UK 'a hindrance' to VI's recovery & development- Skelton-Cline
With the economy of the Virgin Islands (VI) brought to a grinding halt when the government moved to implement a complete lockdown of the Territory as a protective measure against community transmission of the virus, Skelton-Cline's contention is that the VI has to turn to the UK for recovery, even in cases where it has to borrow money from itself.
UK hindering VI getting back on its feet - Skelton-Cline
"As long as the UK remains on the current track that they are on, they are proving to be a hindrance to the Virgin Islands recovery and development," he said on the Tuesday, April 14, 2020, edition of his 'Honestly Speaking' radio show, alongside guest host, Shaina M. Smith.
"We did not envision no COVID-19, and so our people need funding now, if you go and you expend those funds for the needs of the people, and come August, September, November... a hurricane hits us... it puts you in a position where you are not able to service your debt," he said.
"All this government, and [what] all the people of this Territory are saying, that given those conditions, we need something in writing that says the UK will not swoop down in here and take control of our country."
VI seeks COVID-19 grant from UK
On a previous episode of the show, Skelton-Cline had petitioned the UK appointed Governor, H.E. Augustus J. U. Jaspert to say whether the UK will help the Territory or not, regarding the VI's request for COVID-19 financing.
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has asked the Governor for help to access funds from the UK to match what the VI was making available to its unemployed population as a result of COVID-19.
The Governor replied that the VI has healthy reserves and enough money to handle its own affairs regarding COVID-19.
In a March 15, 2020, COVID-19 update, Premier Fahie indicated that his government will be seeking to negotiate with the UK for certain terms of the Protocols for Effective Financial Management (PFEFM), signed under the previous National Democratic Party (NDP) government, to be relaxed or amended so that the local administration can have access to immediate relief funding.
Relaxing protocols
It should be noted that the Protocols is said to have come as a result of poor financial management and accountability under the NDP administration.
Under the current conditions, if the VI borrows its own money or money from international lending institutions and is unable to repay it, the Territory will run the risk of breaching the Protocols and of the UK stepping in with stronger fiscal controls.
According to Skelton-Cline, relaxation of the Protocols, therefore, needs to be on paper, "What we cannot afford is the UK just telling us, well you all go ahead, and if it comes to that then we will decide what to do."
The current borrowing ratios as stipulated by the PFEFM also limits the amount the VI can borrow.
Mr Skelton-Cline said the relaxation of the protocols would mean the VI can easily take care of itself in a crisis.
13 Responses to “UK 'a hindrance' to VI's recovery & development- Skelton-Cline”
then again all them in power done borrow or spend without concern for years
BVISTRONG
May we be rid of this plague.
No one anticipated COVID 19 - at this rate at least. But since BVI residents sooooo religious they should have. It is the signs of the times - earthquakes hurricanes pestilences wars and rumours of wars. All of this because man greedy.
Finally be careful what you say - the whole world is listening. It not do much the words but how you say those words. Some people have no diplomacy. Some believe that they so untouchable they can say anything. But they forget whenen $hit hit the masses, the few rich shall suffer too.
thanks God for the Positive Action Movement back in the days because those gentlemen had the gumption and spoke out about the colonial powers.
Some folk residing in this modern day Virgin Islands need to understand what our forefathers actually did so you and I now have certain freedoms and liberties in these Virgin Islands:
if there are concerns someone have to speak on such concerns and at the end of the day we all could benefit simply because someone stood up and speak out....
The man speaking in his own country and some vex but the same governor signs into law that YOU have to stay home for 14 days and every manjack comply