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Did the Premier lie about knowledge of Auditor General’s Report?

- Credibility of the good Dr may be out the door after claiming not to know anything about the Auditor General’s Report on the Ports Development Project! Is it a case of Alzheimer’s? Can we trust our Political leaders?
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith shocked the Virgin Islands on December 17, 2013 at the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly when he claimed he has never seen the Auditor General’s Report on the Port Development Project, no one sent it to him and he does not know where to find it. However he issued a November 1, 2013 statement responding to details within the report. Many have said he was misleading the public on his knowledge of the same report after publicly addressing same. Photo: VINO/File
First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, who posed the question to Premier Smith about laying the Auditor General’s Report on the table of the House of Assembly, lashed out at the National Democratic Party Administration. Hon. Fahie told this news site that ‘when you hear them trying to fool you about their financial stewardship be careful for it’s a lie form the pits of hell, as the facts show otherwise.’ Photo: VINO/File
First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, who posed the question to Premier Smith about laying the Auditor General’s Report on the table of the House of Assembly, lashed out at the National Democratic Party Administration. Hon. Fahie told this news site that ‘when you hear them trying to fool you about their financial stewardship be careful for it’s a lie form the pits of hell, as the facts show otherwise.’ Photo: VINO/File
The Controversial Auditor General’s Report on the Ports Development Project is yet to be laid on the table of Parliament. The Report, authored by Ms Sonia M. Webster, details a web of corruption, conflict of interest and violations of the laws of the Virgin Islands. The Report was leaked to selective media houses. Photo: File
The Controversial Auditor General’s Report on the Ports Development Project is yet to be laid on the table of Parliament. The Report, authored by Ms Sonia M. Webster, details a web of corruption, conflict of interest and violations of the laws of the Virgin Islands. The Report was leaked to selective media houses. Photo: File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The issue of lies and more lies from our political leaders have again raised its head and stunned the Virgin Islands community. Many are shaking their heads as they could not believe what they heard in the House of Assembly on December 17, 2013.

It was the Virgin Islands Premier and Leader of the National Democratic Party, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, who shocked the Territory with what he told the third sitting of the third session of the second House of Assembly (HOA).

At the time Dr. Smith, who is also the Leader of Government business in the HOA, was responding to a question put forth by First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie about the controversial Auditor General’s Report on the Ports Development Project.

The member for the First District Hon. Fahie asked; “Now that the Premier is fully aware of the Auditor General’s Report on the Ports Development project when is he going to lay on the table the report in accordance with Sec 109 (3) of the Constitution of the Virgin Islands?”

I never seen the report, no one sent it to me –Dr. Smith

After Premier Smith danced around the answer to the question and said that section 109 (3) of the constitution speaks to government accounts being laid on the table and there is no requirement for him [Minister of Finance] to lay the Auditor General’s Report on the Ports Development Project on the table and that reports are usually laid on the table of the HOA by whomever is requesting them, it was what came after that shocked residents.

With a straight face, Dr Smith told the people of the Virgin Islands that; “the member is saying that I am fully aware of the existence of the Auditor General Report, ….Madam Speaker, I have heard of this report floating around, I have not seen it, I am not sure I could find it, no one has sent it to me, so I know nothing about it!”

Is he telling the truth? Premier issued Statement on November 1, 2013 on the Report

Saying he never saw the report and knows nothing about it was indeed shocking as the same Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith issued a four page statement dated November 1, 2013 on the same controversial Auditor General’s Report.

One will have to ask how can one issue a response [now on public record] to the Auditor General’s Report after not knowing anything about the report, not seeing it, not knowing where to find it, or having no one send it to him. Did the Premier forget that he had publicly addressed the Report?  Was he trying to mislead the public? Was the statement written without his knowledge of the details in the statement? These are all questions now being asked of the public.

In the statement’s second paragraph, Dr. Smith referred directly to the same report he suddenly had not seen, or not sure where to find. His statement issued on November 1, 2013 said, “Firstly and very importantly you should be aware that much of what has been reported and indeed what was contained in that Auditor General’s Report focuses on matters related to a Heads of Understanding Agreement between the Government and TPP….”

A Lie from the Pits of Hell – Hon Andrew A. Fahie

While shying away from calling the Premier a liar, in responding to his question at the December 17, 2013 sitting of the HOA, First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie lashed out at Dr. Smith.

He told Virgin Islands News Online in an interview late yesterday evening that the Premier continues to mislead the public and play games with words and while continuing to violate the Protocol for Effective Financial Management.

The former Minister for Education and Culture in the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration said “since the National Democratic Party took power they have engaged in the most reckless spending of any administration in the history of the Territory...but because of good marketing they continue to fool the people.”

He went on to alleged that every project the NDP  have done since the Protocol was signed violated the same Protocol for Effective Financial Management such as, the Georgie Hill Road, Crafts Alive, Hospital Park, the Paul Wattley Road and the Park in Virgin Gorda to name a few.

