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‘If the report is accurate take me to Balsum Ghut!’ – Hon Julian Fraser RA

-says Auditor General Report on Sea Cow’s Bay harbour project has no facts; rubbishes statements on missing documents; says not one ‘thin dime’ went to private projects
Representative for the Third District and former Minister for Communications and Works Hon Julian Fraser RA said that if the Auditor General’s report on the Sea Cow’s Bay Harbour project is accurate, he is prepared to go to jail. Photo: VINO/File
“The stuff that is in here (the report) is incorrect and I challenge it. Not a tin dime went into any private project in Sea Cow’s Bay,” Hon Fraser said during the debate. Photo: VINO/File
“The stuff that is in here (the report) is incorrect and I challenge it. Not a tin dime went into any private project in Sea Cow’s Bay,” Hon Fraser said during the debate. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Representative for the Third District and former Minister for Communications and Works Hon Julian Fraser RA said that if the Auditor General’s report on the Sea Cow’s Bay harbour project is accurate, he is prepared to go to jail.

He was speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday September 11, 2014 during the debate on the Auditor General’s report on the Sea Cow’s Bay harbour project, executed during the time that he was the Minister for Communications and Works.

“I would be the first to say Madam Speaker if the stuff in this report is accurate, those two officers could take me to Balsum Ghut right now, I wouldn’t even bat an eye. They could take me there now,” he said, indicating the two Police Officers doing guard duties inside the House of Assembly.

Hon Fraser said that the issue of planning approval for the project is a non-starter since the project at the stage it was did not require permission from the authorities.

He said that contrary to the report, he was not doing any work with family members. He said that as a Minister he did not issue contracts to family members. “Further, I don’t recall issuing any contracts…they were issued by the Ministry and signed by the Premier,” he said.

“Madam Speaker this report is based on not one, not two, not three but four or five premises…the premise that there was wrongdoing in the Ministry and that there is the absence of records. I would show you how this statement cannot hold water,” he said.

“Another premise is the application to lease the sea beds to install two jetties is somehow related to the Government project of bulkheading the west side of the Sea Cow’s Bay harbour. The date of the application and the issuance of contracts seem to be the evidence,” he said.

“This report is built around several premises and no matter what anybody says to me, I know different. To anybody who reads the report it will be quite convincing…this report that we are looking at here tonight, as it states information is missing. They just have to find the information and they would find a very different outcome from what it in here,” he said.

“You can’t reach a conclusion based on conjecture…where are the facts. You cannot find the information so how come you could conclude? You have no facts,” he said.

“I see in this report some wild accusations. I also happen to see what’s behind this report. This report has been two years and ten months in the making Madam Speaker. As a matter of fact it got started during the campaign,” he said, referring to the 2011 general elections campaign.

“I’ve been hearing things like ‘when they gon lock him up’ over this report,” he said. Hon Fraser said that whatever is in the report that he knows to be true he will admit to,” he said. “But all this stuff in here about public money being used for private purposes…if that happened Madam Speaker I told you, I told everyone, take me away!” he said.

“The facts need to come out…don’t tell me that the Ministry does not have the files. It is impossible for the Ministry to not have the files. I worked in the Ministry for a long time. I know that every contract that the Ministry issues, they have a copy, the Auditor General gets a copy of every contract, the Treasury gets a copy of every contract…you going to tell me you can’t find the files?” he asked lividly.

“How can you make a payment for work done without the supporting documents? It is impossible,” he said. “These things don’t happen, and if they did some heads need to roll,” he said.

Further, Hon Fraser said that as a Minister he would not have been involved in approving payments since that is not a part of the Minister’s duties. This responsibility falls on the Accounting Officer in the Ministry.

“I don’t know of any Minister who deals with finances, except for the Minister of Finance. Ministers don’t go near finances. Ministers…never sign contracts. So how were these contracts issued? The officers in the Ministry had everything to do with this project. They never asked the right officers in the Ministry,” said Hon Fraser.

“The stuff that is in here (the report) is incorrect and I challenge it. Not a thin dime went into any private project in Sea Cow’s Bay,” he said.

“Anyone who is guilty of what’s in this document needs to be thrown to the wolves. But all I am saying to you is that this report cannot stand. All the information in here is going to be found and it is going to be found right in the Government offices,” he said.

42 Responses to “‘If the report is accurate take me to Balsum Ghut!’ – Hon Julian Fraser RA”

  • VI man (12/09/2014, 08:28) Like (42) Dislike (37) Reply
    See credibility and leadership does matter. Myron and Mark tried ah ting but because they have NO political credibility or political capital what they said about the Sea Cows Bay report came up to the people as ZERO…

    Mark got his own issues with the Ports report and as for Myron when will he refund the tax payers? So both of them at ZERO but playing hero…not this time we will not be fooled ever again
    • @ VI Man (12/09/2014, 10:13) Like (19) Dislike (22) Reply
      I am an NDP but VI man you are spot on..many of us in the party have spoken to Dr. Smith over and over about mark and Myron and what they are doing to the party!
    • Dream on VI man (12/09/2014, 10:37) Like (26) Dislike (19) Reply
      From under what rock did you come? Myron and Mark cut Fraser to pieces and proved that Fraser cannot be believed.

