‘I want my $7M back’- Shaina M. Smith
In an interview with Mr Cromwell Smith aka Edju En Ka on the Umoja show aired Thursday January 11, 2018, former political candidate and commentator, Shaina M. Smith is not only asking what happened with the money but is adamant about getting it back.
“We have to be careful who we get into business with and I really want my 7 million dollars back with interest,” she vehemently stated. Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) had confirmed in early February of 2016, that the Government will be making its investment of $7 million into BVI Airways from the Government coffers.
BVI Airways was expected to fly some nine months after that but to date no flights have been made. By early July of 2017 it was evident that BVI Airways was not going to take off as they issued a press release stating that they are experiencing difficulties and will be laying off all crew. But what happened to the 7 million that was invested?
“I am a tax payer,” Ms Smith said, “and this 7 million dollars wasn’t anybody else’s, it is our money. We need to be on this until we get some kind of resolution. I don’t like when it is we make noise for a couple of days and talk and that’s it. That 7 million dollars could come in handy right now.”
These seem to be the sentiments of most residents, including the Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who has been constantly presenting questions on the issue in the House of Assembly.
Expanding Runway could become another busted investment
While on the issue of air access to the Virgin Islands, Ms Smith also spoke on the airport expansion project. Though she agrees that improvements need to be made for air access to the territory, she is not convinced that extending the runway would solve the problem.
“There are multiple ways that we can look at air access but we keep somehow honing in on one way. When you build a new runway and extend it out, we still are dependent on airlines to decide that they are going to add flights that coming to the BVI, she said. Further explaining that it would not be realistic to think that the US will be able to full two planes heading in the close proximity of each other (USVI and VI), she thinks we need to look again at having a national airline.
She asked, “Does it then make sense for us to have a national airline and connect into the hubs whether its St Marteen or Antigua, that already have those international flights coming in to the region? To me that’s more viable than going and putting 250 million dollars, cause the idea is air access and air access is not necessarily solved by just extending the runway."
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39 Responses to “‘I want my $7M back’- Shaina M. Smith”
You don’t speak for me, let gov’t do their job. I will wait on them, they too put their money in it is not just your $7mil it is OURS. If they get this fixed and dealt with, all tongue will change.
Have patience, please.
Given the huge capital project needs of the VI, spending $250M extending TBLIA at this time is not the best use of scarce resources. Focus now should be on public safety ( police, fire, DDM), schools, roads, ports (marine), electricity, water, telecommunications, sewage, prison, drainage, government buildings, tourist attractions......etc. As Anguilla does with St. Margin, BVI needs to collaborate with St. Thomas. It could be a win-win. Modernize the ferry system, link ferry-airline schedule.......etc.
why did you not listen when I told you not to give them the money back in 2017?
This money is long gone and the ones that signed the cheque should also be long gone. Now you want to be even more sneaky and use repair money to build the airport? Are you all crazy?
We need new government now!
she need to go sit down and stop being a Messenger for the corrupt Pastor ,Friends,and Family.They all turn on NDP because of power and greed..She also needs to go to her district and be a politian and stop waiting on election to talk to her neighbor's..#Educated #Dummy..
We can't run a f@#%#ng bus service here but you're talking national airline? The news lately has been pure comedy, these people cannot be serious!
I know when we were once respectful even if we disagreed. They were those who felt MLK should take several seats- but he kept on going- so attempting to shutdown Shaina’s Service and her free speech is duly noted - Shaina: Stay Woke, Please! The ignorance and concerted efforts by those conceited persons to shame one of our own irequires it’s own Neologism AbsoShameful.
You can criticize but you should also embrace. I empathize that whilst some of you are judging, you are not capable to walk a day in her shoes because if you could, you would be focused on trying to get up or put yourselves on the line. I am sure she too could choose not to serve because it’s so easy to become cynical and/or carefree instead of becoming just civic minded.
BVI needs Shaina. Her work and perspectives are relevant to the BVI in terms of what Angela Rye’s Standing Up means for many Americans. Perhaps she is an unapologetic , unrealized “movement” ahead of her time (no different than the likes of the dearly recently departed beloved Hon. Omar Hodge (RIP) among others) but because women have a harder road in Politics due to gender injustice - it isn’t right and it’s not fair that “She Too” be disrespected, disparaged, and condemned for her, genuine, efforts to help make BVI better! Mark my words: There is going to come a time when “She Too” will have earned the respect of the BVIslanders: women are shaking things up politically.
On another tip, you fringe-politicians might just be gracing her with “Thick Skin” required by all sexes - something she’d need if she is indeed designated for bigger things in future BVI politics - Continue to be engaging - responsibly! BVI unforgivable tough love!