EXCLUSIVE: ‘Governor has made his decision!' – Hon Ralph T. O’Neal
The Governor of the Virgin Islands, His Excellency John S. Duncan, said last evening March 17, 2015 during a pre-recorded broadcast on radio and television, “Having considered in detail the Public Account Committee’s report, the report of the Auditor General, the comments of my predecessor Governor [William Boyd] McCleary and having taken account of the studies of the Caribbean Development Bank and the independent consultant, I see no useful purpose to commission a further inquiry into ports project or any of the other projects.”
The Governor’s announcement came months after he said during an interview that he would have been making the announcement by the end of December 2014, while saying that it may go over into January 2015.
Governor sought advice/reports
Governor Duncan gave the reason his decision came at the time it did, citing the need to speak with persons for advice and to get a hold of key reports to inform his decision on the matter.
“I have also taken advice from experts, both in the region and from the United Kingdom. This advice has taken much longer than I would have liked. While the delay may have been frustrating to the ladies and gentlemen of the media and to online bloggers, I believe that most Virgin Islanders would prefer that the work was done thoroughly,” said Governor Duncan.
“The initial report from a study into our tendering and procurement procedures by the Caribbean Development Bank commissioned by the Premier with the agreement of Governor McCleary was not available to me until the end of December [2014]. A second report by an independent consultant, commissioned by my Office to ensure that the CDB’s recommendations fully addressed the detailed concerns and issues raised by the Public Accounts Committee and the Auditor General was completed last week. Both reports will be made publicly available,” he said.
'That’s the Governor’s decision' – Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE
Speaking with this news site today March 18, 2015, Honourable O’Neal said he missed the broadcast of the speech by the Governor since he was at the time in the House of Assembly.
“I got home from the meeting [in the House of Assembly] last night around midnight. I didn’t hear the speech,” he said.
When told that the Governor said that he has not found it necessary to call a Commission of Inquiry into the cruise pier project, Honourable O’Neal said, “Well that is the Governor’s decision. What I must do?”
“We (the PAC) recommended the Commission of Inquiry but if the Governor doesn’t want to do that then that’s the Governor’s business. I cannot interfere into that,” said the veteran legislator.
Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) is to officially respond to the Governor's speech in due course.
Governor Duncan failed to heed the will of the people
Chairman of the People's Empowerment Party (PEP) and Representative for the Second District Honourable J. Alvin Christopher (R2) said that the Governor has not taken the will of the people into consideration when making his decision.
Speaking with this news site today, Hon Christopher said, “[The Governor] made a decision based on what his opinion was but I don’t think he took the views of the people of the territory into consideration. Because if he did he would have heard clearly that the people of this territory have concerns about how the project actually was conducted and I think they are the ones who have the right to know…and the Governor didn’t give them the opportunity. He [made his decision] on his views and what he personally thinks and I don’t think that in itself has brought any relief to the people of the territory.”
“He will realise in the days to come what the people’s reaction is to this whole thing,” said Honourable Christopher.
Governor has usurped the authority of the PAC
Talk show host Edmund G. Maduro was livid following the conclusion of the Governor’s speech. “The Governor has usurped the powers of the Public Accounts Committee…he has deliberately and wrongfully from an administrative and constitutional point of view embarrassed the Public Accounts Committee. Does he have the power to throw the Public Accounts Committee aside and do whatever he wants to do? He did his own inquiry. Is he supposed to do that? As far as I am concerned the Governor should get his a** out of here,” said Maduro.
“How could he act contrary to the House’s rules and regulations. That Public Accounts Committee was set up there as a check and balance for the Government. When they ask for something he can’t just do what he [feels like],” said Maduro.
“Those behaviours of the Governor are antiquated and we need to get him out of here,” said Maduro.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
26 Responses to “EXCLUSIVE: ‘Governor has made his decision!' – Hon Ralph T. O’Neal”
I told you guys to keep Edmund under watch. You see the same thing? Edmund needs to do more reading and understanding and less pandering and flipping off. The Governor clearly stated that the PAC did a half-@$$3d job and it was pure politics. How can he rely on the PAC alone when the PAC didn't even follow their own rules? PAC didn't even interview Claude as Director of Ports or Mark as Minister of Ports. How do you investigate an issue and call for a COI without even interviewing the parties involved? Instead, they interviewed the parties that were involved in the OLD CRUISE PIER DEVELOPMENT under VIP. How does that make sense? Edmund you are a disgrace to the BVI and perhaps you should go! There are some Maduros in Venezuela that might welcome you down there. You too damn ignorant! Go march now with your foolishness see if Fraser and anybody else studying you anymore.
By now the Governor is aware that a number of the Ministers of Government loose tongues. How will he react when the "Chinese Minister" wakes him up with a few choice words during a meeting. Will he walk out or site there like Mary's little lamb.
My dear hearts and gentle people, corruption breathes more corruption. If this Governor thinks that blaming the system and overlooking the actors who have corrupted the system will make life a bed of roses, he will soon become the victim of the thorns which lie beneath the rose. It is only a matter of time.