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

No fireworks for Tortola Pier Park opening - Premier Smith

- unable to say how much money will be spent on park opening
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith has stated that there will be no fireworks for the opening of the controversial Tortola Pier Park on February 16, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
At the opening of the dockside development in April 2015, the Government was said to have blown over $100,000 in fireworks, drawing the ire of citizens and residents who all said that such a sum of money could have been better spent to pay outstanding bills for persons who have been waiting month after month and turning up to the Treasury Department only to hear those dreaded words – 'Nothing is here for you'. Photo: VINO/File
At the opening of the dockside development in April 2015, the Government was said to have blown over $100,000 in fireworks, drawing the ire of citizens and residents who all said that such a sum of money could have been better spent to pay outstanding bills for persons who have been waiting month after month and turning up to the Treasury Department only to hear those dreaded words – 'Nothing is here for you'. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Smith was speaking at a 'One on One' press conference which was held yesterday February 10, 2016 at his conference room in the Central Administration Complex. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Smith was speaking at a 'One on One' press conference which was held yesterday February 10, 2016 at his conference room in the Central Administration Complex. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith has stated that there will be no fireworks for the opening of the controversial Tortola Pier Park on February 16, 2016.

This was stated at a 'One on One' press conference held yesterday February 10, 2016 at the Premier's Office conference room in the Central Administration Complex.

Premier Smith was asked by members of the media what the cost for the opening of the pier park is expected to be.

“That I cannot tell you. You will have to speak with the Minister [Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4)]. He is totally in charge of that,” said Premier Smith.

He went on to say that the Ministry of Communications and Works has been allocated certain sums of money for the entire year and the Minister spends it according to the needs and demands in the Ministry. “So he will be able to account for that and I am sure we will be informed later,” he said.

Pressed on whether there will be fireworks and the cost of same for the opening on February 16, 2016, the Premier responded, “There won't be any fireworks.”

At the opening of the dockside development in April 2015, the Government was said to have blown over $100,000 in the festivities and fireworks, which alone cost about $43,000, drawing the ire of citizens and residents who all said that such a sum of money could have been better spent to pay outstanding bills for persons who have been waiting month after month and turning up to the Treasury Department only to hear those dreaded words – 'Nothing is here for you'.

23 Responses to “No fireworks for Tortola Pier Park opening - Premier Smith”

  • lola (11/02/2016, 10:20) Like (16) Dislike (16) Reply
    Ain't he the minister of finance. But every time he asked a financial question he either lie or don't know. It's time Doc step down while you still have a little pride. Don't spend your golden years in jail or full of guilt.
  • about time (11/02/2016, 10:51) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    He came to his senses or we broke?
  • done spend (11/02/2016, 11:01) Like (67) Dislike (2) Reply
    but they already purchased the fireworks for the December opening so what will they do with them now? Return them for a refund or store them as junk. This is just to shut the people up. So tell us how much did they cost. I have 2 kids attending high school who hold their ...all day just so they don't have to use the bathroom. They carry drinking water and tissue as I have trained them to always have in their bags. Sometimes they end up having to give other friends who have urgent bathroom business and not enough tissue.
    Where is this government's priority. They are a big disappointment. I for one voted them in because I felt there was too much half-way projects to allow another government to muck up, so I felt it fair to just let them finish what they started and boy did they cut our tails. Additionally, the other party had too many people who I felt were no better. We are screwed because greed and arrogance is reigning high in this place
  • wize up (11/02/2016, 11:33) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
    what a good Premier
  • mixed feelings (11/02/2016, 11:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    well in order to have fireworks u have to BUY it... with MONEY... and the 45mil just up and vanished.
    so they cant pay for it.

    just offer free wings and fruit punch to the public *while it last*
  • Oh No (11/02/2016, 12:07) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    I am disappointed. Just go ahead man and leh we do this thing...I am going to keep wishingandhoping because fireworks gotta be there...










  • @ fireworks (11/02/2016, 12:11) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    I will donate the fireworks as a thank you and a giving back to aplkace that has given and continues to give toso many wretched ungrateful unappreciative unsupportive parasites.
  • dog (11/02/2016, 12:48) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    As for cost for the opening... “That I cannot tell you. ..He is totally in charge of that,” said Premier Smith.
    the Ministry of Communications and Works has been allocated certain sums of money for the entire year and the Minister spends it according to the needs and demands in the Ministry. ...“So he will be able to account for that and I am sure we will be informed later,” he said.

    Dear Premier, I don't want to know what money is spent AFTER it is spent. I want to know BEFORE it is spent. It is obvious that the minister can't stay within his "allocated sums of money". We see that repeatedly, yet no audit or accountability. He is totally irresponsible and the people have to fix his messes. SHAME!
  • step down please (11/02/2016, 13:05) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    is MARK still the Minister?
  • to loose (11/02/2016, 13:25) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    We to loose in this country. The Premiere made a wise decision it's at the late hour but he did something. Note well that this decision will not go down well with the public we have some people in this country really suffering and you need to pay serious attention to their cry. Put a hold on that 92 thousand dollars vehicle also and spread it on bills, buy it at s later stage when the Lexus can't carry you. The people are begging you all to listen to their cry oh for God sake give us an ear and these blogs Will be much better.

    Lots of people are afraid of victimization and are afraid to blog. They want a listening ear
  • boom boom boom (11/02/2016, 14:58) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Taxpayers money gone up in smoke.
  • crazy people (11/02/2016, 17:17) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    What's the rush. The daxxmn place aiin ready. Just wait another two weeks. Do it right. Gash.
    • mickey (11/02/2016, 23:55) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
      Most people will get pay by then, which means people will be able to support the stores. While at end of month most people pay their utility bills etc.
  • Law Abiding citizen (11/02/2016, 20:01) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    He probably realize it'll cost millions more.
    • Guest (11/02/2016, 21:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner, tell them what they have won
  • Meal Ticket (12/02/2016, 09:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I understand that there will be no food, just drinks. If that's really the case, I mostly feel sorry for all the elderly supporters coming in from the sister islands. I won't be sorry for the rest who will be attending for the sole purpose of eating out the NDP government.!
    • De truth (15/02/2016, 03:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Humble Pie or Bull***t sandwich - thats what Mark got laid on. Plenty for everyone.


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.