Gov’t Members were unaware of ‘High Level Framework’ document- Skelton-Cline
Former Managing Director of BVI Ports Authority and commentator Mr Claude O. Skelton- Cline, who first read a portion of the document on his radio show Honestly Speaking on January 9, 2018, took the time to read most of what is stipulated in the document in his possession, while on his latest show on ZBVI 780 AM on January 30, 2018.
Top secret document?
Mr Skelton-Cline expressed concern that the document from the United Kingdom (UK), which had huge implications for the Virgin Islands, was being treated as top secret, even from the knowledge of other elected National Democratic Party (NDP) representatives.
In order for the Territory to get any money for hurricane recovery, it had to agree to a new set of rules stipulated by the High Level Framework for UK support to the BVI Hurricane Recovery. It had to agree to good governance and transparency in all ministries, according to the document obtained by our newsroom. The UK wants an Investment Development Agency Board to manage the money, taking it out of the hands of the politicians.
The UK is to have an additional representative on the investment board, and the VI cannot get any loans going forward unless they adhere to these polices where the UK will manage the hurricane funds.
The Board via the UK appointed Governor is to have monthly updates on how the money is to be spent, fiscal forecast and must implement public sector reform, which many have argued means public sector layoffs.
The measures, already signed off by the Dr Smith Administration, has tied incoming governments' hands for years, according to a senior NDP Cabinet Member, and many believe that Hon Smith has sold the country out, taking us back to grant-in-aid.
According to Mr Skelton-Cline, the part he has is from a five page letter written to the Premier as a response from the UK. “It is our understanding that somewhere around November 10, our government wrote to the UK. The UK then responded around the 24th or so of November but it was not until the week of Christmas that this document was shared with the rest of the sitting Government.
“It is our understanding that this letter came to the Premier and Minister of Finance and after some prodding and press by one of the backbenchers, I understand that this is how this letter came to be and some of them were seeing it for the very first time.”
Where is the Gov’t in the sunshine?
Mr Skelton- Cline discussed the letter with guest on his show, Dr Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru, President of the Virgin Islands Party. Both men expressed dissatisfaction that the document, which has so many stipulations to be brought on the people of the Virgin Islands, was not brought to the people.
“Something like this really should be discussed with the public. Just the title of it ‘High Level Framework’, seems to suggest that this is not something intended for a perusal by the general public and I think that’s unfortunate,” Mr Wheatley added.
This level of secrecy, where even members of government is left in the dark is not demonstrative of transparency and accountability in government. “In the name of confidentiality or secrecy, a lot of these stuff are being withheld from the real persons whom it will most affect,” Mr Skelton- Cline said.
The letter also stipulated the appointing of an Auditor General by April 1, 2018, a complete updating of the financial reports for the past five years, monthly financial reports up until December 2018 and quarterly reports from January 2019 and public sector reform, among other things.
This policing by the UK has seen many persons likening it to a step closer to colonialism, but have blamed the Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) administration for allowing things to reach this stage.
Chickens coming home to roost
It was Opposition Leader Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) who reminded the government some time back that “the NDP has themselves to blame, as if they do not police themselves, someone will do it for you in a way you do not like.”
But while many agree that most of what is being demanded by the United Kingdom is needed for transparency and accountability, they are of the view the UK has approached it in the wrong way.
In the words of Mr Wheatley, “This is the wrong medicine.” He continued to explain “We do need audits, we do need the Freedom of Information Act, we do need to adhere to the Public Finance Act, we do need to adhere to some of the other laws that we have in place.... all of these things are true. We do need accountability, we do need transparency, we do need fiscal responsibility but we need to be able to put institutions in place to allow us to police ourselves as opposed to going back to the days when the UK is in control of our destiny and in control of our fate.
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27 Responses to “Gov’t Members were unaware of ‘High Level Framework’ document- Skelton-Cline”
sustainable or intelligent plan to move forward.
We need a master plan and executive manager who knows how to coordinate without the deep pockets wanting to be filled.
Same old #%$& rubbish! When Claude was at Port did he listen to the Public or he went ahead with his mandate to move the pier park and ports forward? When you know better, do better, ACT BETTER! You can bash the Government with real issues not these stupid political games. If you engage the public for every $%#& thing when will anything get done? Why elect a Government if they can't make a decision? Time to move this country forward and stop the BS. The people who are trying to convince us that they're fiscal conservatives pull their files. I have had enough of this nonsense, we need leaders to LEAD and get the place moving again, we don't have time to waste.
You folks are being given pennies on the dollar of your own money paid for property insurance through decades.. A check in both your name and the bank . Just imagine. Payments for work doled to you only after proof of the completion of the stated work. Talk That!!! Insulting degrading and dehumanizing. In addition,your property is held as collateral by the same bank. They have your property and your money. Evidence of no faith trust or respect for the peons. No prior discussions or notification about it with you either. Now that is a real live message of abhorrence.
UK restrictions on this unprecedented UK guaranteed loan are fair and proper in my opinion.
Use your heads for once and not your emotions.