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Pink slips for workers on Ports Dev. Project

- No need for panic as project execution not affected – Percy Rhoden
Concerns are high about the timely completion of the Cruise Prier Project as persons are being sent home. Photo: VINO
When this news site contacted Mr Percy Rhoden of the contracting company Meridian Construction Company after learning of the plight of persons, he was shocked to have learnt that this has become an issue to persons but assured that the project execution is in no way affected by layoffs. Photo: VINO/File
When this news site contacted Mr Percy Rhoden of the contracting company Meridian Construction Company after learning of the plight of persons, he was shocked to have learnt that this has become an issue to persons but assured that the project execution is in no way affected by layoffs. Photo: VINO/File
Efforts to reach Chairman of the BVI Ports Authority Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline were futile as he was said to have been out of office at the time and when contacted Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) could not properly speak with this news site as he was in the middle of a meeting at the time. Photo: VINO
Efforts to reach Chairman of the BVI Ports Authority Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline were futile as he was said to have been out of office at the time and when contacted Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) could not properly speak with this news site as he was in the middle of a meeting at the time. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – This news site was yesterday December 1, 2014 bombarded with phone calls from several persons who were worried about the future of the Cruise Pier Project (CPP) after confirming that a number of persons are being laid off the job.

“They more than two months behind according to the Minister (Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool) and they laying off workers? What is really going on? That project seems really be having problems that they are not telling us about,” said a concerned person who asked not to be named.

It was alleged by other informed sources that the project currently is way above the number of employees that were initially projected for in the proposal. “As far as I know or I should say I was made to understand that for this stage of the project they had proposed to have about 60 workers and they are way over with in excess of 100 and so they cutting down right now,” the source said.

Among those that have since been target of the laying off was a female engineer according to our reliable sources however attempts to reach this individual or others affected were futile.

On the other hand when this news site contacted Mr Percy Rhoden of the contracting company Meridian Construction Company after learning of the plight of persons, he was shocked to have learnt that this has become an issue to persons.

Speaking with Virgin Islands News Online yesterday afternoon he said that there is no need for persons to be worried as in projects of such nature persons are constantly laid off and persons are hired. He also made it clear that despite what shuffling there may be with the staffing the project execution is not being affected.

According to Mr Rhoden, “All I could say to you is people get laid off and people get hired. In the construction business people get laid off and people are hired….it would never affect the progress of the project at all… that’s it. We hire people, we lay off people, we re-hire people. At times we got to be able to save monies somehow.”

He further said, “If there is something we need to import and that part of the project is at a bit of a go slow because we don’t have a part then we just have to lay them off and when we get the part we get them back.”

Efforts to reach Chairman of the BVI Ports Authority Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline were futile as he was said to have been out of office at the time and when contacted Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) could not properly speak with this news site as he was in the middle of a meeting at the time.

21 Responses to “Pink slips for workers on Ports Dev. Project”

  • HeeeeHaww (02/12/2014, 09:13) Like (22) Dislike (5) Reply
    a bunch of frigging liars!
  • sister J (02/12/2014, 09:35) Like (33) Dislike (4) Reply
    What start wrong will end wrong yall
  • ooooo (02/12/2014, 10:16) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    how come them aint talk that last night on radio when they were running their mouths?
  • long look me come from (02/12/2014, 10:27) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where is the governor with the Commission of inquiry on the corrupt project?
  • Yes (02/12/2014, 10:45) Like (21) Dislike (6) Reply
    Wow people cannot really be this foolish. Construction workers laid off on a phased project. It happens on every major project.
    • @ lol (02/12/2014, 11:20) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
      That spin would not work there is more in the mota..talk about the company that also packed up and left and reasons
    • no money (02/12/2014, 12:48) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      Agree @LOL but the reason why? There aint no money to pay dem. Dis place is stone broke man and no one lendin them no money as they too high risk. Never be able to pay back. Wager on CPP not being finished and left for next Government to deal with.
      • chad (02/12/2014, 20:32) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        No wonder them give that smith boy that bank job...By the way, where is the black boy who used to run the bank before?
  • just asking.... (02/12/2014, 10:49) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lawd ah mussy and my bouy got a Lil work dey last month how the hell he going eat eh?
  • People (02/12/2014, 11:13) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    The NDP could hide & cover up all they want but when the truth on this needed project that has been taken advantage of comes out alot of us will hold our heads.
  • NICK (02/12/2014, 11:39) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    this reminds me of civil servants. More than needed are hired and then Government is put in the position of being mean for cleaning house. How many "friends" were hired for the project? And who is the overseer watching the bottom line? that is why there are cost overruns.
    Aside from this, where is the governor to inquire about procedure and corruption identified in the audit??
    Now the premier is in London, smooth-talking. This is not a responsible government and its ministers have blinders on.
  • KB (02/12/2014, 14:30) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mr. Rhoden is right, thats how the construction business is for years. However, I guess because its a Government project, it makes the headlines.
  • idk (02/12/2014, 14:32) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Cant stand that Percy person..and Todman who always talking about helping his own turn away a lot of our own to hire others on that same port project...
  • Proud (02/12/2014, 21:52) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    When it is all completed, we will all be proud. Pray for the project and not criticize.
  • locals under NDP (02/12/2014, 23:36) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    I HEARD ONLY THE LOCALS GOT LET GO COME NEXT ELECTION I VOTING FOR A wholesale change
  • W*F (03/12/2014, 09:22) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sah, I wonder if he would have been so big in Jamaica??. Only in the BVI. Anybody remember when he came here? He had Locks and he was normal. Now all the people who helped him and who he socialized with he don't even say a common hello when he meets them. The Boy got too big for his britches. LMAO. He does look so stupid trying to be what he is not. Come on bro, come back to earth. We who know you, know who you were and what you are. Stop the pretence. Enough said.
  • pay day (03/12/2014, 11:10) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The jamdown big in the bvi
  • hell (03/12/2014, 16:21) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ports Project going to hell just like the ndp
  • intheknow (05/12/2014, 15:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Among those that have since been target of the laying off was a female engineer according to our reliable sources "

    In fact the female engineer that was terminated was the third engineer to leave the project!


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