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Has the victimisation started? Sr officer to be forced out of Treasury Dept!

- Acting Deputy Accountant General Laurel L. Smith to be ‘reassigned’
Word just reaching our newsroom is that Ms Laurel L. Smith, the acting Deputy Accountant General at the Treasury Department is to be forced out of the Treasury, a place that is currently short staffed. Photo: VINO
Ms Laurel L. Smith has worked as a Management Accountant at the Treasury Department since September 2013. Photo: VINO/File
Ms Laurel L. Smith has worked as a Management Accountant at the Treasury Department since September 2013. Photo: VINO/File
Former Governor William B. McCleary (left) and current John S. Duncan OBE have done nothing to protect the public service from becoming political. The current governor, months after his arrival in the territory, said he sees no victimisation. Photo: VINO/File
Former Governor William B. McCleary (left) and current John S. Duncan OBE have done nothing to protect the public service from becoming political. The current governor, months after his arrival in the territory, said he sees no victimisation. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Word just reaching our newsroom is that Ms Laurel L. Smith, the acting Deputy Accountant General at the Treasury Department is to be forced out of the department, a place that is currently short staffed.

Our well placed sources within the Government’s Human Resources (HR) Department have confirmed that Ms Smith, an indigenous Virgin Islander, was advised that she will be “reassigned” from June 17, 2015, days after the 2015 general elections, to the Inland Revenue Department.

Ms Smith’s new post or her new duties were not immediately known by the source. Ms Smith has worked as a Management Accountant at the Treasury Department since September 2013.

However, our well placed sources in the Government HR Department confirmed that the officer was “told word of mouth that the reassignment was deferred to July 7, 2015”.

It remains unclear the status of her acting appointment of Deputy Accountant General.

Meanwhile, Financial Secretary Mr Neil M. Smith denied that Ms Smith was being reassigned when contacted today, July 3, 2015. "Ms Laurel Smith is not being reassigned," Mr Smith told Virgin Islands News Online.

History of victimisation

Following the 2011 General elections that saw the National Democratic Party (NDP) took power, many senior civil servants were forced out, fired, transferred, retired and sent on leave. The public, civil society and the media labelled it as political victimisation. Public officers had nowhere to turn for help but to the courts for justice, as both former Governor William B. McCleary and current John S. Duncan OBE did nothing to protect the public service from becoming political. In fact they went ‘AWOL’. The current governor, months after his arrival, said he sees no victimisation.

The courts have ruled for the most part in favour of affected public officers for unlawful dismissal, denial of promotions, and violations of rights, along with abuse of power. In some cases the court has ordered compensation.

Instability in Treasury Department

Following the 2011 general elections that brought the Dr Smith-led National Democratic Party government to power, Mrs Kharid Fraser, wife of Third District Representative Honourable Julian Fraser RA, was removed from her post of Accountant General without reason, a move many labeled as political victimisation.

Ms Anna Rabsatt was then named Acting Accountant General. However, Ms Rabsatt was sent home under the Government programme of ‘take your vacation days or lose it’.

She was expected back from vacation leave by April 15, 2013. However, it was announced that “Ms. Rabsatt has been reassigned to the Ministry of Finance and has yet to decide whether she wishes to return to the Treasury Department at the end of the exercise after she completes further academic and professional studies…”

An Anguillan consultant assigned to the Treasury Department, Kalleesha C. Mendie, became the new Acting Accountant General of the Virgin Islands.

In August 2013 Dr Sandra M. Besson was confirmed in the post of Accountant General of the Territory. She tendered her resignation on December 2, 2014. The Government in a statement said that Dr Besson’s resignation was for personal reasons.

AG turnovers speak volumes of financial management

Representative for the First District Honourable Andrew A. Fahie had said the fact that the National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration has had four Accountants General in just three years speaks volumes for their financial management of the territory.

He was speaking on Saturday January 24, 2015, during his delivery of his First District Annual Report at the Capoon’s Bay Recreational Grounds.

“In three years, this Administration has had four Accountant Generals and a fifth is yet to be named. In any business where the Head Accountant flies the coop so often then something is drastically wrong with the financial management of the company,” he said.

51 Responses to “Has the victimisation started? Sr officer to be forced out of Treasury Dept!”

  • just asking. (03/07/2015, 10:02) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    Why is the fs telling untruths
  • political snitch (03/07/2015, 10:14) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
    and the beat goes on!
  • vex (03/07/2015, 10:15) Like (114) Dislike (23) Reply
    She is a vip so they got it in for her
  • wtf? (03/07/2015, 10:43) Like (33) Dislike (4) Reply
    So a Government worker cannot be re-assigned? There must be a big conspiracy? WTF?
  • i from here (03/07/2015, 10:51) Like (19) Dislike (13) Reply
    Same old stories for 4 years!

