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Skelton-Cline deserves 98K Gov't contract – Julio S. Henry

- Says the substance in the contract is what really matters
Tola Radio VI host, Julio S. Henry says the controversial contract given to Grace Consultants, a local consultancy firm headed by Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline, is deserving and a step in the right direction for the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government to deliver on its promises. Photo: Facebook
“Claude Skelton-Cline got a big contract but a lot of people all upset, people wondering how I feel about it. I had a big discussion today, and I’ll say right off the bat, Claude big yourself up, you deserve it,” Henry said on the Tuesday, April 22, edition of Hard Talk on Tola Radio with co-host Kaream K. Pickering aka ‘Picko Moff’ and guest, Cindy R. Rosan-Jones. Photo: VINO/File
“Claude Skelton-Cline got a big contract but a lot of people all upset, people wondering how I feel about it. I had a big discussion today, and I’ll say right off the bat, Claude big yourself up, you deserve it,” Henry said on the Tuesday, April 22, edition of Hard Talk on Tola Radio with co-host Kaream K. Pickering aka ‘Picko Moff’ and guest, Cindy R. Rosan-Jones. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Tola Radio VI host, Julio S. Henry says the controversial contract given to Grace Consultants, a local consultancy firm headed by Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline, is deserving and a step in the right direction for the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government to deliver on its promises.

In a public missive dated April 15, 2019, the Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) led VIP government indicated that the contract was issued to ensure crucial developmental goals are met, hence, the Premier’s Office had engaged a number of consultancies for specific areas, however, this was met with backlash from the public and some political pundits.

Deserving

“Claude Skelton-Cline got a big contract but a lot of people all upset, people wondering how I feel about it. I had a big discussion today, and I’ll say right off the bat, Claude big yourself up, you deserve it,” Henry said on the Tuesday, April 22, edition of Hard Talk on Tola Radio VI with co-host Kaream K. Pickering aka ‘Picko Moff’ and guest, Cindy R. Rosan-Jones.

According to the release, the consultancy given to the outspoken ZBVI 780 ‘Honestly Speaking’ radio host will seek to monitor local planning and execution that would ensure the delivery of a programme to provide 1000 jobs in 1000 days amongst other commitments.

Included in the contract are also plans to assist small business development and advice on the development and implementation of initiatives designed to empower youth. During the six month engagement period, Grace Consultants will receive ninety-eight thousand dollars ($98,000) for services rendered.

Henry implores, “The substance in the contract is what really matters to me, so we [will] hold you accountable, so we looking for deliveries, we looking for things to be delivered and I believe that you [Skelton-Cline] can deliver,” he told the listening audience.

Negotiations & Agreements

Further, Grace Consultants will also lead negotiations for new Cruise Line Berthing Agreements, identify and facilitate a seaplane tour excursion initiative and serve as Chair of Cruise Tourism Committee.

“I want to see an improve cruise ship policy, I want to see improved cruise ship visitation to the territory, I would love to see a little more focus to cruise ships coming to the territory in the summertime, not necessarily during the seasonal time,” Mr Henry said.

“There are people out here who are willing to join you and help deliver those promises and those consultancies,” the Hard Talk host further implored.

“I think Claude you’re on the right track,” he said, however, guest Rosan-Jones was adamant that Mr Skelton-Cline cannot deliver on those promises. 

32 Responses to “Skelton-Cline deserves 98K Gov't contract – Julio S. Henry ”

  • My 98 cents (22/04/2019, 12:23) Like (45) Dislike (6) Reply
    "the contract was issued to ensure crucial developmental goals are met"

    Thought we elected 13 people to do so?
    • @ my 98 cens (22/04/2019, 13:26) Like (11) Dislike (16) Reply
      When they give away 7.2m where was the ndp 11?
      • smh (22/04/2019, 14:44) Like (41) Dislike (4) Reply
        Still doesn’t justify the contract. I thought that is why the NDP was voted out, so these kind of things stopped. I will bet my last cent that he will be given another 6 month contract when this one done, and another until the 4 years are up.
        Also, if this is a consultancy, why is Claude using the people of the premier’s office to do his work. Why do they have to go to Skelton Baylor for meetings and reporting to Claude. This isn’t a consultancy but giving the permanent secretary job to Claude without going through the the PSC.
        • @???? (22/04/2019, 22:20) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
          No number of blogging and lies by the same 2 people will change the election results; vip is in, ndp is out

          Now rest well
    • the rock (23/04/2019, 07:45) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      $600,000.00 some years back without lifting a finger, now this, 1 down 1 more to go-the gas station on the highway next!
    • wize up (23/04/2019, 15:55) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      the NDP took the people’s tax money in million dollar bundles thus far VIP dealing in thousands bundles:One thing that caught my attention was the commencement of works on the high school: government took official control on 12 March 2019 and within 60 day began to fix the only public high school in our territory: not much was done to that facility between 2017(all of the year 2018)April 2019 VIP began something....some say the delay to fix the high-school for your son and your daughter under NDP was a tactical political move because keeping that part time school in Pasea Estate was a financial donation!!!!
    • The Overspend (24/04/2019, 12:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      It does not matter what the question is, we all know that Claude ‘O’ for Overspend Skelton Smith is not the answer.
      The man has lived with his nose in the Givt trough for all his working (and I use that word loosely) life and cannot survive in the private sector.
      $16k a month for advising on things he does not know or understand - no measurable criteria for the job, so that it can be renewed without any tender process or evaluation of how Baxley he has failed to deliver.
  • we the people (22/04/2019, 12:37) Like (14) Dislike (58) Reply
    He deserves every red cent yes
  • pat (22/04/2019, 12:47) Like (16) Dislike (43) Reply
    Ndp losers just vex and jealous that is all

