‘I’ll tell investment community BVI Govt can’t be trusted!’ – Hugh E. Darley
He made the disclosures last evening January 6, 2016 while speaking with this news site. In earlier interviews, Darley, the President of I D E A Inc., had released bombshells regarding the project, saying that the people did not get value for money and that he was short-changed for his drawings used for the project.
He also lambasted the Government for the present state of the project and said that there was no way the opening, postponed from December 2015 to February 2016, was going to make the new date. He made allegations of overspending of up to $10 million on the project and that the project cost was ballooning over and above what had been originally estimated.
'Everyone else ran from me'
Darley said that during his visit here in December 2015, he briefly spoke with Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering. “I briefly spoke to Dr Pickering at the Pier Park. Everyone else ran from me when I approached. I only want to have a settlement discussion. Otherwise I must continue to pursue a more public debate,” he said.
He went on to say that he believes Dr Smith silenced his ministers from speaking with him. “I understand Dr Smith ordered everyone not to speak to me,” he said.
“If they would offer to talk many of my issues could go away but the people's money and lack of transparency will still exist,” Darley stated.
During December 2015, he told this news site that the Government had forbidden him from speaking with the members of the Opposition on the project.
'BVI Government cannot be trusted'
It was at this stage that Darley said he was going to disclose to the international investment community that the VI Government led by Premier Smith cannot be trusted. He said too that the VI Government’s reputation has already been put in jeopardy.
“I will let the investment community know the BVI Government is not to be trusted. Their reputation is already in jeopardy,” said Darley.
This news site made valiant efforts to contact Premier Smith on the allegations of Mr Darley but up to post time there was no response.
Darley had earlier told this news site that he planned legal action to recoup monies owed to him for his drawings. He had said that he was still open to sitting down with the Government on getting the project completed in a timely manner.
There have long been calls for a Commission of Inquiry into the Ports Development Project, including from the former Auditor General Sonia M. Webster, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and ordinary citizens, however, Governor John S. Duncan OBE has refused to do so.
See previous stories here:
100 Responses to “‘I’ll tell investment community BVI Govt can’t be trusted!’ – Hugh E. Darley”
Hugh Darley needs to go to court if he has a case and stop looking sympathy in the media. If he is so credible he would not resort to such tactics. Enough said!
The agreement was for the govt to pay IDEA $1.7m for the drawings and in turn IDEA would pay him $400k. IDEA has been paid by the govt, the question is - has IDEA paid him - as what Mr Darley is not saying to you, is that he has reportedly fell out with IDEA. Most likely he has not been paid.
Yes, the govt needs some licks on this project for the multiple changes - changes are expected on a project of this size, but the numerous changes ??? - and hiring CSC to be manager of the Ports Authority, but this project is good for the VI and even better without Hugh Darley.
Moreover, Leonard refrained from calling for a Commission of Inquiry(COI) but a COI is needed to dissipate the dark clouds hovering over the project. Further, BVI interest will be well-served if the key players stand down pending the outcome of the COI.
Hugh Darley is singing like a canary and threatening to tell investors that the BVI cannot be trusted. Mr. Darley is either a pest or he has a story to tell. He seems intent to punch the BVI in the gut. Facts have a way of shutting people up. Bring on the COI and let the facts come out, letting the chips fall where they may. Is he getting too much press and sucking up too much of the oxygen? The BVI must be given praise for its patience and openness, for in other locales he would have been branded persona non grata. But the BVI is doing the right thing, for denying him entry would give him more ammunition to use. Yes, we invite him into our home and then he poke us in the eye. Lastly, I agree with E. Leonard and NPolitico that arbitration/mediation may be an effective mechanism to explore in resolving this issue. Darley either need to fish or cut bait. Either s.....t or getting off the poe. Either file legal action or shut up.
Trying to drown out any messenger will not kill the message, for the goat dun jump the pen. The BVI needs to face this emerging crisis head on. A commission of inquiry is a good first step in coming to grips with the problem. At the end of the day, this is all about the BVI image and standing among the international community. Hugh Darley may appear as a fly in the ointment but he needs to be dealt with either through direct engagement or through the legal process. Either way, the BVI needs to put this saga behind and focused on governing. It needs to learn from this and move on, holding people accountable.
