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‘Too many secrets with public funds’ – Julio S. Henry

- said Government should reshuffle its Cabinet & be more transparent about the BVI Airways deal
Concerned resident and talk show host Mr Julio ‘Sam’ Henry is in support of previous calls for a Cabinet reshuffle and strongly believes that the Premier, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) should give up his portfolio as Minister of Finance and Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) should take over his position. Photo: VINO/File
Former legislator and NDP supporter Mrs Eileene L. Parsons OBE had suggested that Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (left) is not doing a good job as the Finance Minister and has recommended that the ministry be given to Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (right), the current Minister for Health and Social Development. Photo: VINO/File
Former legislator and NDP supporter Mrs Eileene L. Parsons OBE had suggested that Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (left) is not doing a good job as the Finance Minister and has recommended that the ministry be given to Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (right), the current Minister for Health and Social Development. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Julio S. Henry thinks the claim made by BVI Airways about the conditions not being met at the airport as one of the reasons for its failure to begin direct flights to be nonsense. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Julio S. Henry thinks the claim made by BVI Airways about the conditions not being met at the airport as one of the reasons for its failure to begin direct flights to be nonsense. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – “Reshuffle (the government), if that’s what it takes because that is how you show your strengths. If people are not doing what they supposed to do, they are causing you and the territory a negative impact because they don’t hold themselves accountable for the things that they are doing.”

This is according to concerned resident and talk show host Mr Julio ‘Sam’ Henry, while he was a guest on the popular television show ‘Big Story’ on JTV Channel 55 with Peta-Gay Coombs and Cathy O. Richards.

Mr Henry further stated that the government should reshuffle and make some changes within the cabinet. He strongly believes that the Premier, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE (AL) should give up his portfolio as Minister of Finance and Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) should take over his position.

This view was first expressed by former legislator and staunch NDP supporter Ms Eileene L. Parsons OBE in a letter to the National Democratic Party in November 2016, a story broken by this news site in January 2017.

The suggestion was publically supported by Bishop John I. Cline but paid the price as he was subsequently sacked as Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) on the request of Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL).

BVI Airways deal seems shady

Speaking on the controversial BVI Airways deal and the failure by the airline to begin direct flights from Miami International Airport in the US to Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island, Virgin Islands, Mr Henry continued, “The fact now that BVI Airways is basically showing their hand, I don’t think it’s much surprise to anybody really who is already cynical about the whole deal. So here we are, we’ve heard comments, situations and questions in the House of Assembly from the very beginning and now those questions are being answered.”

BVI Airways recently announced it had laid off all staff as it was financially challenged and blamed the Virgin Islands Government for some of its shortcomings.

The often outspoken Mr Henry pointed out that, within the community, people are saying that the deal seems shady and BVI Airways announcement is just reinforcing people’s beliefs that there might be some sort of secret deal that was signed.

“It’s very similar to other projects that went down in the territory and as things started to unravel, we see that their might be some secret deal. That’s a part of the problem, too many secrets in public funds,” said Mr Henry.

Airport conditions should not be a hindrance

Mr Henry said he thinks the claim made about the conditions not being met at the airport to be nonsense. This has been one of the excuses of BVI Airways failing to take off as agreed.

“We have Liat that carry roughly 90 people along with other airlines -I agree that we should be looking at expanding our immigration entry and have more customs- but that shouldn’t be a hindrance.”

He continued, “That should not be a condition as to whether or not we could facilitate or handle the flow of people that your little plane is bringing. My opinion is that there is something wrong with the deal.”

12 Responses to “‘Too many secrets with public funds’ – Julio S. Henry”

  • croc of horse sht (25/07/2017, 10:19) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    He saying all that and still voted for NDP
  • Kickery (25/07/2017, 10:51) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    In a country where transparency should be number one, a man can't speak his mind?
  • wize up (25/07/2017, 13:16) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    Take a seat Sam: sit to fu@& down Sam!!!!
    • Jacperlance (25/07/2017, 13:45) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      Wize-up (beattle juice) sam is from here, you are from SKB, you want the man to shut up in his own country.
      • wize up (25/07/2017, 19:39) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply

        & jack the a$&: since when I from st kitts you looking thing to @#$%& talk but I have news for s×÷=% like u....I wish I could tell you were in st kitts I cam from with your same sex conduct

        • Jacperlance (25/07/2017, 20:34) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
          @wize-up, no need to get upset my boy, are you disowning you country of birth. I know you very well and I know you came here from St. Kitts and joined the RVIPF. You have long retired at a sergeant rank and has been so bitter since then for what ever reason.
  • Just saying (25/07/2017, 13:53) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sam is a light weight
  • Schups (25/07/2017, 16:50) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    This man is a sick opportunist! When he is getting his way, all is well with the world, otherwise, everything is wrong. Go find a seat man.
  • Political Observer (PO) (25/07/2017, 17:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Transparency, accountability, effective stewardship, fiduciary responsibility, regular audits.....etc should be a staple and standard operating procedures. Residents should demand no less. Except for established dollar value exempted by HOA or for genuine emergencies, all expenditures should be approved by the HOA. Except for items with national security implications or proprietary info or some other personal and confidential information, Virgin Islanders should be able to request and get all other information. For some requests, a cost can be asssessed.
  • Say Cheese (26/07/2017, 07:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    On a bigger note. Vino, how did you get Sam's passport picture, lol.
  • wize up (27/07/2017, 06:28) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Good Morning my good old pal; yes the one who calls it's self jaclalance: since you know me when see me stop: don't be shy, but leave that mask and that hand gun at home(that my only request) please exercise caution because the road it wet


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