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‘If Skelton-Cline doesn’t produce he’ll be fired’ – Premier Fahie

- Says VIP Gov’t has nothing to hide as contract was released to public
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in lashing back at critics, says the controversial $98,000 contract given to Grace Consultants, a local consultancy firm headed by Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline was never a secret and as such, if the consultant doesn’t produce he will be fired. Photo: Facebook/File
Speaking during the opening of the 2019 Budget Debate at the Second Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) yesterday Thursday, April 25, 2019, the Premier further said that given the Virgin Islands Party’s commitment to be transparent, all contracts will be revealed and published under his government. Photo: Facebook/File
Speaking during the opening of the 2019 Budget Debate at the Second Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) yesterday Thursday, April 25, 2019, the Premier further said that given the Virgin Islands Party’s commitment to be transparent, all contracts will be revealed and published under his government. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in lashing back at critics, says the controversial $98,000 contract given to Grace Consultants, a local consultancy firm headed by Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline was never a secret and as such, if the consultant doesn’t produce he will be fired.

Speaking during the opening of the 2019 Budget Debate at the Second Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) yesterday Thursday, April 25, 2019, the Premier further said that given the Virgin Islands Party’s commitment to be transparent, all contracts will be revealed and published under his government.

Nothing to Hide

“I hear a lot Mr Speaker and rightfully so… with the contract, we given to Mr Cline for 6 months and everybody jumping, and I say well alright, if he doesn’t produce he’ll be fired, if he produces well then you’ll see,” the Premier told the House.

“When you sign a man with a contract if the deliverables don’t come he in trouble, and we don’t have nothing to hide. It didn’t slip out, we doing a press release to release every contract we sign. It came out as a press release from GIS it didn’t come out as a ‘shoo shoo’,” he said.

Hon Fahie said he further indicated to all Ministers, that for every consultant hired, the details of the contract will be made known to the people of the Territory. 

“We didn’t had nothing to hid… every consultant that’s hired, cause government can’t go without them… They going to bring their report, we’re going to file it in Cabinet, we will bring it and lay it in this House because the people’s money must be accounted for,” the Premier further said in lashing out at critics.

Accountability 

According to the Minister of Finance, “And if they don’t feel that the deliverables are there… whether it be God or who, they have to answer the call. I love him [God] but he have to go sit down.”

“So I don’t know that they saying that this going to destroy Fahie or whatever… Now I didn’t speak to them about the $200,000 contract what was signed by some persons to look for the BVI Airways by the very people them who had it missing,” Hon Fahie said.

He echoed his previous statements pre-elections 2019, that the Dr. D. Orlando Smtih led National Democratic Party (NDP) lacked accountability for the territory’s funds, yet hired their friends to look for it.

“If they going to use their strength talking about one little contract, I will use the facts to bring out many more,” the Premier warned.

15 Responses to “‘If Skelton-Cline doesn’t produce he’ll be fired’ – Premier Fahie ”

  • WHAT!!! (26/04/2019, 10:03) Like (33) Dislike (1) Reply
    Did not “produce” before!!!
  • Todowhat (26/04/2019, 10:47) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    What's the contract for....? Easy money.. His work wasn't in vain...
  • OZYMANDIAS (26/04/2019, 11:05) Like (41) Dislike (3) Reply
    Listen Honourable Fahie all we are simply telling you is nothing about his LOUD MOUTH character or educational background warrants anything slose to 100k. This simple decision goin to haunt you. People honestly really don't trust or even like this guy real talk.
  • tretretrete (26/04/2019, 11:29) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
    Who is to determine if he produces and how will we know if he does or doen’t produce. In other words who is his watch dog, is it you Hon Fahie will there be reports on what has been done?
  • Then what? (26/04/2019, 11:37) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    "if the consultant doesn't produce he will be fired" [Premier]. The question is when? Immediately, at the end of the ( initial) contract, or just before 2023 election? Then we can expect him to sue.
  • Interested (26/04/2019, 14:25) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Left to be seen,but I have no confidence in this statement,based on past history.
  • Quiet Warrior (26/04/2019, 14:48) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    OK. If CSC does not produce, he will be fired. But what are the scope of the contract, plans and specifications, metric for quantity and quality of deliverables by what time, penalties ie, deductive change order, suspension, debarment.......etc. Will Grace Consultant receive progress payments based on deliverables or upfront payment or payment at end of contract. Who is the COTR (Contracting Officer Technical Representative)?
  • a fools cry (26/04/2019, 15:52) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    all this stupidness them asking now the former govt. you crony ask for nothing I think you need to hush and see what the man produce then speak he has 6 months
  • cromwell (26/04/2019, 16:28) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    To appoint someone who was at the reigns of the Pier Park contract which went disasterously in excess of budget with zero explanation, or, audit to this very day, was reckless. Furthermore, to purposely sidestep the bidding process by setting the fee at $98,000 is intellectually dishonest, and, that's being charitable. To have done this blatantly in front of the UK's visibility will most probably have destroyed any credibility the New Government might have had. History does indeed repeat itself.
  • Hmmmmmmm (26/04/2019, 19:07) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    FIRED after he done get the $98K! Lolllllll
  • and (26/04/2019, 19:41) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Even if you fire him, which you won’t, he still get to keep the money.
  • ABC (27/04/2019, 08:27) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    We SUPPORT Claude
  • American Greed (27/04/2019, 16:38) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The issuance of this contract just falling short of the $100.000 criteria is just another 6 for a 9 as the old time people used to say. But what is good about it is that there are many people who know the difference.
  • American Greed (27/04/2019, 16:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The issuance of this contract just falling short of the $100.000 criteria is just another 6 for a 9 as the old time people used to say. But what is good about it is that there are many people who know the difference.
  • musa (28/04/2019, 15:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    he need to be in ja... ,.,.,how much on the dock//




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