Hon. Fahie told this news site that “when you hear them trying to fool you about their financial stewardship be careful for it’s a lie form the pits of hell, as the facts show otherwise.”

While this news site has not called Premier Smith a liar, but simply put the facts out there in the most fair and objective way, one political commentator who spoke to this news site said many aspects of Virgin Islands (VI)  Politics reminds him of American politics.

When pressed to give examples, the local educator said just look at Richard Nixon -- "I'm not a crook" -- to Bill Clinton -- "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky" -- to Marion Barry -- "It's all made up... I don't know what happened" -- to John Edwards -- "The story is false... It's completely untrue, ridiculous"

He said “it seems like VI politicians are now creating an unfortunate legacy and history of political deception, or at least stretching the truth.”

Please click on link to see full text of Premier Smith's November 1, 2013 Statement on the Auditor General’s Report on the Ports Development Project

http://www.bvi.gov.vg/sites/default/files/121%20-%20STATEMENT%20BY%20PREMIER%20AND%20MINISTER%20OF%20FINANCE,%20DR.%20THE%20HONOURABLE%20D.%20ORLANDO%20SMITH,%20OBE%20ON%20THE%20PROCESS%20OF%20THE%20CRUISE%20PIER%20DEVELOPMENT.pdf

62 Responses to “Did the Premier lie about knowledge of Auditor General’s Report?”

  • bb (18/12/2013, 10:06) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wow
  • foxy (18/12/2013, 10:12) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    impreach him
  • Eii a yeye (18/12/2013, 10:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh father - Doc, Doc, Doc. Did you hear a question other than what was being asked? You should have asked Fahie to repeat the question. The truth always set people free. if you can't speak the truth, then don't say anything. Remember your mother warned you "not to be found wanting".
  • DON Q (18/12/2013, 10:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    how can i ever trust the ndp ever again
  • David (18/12/2013, 11:01) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply

    While it is good for Smith to be help accountable by the opposition, it is rather disingenuous of Fahie to pretend he is somehow a good financial steward. Please remember that it was Fahie who allegedly spend tax dollars to run political ads for his last election. There needs to be a serious conversation to overhaul all our political leaders.

    • To David (18/12/2013, 11:47) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      Try stop lying on Fahie. Anyone with sense knows that you talking nonsense.
      • why you calling my name (18/12/2013, 19:48) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        They just love Andrew name
      • David (19/12/2013, 13:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        if you don't believe me, just read the news report about how Mr. Fahie spent gov't funds in the finals days of the last election: http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/update-hon-fahie-should-repay-out-of-own-pocket-stoutt-

        Very dubious of the timing of that expenditure out of the gov't treasury.

        The point is that both NDP and VIP have lost credibility.
    • @ David (18/12/2013, 11:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      The strange bed fellowship of the plutocrats and the theocrats is starting to unravel.
  • family (18/12/2013, 11:06) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    pants on fire dr. your poor mom would have been disapointed
  • Lady (18/12/2013, 11:22) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply

    Maybe it is time that Doc Smith just give up on this political drama and live his quiet life as a doctor, because he do good you make a scene he do bad the same Andrew he who never lie or sin throw the first stone , so you have your fault too. Fraser lied too about the water issue, so people stop killing each other and try and live in peace

    • To lady (18/12/2013, 11:51) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Everyone have sin but the NDP not Fahie & Fraser seems to think that everyone except they the NDP have sins.
      • one eye roster (18/12/2013, 20:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Yes ..yes you said it all. Now I know that voters are thinking
  • The REAL GoonSquad (18/12/2013, 11:25) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ha ha now we find out who is the real emperor without clothes
  • mother hen (18/12/2013, 11:26) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    the power only of the direct quote
    • my beef (18/12/2013, 21:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      with NDP everything is an experiment, and if things go wrong, they bear no responsibility.
  • xxxxxxxx (18/12/2013, 11:30) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    both ndp and vip parties are doing nothing to deal with the real issues we face.
    • hteul (18/12/2013, 15:00) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      This is an incorrect statement or some erroneous idea to think that the opposition and the government are on par in running the affairs of the territory. The gov is in charge and they have all the statutes, rules, clause, policies you name it to get the job. It is unfortunate that the same gov keep skirting those same rules with impunity. The opposition duty is to try ensure the rules are followed and where they erred to let it be known in the house or media. Keeping to the letter of the Law will help to restrict some who feel they can dive into the cookie jar at will. So the opposition is doing their work so far. If government is not held to some standard what should expect y folks?
  • hmm! (18/12/2013, 11:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Representative government of the people, by the people and for the people? Yeah, right!
  • Out of place!! (18/12/2013, 11:46) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does anyone believe Orlando had an "A Ha!" moment and suddenly realized that his out of control Party is not good for the BVI?
  • Alarming (18/12/2013, 11:49) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    What's alarming about this is that the NDP is covering up what seems to be corruption.
  • yaa (18/12/2013, 12:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    So we got our Xmas gift from doc a bag full of untr**hs

