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Government rejects debate on PAC Cruise Pier final report

Hon Andrew A. Fahie's motion to debate the Public Accounts Committee's Final Report on the Cruise Pier Development Project was rejected by Government today June 13, 2014 in the House of Assembly. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Government rejected the Opposition’s attempt today June 13, 2014 to commence a debate on the Public Accounts Committee’s Final Report on the Cruise Pier Development Project in the House of Assembly.

During the Seventh Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly, member for the First District Honourable Andrew A. Fahie proposed a motion to have the report, which this news site has reported on, debated today.

However, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith vehemently objected to this, saying that such a large report of almost 1,000 pages could not be debated in such a short time that it was given to members.

Further, Dr Smith said that Government member Hon Marlon A. Penn, who sits on the Public Accounts Committee, did not have a chance to make his input into the final report.

Voting in support of the debate were Hon Fahie (R1), Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), and Hon J. Alvin Christopher (R2).

Voting against the debate were Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr the Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton, Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn, Hon Delores Christopher (R5), Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) and Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8).

Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, who earlier laid the report on the table of the House of Assembly, abstained when it was his turn to vote. He had earlier said in a statement that he wanted a meeting with the Honourable Premier on the report.

 

17 Responses to “Government rejects debate on PAC Cruise Pier final report”

  • ccc (13/06/2014, 14:37) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Next
  • HMMM (13/06/2014, 14:42) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    NDP must go, Ralph needs to go as well (his retirement taking too long) he is a terrible opposition leader when has he actually ever opposed any NDP motions?
  • ABC (13/06/2014, 15:10) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Not only NDP must go, Tilford must also go. The leader of the Oposition sat with the rest of them and agreed as to how to proceed and now claim ignorance as to what the plan that was agreed upon. The three members of the Oposition need to pay the Governor a visit and inform him that they can no longer support Tilford as leader.

    I do not recall the Speaker asking for a vote to debate or not to debate when the interim report was tabled. BUT Vanterpool stood up for two hours misleading the House. We all know why.
    • E"F"G- Hi-JK (15/06/2014, 03:01) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      2 ABC You people operate like the republicans in America. Ralph is not a fool, he know when to attack and im sure he will have the debate. I don't support the way the NDP is going about doing this project. I think its a good project but they need to be the government in the sun shine and bring the full details to the public before it cost them the next election.
      • ABC (15/06/2014, 19:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I agree, Tilford is no fool. He will do everything to encourage the Premier to bight the bullet and recommend that he be Knighted. Unfortunately the records will not support his one wish.
  • Eh? (13/06/2014, 15:42) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
    Mr. O'Neal abstain because he doesn't know and will continue not knowing what the hell is going on. The man continues to sleep in the house of assembly and refuses to stay at home and sleep while the other members of the opposition do their job being vigilant.

    It is quite clear that this administration is up to no good and we have to put a stop to them trying to take the public funds saying that they will build the economy when it is for themselves.

    STOP THEM NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
  • rewrsdffds (13/06/2014, 15:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    All I am going to say is that a government should not be left to police themselves.
  • Yes (13/06/2014, 16:03) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    When Ralph Oneal becomes the voice of reason, well, we know what time it is. He will meet with Doc, the stuff will be cleared up and that report won't see the light of day. Mr Oneal is done with politics so he is not interested in playing games. The two Fs well be left squirming and balling about this one. Remember I said so...watch this space..
  • investigator (13/06/2014, 16:22) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Tilford having displayed his ability to stand up and be counted, he appears to be a suitable candidate to be Knighted. Please give Fraser the sword.
  • 1 (13/06/2014, 20:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why should Mr. Fahie worry about the backlash from the NDP everytime?
  • yellow (13/06/2014, 20:07) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Elections are in the air....
  • vex (13/06/2014, 21:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    They so dam unfair
  • high hope (14/06/2014, 06:40) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Very, very sad, what this speaker is doing to the country
  • more of the same (14/06/2014, 06:45) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    The BVI government wouldn't deal, so come next election the voters will ask them to leave.
  • general (16/06/2014, 13:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I can't wait for the next elections God spare my life, if I have to go door to door to campaign against NDP I will. The Speaker is blatantly the NDP Speaker. She can't even be professional and hide it. My God where is the governor in all this? We have no one to help us and protect us from regime. They are worse than AL-Qaeda. I wonder if HM Queen Elizabeth monitors what go on in the BVI, because it appears that the governor is out to lunch or fast asleep.


  • boy (16/06/2014, 14:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Boy Andrew you look well small>>>.......
  • Whoa (18/06/2014, 14:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What are they afraid of? If what is in the report is hogwash, and the MCW says there is no merit to the PAC report, then why are they shying away from the debate? Ok, stop using your majority to defeat the motion for the debate. LET THE DEBATE GO AHEAD. Clear the cloud of suspicion.


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