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‘The blows were too much for him’ – Hon Myron V. Walwyn

-said he had to take Minister Vanterpool for drinks to cool off because of the cruise pier project criticism
Controversial Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn said that he had to be the one to help a frustrated Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark A. Vanterpool when the blows were too much for him with regards to the cruise pier development project. Photo: VINO/File
An overhead view of the works are they were some time ago. Photo: BVIPA
An overhead view of the works are they were some time ago. Photo: BVIPA
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Controversial Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn said that he had to be the one to help a frustrated Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark A. Vanterpool (R4) when the blows were too much for him with regards to the cruise pier development project.

He was speaking on Tuesday July 14, 2015 during the debate on the Tourist Duty Free System Act of 2015 in the Second Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly.

Referring to Hon Vanterpool, Hon Walwyn said, “Minister you have been vindicated over and over and over again because I remember in this House the blows you took for this cruise ship [port] development.”

“When they raked him over the coals I felt sorry for him. I used to have to carry him for a lil drink there sometimes up in the lil bar. I won’t say where it is but we will go there and we would cool off. He couldn’t say some of the things in the House that he wanted to say so he used to say them to me so I used to sit down and listen to him say those things to me because he had to get them off his chest,” said Hon Walwyn.

He said that what the Minister has done over the past three and a half years is nothing short of a miracle.

“When you see the whole transformation of the cruise ship industry before our very eyes in three and a half years and that is magnificent,” he said.

The Opposition Virgin Islands Party has been pounding away on the cruise pier throughout the life of the project based on findings of the Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee which detailed several issues of concern and asked for a deeper probe into some of them.

Public Accounts Committee's findings

In the summary report on page 32, 8 the Public Accounts Committee recommended that the Governor appoints a Commission of Inquiry to examine the propriety of the process through which the Cruise Ship Port Development was handled, in the view of the evidence gathered during the Public Accounts Committee Process which clearly show;

i. Disregard for public process in the procurement of a major public project;
ii. Absence of transparency in the handling of the public business;
iii. Engagement of companies, consultants and individuals without sourcing alternatives;
iv. Consistent and ongoing association between parties representing the Government side and the contractors through processes that were deficient in achieving any positive public purpose yet incurring ongoing and unjustified cost to the public purse.

The PAC reports also made allegations of the breaking of laws of the Virgin Islands in which it stated on page 31, 1 in the summary that “the government spent two years and countless resources engaging processes that were contrary to Public Financial Management Regulations, in contravention of the BVI Ports Authority Act, non-transparent and untenable.”

Auditor General's Report

The Auditor General's Report on the Ports Development Project unearthed corruption, conflict of interest, disregard for the laws of the Virgin Islands, unfair practices, undue influence in favour of one developer, disregard for the established tendering process and that no one was looking out for the interest of the people and taxpayers of the Virgin Islands, putting the people at a disadvantage.

21 Responses to “‘The blows were too much for him’ – Hon Myron V. Walwyn”

  • Educator (16/07/2015, 09:12) Like (39) Dislike (14) Reply
    This man My.... really talks too much. He just needs to shut up a bit. I'm so tired of how he wants to be in everything. Seems like he wants to head all the ministries,be premier and deputy premier. He is too much with himself.
  • dog (16/07/2015, 09:57) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply
    process and respect for the law is important, not one person's ego. Only time will tell if this pushed development has created unintended consequences for the larger population. 8000-10,000 people projected instead of the burdensome 3000-4000 daily have consequences. If cruise ship people are only spending $50 daily and by doubling volume, we get $100 daily, but chase off private villa renters, hotel and charter people who spend over $400 daily with less impact to infrastructure, how can that be better? The beaches and historical sites will also suffer with volume. Only time will tell how this tunnel-vision approach will work.
  • egg face (16/07/2015, 10:04) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The a general was correct everybody knows
  • sandra penn (16/07/2015, 10:15) Like (25) Dislike (4) Reply
    Oh no he is not vindicated oh no myron we not buying that cocka may may
  • Sherry (16/07/2015, 10:21) Like (19) Dislike (5) Reply
    I have no sympathy for him. He and his arrogance created it himself.
  • Yes (16/07/2015, 11:19) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    He ain't get no licks yet. Wait until the PAC actually finds out where all the money went. Licks will come for true then...
  • hah (16/07/2015, 11:39) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    The Pier Project continues to fail and the cost continues to rise. The only vindication will be its completion and a very successful 2016 cruise season.
  • DON Q (16/07/2015, 11:56) Like (87) Dislike (1) Reply
    They buy the election now they spining the truth
  • Youffe (16/07/2015, 12:31) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yea you got the most votes mvw but that is not a lic to talk bull
  • JESSE KING (16/07/2015, 13:19) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Myron just like to be in too much things always putting his nose in where it doesn't belongs.
  • Pundit (16/07/2015, 13:55) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
    Controversial Minister was top vote getter in the VI. Put that in your pipe VINO. You all may have helped with that actually, unknowingly of course....
  • oh oh oooo (16/07/2015, 14:04) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dog eat Dog......oh oh that hurts
  • watch it (16/07/2015, 14:23) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dog eat dog ....not nice ..what is the exciting news. That should stay behind close door. What a blast i felt it to the t
  • S O P (16/07/2015, 15:17) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Points i through iv of the PAC report? Don't they seem to be standard operating procedure for everything this government does? Fits the NHI scheme and the airport expansion to a T so far. And we just keep on allowing it.
  • just saying.. (16/07/2015, 20:04) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Both ms webster and ralph found corruption
  • 123 (16/07/2015, 20:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    no myron whell and come come again
  • yes (17/07/2015, 04:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We took them in and nurtured them now they are grabbing what they can get and trying to destroy the hand that nurtured and fed them.
  • Take control of your Pit Bulls Doc (17/07/2015, 06:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is the Premier? Ronno wants to be---- His house is out of order. Myro wants to be--- his house is out of order. Doc is still the best man to speak on-behalf on NDP. Time to take control Doc.
  • Political Observer (17/07/2015, 08:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    As say dey dung in de Mudd, ah wah me here! "When they raked him over the coals I felt sorry for him. I used to have to carry him for a lil drink there sometimes up in the lil bar." Well Sah! Mark must be a lil boy and cannot handle the pressure and has to be rescued by lil brother. Sometimes one has to be careful who one confides in. Somethings are highy personal and confidential and should be treated as such. Suspect that Mark will be going else where to vent, having been embarrassed in public as crumbling under pressure, wilting under pressure. Not a good image. Potential Premier material? The positioning for Premier has started.

    Hon Walwyn, the lead vote getter in the last election, MEC and an attorney, had the ability to support Mark in the Port Pier project without making look like a weakling. Though the Port Pier project process was handled poorly, it is a vital project inspite of its challenges. Now, should we wonder if the challenges is due to strength or lack of, of the MCW? The MEC comments may or may not have been well intended but they did not do Mark any favors. They make him come across with maudlinness. Who is next?


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