  • west (18/12/2013, 12:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    THE MEDIA GOT HIM LETS SEE THE GLOVER PARKS RESPONSE
  • ABC (18/12/2013, 12:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    ! How long could the elected government ignore we the people
  • yellow (18/12/2013, 12:39) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The disgust that one feels for the NDP gang and their COWBIRD SUPPORTERS is only mildly amelioriated by the 2015 ELECTIONS.
  • Biggs (18/12/2013, 13:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    So what's new??
    • kevin (18/12/2013, 16:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      that another person was caught by the media lying lol
      • to kevin (18/12/2013, 20:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

        For real the governor called him out on FOOT apointment and judge Mattis did the same. Same like its a trade of the NDP

  • Out of place!! (18/12/2013, 13:15) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Jeez um bread In case you missed it they have a link to the Premier press statement!!! well saw… so he and the spin myters can’t chat cocka may may
  • Progress (18/12/2013, 13:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is it possible the someone else issued a response on behalf of the Premier. Most Ministers don't write anything for themself?
  • Sons Of Thunder (18/12/2013, 14:15) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
    I feel a shaking in the spirit, there gonna be a mighty fall in the political parties many hidden secrets with be expose. Mysteries will be reveal, the sacrifices that was made on many hills, beneath the sea, and in the grave yards will all be brought to the light. Again God is rising up a people out of the nowhere to pluck up, and to pull down will you hear them? Before this great fall, I hear the Lord saying to me tell the people to come together and repent, call a country fast. Let all the leaders in government bow down, let the church leaders bow down, let the high an mighty bow down, He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
  • Champ (18/12/2013, 15:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    doc you disappoint me it now election start we the people are listening and shock you have to defend your self or admit defeat
  • Let's b fear (18/12/2013, 16:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Premier that picture don't look like a strong leader it look like a worry leader guilty of something that was done wrong opposition members run the bvi already they are not people what u pick up off the street to go in the house so they know what questions to asked u the elected members and every minister know u need to have answers for the opposition members and that's where the problem is now look at our premier in a picture looking disappointed
  • gis a ndp tool (18/12/2013, 16:31) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    did anyone see that silly press release they issued to try and change the subject about he appreciate the people so much crap NDP MUST GO
    • 2015 (18/12/2013, 21:01) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      What a way to end the year amidst the killings, mayhem, and hopelessness under this government
  • Liat 521 (18/12/2013, 17:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    caught red handed shame shame shame

  • vistor (18/12/2013, 17:28) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another well written and factual piece vino
    • never again (20/12/2013, 00:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      As someone who has voted for him in the past, I am extremely disappointed in this decision. I
  • wise up (18/12/2013, 18:26) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    thanks VINO; keep your people in the mix; them NDP guys crafty and fill with tricks and smooth talk....he is the leader of government business; in other word the CEO of the company !!!!!
  • POPE (18/12/2013, 19:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Once they tell one lie they will tell another
  • Voice of Reason (18/12/2013, 20:58) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Give doc a break he had a hard day and was speaking off the script…he was not reading from the speech writers speech so please forgive the man we all make mistakes. 4 more years… NOT
    • wise up (18/12/2013, 23:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      voice of reason; i agree with you 100%....use a phrase from the Minister Doc forgot to bring his "A" game to House....Doc clearly understand he can fool some of the people most of the time!!!!!!
  • education is the key (18/12/2013, 21:25) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    keeping people ignorant and "unlearned" with LIES is the way to keep them down -
  • cow bird (19/12/2013, 07:48) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    We still voting ndp all the way
  • Senses (19/12/2013, 08:33) Like (0) Dislike (9) Reply
    We have a political crisis in the BVI. The voters are simply tired of both parties, and do not trust either of them. The emergence of a new party will be viewed with some skepticism and suspicion, as the motives behind the formation of this new party is not clear.Sadly, Mr. O'Neal's legacy will be tarnished by the behavior of his Ministers during his term as the first Premier of the Virgin Islands. Doc is having the same problem with his Ministers,and is distracted with the infighting in his cabinet.Everyone wants to be Chief and not be a" brown nose" Indian, and there lies the problem. Here is my two cents.....The NDP will be back next Elections, by default! While Emperor Nero (Uncle Ralph) fiddles ........Rome (Road Town)burns!!!!!!!!
  • teeth (19/12/2013, 10:46) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    stay tune to hear the lying comeback in the house of assembly hehehehehe
  • not geting away this time (19/12/2013, 14:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    red handed in a big fay l*e

  • mother (19/12/2013, 16:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    my mother always tell me its good to tell the truth as the truth shall set you free
  • chad (19/12/2013, 16:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now, that is lie! lol
  • please (19/12/2013, 20:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We will gladly trade Obama for Dr Smith. Send him on over if you don't want him.
  • in the news (19/12/2013, 21:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this man an his government have taken the BVI to a new low
  • x NDP (20/12/2013, 00:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Smith has now proven himself to be the consummate ballerina politician.
  • the realest (20/12/2013, 12:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ha ha the NDP site late they just woke up to this story...Good to go VINO you are always ahead of the competition


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