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Did Kevin C. Smith disrespect the SFC?- Hon. Fahie

- Confusion as to who was the Accounting Officer for the Trade and Consumer Affairs Dept.
Kevin C. Smith is now the new Acting Director of the Trade and Consumer Affairs Department. He is, however, not the Accounting Officer. Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith has organized for a Declaration to be signed appointing his Permanent Secretary Mrs. Rosalie Adams the Accounting Officer. During the Standing Finance Committee meeting, Mr. Smith was away on official travel but at least one Legislator thought that his absence from the meeting was "disrespectful". Photo: VINO/File
Hon. Andrew A. Fahie expressed that it was disrespectful for the Acting Director of Trade and Consumer Affairs Kevin C. Smith not to be in attendance at the Standing Fiance Committee (SFC) meeting when his Department was testifying on their budget allocation. Hon. Fahie further expressed that all Acting Officers should be present before the SFC. Photo: VINO/File
Hon. Andrew A. Fahie expressed that it was disrespectful for the Acting Director of Trade and Consumer Affairs Kevin C. Smith not to be in attendance at the Standing Fiance Committee (SFC) meeting when his Department was testifying on their budget allocation. Hon. Fahie further expressed that all Acting Officers should be present before the SFC. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Some sparks flew when the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs appeared before the House of Assembly (HOA) Standing Finance Committee (SFC) last year to defend its 2013 Budget allocation.

Appearing for the Department was Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Mrs Rosalie Adams.

The Member for the third district Hon. Julian Fraser RA, asked who was the head of the Trade Department? Mrs. Adams advised that the Director of Trade was Lizette George.

The member for the third district Hon. Fraser noted that there was another person sitting in for the Director. The Permanent Secretary (PS) confirmed and advised that Kevin C. Smith was that person and that he was away from the Territory on official travel.

Hon. Fraser asked if Mr Smith was a Public Officer, to which the PS advised that he was a contracted employee.

The Member for the third district enquired whether a non-government worker could appeal before the SFC. The PS advised that the individual, along with their supervisor could attend.

It was also made public in the meeting that Mr. Maxwell George of Virgin Gorda was the new Deputy Director of the Trade and Consumer Affairs Department.

Was Mr. Smith disrespectful?

The Member for the first district, Hon. Andrew A. Fahie, told the SFC that “it was disrespectful for the Acting Director of Trade and Consumer Affairs to not be in attendance.” PS Adams informed the select committee that because Mr Smith's position was contractual, she was the Accounting Officer and the one who signed all correspondences and documents on behalf of the department.

Hon. Fahie fired back and told the SFC that it would be burdensome for the PS to be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Department. The former Minister for Education and Culture further expressed that all acting officers should be present before the SFC.

At this point, the Premier Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith intervene and said that the solution to the issue was that he would have the necessary declaration prepared and signed and declare the PS in the Premier's Office as the Accounting Officer for the Department.

At that point it was agreed that the Declaration would be prepared and thus the Chairman Hon. Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe deferred further questions and discussions pertaining to the Department until the declaration was signed. 

27 Responses to “Did Kevin C. Smith disrespect the SFC?- Hon. Fahie”

  • ooooo (16/01/2013, 10:40) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
    this guy OJ is just as unmannerly like the rest of his ndp klan....no manners at all
  • critic (16/01/2013, 10:44) Like (10) Dislike (14) Reply
    there we go again....the cart infront of the horse like the marlon/fsc contractial saga
  • hog city (16/01/2013, 10:46) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    maybe he wilfully didn't show up......who knows?
  • POPE (16/01/2013, 10:56) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    And this is the guy who wanted to represent me????
  • weed (16/01/2013, 11:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well look at thing!
  • rattie (16/01/2013, 11:09) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
    It’s all apart of the culture of disrespect promoted by the NDP so the chicken just coming home to lay
  • Flanx (16/01/2013, 11:39) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    The PS answered his question but he couldn't accept that? wow, anything for a lil story lolol..
    • joe joe (16/01/2013, 11:49) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      How embarrassing to strip him from being the accounting officer of his department. All acting heads are their accounting offices…it speaks to how the NDP view him!!!!
  • Hollaback (16/01/2013, 11:40) Like (11) Dislike (33) Reply
    Come on, he was away on official travel.

    OJ ain't disrespect anybody.
  • ReX FeRal (16/01/2013, 12:20) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    At this point, the Premier Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith intervene and said that the solution to the issue was that he would have the necessary declaration prepared and signed and declare the PS in the Premier's Office as the Accounting Officer for the Department.

    This quick fix to things needs to stop. but what is new with these people running the country
    • figure (16/01/2013, 12:53) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      If Andrew and Fraser cared this much about the real issues of the Territory we won't be where we are at now, especially Andrew. Is this really something worth bickering about? The man was away on leave, the PS represented the department and explained the issue. He's not even a civil servant and we all know this. what the hell?
  • Lance (16/01/2013, 13:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow! Stop twisting things to make them look good for the sake of some.
  • alpine (16/01/2013, 13:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Orlando you’re tired embarrassing yourself your PS is supposed to be advising you on these things not waiting until you get in a situation now you talking about getting Declaration prepared she should have being on top of things long time how many years she in the Civil Servant? Shock man and that OJ he has no respect for God nor man and he want to represent me hell no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • wize-up (16/01/2013, 14:01) Like (6) Dislike (45) Reply
    some body please tell V I P that election over; we good at beating up on each other just to make ourselve look good.....3 distrct on fire...OJ come 2015 we putting in office
    • TO WIZE UP (16/01/2013, 15:31) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply

      But the only people playing politics and trying to get rich quick is the NDP so scatter your.......!!

  • dem (16/01/2013, 20:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I want to know how OJ got that post in the first place????pue NDP politics
  • Just Checking (17/01/2013, 00:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    thats what happen when little fries think that they can tread where big fries have trodden
  • sex (17/01/2013, 14:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wanted
  • A Fahie (21/01/2013, 18:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow!


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