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Did Premier Smith lie when he told us the economy is robust?

- Opposition Leader Hon Fraser blasted the Premier’s Speech as disingenuous
Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), right, has labeled the National Address by Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith as disingenuous. Photo: VINO/File
Both the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) and the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) have difficulty paying staff since Government is broke. Photo: VINO/File
Both the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) and the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) have difficulty paying staff since Government is broke. Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands economy has fallen on hard time under the National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration. Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands economy has fallen on hard time under the National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Like Governor John S. Duncan OBE, the people of the Virgin Islands, the media, civil society, and the main Virgin Islands Party Opposition, are losing hope in the credibility, integrity and words of second term Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL).

From 2013 to as recent as this year 2016, the Premier spent his time with his consultant-crafted speeches telling the people and overseas investors that things are great in the Virgin Islands (VI) and “the economy is robust”.

However, just a few days ago in a National Address he preached gloom and doom and now has admitted what the people and his own elected party Members of the House of Assembly (HoA), have said, including Junior Minister for Trade & Investment Promotion, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and back bencher Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) who both said in the HoA last year and this year that people are “hurting” and “children are going to bed hungry.”

Not robust, more like bust!

In his national address on December 6, 2016 Premier Smith took no responsibility for leaving the country broke and his government’s reckless spending, a fact confirmed by Governor Duncan in a series of letters to Premier Smith and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

In the face of widespread accusations of corruption and conflict of interest by the National Democratic Party Administration, the United Kingdom appointed Governor Mr Duncan has gone AWOL, according to one talk show host, Edmund G. Maduro, who also called for his sacking.

Premier Smith admitted that things are bad and “challenging” but blamed it on the 2008 financial crisis when in fact some 90% of the world economies, including the United States, have long recovered.

Opposition Leader responds to Speech

In his own statement released on his Facebook page two days after the Premier’s speech, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), labeled Dr Smith’s speech as “disingenuous.” The former Chairman of the Main Opposition Virgin Islands Party also stated that the Premier has “no proper plans to get the VI out of the current financial hardship” and he is only fooling the people.

In making a case that the National Democratic Party (NDP) left the county broke, the former Communications and Works Minister told the public that the NDP government came into office in November 2011, meeting over $16 million of Caribbean Development Bank loan fund, $45 million Banco Popular monies, and they even borrowed more than $80 million and spent it on the Pier Park Project.

The Opposition Leader also highlighted that many vendors still cannot get paid, statutory bodies like the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and the BVI Hospital Services Authority continuing to delay employees’ wages and the delay of the 2017 Budget.