    11-2
  • BOOSCO (03/07/2015, 11:04) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    That what governments do tell lie s and cover up the truth
  • wize up (03/07/2015, 11:07) Like (23) Dislike (6) Reply
    I am glad the young lady is still gainfully employed ( she was not laid off) she just might help to improve the other department.....
  • My Take (03/07/2015, 11:23) Like (31) Dislike (56) Reply
    I am not pointing fingers at this lady but there is a serious problems in some of these departments. If they are backing certain parties and their party is not in power and someone who backs another gets a petty contract from the gov some of these civil servants holds the invoice or cheques on their desk for weeks or months delaying the payment. That is one of the reasons civil servants have to be careful not to get too attached to any parties and be transparent and neutral when dealing with the public. Pay the people when they work.
    • wize up (03/07/2015, 11:48) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ my take; I somehow agree with you: at times I contact treasury only to be told nothing yet BUT when I do get paid the check was prinited months ago and maybe sitting around on someone's desk; some of us simply submit the invoice and with in a few hours your check is in your hand; while others must wait for months: an administration should not be about a given Party or its supporters ( parties are during the campaign process)
    • @ my take (03/07/2015, 12:52) Like (14) Dislike (10) Reply

      You are making very serious allegations. #1 Payment vouchers are submitted to Treasury from the various Departments. If the departments do not send these vouchers a vendor cannot get paid. These vouchers MUST be in order before a payment can me made. I doubt it that anybody in Treasury Department does hold up any body vouchers or checks on their desks. 

      • whatever (04/07/2015, 08:34) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        I guess you never have to pick up a cheques from the department.
    • fortruth (04/07/2015, 18:53) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      You hit it on he nail, the whole Treasury Dept need an overhaul, you cant get your checks and work done months and months ago, you have the bank to pay high interest because you have to borrow from them to pay your workmen dem, that is not right, there should be a rule and policy for quicker turn around of payments..schupps man
  • nonsense (03/07/2015, 11:52) Like (10) Dislike (12) Reply
    It is very unfair to remove someone from a post in Government because of their choice of party. There is always going to be persons who are not going to be in support of the particular party in power, and as such should not be victimized because of their preference. We cannot all be NDP or VIP. I am an NDP supporter but that doesn't mean that I don't feel that some members of the VIP Team wouldn't be good representation as well. This is why we need a coalition Government in some countries; to prevent all this position shuffling because of one's political position. She is doing good work; let her continue to do her job without harassment.
    • Yea...but! (03/07/2015, 12:34) Like (23) Dislike (5) Reply
      Yea, it's unfair but what if the person is using their support of the other party to hamper the sitting Government? I don't know what the issue is with this current situation but I know of instances where senior persons backing the opposition party do things to make the sitting government look bad and everyone suffers. People always talk about fair, but what is really fair? Who determines what is fair? Sometimes we act as if people can do no wrong. Obviously Government will not publicly paint anyone black so it's always up for rumor. It's not like she is being sent home jobless, she is being reassigned and it happens all the time. It's funny how we complain about TRC with telecoms, Treasury with payments, Immigration with behavior, Labour Dept with turn-around and attitude etc. but when changes are made to staffing we still complain?
  • Real Talk (03/07/2015, 12:01) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    My take do you have the facts to back up this statement. Tell us if this ever happen to you.

    Or maybe you work there and you have seen it happen give us the proof to this my friend real talk.
    • Facts? (04/07/2015, 13:17) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      Only when it suits y'all, you quickly call for facts, otherwise rumour is good enough. Set o hypocrites.
  • Concern Citizen (03/07/2015, 12:03) Like (30) Dislike (9) Reply

    My Take you need to shut your damn mouth when it comes to this young lady. She don't take her job for a joke. When it comes to her job she is very serious in doing what she do. She treats everybody equal. This young lady works hard ensuring that the department runs smoothly. She don't take sh%$ from anyone and if you tell her to do something that she know it is wrong; then she would not do it. They want to get rid of her because they cannot get her to do their dirty work. She believes in honesty.

