Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

‘I can’t accept that we couldn’t find a local Auditor General- Hon Fraser

- said it is unacceptable since the VI has spent millions to educate its people over the years
Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), the former Leader of the Opposition, has said it is unacceptable that the Virgin Islands has spent millions to educate its people over the years but couldn’t find a local Auditor General. Photo: VINO/File
United Kingdom national Mr Phil Sharman will fill the post of Auditor General in August 2017. Photo: Provided/File
United Kingdom national Mr Phil Sharman will fill the post of Auditor General in August 2017. Photo: Provided/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), the former Leader of the Opposition, has spoken out about the treatment of locals when it comes to being employed in the Territory, specifically at top level positions.

Speaking during the Seventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) on Tuesday June 6, 2017, Honourable Fraser recalled that back in 1968, the ministers of education worked hard and spent millions to ensure that education was accessible to the masses. In addition, the minister of education would give out scholarships and erect buildings that was beneficial to the education system.

“Since that time until now, the millions that have been spent educating our people; for someone to come and tell me today that we can’t find among all the British Virgin Islanders that we have educated, someone whose qualified to be the Auditor General in this territory. I can’t accept it. I refuse to accept it. That should be for every one of us,” Hon Fraser firmly remarked.

United Kingdom national Mr Phil Sharman will fill the post of Auditor General in August 2017.

Currently, the Head of the Prison Services, Director of Public Prosecutions, and Police Commissioner are all United Kingdom nationals.

The former Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Fraser, mentioned that the government has become comfortable in their position and they do not have to lift a finger to defend the rights of others once their rights are protected.

“That’s what’s happening around here. That is wrong,” said Hon Fraser, noting that he is not speaking out against the government on a personal level but he is just trying to defend the Virgin Islands and its people.

Constitutional Advancement

The veteran legislator emphasised that this is all about constitutional advancement. “If we are going to the United Kingdom to make a claim that we are deserving of our constitutional advancement, we have better have the facts to back it up. Where we going? You can’t even find an Auditor General in your country. What are you looking for? What are you asking us for? You can’t find a Director of Public Prosecutions in your country, what are you asking us for? You haven’t built the institutions that are necessary in order for you to advance your constitution. Those are the cases that they are building against us and we can’t see that,” explained Hon Fraser.

Hon Fraser pointed out that this looks bad on the people of the Virgin Islands and not solely on the government but they have to be blamed too.

According to Hon Fraser, “This is bigger than government. This is people we talking about. We’re talking about our people and those who are out there fostering and proliferating these kind of behaviours, has a responsibly as well to see to it that us, we, a colony or colonies mature to this level. If we can’t mature to this level in the 21st century, when else is it going to happen.”

15 Responses to “‘I can’t accept that we couldn’t find a local Auditor General- Hon Fraser”

  • voter (08/06/2017, 11:02) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    We brought this on our self Ndp is no good
  • wize up (08/06/2017, 11:05) Like (14) Dislike (15) Reply
    Fraser for premier
  • ayo too.... (08/06/2017, 11:12) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    That is why the Queen?FCO sent someone they can trust! When there are 'locals' occupying theses critical posts no information is released to the public - truthful information at that! All we have heard for over 20 years is spin and fake news/reports. For the billions spent on infrastructures can we honestly say that we received value for money? So beat yah baseless drum all you want D3 Rep - you had your chance to do the right things and you kicked the can down the road - so shut up! You guys when you are in the driving seat choose 'cruise control' and let the vehicle go wherever it ends up - much to the chagrin of the electorate, residents and visitors alike. So much thieving and whispers of corruption yet not one person is held accountable. I am finally happy that new eyes will be looking over the Treasury/Finance books along with the other ministries to find out exactly where and how we have jumped the tracks and wound up down the path of financial hard times. You Sir have been part and parcel of this mess/muck - own yours and MAYBE we might think you have had a MEA CULPA moment! Won't hold my breathe though.
  • question (08/06/2017, 11:13) Like (20) Dislike (12) Reply
    So if we have 5 local people on island that are more than qualified to be the Auditor General but NONE OF THEM want the job, what are we supposed to do? Call the Police, arrest them and force them to accept the appointment? Nobody is saying there aren't qualified locals for jobs, they're saying there aren't qualified locals that are interested in the jobs, that's a big difference. For example, why would good local lawyers want to work for the Public Prosecution when they can get a job at Harneys, Walkers, Ogier etc. paying them double and with access to global opportunities? If qualified locals don't want the jobs isn't it obvious that the post will need to be filled from outside?
    • 2 cents for 2 pennies (08/06/2017, 12:50) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
      It is not always about the money; some people don't want to step up because there is just too much wickedness in the place.
      • @ 2 cents (08/06/2017, 14:00) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
        Well then don't make a big deal when an expat gets the job, that's the point! It doesn't matter the reason a local don't want it, the fact is THE LOCAL DOESN'T WANT IT!
        • more than that... (08/06/2017, 14:53) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
          Get rid of the double standards, treat our own fairly within the hiring process, put aside prejudices, etc., and things will eventually change in this regards.
  • Outlaw (08/06/2017, 12:48) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    Sometimes you wonder what Fraser really want, he is blowing hot and cold air at the same time. He wants the NDP to be kept in check so one will wonder that he would have welcome an auditor general with no affiliation to the VI. Come in Fraser you cannot have it both ways. Let them go a cuss out that auditor general the way they treat Ms. Webster
  • training (08/06/2017, 13:21) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    When the outsiders hired (at least in certain jobs), have a local working alongside for the exposure training and experience. We should attempt to make this the case even in the private sector. And I actually believe this is in the labour code...unenforced.
  • Tramp (08/06/2017, 21:44) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    our media houses needs to be local too
  • 0.0 (09/06/2017, 13:45) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    So you could bribe them to keep their mouths shut? You remind me of that donkey from shrek just annoying. You need to rest that mouth..the more you talk the wider it gets, by election you will look like a clown.
  • ClearGlass (09/06/2017, 20:35) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Get rid of all the expats and you say goodbye to the money. Say goodbye to the money and you'll be casting nets for fish and bartering for a new mule to carry water up the hill. Seriously, expats are the reason there is a BVI. Credit where it's due.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.