Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

NDP destroyed the Public Works Dept - 2013 Report

-Director complained in 2013 Annual Report of many senior staff being transferred from the Public Works Department to the Ministry of Communications and Works leaving him without the tools to run an effective Department
On page 5 of the 2013 Annual Report the Department Director Jeffrey M. Skelton (right) wrote “the human Resources Manager was reassigned to our parent Ministry to fill in for their Human Resources Manager who was also reassigned. The reassignment left us without needed leadership in the Human Resources Unit and held us back from effectively performing major human resources initiatives that were planned for 2013 such as succession planning and budget planning…” The report was tabled by Minister for Communications and Works Mark H. Vanterpool. Photo: VINO/File
The Public Works Department. Photo: VINO/File
The Public Works Department. Photo: VINO/File
The 2013 annual report of the Public Works Department tabled in the House of Assembly during the First Session of the Fourth Sitting of the Second House of Assembly on Monday November 10, 2014. Photo: VINO
The 2013 annual report of the Public Works Department tabled in the House of Assembly during the First Session of the Fourth Sitting of the Second House of Assembly on Monday November 10, 2014. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The Public Works Department (PWD) was gutted of most of the senior staff who were transferred to the Ministry of Communications and Works in 2013 under the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government.

It left the Department virtually useless according to a report laid on the Table at the First Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second House of Assembly on November 10, 2014 by Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4).

PWD staff removed & placed in the MC&W

On page 5 of the 2013 Annual Report the Department Director Jeffrey M. Skelton wrote “the human Resources Manager was reassigned to our parent Ministry to fill in for their Human Resources Manager who was also reassigned. The reassignment left us without needed leadership in the Human Resources Unit and held us back from effectively performing major human resources initiatives that were planned for 2013 such as succession planning and budget planning…”

In making the case on how the NDP Government destroyed the PWD Director Skelton said, “One of the two Quantity Surveyor positions was reassigned to our parent ministry as well. Another senior position leaving the department meant we had to adjust.”

He continued in the report that “an Architect was placed in the Quantity Survey Unit to assist with the work load so as to not over burden the only Quantity Surveyor in the department.”

On Page 6 of the report the PWD Director complained again about yet another senior officer being removed from his Department by the Ministry of Communications and Works.

“The Senior Planning Officer was also reassigned to our parent ministry. Reassignment left us without an officer to lead very important annual activities such as the budget, updating of the disaster plan and completing the department’s annual report.”

Another challenge the Department faced in 2013 was not having two critical management level positions within the Department filled.

The Deputy Director (Engineering) remains vacant which according to the report “has caused a continued strain on the Director, as he has been forced to also assume additional duties in the absence of a Deputy Director of Engineering.”

In addition, the Structural Engineer position also remained vacant for a number of years and despite it being advertised, “the salary offered is low for this post…” the report stated.

Outside of the Ministry headed by the Minister for Communications and Works Hon Vanterpool taking the staff of the Department resulting in the department being destroyed, there were other issues of office accommodations, hazardous allowances not being paid, staff salaries not comparable internationally, lack of customized/available employee development opportunities, and inadequate amount of parking for visitors and staff.

Speaking to our news room this morning a former Acting Director of the Public Works Department who did not want to be named said “these senior staff could not be transferred unless it was in consultation and had the approval of the Minister of Communications and Works…..one thing for sure Works Ministers keep their eyes on the PWD…that Department is the hub of their activities….”

It is unclear why the Minister agreed to the transfer of so many senior officers from the Department or what role they are now playing at the Ministry of Communications and Works resulting in the destruction of the Department.

Under the new constitution of 2007 all Ministers of Government are responsible for the Department under their portfolio.

Calls by this news site to Minister Vanterpool’s mobile phone went unanswered. When we called the office of the acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Works Mr Anthony S. McMaster, we were told that he was out at a meeting and we were directed to leave a message.

24 Responses to “NDP destroyed the Public Works Dept - 2013 Report”

  • cay (12/11/2014, 11:34) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    The Deputy Director (Engineering) remains vacant which according to the report “has caused a continued strain on the Director, as he has been forced to also assume additional duties in the absence of a Deputy Director of Engineering.” crap as he is NO engineer
  • more (12/11/2014, 11:40) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    you forget thoes they took from VG and bring down town..tola....
  • cay (12/11/2014, 11:45) Like (18) Dislike (19) Reply
    jeffrey needs to go also
    • facts (12/11/2014, 21:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      he brother is minister he aint going away anytime soon so sorry for action MAN!!!
  • I thought (12/11/2014, 11:57) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    I thought Jeffrey was an NDP- more to this mortar than the pestle
  • chad (12/11/2014, 12:22) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    That last comment highlights one of the problems with the BVI. Does it really matter which party this man belongs to for him to voice his concerns? Right is right and wrong is wrong .
  • pat (12/11/2014, 12:27) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well saw mark think a government dept is like ah grocery store where you can shift can goods from one side to the next
  • yes (12/11/2014, 12:36) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
    The NDP destroy government Departments, they destroy non-supporters, they destroyed small businesses with high taxes who next? Where is the VIP???
  • tretretrete (12/11/2014, 12:53) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    really and truly both NDP and VIP mash up the place from everyone especially what YES said: destroyed small businesses with high taxes. No one study us but just use us for election time who can we run to now when the country is falling fast because of our leaders and misuse or joyride funds we should call it ......... HERE COME LONDON BRIDGE. MARK SPILL THE BEANS but it open more eyes ..... say no more.... hmmmm
  • xxxxxxxx (12/11/2014, 12:56) Like (6) Dislike (45) Reply
    Removing all the senior staff from a dept I suppose will be ok under this new governor for he sees NOTHING! All he sees is Politicians complaining that civil servants not performing i.e translation; when they can’t get the civil servants to do wrong things for um …suckteeth...SMH
  • voter (12/11/2014, 13:56) Like (10) Dislike (10) Reply
    Vip is no better I going pep
  • wize up (12/11/2014, 14:09) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    NDP is out of control; a law unto themselves
  • ndp hater (12/11/2014, 14:21) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    PWD1 is to do the clean wuk and PWD2 to do the dutty wuk.
  • .... (12/11/2014, 14:55) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    PWD has been useless for a number of years now.
  • hot (12/11/2014, 15:47) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    maybe they will be sourcing people from China
  • Abuse (12/11/2014, 16:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is crazy and it is not a grocery store but he should take this same energy and avoid being abused (wink, wink)....the ndp must be put out of office and the people will get it done
  • spanish (12/11/2014, 23:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mark hope the new unit is serving your needs
  • W*F (13/11/2014, 14:47) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    They did not just destroy PWD, they are destroying the whole country.
  • John (13/11/2014, 19:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    he run staff from public work anyway jeffrey is not a engineer why he is getting all this money and the poor staff cant buy food


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.