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Increment payments not coming fast enough -Claude O. Skelton-Cline

-urges Gov't & bureaucratic systems to move faster
ZBVI 780am radio moderator and social commentator, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline says that while increment payments have been flowing to public servants in the Virgin Islands (VI), those payments are not coming fast enough as they should. Photo: Facebook
Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline's comments echoed similar sentiments uttered by Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert in a February 3, 2020, press conference dubbed 'Catch up with Governor Jaspert,' where he urged the administration to speed up recovery and improve government services. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline's comments echoed similar sentiments uttered by Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert in a February 3, 2020, press conference dubbed 'Catch up with Governor Jaspert,' where he urged the administration to speed up recovery and improve government services. Photo: VINO/File
The Andrew A. Fahie (R1) led Government has been honouring its promise of paying outstanding increments to public servants in the Virgin Islands (VI), although not fast enough for some. Photo: GIS/File
The Andrew A. Fahie (R1) led Government has been honouring its promise of paying outstanding increments to public servants in the Virgin Islands (VI), although not fast enough for some. Photo: GIS/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - While Government has been keeping its promise of paying outstanding increments to public servants in the Virgin Islands (VI), those payments are not coming fast enough, says commentator, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline.

"So many of our people are challenged, so many of our seniors, so many of our public officers are continuing to be challenged. Whether you are in the middle class or upper class or no class at all, hurricanes Irma and Maria did a number on us and people are still recovering," he said on the Tuesday, February 11, 2020 edition of his 'Honestly Speaking' radio show on ZBVI 780 AM. 

Persons still recovering 

Skelton-Cline continued, "I'm keen to see [and] hear that our public officers are getting those increments, we wish those things can come in a more rapid succession because people are really hurting and every nickel, every dime, every dollar that can be gotten in wages makes a difference."

The radio show moderator said another hurricane season is coming and there is a possibility that many in the VI have not yet recovered from the perils of hurricanes Irma and Maria of 2017, hence any financing is needed.

He said several persons still have expensive mortgages on their homes and buildings "and what we're seeing happening now, the bank, which is part owner of the property, is going to have to cover that insurance policy," he said.

Unacceptable! - Skelton-Cline 

Calling it unacceptable, Mr Skelton-Cline urged the administration to end the tardy delivery of increment payments to the people of the Territory. 

'We need those public officers to get their increments, we need government and its bureaucratic systems to move faster, as I go through the streets I'm hearing the concerns, I'm hearing the complains and I want to bring that front and centre."

Skelton-Cline's comments echoed similar sentiments uttered by Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert at a February 3, 2020, press conference dubbed 'Catch up with Governor Jaspert.'

At the press conference, Governor Jaspert urged the administration to speed up its recovery efforts and improve the delivery of Government services as the Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) led Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration approaches one year in office on February 25, 2020.

11 Responses to “Increment payments not coming fast enough -Claude O. Skelton-Cline ”

  • civil servant (12/02/2020, 14:01) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree with CSC here I have not gotten one since 2016
  • Disinterested (12/02/2020, 14:11) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Any earned increments should have been paid in a timely manner; the money should have been a line item in the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) budget(s). Frequently, one hears politicians and other government official proclaim that personnel is the most valuable resource. Well, if so, prove it by taking care of them like other resources are taken care of. Civil servants are the engine that drives the territory. That said how are increments determined? Are they merit and performance base or longevity based? Or are they cost of living adjustments (COLA)? The moderator of Honestly Speaking indicated that many civil servants are still recovering from monster hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017 and many have expensive mortgages. Well, the rule of thumb is that a mortgage should be based on base pay, not discretionary income, ie, overtime, bonuses, increments......etc. Further, there is a difference between qualifying for a mortgage and being able to afford a mortgage. Tortola people likes the BIGS, ie, Big house, Big car , Big Job, Big life...etc.
    • okay (12/02/2020, 15:16) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      Are you a homeowner? If you were, you would be aware that mortgage insurance has increased by 100%. I am sure you are being paid a hefty absorbent salary; hence, you cannot relate. The average civil servant with a Bachelor's Degree collects roughly $28,000.00-$35,000.00 per annum.

      Are you aware that civil servants have not received an increment since 2016? As with the private sector, adjustments in salary are performance-based. Public Servants do not benefit from overtime or bonuses. Further, it is the dream of every BVIslander or Belonger to become homeowners. If you paid attention, you will note that in 2016 the National Health Insurance became mandatory. This chunk of money was deducted without consideration of inflation in the cost of living. Again, the public service is the backbone for the majority of the services being offered to the public, so please stop the bashing.
  • talk that! (12/02/2020, 14:40) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    All the money going to Mr. Skelton!
  • etc (12/02/2020, 15:04) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply

    Yea we like to read big sh** too.

  • pastor, bishop, preacherman (12/02/2020, 15:14) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    sounds like you run the country nowadays..money money rule the BVI
  • Funny (12/02/2020, 15:57) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Crazy how these people are advocating how money should be spent and not one idea about revenue generation. These guys heads are in the clouds.
  • Health worker (12/02/2020, 17:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think it's unfair that every government department statutory and non statutory board getting increments and health services is the only department that ain't getting any that's utter nonsense government need to do something bout that
  • BVI PA STAFF (12/02/2020, 17:50) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    especially at the BVI Port Authority. sick of them damm bored members call us off the govt work to tell us lies and give the staff false hope that we getting our increment at the end of January 2020. now when them start get stick up late night them going say the people wrong. but them going deserve it. Thats why the drugs htem can't stop flow through the port. cause of dutty bad mind board members and that fat woman that could hardly walk or know anything about running a port
  • nonsense (13/02/2020, 10:10) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I concur with every comment. but what i want the people and the elected officials to work on is the price control ever time government gives increment cost of living goes up. it like the businesses calculating your monies you can't get to enjoy or even say the little extra 30- 50 more if so much because they price of living increases as increment is disburse. Please something needs to be done especially for persons who don't work for government or trust companies.
  • well done (16/02/2020, 09:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I waa promise I would get my increment from last year October went back and they change it til the end of the year 2019 and it's now 2020 and still nothing.


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