    VIP STAY FOCUS NDP DEAD FOR THE NEXT 12 years or so
  • ... (22/04/2019, 13:27) Like (7) Dislike (31) Reply
    His contract is much to do about nothing we sticking with VIP for life
  • Anonymous (22/04/2019, 14:36) Like (9) Dislike (32) Reply
    Now Sam finally making sense
    • Nic (23/04/2019, 10:50) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Sam is very self-centered. he works in the tourism industry, so that is all that he is promoting and would love to see prosper
  • GG (22/04/2019, 14:48) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Be careful with your words as that is what they said about the vip in 2015 and 2003 and the ndp in 2007.
  • Well deserved (22/04/2019, 15:00) Like (15) Dislike (33) Reply
    I'm in agreement with the writer. Mr Cline has worked really hard with the VIP during the time they were campaigning and I think he deserved whatever package VIP had to offer. What is soo amazing is that you guys put up with a lot of the wrongs the previous administration were doing for 8 years with no complaints and now the VIP is in to make a change and try to move the country in the right direction instead of supporting the move you guys are angry with everything the Vip is doing so far. I say forward ever backward never.
    • rewrsdffds (22/04/2019, 22:55) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
      So because someone was campaigning and politicking they need a contract? Well every person who voted for the winning party and drove in the motorcade needs a contract too
      • Well deserved (23/04/2019, 10:47) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
        Everyone need a chance to prove themselves. Stop hating NDP had 8 years to prove themselves and what they did.
        You guys are so unreasonable. Trust the process and see what happens before you start judging. That man fought for everyone in the territory for a chance and we did needed a change. I'm already feeling the change for the better and not worst. The country will rise again!!
      • wize up (23/04/2019, 22:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ OK: peep this: 7.2 million of the Virgin Islands people money in the pockets of people that have done nothing for this territory(what u have to say about dat)...why our people have to take the back seat: the airline did one substantial trip which took a team to Aruba: this same airline owed the BVI almost 500,000.00 in airport fees and was brought back here and handed 7.2 million dollars: i will live another 62 year and will never under the logic or madness behind this transaction(utter madness)
  • wize up (22/04/2019, 15:13) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    some among us enjoy point fingers when it come to our people: some even goes back to chapters in history simply to just justify their finger pointing however history will also recall an establishment left the territory owing government almost five hundred thousand dollars these folks were brought back to the territory and granted almost 10-million dollars and to date nothing tangible to justify this transaction.....

  • Outlaw (22/04/2019, 15:35) Like (27) Dislike (5) Reply
    How easy people forget. What about all those consultancy contracts NDP gave out to their cronies and up to now we have no results on the consultancies paid for. Up to February 25 their were a number of young men and women being paid as consultants under the Ministry of Education. One contract for a reasonable cause and people gone bazaar
    • wize up (23/04/2019, 16:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ outlaw: there is also some speculation surrounding consultancy fees which were paid out to keep this territory of the European Financial Services Black-List; however after the consulting payments the BVI still ended up on the black list....the sum in question is questionable(a school child said a kool million)
  • Well deserved (22/04/2019, 16:28) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    Why were you guy so silent when the previous administration was wasting the tax payers money. We need leaders that will make decisions that will a beneficial to the entire country and not leaders who keep helping there friends and family.
    You guys sit back and watch millions of dollars wasted by the other party yet still wanted them back in power.
    Come on people open your eyes and stop being shallow minded.
    Monies were plugged into festival last year when that money could have gone into rebuilding the Elmore high school. Where does our priority lies? Give the VIP a chance to prove themselves. You must not support corruption and by you voting for the NDP show you have no love for your country.
  • don (22/04/2019, 16:33) Like (16) Dislike (48) Reply
    A million dallar wall no one in jail
    7.2 million to one crooks no on in jail

    8 million taken no one I jail

    Mark had 40milllion over run no one in jail

    Leave Claude alone he from here
  • Boo (22/04/2019, 16:57) Like (8) Dislike (18) Reply
    The ndp bloggers I know how it feels to be in the back of the bus

    You haters got 8 years of blogging
    I see nothing wrong with the contract Absolutely NOTHNG IN FACT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN 300g like the White man at RDA
  • ausar (22/04/2019, 17:06) Like (10) Dislike (16) Reply
    After 8 years of corruption the ndp got balls to talk about Claude contract
    For god in heaven sake go sit down
  • wow (22/04/2019, 17:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sipping my Bush tea...
  • detroit (22/04/2019, 20:11) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
    Trying to justify something doesn’t make it right and thiis applies to the actions of both parties. It appears that the BVI has lost its sense of direction since 1995 with the advent of all the modern day politicians and as a result a lot of BAD decisions have been made. What a pity!! I maintain my conviction though that GOD is in control and HE rules in the affairs of man and NOT the leaders or the head of any department as many people think. Just BE STILL and KNOW that HE is GOD. He is good ALL the time.
  • long look me come from (22/04/2019, 22:21) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hope the others hurry up and get for they all locals and not from st Lucia
  • Haters go home (23/04/2019, 10:15) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    We the people with seklton he deserves his eat
  • farmer brown (23/04/2019, 10:26) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    Funny man and his yes boys got lots of time to blog shit

    Many of them should be in jail

    We love the vip and supports Claude
  • doc (24/04/2019, 11:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can't trust him


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