      And who are these "people" that take what they said as ZERO? I'd say you are the the one that was fooled but it was by Fraser.
      • doc (12/09/2014, 19:26) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
        @dreamonVIman. You are right but hope when it's Fraser time to cut them to pieces they will be able to deal with it. Remember if you live in glass house don't throw stones
      • gg (14/09/2014, 10:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Keep dreaming lots of ppl waiting until election ndp you are history deman
  • the rock (12/09/2014, 08:46) Like (41) Dislike (26) Reply
    this is bull..cant believe my ears last night..ndp had frazer for dinner last night..when u live in a glass house u should never throw stones and the rock means never throw stones..its time for Andrew now..let start with the medical school!
    • @the rock (12/09/2014, 13:16) Like (22) Dislike (5) Reply
      I am not for any party. House of Assembly just got worse. Just to protect corruption on the cruise pier project this government after 3 yrs in office will try to influence all that all of sudden there is dirt on the other side. All this game playing while the people starving. All of this just to protect Mark. What a shameful situation we are nw in.
      • @Dream on vi man (12/09/2014, 17:39) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        u talkin bull sh.t,,...facts are facts u should tell that to frazer..he had u starving!
  • Heavy Buds (12/09/2014, 09:15) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    House of Assembly just got real sweeter. Look on sweet drama!
  • dog (12/09/2014, 10:49) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    can you imagine government without either Fraser or Vanterpool? would there be more civil discourse and compromise? would there be more transparency and less arrogance? and why is it the AG's burden of proof to find the papers? If they are missing, it is up to the minister to go find them or at least help out. Finally, when it comes to building and approval, if there is intent to build something substantial, why is approval "a non-starter since the project at the stage it was did not require permission from the authorities."? The overall project starts with the bulkheads and seabed. So if something is being planned, why aren't details more available instead of piece by piece leading authorities down the path to having their hands tied.
  • Sensi (12/09/2014, 11:06) Like (41) Dislike (9) Reply
    Hon. Fraser better forget about Premiership and fight for he seat cuz the current VIP gonna be fighting a losing battle come elections! Come to think about it that Hon. needs to be removed from his name pernamently.
  • bb (12/09/2014, 11:19) Like (9) Dislike (19) Reply
    Fraser is still the best hope for the bvi
  • chad (12/09/2014, 11:53) Like (17) Dislike (10) Reply
    All of this from the NDP to try to down play the clear corruption on the cruise pier project. What a shame. Look what the NDP bring politics to. Father God help us.
  • No lawyer (12/09/2014, 12:06) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was always under the impression that any change to the sea bed or modification shore line required a environmental impact study and approval from at lease one govt body. If not so any one can back up a dump truck and start making land.

    So maybe Fraser is right, at this stage of the project the project did not need town and country approval, but land registry, conservation and fisheries, the ministry of natural resources and labour? Some one some where had to approve the work done.