26 Responses to “Did Premier Smith lie when he told us the economy is robust?”

  • zzzzz (09/12/2016, 18:31) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sah someone going drop down the ndp and doc
  • Did Premier Smith lie when he told us the economy is robust? (09/12/2016, 18:58) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, he did. With a straight face and nonchalant demeanor, he hoodwinked us so his boys can take us for a long, perilous ride. Now the tank is just about empty, so now it's time to let us know. But not until January, that might spoil all our Christmas plans.
    • Welsah (09/12/2016, 22:55) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
      The tank is already empty, only fumes we getting now. We shall hear all about the belt-tightening precautions necessary in the new year, 2017. Welsah, look at what we have become. Hurting to pay our bills, bank taking our houses faster than any other times in our history, and our gov't still digging in our pockets for a few more dimes. Look at how Our Virgin Islands running on empty, once the Jewels of the Caribbean where everyone wanted to come. All the other Caribbean islands now going up while we going down. What a thing?
  • Primo (09/12/2016, 19:06) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    The thing ain't start yet but he is a Doctor he know what to do..His pressure don't go up at..
  • wize up (09/12/2016, 19:11) Like (6) Dislike (17) Reply
    Home boy all up in the NDP affairs; had he taken some of that time to focus on his VIP affairs he would have know the voting list was amended: the smallest of child knows this territory have some serious fiscal issues: every time you log on to VINO the member with the same old stories; some of us heard him the first 100 time: it will be wonderful to hear some viable solutions to the issues from the former chairman of the virgin islands party(soon to be former opposition leaders)...trying to fix another political house while his political house in shambles
  • Shuffle (09/12/2016, 20:37) Like (23) Dislike (4) Reply
    NDP government is a talented government. Can't understand why the Country can't do better.. Maybe they need to do a ministerial shuffle and hope things turn around.. Try something different... We can't continue on this part.
    • Easy (12/12/2016, 07:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      All we have to do is stop the cronyism, the glad handing, the petty mindedness, the corruption and greed, and then face the truth and deal with it like the honest hard working people we're supposed to be. Not too much to ask for, or is it?
    • Hmm (13/12/2016, 10:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Talented set of thieves!
  • Xxx (09/12/2016, 20:58) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wize up you get jokes
  • HOW DARE YOU (09/12/2016, 21:01) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    politicians never lie.
  • Joey (09/12/2016, 21:03) Like (84) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is that plane we spent that 7mil on? Is it flying for this season? or next hurricane season? Premier the public needs to know the truth before XMAS..Archie said to Ralphie speak the truth,the public is now saying to the Premier speak the dawg gone truth..
  • Get Lost (09/12/2016, 21:24) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    The opposition leader doesn't have to help anyone with thiers problems but his own VIP agenda for when he becomes Premier. Doc should have the common sense to fix his own affairs so get away with that BS. All he has to do is prove to all of us his administration is not broke and then he wouldn't get such bashing hence the term "speak the truth and shame the devil."
  • ccc (10/12/2016, 05:37) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lying is the mo of this gang
  • Twisted minds (10/12/2016, 08:09) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes this corruption will continue. Check how they are going to bail Omar out to help their family buy him building and in their bad minded effort sink someone else.
  • egg face (10/12/2016, 08:20) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    If robous for thoes who can thief and say they not hand to mouth
  • Honestly (10/12/2016, 09:09) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    NDP got a good chance of winning next election only if Smitho. Rono. And Kedro resign..A year before election get 3 new faces.. Honestly.. Archie is going to lose...O'Neal is going to lose. Kedro is going to lose. Smith is going to lose. Ronnie is going to lose if the run again.. If NDP wins. Mark the next Premier.. They figure out the rest..
  • BREAKING NEWS (10/12/2016, 11:54) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    Its is been said by inside sources that the FSS is strong, but the true figures are not given to govt, due to reckless and callus spending by the NDP monies ate withheld from the Premier. The source also said that if it wasnt for the strong leadership of Dr. Robert Mathavious the UK would have already step in and take over the bvi finances. Dr. Mathavious is the caretaker of bvi finances. I think he should be the Premier.
  • Reader (10/12/2016, 18:26) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Long live vino
  • Why some people wicked so? (11/12/2016, 02:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Poor people anthem:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct5-5PKYxyg




  • Prophet (12/12/2016, 09:25) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Give me a break about Robert Mc being the savior for the FSS. He has been feeling his way for years and his term MUST and WILL come to an end sooner rather than later There are many others who are just as qualified as he is or better. As for the Omar affair he after serving in the house for over 30 years to leave and allow something like this to happen to him is to say the least most embarrassing. Oneal and Vanterpool is understood interested in buying it and to facilitate the repayment of a loan they will get they will move the Tourist Board
  • Kermit (12/12/2016, 10:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you are a Governor, a Minister, a Consultant or a Contractor then yes, the economy is very Robust indeed....
  • Prophet (12/12/2016, 12:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    Yes the proposed move by the Tourist Board being pushed will cost over a million dollars but then who cares we will be helping pour NDP colleagues to pay that new loan

  • Pre What? (12/12/2016, 19:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Went to his front desk in the admin building 'cause Financial Services acted very cagey about complaints regarding
    an infamous Canadian bank. No paper work, no communication, no hard copy about anything. Was told the bank
    acted properly in accordance with recent agreements with some European entity about needing to know EVERYTHING
    about a customer at a bank in the BVI. So was told in person by someone at FSC only after walking right in, that it
    was OK. Nothing on paper. Go over to Premier Smiths office and some guy standing at reception desk starts giving
    me racist rhetoric because I am white and he is black. About how I am at fault for any racial situations. I know VINO
    censors some things so I will respectably come to the point: Your Premier and Governor and territory have slit your
    own throat. You piss on good people and support bad ones. Morons. Good evening.
  • W*F (15/12/2016, 11:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, he lied then and is still Lying.


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