UK had 'no intention' to offer grants or funding to VI- Skelton-Cline
"They have not waived the conditions that will put us in breach of the Protocols for Effective Financial Management, the thresholds we have to meet, they have not done or addressed any of that and to this day have refused to do so," Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline said on the April 29, 2020, edition of his 'Honestly Speaking' radio show on ZBVI 780 AM.
UK says 'paddle you own canoe' - Skelton-Cline
He said the Territory was essentially told to 'paddle your own canoe,' yet unable to do so because of current restrictions.
"We cannot access Social Security funding, whether a loan or otherwise, or use of the reserves unless it goes to the House of Assembly for passage [and] the UK has to turn around and approve helping ourselves to our resources that our taxpayers, our citizens paid together."
Skelton-Cline, a few days earlier on April 27, 2020, accused the UK of standing in the way of the VI's own stimulus package for the local economy due to the restrictions of the same protocols.
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had asked for a grant from the UK to match what the VI was making available to its unemployed population as a result of COVID-19; however, Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert responded without a definitive answer but noted that the Territory has good finances.
Citizens must now pressure Gov't - Skelton Cline
According to Skelton-Cline, the UK had 'no intention' to offer any grants or funding to the VI for its COVID-19 fight, but are still refusing to implement measures that can aid in the Territory getting access to its own monies.
"We are wanting to paddle our own canoe, but there are conditions that are so draconian and so adverse to our moving forward... their refusal to address those things in writing, is yet to be had."
Further, the 'man of the cloth' called on the local community to petition the government to make public the information and scenario that the Territory has found itself in.
"I should not be the only voice out here, all of us should join this chorus in pushing and demanding from our government, full access as to what is taking place here, exactly where are we so as to help this government to put pressure on the UK to move out of our way," he said.
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14 Responses to “UK had 'no intention' to offer grants or funding to VI- Skelton-Cline ”
Things are bleak but how did the VI get into this sinking sand situation? What drove the need for the PFEFM? Will history be unkind to the folks that drove the VI in this ditch? Has the VI learn any lessons? How ironic is it that the VI has challenges accessing its own money in these dark days? Look like the VI has much work to do to rid itself of the financial training wheels? Ting te talk.
Some people talking independence but good is that going to do? Go independence on what? The VI is a small, resource-poor territory. It is heavily dependent locale. It depends on others for food, clothing, construction material, furniture, household appliances, electronic equipment, medical services, tertiary education.....etc. Its economy depend totally external trade, ie, tourism, financial services......etc. It depends heavily on imported labour. Boi, the BVI in big trouble.
Agree with fellow blogger, E. Leonard, that the UK should provide some type of US Marshall Plan styled plan for OTs to deal with the most destabilizing event (Covid-19) since WWII but you will quicker see some orange flying goats in the sky.
I heard a lot of people say that cline is a supporter of the Government,but in my view,cline is not understanding the role of the Uk,in our political system.he just talking.
The Uk minister have made their position clear.Mrs Skelton has already informed us that there is no legislative frame work or legal aurhority in SSB laws, on which she can rely to use SSB funds to pay unemployment benefit,etc
Many person curse Mrs Skelton on blogg,for telling us about the SSB law,when her hands are tied.
Section 71 of the BVI Constitution of 2007, declared that the legislature [parliament] have the power to make laws for peace,order and good government of the BVI.
In the urgency of this situation,parliament can make laws to access SSB funds,if the Governor will assent to it on behalf of her majesty.We must find an avenue to access locally made funds for our people.
Cline just coming everytime talking about UK dis UK dat. Boss UK is in control based on protocol.
Since 2002, after some public officials were prosecuted in the criminal courts for offences of theft etc associated with public funds, the UK, under governor Frank Savage has been a watch-dog on guard marking public funds.
To come 18-years later,when UK know that we misused our taxes,to build school-wall,cruise village,and buy plane that never fly,and we the people say,not enough service for all the millions spent.
We are the ones,who telling the Governor,that our politicians are corrupt etc,accusing them our honourable politicians of wrong-doing and wasting public funds.We tell UK not to trust them with our money.
Our own accusations of our honourable politicians ["BACKFIRE"] on us,but we blaming UK?
We campaign during elections,accusing public officials and politicians of false-claim- corruptiton.
Now UK tighten up,based on what we tell them about our own honourable men,now we want to curse UK.
I agree with the Governor,that we have enough funds in SSB, but where is the legislative frame work to access it.
You want Mrs Skelton to just get up and give out SSB money,for you to turn round and accuse her of giving "island" people tortola money??
Island people paying social security as well,but we always quick to curse each other,when its time for receiving benefits that all of us are entitled to under a law.
Leave our mother-country UK alone. Lets help and support each other in the BVI.[islandman and tortola-landman]
Everyday is the OLD talk about UK-UK-UK-UK?
The white man can count!
GET GOING THEN. YOU KEEP ON CALLING ON GOVERNMENT TO GIVE THE PUBLIC THE INFO. AND HAVE THE ONLINE PAPERS CONSTANTLY PUBLISHING ...