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Governor & Premier take flight for Xmas; Mathavious & Pickering in charge

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Financial Services Commission, Dr Robert A. Mathavious, left, has been appointed Acting Governor from Friday, December 22 until Friday, December 29, 2017 while Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), right is the Acting Premier. Photo: VINO/File
Both Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), left, and Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, right, are out of the Territory but will be back to ring in the New Year in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/GIS
Both Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), left, and Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, right, are out of the Territory but will be back to ring in the New Year in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Since the 2015 snap election in which Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith-led National Democratic Party (NDP) Government won in a landside, his Administration has been disunited, with nasty infighting and loud calls for him to reshuffle his Cabinet.

However, many political observers say Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Smith is too weak and does not have the leadership stature to touch any Cabinet Member, let alone ask any Backbenchers to leave the party.

Many believe that the Education and Culture Ministry headed by Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) needs a new Minister, maybe a current backbencher and Labour and Natural Resources also needs to be shifted around. In addition, NDP supporters and elected members, both in the back and front benches, are of the view that Premier Smith himself should give up the Ministry of Finance portfolio following the reckless spending, alleged corruption and lack of audited financial reports, all made public by former Governor John S. Duncan OBE months before his departure.

Smith takes Christmas vacation; Tired

However, the embattled Premier might need a good rest, as he will not be spending Christmas 2017 with the people of the Territory. He will be overseas with his wife the First Lady Lorna G. Smith OBE, according to a source close to his travel itinerary.

Dr Smith left the island yesterday Saturday December 23, 2017 and is expected to return on Saturday December 30, 2017, according to a government statement.

In Premier Smith’s absence, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) will act as Premier in accordance with Section 55 (2) of the Virgin Islands (VI) Constitution Order, 2007.

White Christmas for Governor Jaspert

Meanwhile, the new Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka ‘Gus’ has also taken some leave and is in the United Kingdom. He is expected to return to the VI with his family so his children can attend school here.

The Governor's wife and children left the British Overseas Territory immediately after Hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed the islands and forced many schools to be closed for prolonged periods.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Financial Services Commission, Dr Robert A. Mathavious has been appointed to act in the Office of Governor from Friday, December 22 until Friday, December 29, 2017.

Dr Mathavious will act in the office in accordance with section 37(1)(b) of the VI Constitution Order 2007, during the absence of the Governor.

At least both Dr Smith and Governor Jaspert are expected to ring in 2018 in the VI.

16 Responses to “Governor & Premier take flight for Xmas; Mathavious & Pickering in charge”

  • Skinny (24/12/2017, 17:23) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
    Enjoy the break Gus and we welcome your family back here soon. You’ve been a rock whilst others crumbled, the BVI looks forward to seeing what else you can do. Merry Christmas from us all.
    • @ skinny (24/12/2017, 22:23) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
      I agree the NDP was missing in action so sad and we elected them
    • John (25/12/2017, 11:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I know this has nothing to do the topic but we in Josiah's Bay have not had water for 3 days and today there will be no Christmas for us. Can anyone help us in the areas down here before the beach?
  • vex (24/12/2017, 17:31) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    dr. smith needs to retire hopes he takes three weeks
  • Big Botty Bernadeth (24/12/2017, 18:33) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Now the ku de tat or wah ever it call should kick in.
  • Socrates (24/12/2017, 19:37) Like (16) Dislike (8) Reply
    Political aspirants do not normally take vacation during a heated election campaign, do they? Similarly, should Dr. Honourable Premier Daniel Orlando Orlando Smith, MoF, be vacationing during a national crisis, especially at Christmas? Should not Dr. Smith, At L, be at home during this stressful time visiting with residents if only to show he is sharing their pain? How many residents are struggling this holiday season? Would not they be happy to see Doc and share a likkle guava berry and piece of guava tart with them? Is the Premier putting self interest above the people’s? Is the job wearing Doc down? Who is Doc’s advisors? Is this Doc’s last gallop? Well, hopefully this vacation will reenergized the Premier and he returns charge up and ready to go.
  • wize up (24/12/2017, 21:46) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Big deal and I will let you; in all these years Dr Smith is the fist chief minister/premier in this country to ever taken a vacation: so this is headline news: some folks don't have a roof over their head and see what made the headline: who real gives a fu(& about the people's vacation while others suffering: pure political headline
  • Windy (24/12/2017, 22:24) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wish both men well, but the reality is, the Governor will be better off running the country until the next elections
  • just asking... (24/12/2017, 22:48) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    so is Dr. Pickering Myrun boss this week? lol thing to tell the king
  • Liat 521 (25/12/2017, 06:08) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    He should go and take excile in Africa. Dr is useless
  • VG (25/12/2017, 09:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope he calls election next year
  • Retirement or Rejuvenation (25/12/2017, 13:03) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The country needs a breath of fresh and youthful air period. He ain't see what Amory did him acting like Parry. He not gonna give up until he loses and even after losing he still gonna hang on like Douglas. The Lord has a plan for the BVI that we can't see only if some people do his will.
  • pat (26/12/2017, 06:44) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Poor doc Smith he going out worst than rto


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