up when Biwater was coming to do the water and some sewage for governmen? They got all the talk shows hosts to gang up against it.. Way the talkshow hosts now?

      Them buyout Edmun with a contract wit agriculture, them buy out Shenia wit a contrak on da hospital; them buy out Cromwel long time; por Douglas waste of time; and this joker Sam is no d*m good.
  • A forbes (25/03/2013, 09:14) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    It smells like corruption to me
    • facts (25/03/2013, 10:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      backlash and corruption in everything NDP do as a country?
      • NDP voter (25/03/2013, 11:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        So disappointed with my party
        • SHUT UP (26/03/2013, 01:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          The VIP opposition is dead thank god for the media as our watchdog body…you see why Myron and Mark what the media censored
          • regular guy (26/03/2013, 08:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
            Mark and Myron need to leave the Media to Do their Job Please!
            • @ regular guy (26/03/2013, 10:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
              they want the media to broadcast a type of brain washing saying that the ndp government good.
  • pete (25/03/2013, 10:43) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    wasn't Cline part of the external negotiating team before being made director of port authority? and wasn't the new director of town and county chariman of the building authority and port authority? NDP lining up "yes men" to do their bidding for them.
    • Queen Mary (25/03/2013, 11:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      How stupid, we cannot allow money hungry legislators to continue to lead us into the swamp
      • right (26/03/2013, 01:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        duty of the goverment is to be fair and to be truthful
      • Ms. Diva (26/03/2013, 01:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        the politicians, party financiers, and all who seek their own interest, etc will be the BVI down fall.

    • question (25/03/2013, 12:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can anyone say "Anti-Corruption Committee"??? or will it cost TOO MUCH to fund it..

    • Confucius (25/03/2013, 13:09) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Pete, Mr. Cline wasn't just "part" of the negotiating team, he was the chairman of the committee!
      • pete (25/03/2013, 16:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        even worse! And he probably learned some tricks while living in Detroit. No wonder he feels entitled to more money as director of port Authority.
  • voter (25/03/2013, 11:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who has the lease on the land?
    • never again (25/03/2013, 16:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      PROMISES and DISHONESTY and MISSTEPS should no longer be NEWS in the BVI.....HONESTY should make the headlines instead !!
  • dem say (25/03/2013, 11:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    God forbid we the people have another 2 and half years of this NDP corruption over this project!!!

    ..so sad! I feel sorry for the BVI..I just read another story about the ports on another site...poor we!
  • Reality check (25/03/2013, 12:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Things smell a little funny around the ports area there and it ain't the road town sweage.
    • Vicky-Seeks (25/03/2013, 12:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The press reports to date are more than sufficient grounds for the UK to order a police investigation into this Cruse pier tenering process.
  • rounch rock (25/03/2013, 14:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why did we ever elect these folks?
    We voted them in to lead the country but here they are not even able to get a little project off the ground

    VIP no doubt is the best party to ruin Jamaica.

    • @ rounch rock (25/03/2013, 14:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      eh? You expat paid bloggers get with it we are in the BVI not Jamaica fool
  • willy wonka (25/03/2013, 16:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    NDP true colours revealing. VIP governemt done reveal. We need leaders who dont get trip up by friends. Gov in the sunshine, more like Govt in a overcast! I dismayed from voting. Dont pump me up next election cause yall full of sh. It!
  • bay yute (25/03/2013, 16:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Get rich quick scheme of the NDP..hurry before the UK takes us over!!!
  • foxy (26/03/2013, 01:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the tender process in our democracy and its integrity is based on being fair and unbiased.
  • Friday (26/03/2013, 06:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think the Gov should of bet on Royal Caribbean becuz they met everything the Gov was asking for, infact I do believe we would have benefited tremendously with them coming in here, just take a look at what they are doing in Haiti and now St Kitts is doing it big when it comes to cruise tourism. Why do we always have to be at this point questioning our politicians motives when it comes to these major projects, we have to start putting country first what more do they need when I do believe all of them are well off with or without politics
  • sick.. (27/03/2013, 16:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    what I want to know, the airport extension and cruise pier project have been approved by the UK. According to the protocolos, that we now have.


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