  • Let's get ready to rumble. (12/09/2014, 12:56) Like (8) Dislike (37) Reply
    It was a 12 round fight but it was in the 12th round Fraser took them out with some bobbing and weaving then came the upper cut knocked all ten mouth pieces out. It was a OK to the Liberator. To increase his record to 9 and 0 with a hurting win over the NDP.
  • BVIAttention (12/09/2014, 13:29) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Much effort was put into that debate last night. I wonder how much better it has been for our economy or allowing VIslanders to hold jobs in the BVI.
    • stupidness (12/09/2014, 14:38) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      The Virgin Islanders that want jobs in the BVI have jobs. How can Government 'allow' people to hold a job, explain that.
      • @stupidness (13/09/2014, 07:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        "Allowing" "allow" - Stop you all vindictiveness and thinking that only your friends are supposed to hold jobs, which others are qualified for and more competent than your friends to do, but you take out others and put in only your friends. Let VIslanders live in peace in their land.
  • spot on (12/09/2014, 13:36) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whisker's said the first thing I've ever believed from his mouth: "Take me straight to Balo"
  • west (12/09/2014, 13:50) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    jOE fRAZER YOU HIT A KNOCK OUT PUNCH GOOD JOB
  • Music (12/09/2014, 14:05) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Try this scenario.
    Our fickle electorate, fed up with the NDP shenanigans, re-elect the
    VIP, BUT, Hon Fraser loses his seat altogether! Would that let in Hon Fahie? Or some newcomer?
    Think about it!
  • Hmm (12/09/2014, 18:30) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    This was a very poor and weak attempt by government to try and take people's mind off their wrong doing. Government have to have a paper trail for transparency and good record keeping. NDP by their own doings are hiding much from we the people of these Virgin Islands so the fact that there is no paper trail on Fraser's project only shows that evidence was gotten rid of to make Fraser look bad. Can't fool us anymore...we the people know better. If Fraser go jail for this Sea Cow's Bay project then many in government going jail for the cruise pier project which has true evidence of corruption.
    • spider man (13/09/2014, 06:20) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
      u got that wrong..ndp has proof of all the projects they do..so lets talk about jail now..omar and Andrew will join him so dont feel to bad for frazer..ok rudy pooh!
  • Blink (12/09/2014, 18:53) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    And where did all the kickbacks from Biwater go? And we still don't have a drop of water.
    • doc (13/09/2014, 16:06) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      And where did all from Global Water go and we did not even see they lay a pipe. Oh how shallow our memory can be and by the way we still waiting to hear who was the supposed owners of Global water. Remember they were setting up right where bi-water is now
    • JACK BE STILL (14/09/2014, 07:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Biwater ain't minding what we say you know. The owners of the company are listed at the Registry so look into it and trace to the beginning. Oh while you doing that is there anyone who can trace Global Water to the beginning. ting to talk.
  • Just saying (12/09/2014, 20:44) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    For a while now I have been observing quite a lot that ia currently taking place in the Virgin Islands. Whether good, bad or indifferent, I am praying to the Father above to grant mercy on the people of these islands. While I do not wish for any major disaster or anything harmful to come about, we must realize that God is a just God and he said vengeance is mine, I will repay. I am pleading with the people of these islands that we boast about as being Nature's Little Secrets to take stock of what is happening around us. We are no different from bigger countries where there is so much disasters. Let us get back to our culture of LOVE instead of hatred, greed and corruption. Our children are keenly watching what is going on. There is a dark cloud that is hanging over these islands. Can others see it? In the name of Jesus, people need to STOP. The wrong "Power" is being exercised. People, Stop, Watch and Pray. I wish that all the Pastors, Bishops, people of God would rise up and say enough is enough. The Virgin Islands are indeed in a crisis and I for one am very much afraid of where we are headed. The stench of sewerage and sea weed is not to be taken lightly. B.V.I "Wake UP!!!! Politics is just a nasty game. It is not for real. Politics is a trick of the Devil. It is a power hungry exercise for whomever is chosen. Take a serious look at the many issues affecting the masses in the islands, who cares? Who cares? God is watching us. Residents of the Virgin Islands, Be very careful. Guard yourselves against the affairs of this world and look up , cause our redemption draws nigh.
  • Tim (12/09/2014, 20:50) Like (10) Dislike (26) Reply
    not on any side;but ndp mess up everything whatare they doing with tax payers money ;i would like to see a monthly report of wat they doing; people need to wake up an think for them self why are these contracts so expensive ;and they not been done properly why do we have to waite the last year for election to get work //can we live the nex four years like this;my family an i cant can u ;
  • jigvbh (12/09/2014, 22:05) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    fraser al the way
  • Real (12/09/2014, 22:56) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    I don't think that this will get much traction, this is just a move to change the conversation from Mark Pac report. Brining this to light before election would have done more damage to Fraser but this will only be a 9days story.
  • cay (13/09/2014, 02:10) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    In the end fraser will prevail the ndp will be gone
  • just saying..... (13/09/2014, 07:46) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron and mark had balls to make presentation to this debate you go figure!!!!!!!
  • idk (13/09/2014, 07:59) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    Somebody please, please take this man to Balo for from what I head in the house, thats where he needs to go...corruption at its best
    • you lie (14/09/2014, 07:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      What I heard and I am sure many others is the process that what used on the project. It sounded reasonable. we were thinking he signed contracts and give them to himself, a company of his or his brothers. But he clearly stated who signed and the signer could have said no, so obviously there was nothing wrong there. if he had sign the contracts I would agree with you. he separated himself like he should have. tortola is so mixed up I am certain if you review contracts people are cousins and so forth. should you then take them out of bread? the process is key. and don't mix the first lady contract with this scenario. who signed that contract? Now we want the report on the other projects let members clear themselves. cruise ship project next please please.
  • Shara Parlin (13/09/2014, 08:12) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Say one say two it was many people who already said Fraser is like a god sent our hero...too me nothing has changed the people just waiting for the next election to send this government a message! OUT ON YOUR HEAD LIKE 2007
  • under the bus (13/09/2014, 18:05) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Only Fraser at this point can move this country forward…if the NDP return to power it will mean a takeover of the NDP
  • fowl cock (14/09/2014, 07:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the vip had this project in hand to proceed with did notting so go hide your face
  • bbc (14/09/2014, 10:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with under the bus so right


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