    • Harsh reality. (03/07/2015, 13:42) Like (23) Dislike (5) Reply
      They do not want people who actually has the interest of all around, so they shift them around. If you have great work ethics the BVI is not the place for you. It is so sad that we have a number of educated vislanders who continuously gets knock about so that folks free to to do as they please. When will this madness stop!
    • SERIUOS (03/07/2015, 13:43) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
      Amen to that what about the one who is saying they have to do the minister dirty work they also said there is a lot of corruption in that ministry I do not care what they tried to fool with there is a lot of corruption going on time will tell.
  • not a problem (03/07/2015, 12:15) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    I am in full agreement with what is said by My Take. While I am not advocating that Ms. Smith has misused her powers to willfully spite people who supported the present government; I can testify to the fact that there are persons in that department that have been victimizing certain people all the time. My significant other happens to be one of them whose invoices could never be found for processing to get his money all because of party affiliation. These positions are not given to anyone for life and they should be ready to accept change when ever the need arises.. I wholeheartedly support the idea of transferring the workers from one department to the other. It's not about self; it's about ethical standards and productivity.
    • hello (03/07/2015, 23:08) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
      How did you determine your significant other was being victimized? For such a strong claim you must have evidence. Share please.
  • insider (03/07/2015, 12:16) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Dem the the head is who wants her out
  • wize up (03/07/2015, 12:24) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    just a question: how long was the young lady working in that department; the elections were held 8 Jun 2015...trying to figure out why she lost the position due to political affiliation...can't the lady speak on her own behalf relating to this matter
  • THE ACCOUNTANT (03/07/2015, 12:36) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply
    Mr. Smith is telling the truth but not the whole truth. Thanks to him POW's unilateral decision to have her removed was over turned, hence her continued presence in the Treasury. One would hope that when the Accountant General returns from leave, Mr. Smith will have the balls to tell her who is the Financial Secretary. Until POW is sent to the Library to chill out, there will always be confusion in the Ministry of Finance.
  • ABC (03/07/2015, 12:46) Like (20) Dislike (6) Reply
    I know that lady! She is who every one in the Treasury calls on when they are uncertain as to what to do. She has worked there for many years from in Mrs. Fraser's days. I can only hope that the one in the Ministry of Finance is not victimizing her because of who her friends are. Nothing is impossible with that evil man.
  • Politics (03/07/2015, 14:28) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    If the move is a result of some politics then maybe it was the best one especially if VIP hard supporters are willfully underperforming to undermine the efforts of the ruling party. Some people are just immature to do otherwise.

    It's always to put people in the best places.
  • Why?? (03/07/2015, 14:35) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    The big question is why the Accountant General who sent in her resignation from December 2014 still there hmmm. Ms. Smith started from the bottom in Treasury along with her educational background she know's Treasury from front to back how you going get raid of your key person that knows the department. Something fishy
  • qc (03/07/2015, 16:39) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    I maintain ndp must go
  • Politician (03/07/2015, 16:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    Where the hell is the B*T*E man? If he isn't functioning then why is he receiving this big fat salary? they need to send him back to his mold infested office until he smells the coffee.

  • voter (03/07/2015, 19:13) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ballot paper ink barely dry and the $hit start already. Smh who next?
  • concern (03/07/2015, 20:11) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    So when the COP and the DCP ah go home that place need cleanup from head to toe Gov.
  • Smally (03/07/2015, 20:46) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    What is the hell wrong with these people. People vote for who they want so I don't see why they are treating people like this everybody couldn't vote for NDP. EVERYBODY HAVE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE FOR WHO THEY WANT IF THE GOVERNMENT ARE SO SIMPLE MINDED TO GET RID OF A B.V.ISLANDER I AM SORRY FOR THEM. IF THEY START FROM NOW WHAT HAPPENING LATER FOR THE OTHER CIVIL SERVANTS. THIS ONLY THE SMOKE THE FIRE IS BEHIND OF THIS.
  • pat (03/07/2015, 21:04) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    Ndp is not good for the bvi
  • prayer (03/07/2015, 23:33) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ms smith there is a god above
  • 111 (04/07/2015, 07:54) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    The governor is a joke!
  • Fresh.......... (04/07/2015, 16:22) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    This move is NOT political. Does it make sense to have two Department Heads (1 &2) working in the same department, same Office and cannot see Eye To Eye?? Every decision is being over turned by the other?? This thing is deeper then it appears, and for some of you Staff (Friends) here posting nonsense you know better…No matter how long moon light shine the day light will catch up to it. You attitude determines you altitude.
    • Hush (05/07/2015, 00:37) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      If you know so much why the Accountant General still there after resigning. What some people do is just do the work to collect a cheque but don't know what they doing or how it effects others. Ms. Smith seems to do things the right way by the books not by someone calling and telling you what to do. What kind of boss run an office like that? Peoples open your eyes and do some research before coming to a conclusion on what's really going on.
      • Forbidden Truth (05/07/2015, 08:41) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
        @HUSH. they don't like employees like Ms Smith. She is not a stool pigeon so she will not be recognize for her competence, just like the young man who was in immigration, but God is good all the time, not some of the time; ALL the time.
  • .......... (05/07/2015, 09:08) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ms smith has integrity
  • I SAY (05/07/2015, 18:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think Ms. Smith and other persons in her position if being victimized should speak to the public as to what is happening. People are speculating it could be truth or untruth. Inquiring minds need to know.
  • Finance (05/07/2015, 21:05) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Government needs to educate the people on the processes.... if the Treasury do not have money in a related account to pay vendors...then they have to wait to be paid....Government money and accounts don't operate like these businesses cheque books or your personal cheque books.

    For example, if the budget says 20 million to do roads then that is whats it for...they can't take any of that money and pay their utility bills....it don't work so.

    So before a set of you start bring down the Treasury you need to first ask the FS WTH he is doing with regards to planning the Government's money.
  • civil servant (06/07/2015, 23:42) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    The dg the fs the bow tie man and the dfs going fall...god is awake


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