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More details emerge on Governor’s $1.88M from Treasury

- Email to the Financial Secretary unearthed on what funds are for
In an Email to the Financial Secretary, obtained by our news site, Governor John S. Duncan OBE (left) detailed how the police monies are to be distributed and what items are to be paid for, from the creation of a K-9 (dogs) capability to police marine unit repairs. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was on March 16, 2017 that United Kingdom appointed Governor John S. Duncan OBE made history in the Overseas Territory of the Virgin Islands by imposing direct rule via his constitutional authority under Sec 103 (b).

Mr Duncan ordered that over $1.88M of public monies be taken from the consolidated Fund and decided that the Police, Magistrate’s Court, Attorney General’s Chambers and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions be granted these funds.

This has stripped the Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) of his powers as Finance Minister to determine how monies are spent and has overridden the House of Assembly's passage of the Appropriation Act of 2017.

How the Governor wants money spent- The Email

In an Email obtained by our newsroom from senior National Democratic Party sources, Mr Duncan wrote to the Financial Secretary Neil M. Smith, dated March 21, 2017, setting out how the money is to be spent and what he needed it to do.

Governor Duncan has refused to make available the warrant to the media and other interest groups making inquiries in the context of good governance and transparency.

In the Email, Mr Duncan detailed how the police monies are to be distributed and what items are to be paid for, from the creation of a K-9 (dogs) capability to police marine unit repairs.

Mr Duncan, whom many of his critics believe has not done anything in his tenure in the Virgin Islands as Governor, also listed the amounts to be spent on the Director of Public Prosecutions Office and the payment of an additional Magistrate.

With the Financial Secretary (FS) Smith on vacation leave, Deputy Financial Secretary Ms M. Alva McCall received an acting appointment as FS on Tuesday April 4, 2017, according to Government Human Resources officials.

It is unclear when the funds ordered via direct rule by Governor Duncan will be distributed and ready for spending.

One figure given, action was another!

Mr Duncan told the media on March 16, 2017 that he was only going to use Sec 103 for $800,000 to be given to the police to help fight crime; however, once he issued his Email it was over $1.88M, a story first and accurately reported by our newsroom.

The same day, March 24, 2017, of Virgin Islands News Online’s (VINO) story, Governor Duncan held another hurriedly arranged press conference at his office in Road Town, the capital city, to confirm VINO’s accurate story that his use of Sec 103 (b) had indeed totalled over $1.88M.

See details of Email to Financial Secretary Neil M. Smith by Govrnor John S. Duncan OBE below:

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47 Responses to “More details emerge on Governor’s $1.88M from Treasury”

