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UK 'a hindrance' to VI's recovery & development- Skelton-Cline

- says COVID-19 pandemic is the latest example
Outspoken Pastor and Social Commentator, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has singled out the UK Government as a continued hindrance to the Virgin Islands recovery and development as it tries to bounce back from the adverse effects of COVID-19. Photo: Facebook
With the economy of the territory brought to a halt when the government moved to implement a complete lockdown of the territory as a protective measure, Claude O. 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. Photo: Forex News Shop
With the economy of the territory brought to a halt when the government moved to implement a complete lockdown of the territory as a protective measure, Claude O. 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. Photo: Forex News Shop
On a previous episode of the 'Honestly Speaking' show, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline had petition 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. Photo: VINO/File
On a previous episode of the 'Honestly Speaking' show, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline had petition 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. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- As the COVID-19 pandemic threatens a worst global recession since the Great Depression, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), outspoken pastor and social commentator, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has accused the United Kingdom (UK) Government of being a continued hindrance to the Virgin Islands' recovery and development.

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”

  • jackass (16/04/2020, 10:09) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
    so what the man say , and lets not forget his own record of fiscal management, is BVI should be able to borrow and spend how it likes without regard to repayment obligations ? and is only because he scared UK is watching that he worried .

    then again all them in power done borrow or spend without concern for years
  • Send us help (16/04/2020, 10:16) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sah being a government consultant. Your topical conversation on the media is an insult to the Virgin Islands people. You have been so called bless with a good position to can't make a good decision .This guy needs to stop milking the government
    BVISTRONG
  • Dulce (16/04/2020, 10:25) Like (41) Dislike (1) Reply
    My take that this individual and his efforts to disrupt ,alienate and undermine the responsibilities ,the relationship and the efforts of the UK and its representatives with the current elected Government will be our demise.
    May we be rid of this plague.
  • 2020Q (16/04/2020, 10:33) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    There was always a PFEFM for the Territory. Don't make it sound like this was something new with the NDP. Loan backers always ensure that certain protocols be met and BVI loans have been backed for many years during self governance.

    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.
  • money done (16/04/2020, 10:44) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    maybe this man mre dangerous than covid 19 pandemic ....
  • Liberty (16/04/2020, 11:51) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    the government you have to shut up this man we all need a protocol, no matter who is ruling the political campaign ended a year ago, you are worse than you can see, you are the devil's own envoy
  • Utopia (16/04/2020, 11:54) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who is this man with sharp tongue and big ego. If what you have to say is not sweeter than silence, say nothing, Sir.
  • Macaw (16/04/2020, 12:00) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Reptillian creatures,with or without legs makes me cringe.
  • speak out (16/04/2020, 13:22) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    so many of we comes on this site and blog such derogatory things about our fellow citizens, our fellow caribbean sister/brothers but how dear anyone of we speak our mind over the colonial masters:

    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

  • Rubber Duck (17/04/2020, 06:19) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    A walking mouth without a brain
  • Mulatto (17/04/2020, 11:40) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    One hindrance to the progress of the BVI is you and your bigotry & racism. Go away.
  • Patti (21/04/2020, 18:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't bite the hand that feeds you.


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