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Rumour is one thing, evidence is another- Governor Duncan

- reiterates decision not to conduct COI into controversial Ports Project
Governor John S. Duncan OBE, seen here speaking to reports at Governor's Residence on August 19, 2016, is holding firm that the decision to not call a Commission of Inquiry into the Ports Development Project was not warranted. Photo: VINO
Governor John S. Duncan OBE had refused to call a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the controversial Ports Development Project even when the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Auditor General, along with the public, would have strongly recommended it. Photo: VINO/File
Governor John S. Duncan OBE had refused to call a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the controversial Ports Development Project even when the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Auditor General, along with the public, would have strongly recommended it. Photo: VINO/File
Former developer of the Ports Development Project, Hugh Edison Darley, President of IDEA Inc., had accused the National Democratic Party (NDP) of perverting the process of the project’s development and causing it to balloon far beyond what it would have cost originally to build. Photo: VINO/File
Former developer of the Ports Development Project, Hugh Edison Darley, President of IDEA Inc., had accused the National Democratic Party (NDP) of perverting the process of the project’s development and causing it to balloon far beyond what it would have cost originally to build. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Despite becoming unpopular for not calling a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the controversial Ports Development Project even when the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Auditor General, along with the public, would have strongly recommended it, Governor John S. Duncan OBE insists it was the right decision.

Both the Auditor General's Report and the Public Accounts Committee's Report identified a number of issues with the Ports Development Project that warranted further investigations.

While most would have agreed that the project was needed, there were concerns from the inception about the secrecy surrounding it.

More allegations of wrongdoing

In December 2015, a former developer of the project, Hugh Edison Darley, President of IDEA Inc., accused the National Democratic Party (NDP) of perverting the process of the project’s development and causing it to balloon far beyond what it would have cost originally to build.

He is also accused the government of not honouring their licencing obligations for the use of his designs some of which they changed in an effort to “cheapen” the project. He had planned to sue the government for monies owed to him.

The bombshell came on January 25, 2016, however, when Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) disclosed that the total cost of the ports project was $82.9 million, meaning that the project had overshot its budget by more than $40M.

Despite these revelations, Governor Duncan in March last year decided against a COI, saying that the reports of corruption by the PAC and the Auditor did not provide enough evidence.

“In March last year, I announced my decision not to hold a Commission of Inquiry into the extension of the Cruise Pier. My public statement sets out the reasons why I reached that decision, I will not go into detail again today; suffice to say that this was a problem I inherited and regrettably the reports by both the Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee were deficient, requiring further investigation by the Caribbean Development Bank and an independent investigation funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Despite four separate investigations no evidence of wrongdoing was discovered,” Governor Duncan stated at a press conference at the Governor’s Residence on August 19, 2016.

Gov’t investigating self

Also, in January of this year, Premier Smith made a surprise announcement when he said he had ordered an investigation into the allegations of corruption on the Cruise Development Project.

“As you know since the cruise pier project began a few years ago there has been quite a lot of discussion about it and in order to be able to be transparent I decided to do an audit. I do not want to continue to be listening to rumours which are totally false and this is why that I want to put everything to rest.”

Premier Smith added that he was not yet ready to disclose the name of the company doing the audit but said that it was an international company.

And while the Opposition has criticised the Government for “investigating itself”, Governor Duncan at the press conference last week, commended the Premier for his decision.

“In the summer of last year further allegations emerged about the Cruise Pier Village project. After lengthy discussions with the Premier and Cabinet Ministers, the Premier, as Minister of Finance, has engaged an independent and respected company to carry out an audit. The report should be available in the coming weeks. In my view this is an example of the Government taking its responsibilities properly,” Governor Duncan said.

Reiterating that no evidence of corruption was found after four investigations, two of which he said were deficient, Governor Duncan said it is his job to take that decision to evaluate the evidence and that it was “not in my view conducive to continually spend money on further and further investigations when you have no evidence, therefore I took that decision not to have that Commission of Inquiry.

“Rumour is one thing, evidence is another. You cannot conduct business on the basis of no evidence. People can make all sorts of allegations but no evidence was found after four separate investigations,” Governor Duncan stated.

24 Responses to “Rumour is one thing, evidence is another- Governor Duncan”

  • One Cr**k (22/08/2016, 11:56) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply

    Sick of the Governor bout now

  • Johnnie come lately (22/08/2016, 11:59) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    This gov has no clue how covert c$rption works in the (B)VI. He talks like one of those wall street bankers who caused the 2007 - 09 disastrous financial collapsed in the USA, where the laws created within their elitist circles were used to rob hardworking citizens out of billions of dollars and caused hardship for the citizens.

    Many still have not recovered, but the bankers were bailed out by the same government who was supposed to be looking out for its citizens. The worst part of it, is that, they were bailed out without any consequences and today has become even wealthier and more powerful than before. The next financial collapse to come is inevitable. When the lesson has not been learned, it is bounded to be repeated. The bark of self-absorbed and self-centered politicians and their special interests does not reflect the reality of the majority of the people.