  • pat (06/04/2017, 22:48) Like (29) Dislike (5) Reply
    the Premier is weak and the governor is growing in strength
    • Reply (06/04/2017, 22:55) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
      Yes, JSD is a jerk. Occasionally even jerks get it right.
      • dog (07/04/2017, 14:45) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
        The Governor needs to take money away from the politicians' and civil servants' overseas travel budget - no more 1st class travel and/or 5 star hotels - I travel in economy for business purposes and don't know why they are allowed to insist in 1st or business class. Indeed, the Governor should fly in economy!
        Also, let have some proper performance reviews of Government employees - the management consultants who came to look at Government performance were appalled at the arrogant, self important and difficult attitude displayed by so many Government employees. Firing a few civil servants for a bad attitude would soon bring the others into line.
        And finally (although I good go on about lots of other things), why not buy a tow truck and start removing badly parked cars from Road Town. $200 recovery fee would soon pay for the truck.
    • myrun (06/04/2017, 22:59) Like (4) Dislike (17) Reply
      Don't try to be sneaky.. tell the whole truth governor!!
    • slick (07/04/2017, 10:23) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
      Shrewd move by the Man.... understanding that the good Doc was in a weaken state politically and this was the best time to make his move. It pains me to that we are still under the thumb of the pale man and it requires some mental tossing and turning to accept that what was done might be for the best interest of the VI
  • chad (06/04/2017, 22:50) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    the BVI is the new Banana Republic.
  • Oh No (06/04/2017, 22:52) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    The message to the NDP Government ... is clear.
    • Reply (06/04/2017, 23:43) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      I say, very, very good.
    • Concerned (08/04/2017, 08:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      But when will the NDP start to cooperate? I know, right after the U.K. throws them out & takes over, then they will think it is real. They do not understand transparency, audits, infrastructure. The only thing their eyes can see is Airport, airline, Pier Park and anything big the will fill their pockets and leave a legacy with their name on it. They know they will not get reelected so they want to leave a mess that others cannot correct, then get elected again after the mess is old news.
  • ... (06/04/2017, 22:56) Like (29) Dislike (2) Reply
    NDP THUGS has killed my BVI
  • just wrong (06/04/2017, 22:57) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Have we learned NOTHING from the Turks and Caicos fiascoes?!
  • Joker (06/04/2017, 22:58) Like (8) Dislike (23) Reply
    I want to know where the rest of the money went too...it does not add up Mr. Governor
    • lord o. (07/04/2017, 01:58) Like (31) Dislike (3) Reply
      The governor realize they wasting money rediculously, and stupidly, so he decided to step in and get some priority spending done. Nothing is wrong with that.. The government need to start​ looking in the mirror, take some responsibility and stop the fighting and accept their mistake apologize to the people and do better going forward...
    • james (07/04/2017, 18:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are really a joker. No money dispersed yet, so it still in the consolidated funds
  • section 103 (06/04/2017, 23:00) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    There may be cause for disagreement with His Excellency but the immediacy is over riding.
  • *roll eyes* (06/04/2017, 23:19) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why wasn't I smart enough to study law? sigh. $75,000 a month! wow, just wow! I'm in the wrong career field. I working so hard and can't even make that in a year!
    • he haw (07/04/2017, 23:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Back side run dope get rich fast or die trying i know couple people who died trying be satisfied
  • ------------------ (06/04/2017, 23:36) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    It will be interesting to see how much Duncan's approval ratings improve as a result of this financial strike.
  • Local (06/04/2017, 23:40) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    Bravo, Governor John D, for taking decisive action. Maybe those runt 2 ministers in the Ministry of Education and Communications will take heed.
  • 911 (06/04/2017, 23:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lights! Camera! Action!
  • son of the soil (06/04/2017, 23:44) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
    Good Luck Governor!

    God Be With You.

    Pray for the BVI
  • Want to be a judge.. (07/04/2017, 01:53) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Judge $150 thousand for 2 months work plus expenses.. wow. Wow. Judges are now lining up to come to the BVI.
    • Stopit!! (07/04/2017, 12:57) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      No, the pale set wants to come to the BVI because their place of abode is saturated with the wrong religious sect. The White House resident acting like he help pay the taxes and help the Govt. make the money. It is too much begrudgeousness going on with them pale people. They always want to go to indigeneous place and take over. But history will show, you always get overthrown. Stay in the caves of Europe. God bless the BVI.
  • street reporter. (07/04/2017, 02:12) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    This governor may have to do like the previous governor, while belongers papers are in only getting looked at during Election year and depending on who you are you get put back for another Election year The previous governor was busy approving naturalization.. Until it became a problem People were getting their naturalization approved waay before their belongers Though their belongers papers were in waay before their naturalization papers... Government are playing too much politics with people's life..
  • Glorious Glorious (07/04/2017, 06:33) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    Thanks Vino. This governor really cares about this country. Those are not ceremonial figures. The Governor wants real work done for the safety and security of all even those who in government. This should have never happen cause dr smith should do this country better but thank god for a caring and respectable Governor. I see nothing wrong here. I already feel a little safer knowing something is being done. Thank you Jesus for answering prayers. Good day BVI!!!
  • Well (07/04/2017, 07:14) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    I still can't believe that the Governor did not investigate that corrupt Cruise Pier project.
    • yeah (08/04/2017, 05:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      What about the financial audits? That should have been the first application of sec 103(b).
  • Yes (07/04/2017, 07:55) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    The misdeeds of the NDP Smith Government has brought this upon the BVI.
  • Spotlight on VIP (07/04/2017, 08:18) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope when the administration changes that our "loyal" civil servants will continue to supply VINO with their "accurately sourced" information. Let the sun shine through on everyone.
    • Slim Jim (07/04/2017, 12:40) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      While I appreciate learning about what is happening within our government, I am more in support of voluntary revelations by our elected and appointed representatives rather than all of these "leaked" documents.

