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Governor has ‘nothing further to add’ to past criticisms of NDP Gov’t

Governor John S. Duncan OBE has nothing further to add to his past public statements about the reckless spending and lack of priority of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) recently attempted to put a spin on the way his administration has been running the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) recently attempted to put a spin on the way his administration has been running the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- With his point already made, Governor John S. Duncan OBE has nothing further to add to the criticism of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), who recently attempted to put a spin on the way his administration has been running the country.

Governor Duncan has privately and publically blasted the NDP Administration of reckless spending and lacking priority.

He had backed up his criticism of Government by moving to take money from the Consolidated Fund to give to the police, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the courts shortly after the passing of the 2017 Budget in the House of Assembly and later told this news site that some four years of underspending in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) needed to be addressed before the effects of his giving the police additional funding could be seen.

His decision to use his power under Sec 103 (b) of the VI Constitution was seen as an imposition of direct rule on the Territory as it stripped the Minister of Finance Dr Smith and the House of Assembly of their powers to determine how monies are spent.

Nothing further to add

Meanwhile, Premier Smith in his mid-term report on July 10, 2017 stated that his Government has been prudent and 'strategic' with spending. This was in contrast to what Governor Duncan has said in the past, and most naturally we asked the Governor if he maintains that Government has been reckless and not prioritising their spending?

“At this time the Governor has nothing further to add to his past public statements,” Policy Assistant at the Governor’s Office, Emma Bailey responded via email on July 18, 2017.

Governor John S. Duncan OBE took up his post as a senior civil servant in the British Foreign Service as appointed Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) in August of 2014. His tenure ends August 2017 and Mr Duncan has stated he will not leave the territory until after the Emancipation festivities.

This is a breakaway from the norm of departing Governors, who would usually proceed on leave about a month before and not return.

13 Responses to “Governor has ‘nothing further to add’ to past criticisms of NDP Gov’t”

  • Note taker (19/07/2017, 13:25) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    In other words he is sticking to what he said
  • Mypeople! (19/07/2017, 15:32) Like (4) Dislike (13) Reply
    All of a sudden the VI too good for the people who built it to where it is. Let's face it, the Queen did not give us a dime to educate our people and to assist the people who worked to build this country to today; how dare she now trying to tell us how to count dollars and cents and how best to use it? Not one of our men has the wickedness in their heart against this country like the British would, give them the opportunity to rule over us again. Why she don't haul her tail and go tell the immigrants in the UK to stop multiplying so that the British would not be outnumbered in the UK? I sick of these pale people who think that it aint right unless it is white. Pure clandestine, underhanded practices against our people in the name of transparency, accountability and protocols of fiscal financial management. There is a remnant of Virgin Islanders and we are not afraid. We do not fear 'fear.'
  • ForwardEver (19/07/2017, 15:42) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply
    Look at the cartoon, man. He want to stay to wuk up. If you catch him in the Jouvert; you know what to do - give he the "Rabbit" that they had in a St. Thomas Jouvert. Regardless of the reason he staying on, good, bad, ugly or indifferent, the people of the Virgin Islands will rise. We will once and for all understand who we are, what we must do to chart our own destiny, and we will go forward as a remnant of persons with the true Virgin Islands resilient spirit. Those that are for us are more than those that are against us, and with those in the spiritual realm, Virgin Islanders, press on you are not alone. We are going up, going up to conquer, so no, don't talk, don't talk defeat to us - and shall have the Victory.
    • Reply (19/07/2017, 22:42) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      I don't know which is worst: the threats, the complaints, or the lies.
  • Garfield (19/07/2017, 17:09) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wha else all you want the poor Governor say di man. He done tell all yuh clear that this boyz nah take care of business. All you play dumb.
  • Noway (19/07/2017, 18:58) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    Since when Gobernor and Queen care about Virgin Islands. Lord, our people dotish meh son. You can't see they looking place to put them people. Not here. Let us birds stay here and flock together. Them going push us like TB said. Not this time, pahpaw.
  • Professor (19/07/2017, 21:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Race is not the issue. It's how the country is doing. Don't make this out to be a racist situation. Stay on track please.
  • tola (19/07/2017, 22:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    But for the first time in my 6 years I am embarrassed for my country.
  • Political Observer (PO) (19/07/2017, 22:56) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    Governor Duncan for the most part stayed out of local politics except to aid fellow UK mates. For example, he refused to commission a commission of inquiry into Tortola Pier Park. The Tortola Pier Park project with its gigantic cost overruns ($3oM)and other issues.......etc was rife for investigation. However, he had no problem institution direct rule by invoking Section 103(B) of the constitution to direct funding that was not appropriated by HOA to Comish of RVIPF. He worked diligently to appoint UK nationals as DPP, Auditor General..........etc. The Guv seemed to have intimidated the Premier. The Guv publically embarrassed the Premier but the Premier tuck his tail and run like a scared........Guv, bon voyage!


  • Prophet (19/07/2017, 23:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I feel as tho this BVI Airways thing and the wasteful spending and corruption will turn into a big situation where the people will rebel and rise up.

  • cnn (20/07/2017, 08:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Six years of Madness!!!!!! Pier Park saga, BVI Airways saga, port boss saga, corruption, back deals, cronyism, deplorable hoa, violent threat to hit another elected member with a fist, cow track roads east west north n south, tax up, no increments, overpriced wall, stupid gadget idea for high school, charging parents, lies lies lies wickedness wickedness stealing stealing, crime up, poverty up, morality down, high price consulting fees, unnecessary outside lawyer fees, deplorable Court Registry building, attacking vendors, using social security as piggy bank, forced Nhi for poor health service, firing health chair for speaking mind, fake mid-term report, fake reforms....
  • wize up (22/07/2017, 17:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    it will be nice to get an update from the White House on that almost 2 million dollars: the value of the new vehicles and things of that nature: white house can't just hold our people to accountable standards after all, the 1.8 mil is also tax payers money: accountability is accountability


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