    It appears Hypocrisy will never end once we are bounded by man-made systems. Just as slavery was once legal, we heard you. What starts wrong will surely end wrong. A leopard never changes its spots, even down to its last fight.
  • i from here (22/08/2016, 12:18) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    I was not in favour of the COI on the Pier Project at first but after hearing from persons directly involved in this project, we need it. Taxes payers money was spent, we need the air clear!
  • crazy (22/08/2016, 12:21) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mr. Governor doesn't seem to be 'all here'. Sir, it is with a proper investigation and audit the rumors would be either confirmed or knocked down. Guess you don't have a vested interest once the FCO pays your salary each month. Maybe if you were a taxpayer here and see the obvious crap going on, maybe, just maybe, you would care a little more and do a full fledge investigation. Better you just keep quiet instead of spewing crap
  • wize up (22/08/2016, 12:33) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Any update on cline vs NDP???
    • @ wize up (23/08/2016, 21:33) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      They think they know the law but have no clue.
      • Guess? (23/08/2016, 23:14) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        to wize up- cline has them all baffled. He might just be the straw that will break the camel's back. Stay tune.
  • dog (22/08/2016, 12:37) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    I inherited and regrettably the reports by both the Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee were deficient, requiring further investigation by the Caribbean Development Bank and an independent investigation funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Where are the results from those reports? Who ultimately did the "independent" investigation. what is so threatening about a proper investigation if nothing is wrong? The governor has done a disservice.
  • i from here (22/08/2016, 12:48) Like (23) Dislike (5) Reply
    No one trust lying duncan mehson
  • wow (22/08/2016, 13:08) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
    This governor needs to go from here like yesterday, he very well knows there was wide spread corruption on the ports project that is what he blocked Skelton-Clines contract renewal
  • The Observer (22/08/2016, 14:08) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    WOW!! Did Duncan say that? Did he say that if the decision to approve the Manager's appointment which was made in his absence, was pursued, a full forensic investigation would follow? My dear hearts and gentle people, the only conclusion one can draw is, he must be aware that there is already an investigation on its way and he is not mindful of putting another one in motion.
    • Boo (23/08/2016, 07:49) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ah! When the investigation is complete we will have to build a new wing up Ballo. Audi, mansions, boat etc will all be up for auction!
  • wow (22/08/2016, 14:41) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
    the gov is a joke
  • Tallfat (22/08/2016, 15:36) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    How do we get from so called rumor/allegations to fact if one does not investigate? If everything was straight the people would be able to say what was done at the dock is worth the near 99m. It is quite telling when no one is answering the questions, giving half answers to questions and posing questions to the questions. What is pelucid is that no one accounts for anything to anyone. In our democracy it ift is a vivid reminder to the populace that they only count at election time after that is over we the stupid people again.
  • Where to start? (22/08/2016, 15:51) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    For years it was rumoured that there is crption in the police force. His people came here and wasted a whole lot of time and money, only to scratch the surface ((no hurry while surrounded and able to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea on our dime). Why doesn’t he talk about that?

    This man needs to just enjoy his socialite statue and practices quietly, and just leave when his time is up. Some of our present issues have come about because he failed to understand (or disinterested) on how to scan the environment that he finds himself presently living in at the moment. It will surely be a needed CHANGE for our environment when he leaves. All he does is remind us of unwanted Sargassum weed. Good riddance in advance.
  • suggestion (22/08/2016, 18:50) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think the gov'nor should get his queen to pay for the audit since this whole debacle happened under his watch, which could have been prevented when the opportunity was presented. His Laissez-faire style of leadership is the weakest style of leadership in an environment where so many things are swept under the rug.
  • Ques (23/08/2016, 05:20) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Since the cruise pier debacle is rumor governor tell us why the monies spent did not go through the process in the house of assembly? Tell us why one who was involved in the project could come back to these islands and cry foul about this government? Who are you protecting governor? Strange that you are the only one saying rumor. The people of these islands need to send a petition to England to have the governor have a commission of enquiry. Something is wrong somewhere . The person who can help is refusing to do his job. If he cannot do his job he should be recalled. This country is at its lowest right now. Where has the money been spent?
  • B Savage (23/08/2016, 06:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    EDOMITE translation: if you smell smoke then see the fire and didn't see it get started then there is no fire.
  • pat (23/08/2016, 07:42) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    bottom line Duncan has lost his credibility long time so anything he says must not be believed there were three reports that showed corruption on the ports project, the Auditor General, the PAC and Letters written to HE John Duncan by Huge Darley and the former Board Chairman
    • Realist (23/08/2016, 23:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      And you believe Hugh Darley, how objective would his letters be?
  • known (23/08/2016, 10:51) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just like the "Trump-Mentality" the NDP movement and administration has been built around "rumours". Their followers spread rumours and after repeating it in their circles long enough, they have others believing that those rumours are true. That is why the Public Service has taken this downward spiral without any sight of recovery. Governor, they can be investigated based on rumour and then you will find whether there is evidence or not; some of those before you played the game with them and now we have the situation that you came and found.
  • huh (24/08/2016, 19:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    his sleep[ng vacation is over time to leave
  • LAW (26/08/2016, 00:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need to have A FAIR AND TRANSPARENT Governor


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