      Every Public Servant is guided through a process where they are alerted to their duty as a Public Servant to be confidential and professional with matters that pass through their hands and in the course of execuing their duty. While many of us, myself included, have sometimes chaffed at the muzzling of our voices (especially around election time or on other publicmatters that affect us as much as anyone else), I cannot condone the wilfull, malicious and (no doubt) biased leakages of Government documents to the press by so-called Whistle-Blowers. This is not only a breaking of our Oath of Secrecy but is a crimminal offense. While many may blame lower level staff for talking things on the street, I am of the firm opinion that these "whistle blowers" are well-placed, highly ranking and trusted career Civil Servants with a political axe to grind.

      Now, before you get all indignant and call me an Uncle Tom (or worse), consider the precedent that it sets. While this administration may not be your Government of choice, its still OUR duly elected Government and for better or worse they represent us. If and when the other party gets in, will we then get upset and blast the other side's "whistle-blowers"? Will we then cry for prosecution for the offenders? Will it strengthen or weaken our overall impression or confidence in the fair, balanced and professional workings of the Civil Service? I think not.

      So, let's stop this "death by a thousand cuts" approach of inflicting damage on our reputation, integrity and national sense of unity and pride with these short-sighted moves. Politicians come and go. The people (whether "born here" or otherwise) and the country remain. While their bread remains buttered on all sides because of the deals and deeds they get involve in, we the people remain to deal with the fallout (and bear the true costs of the lawsuits, over-charged projects, and ill-conceived ventures).

      Don't be pawns... you will go to jail and they won't lift a finger to help you. Open your eyes... the election is over. Stop complaining... make a positive diference instead. Act better, and expect better from those we have (voluntaraily or not) representing us on the world stage.
  • Observer (07/04/2017, 08:51) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    For what,s happening around our once peaceful island, I say the Police, Legal force etc need ALL, i SAY ALL the support they can possibly get!
  • Observer (07/04/2017, 09:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We the suffering people want real action with the Police Force and Legal system, so they need to be provided with funds to produce better results. Many of us are hurting hurting hurting badly by the crimes in the BVI
  • we cant allow it (07/04/2017, 09:03) Like (5) Dislike (15) Reply
    This white boy cant do what he wants with our money
  • now sah (07/04/2017, 09:10) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    why should we have to pay for a US extradition case?
  • wow (07/04/2017, 09:38) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    vino ya large you got the james bond souces deep inside the ndp government
  • My girl (07/04/2017, 09:49) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    More reasons why the ndp must go
  • U.S (07/04/2017, 10:15) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    If so much of these extradition costs, the U.S should be taking up the tab and not us. Our system already deal with these guys and paid for it, so why we got to be paying for what the US want us do?
  • We need to march (07/04/2017, 10:32) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    He has his eyes on bob and tico smh
  • Ding (07/04/2017, 12:03) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Governor forgot the roads, but he will soon not be driving on them. I wish he had allocated some mula for the roads. One ministry spending all, so the governor decided that it is not fair.
  • True (07/04/2017, 15:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Everyone up in arms about the rise in crime, now everyone up in arms as the Governor steps in to help reduce crime
  • Paco (07/04/2017, 16:11) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Its Major News and a big problem for the Governor to stand up to government and say give money to the Police and Justice System which is $1.8 million but its ok and no controversy for the same Government to give $7 Million to a foreign Company without no comments from them. The Governor is right where does their priorities.
  • rattie (07/04/2017, 19:48) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Heartbreaking! What has our country become? How can we, as a nation and as individuals not see, or seeing, turn a blind eye to the lack of leadership by the NDP?
  • rattie (07/04/2017, 19:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a state we are in. Starting from the top.
  • alvin (09/04/2017, 14:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The british has arrived


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