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Flip flopping again? Premier Smith admits BVI Airways owes nothing to BVIAA

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith has confirmed that nothing else is owed by BVI Airways to the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) following a court case in 2014 which resulted in the outstanding balance being resolved after $70,000 had been paid. Photo: VINO/File/Provided
Premier Smith (left) and two of the principals of BVI Airways Bruce F. Bradley and Scott A. Weisman. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Smith (left) and two of the principals of BVI Airways Bruce F. Bradley and Scott A. Weisman. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith has confirmed that nothing else is owed by BVI Airways to the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) following a court case in 2014 which resulted in the outstanding balance being resolved after $70,000 had been paid.

This the Premier reported at his last press conference held on Wednesday February 10, 2016 at the Central Administration Complex. He had given information to the contrary in the House of Assembly on February 4, 2016 in responding to answers to questions.

Speaking at the press conference, the Premier said the matter of the outstanding payments was in court but it was satisfactorily resolved, so there is currently no legal matter.

“There was a court case in 2014 and after the court case the matter was satisfactorily resolved,” he said. “What was owed was $70,000 which they paid. There was a question of other fees but that was what the court case was about. And those were satisfactorily resolved,” said Premier Smith.

Senior Opposition Member Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), during the February 4, 2016 Sixth Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands had asked Dr Smith what provisions have been made for the payment of all outstanding fees by BVI Airways to the BVIAA or Central Government.

In response, Premier Smith had said BVI Airways owes the BVI Airports Authority the total sum of $112, 403.40 and that legal action was being sought to recover the funds. “Madam Speaker, the BVI Airports Authority has taken a decision to engage their legal representatives to recover the funds owed by BVI Airways,” Premier Smith had said.

He had also stated that the BVI Airports Authority is uncertain of when the balance owed will be paid.

However, in a press release from the BVI Airports Authority on February 9, 2016, it was stated that there are no legal actions against BVI Airways.

“The BVI Airports Authority Ltd hereby advises that, presently, it has no active or pending legal action against BVI Airways. A previous action, however, had been brought in late 2014, which has been satisfactorily resolved,” the press release stated.

This is yet another instance of Premier Smith – the territory's Minister of Finance – flip-flopping on answers given in the House of Assembly to questions posed by members of the Opposition.

12 Responses to “Flip flopping again? Premier Smith admits BVI Airways owes nothing to BVIAA”

  • DON Q (12/02/2016, 15:42) Like (20) Dislike (14) Reply
    See why this man was rightly called moo moo of the day!!!
    • First district (12/02/2016, 17:51) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      LORD HAVE MERCY WA NEXT I PACKING UP AND LEAVING THIS PLACE FOR REAL
  • onlooker (12/02/2016, 16:11) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe the Premier has an early attack of dementia.
  • +++ (12/02/2016, 17:02) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    so is the reimbursement come out of the $500,000 loan to the airline? are we paying our own reimbursement?
    • wize up (12/02/2016, 19:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ +++: i personally have that same thought because while in HOA the premier acknowledge that fact money was owned and he even advised that airport authority will proceed via the court system AND now that debt has been settled.... just saying
      • +++ (12/02/2016, 23:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        the airport is going to be another nightmare and the people are going to pay so those with private jets can store them. the rest of the time the runway will be empty and wasted. The whole thing is a waste of money. Then wait for the hotel, restaurants, stores and "commercial shopping centre" in Trellis... this is only the tip of the iceberg in order to have VG people have a place to shop.
  • Cookie Monster (12/02/2016, 22:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    "old timers" disease surely
  • civil servant (13/02/2016, 01:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Remember people dr smith does not have a clue on what is going on in the country!
  • Disillusioned (13/02/2016, 05:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does any body else feel it would be the right time for a lack of confidence motion against the government and that we the populace should be the ones voting on that motion, since we only have two opposition and the government and the opposition seem incapable of leading this country in fairness and transparency?

    I cant trust the government, the opposition, if another party comes on stream... it would be quite difficult to trust them as well. We know the old saying once bitten twice shy. Where does our country go from here?
    • affected (13/02/2016, 18:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      To dissuliyion ;
      Our country goes DOWN from here , at least the massives will be LEFT BEHIND
      A sad sadd state of affairs our country is facing
  • Cookie Monster (13/02/2016, 13:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    poor fallar he much be real embarrassed
  • -------------------------- (14/02/2016, 23:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are seeing dark days ahead


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