Furthermore, the port project both the pier and landside is vital for expanding and improving the tourist product. But even the most ardent supporter must admit that it appears that something MAY be rotten in Denmark about the port project. And to clear the air, remove the bull's eye from some people, exonerate some people and for transparency, an investigation is needed. Be that a commission of inquiry or other means.
Hugh Darley seems to have an omnipresence in the BVI these days. It seems like ignoring him and hoping he takes a hike is not a workable strategy, putting the BVI image at risk. Perception sometimes can cause equal or greater damage than the real deal, especially it goes unresponded to. A small force or small action can cause great damage. Why only the Deputy Premier met with him? Was he appointed the point person on this project? What was the gist of the meeting?
with a shakedown, a bribe.
BUT- I do believe his grievance against this government, its lack of transparency, communication, cutting corners, conflict of interest, lack of honor and cronyism. Silence will not solve the matter. Silence is how this place works-- go along to get along. We need people and agencies to stand up.
I fine tell you guys D***** hit kickback money too he ain't saying chit! This is like Edomite on Edomite crime. Very entertaining
Kick back kings in trouble now. Soon it going to come out how much Y>>>>> gotta kick back for his big contract he been running mouth complaining all over island.
Will it hurt us if he expose us internationally? Yes. But what choice we have? Government Officials keep getting away with this kind of injustice for years.
If this is the only way we can hold the government accountable I say go for it. I just hope we get some kind of justice. Like a fresh election where certain people are barred from running again. #ijs
Not having Darley has saved them BIG. Of course it is in their best interest for the project to scrape through without completion.The govt has not kept their agreement with the cruiselines - dream on if they think it is 90% complete and tenanted (with shops open - not boarded up)!!. NOT 90% of what they felt like building but 90% of what was agreed with the planning dept in 2012/13 when the agreements were done. Watch the bank loan get so expensive now that the hospital will look like a bargain!
Oh that definitely goes without saying, everybody and their grandmother knows that. This must be the one place in the Caribbean where government get to squander taxpayers money, thief, lie even threaten it's ppl if we don't do what they say and get away with it!! Other places man investigations would be launched, persons would be punished even losing their jobs etc. It's no wonder this set in the BVI does what they want because they continuously getting away with murder. As the old ppl does say time longer than twine so leave all of them, them time coming
White, Black or Blue Darley I appreciate you.
Governor, you were appointed to govern so govern. The port project needs a COI. Yes, you decline to commission one on the eve of local elections because you did not want to influence the election. Point taken. But now the situation on the ground has changed, demanding a COi. COI, COI, COI.
NDP, you fellas are the best.
Darley's cue came from Andrew's statement the and insecurities of some of us so well indoctrinated by the Darley's of the World.
NDP, you fellas are the best..God Bless.
The first bummer bombed out and so has the second.
NDP will prevail with another landslide victory and our country will continue forward with blessings.
This guy really hurting.. Mark and Clyne better watch their back......
His remarks over time have indicated that he and his complaints have been ignored by two Governors, London, the Premier and Ministers. Absence of an attorney and/or a lawsuit for alleged nonpayments is bizarre.
Stress perhaps but defnitely paranoid and delusional.
to us who were truly broke and cuold'nt put money together to get the project started in the first place.Why should
we put him in the forefront when he and his group renage in the first place.If govt really owes him they should pay
him his two millions and send him packing.
Putting his ramblings and behaviour out for the world like that is quite strange . He can only sully himself and his company , if it is still in existence. He seems to have nothing to lose at this juncture.
The international community will continue to have trust and respect for the Gov of the BVI as a result of standing firm and outing this attempt at sedition and subversion.
ies yes but more so, integrity and country first. Many ie
Money without integrity is a recipe for disaster. Countries have had their Gov torn asunder and the economy w
economy destroyed as a result of seditious actions employed by interlopers.
America is well known for country mashup. The VI with its success is a target for a good mashup.