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Recovery Agency Board Members not appointed yet- Premier Smith

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) has denied reports that he has appointed persons to the Recovery Agency Board, which will be responsible for managing the hurricane loan funds. Photo: VINO
Opposition Leader and Virgin Islands Party Chairman, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), while delivering his Annual District Report on Sunday January 21, 2018 at Capoon’s Bay, had called for the names of each of the members on the Recovery Agency Board to be disclosed by the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration. Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Leader and Virgin Islands Party Chairman, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), while delivering his Annual District Report on Sunday January 21, 2018 at Capoon’s Bay, had called for the names of each of the members on the Recovery Agency Board to be disclosed by the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration. Photo: VINO/File
The Recovery Agency Board was demanded by the United Kingdom Government in a high level framework document in exchange for support for loan guarantees to rebuild the Territory following the destructive hurricanes of September 2017. Photo: VINO/File
The Recovery Agency Board was demanded by the United Kingdom Government in a high level framework document in exchange for support for loan guarantees to rebuild the Territory following the destructive hurricanes of September 2017. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Recovery Agency Board demanded by the United Kingdom Government in a high level framework document in exchange for support for loan guarantees to rebuild the Territory following the destructive hurricanes of September 2017 has not been named as yet, according to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL).

The loans for the post Irma and Maria recovery are to be managed by this Agency in a separate account under the authority of the Chair of the Board, according to the ‘High Level Framework for the UK support to the BVI Hurricanes Recovery,’ a document leaked to the media some three weeks ago.

There has since been much speculation about who should make up the Board and this news site was even told by a senior National Democratic Party (NDP) source that Dr Smith had selected a few persons who have been meeting.

No appointments yet

Premier Smith; however, told reporters during a press conference at the Office of the Premier, Central Administration Complex on Wickham’s Cay I, Road Town, Tortola on February 8, 2018, that no one has been appointed to the Recovery Agency Board as yet.

“They haven’t been appointed as yet,” Dr Smith claimed.

According to the leader of government business, persons have been meeting and working towards having the Board named.

“We appointed some people led by Mr Broderick Penn, as you know, to start the work, so they have been working and incorporating other people as well to assist. But out of that we have to just elect or select the members of the Board who will be responsible but that [naming of Board Members] hasn’t been done as yet.

“There is an interim group which is working towards that.”

Most corrupt Government

Opposition Leader and Virgin Islands Party Chairman, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), while delivering his Annual District Report on Sunday January 21, 2018 at Capoon’s Bay, had called for the names of each of the members on the Recovery Agency Board who will be charged with monitoring the Fund to be disclosed by the NDP administration.

Hon Fahie has continuously accused the current NDP Government of being the most corrupt in Virgin Islands history due to their lack of accountability and transparency.

The demand for a Recovery Agency Board to manage the hurricane recovery loan funds also shows that the UK mistrusts the NDP Administration for its history of lack of transparency, alleged corruption, lack of financial accountability and reckless spending.

See link to related article:

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/has-the-recovery-agency-board-been-named

12 Responses to “Recovery Agency Board Members not appointed yet- Premier Smith”

  • Boo (11/02/2018, 09:54) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just a few more cronies and family members to talk to before we can set up this thing
  • Gumption. Official (11/02/2018, 10:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    When I know who they are I’ll love to ask them if building more programs like (YEP) Youth Empowerment Programs) are part of the recovery plans. We must have a YEP in every district of the Virgin island. Including JDV/Anegada/Virgin Gorda Being district on different islands.
    • pat (11/02/2018, 16:03) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      good idea but wouldn't you want foundations, windows, electricity and water first? Programmes are secondary but are much needed after the fact.
  • ... (11/02/2018, 10:49) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big fat lie
  • just asking... (11/02/2018, 11:53) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is this man Mr zzzzz telling lies when the committee had meetings
  • Socrates (11/02/2018, 12:02) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does the the UK have a deep mistrust of the local NDP government? Is the requirement for an unprecedented Board a big broad sign of the mistrust? Is the lack of transparency and accountability a grave concern for the UK government? Will the UK take over the BVI government like it once did in the Turks and Caicos and the Dutch is now doing in Sint Eustatius? Why is the Board allegedly meeting if it has not yet been fully constituted? Who is the UK represensative(s) on the Board? Who is the President/chairperson of the Board? Will the Board have any independence? Will it be stacked with cronies? Will the Opposition be given the opportunity for a courtesy nominee?
    • Justice for all. (11/02/2018, 13:34) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hope they have a true Rasta man on it.. Fighting for Fairness..
  • chad (11/02/2018, 12:10) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    lieing tru he teet
  • Lotd O (11/02/2018, 13:32) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is everything going so slow?, That committee should have been priority..
  • foxy (11/02/2018, 18:10) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Did he say that? Ask boss


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