UPDATE: ‘Orion Law indirectly engaged with BVIHSA’ – Premier Smith
He was responding to a question by Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) during the commencement of the Fifth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second House of Assembly today March 20, 2015.
“Madam Speaker, would the Premier and Minister of Finance please confirm whether or not Orion Law is engaged in any capacity, directly or indirectly, by the BVI Health Services Authority? If yes, would the Premier please furnish a copy of the contract or sub-contract?” the First District Representative asked.
In hearing the Premier’s answer to the question, Honourable Fahie asked whether Section 67 (3a) and Section 67 (7) of the Virgin Islands Constitution 2007 were complied with when members of the House are known to be connected with the firm in question. Orion Law is owned by the controversial Education and Culture Minister Honourable Myron V. Walwyn and Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Ingrid A. Moses.
Acting Speaker for the session Honourable Delores Christopher (R5) called for a brief recess to allow for the question to be clarified. Honourable Christopher stepped up to the Speaker’s Chair after Speaker Honourable Ingrid A. Moses recused herself from this part of the proceedings as she is one of the parties in the questions surrounding Orion Law Firm.
Upon the resumption of the House about ten minutes later, Premier Smith said in response, "Madam Speaker the Member is asking for an opinion which I am not prepared to give. I am prepared to answer a direct question.”
However, Honourable Fahie said, "the fact that the correspondence says that Orion Law is acting on behalf of the BVI Health Services Authority constitutes a contractual agreement because the first paragraph said that it acts on behalf of the BVI Health Services Authority.”
Acting Speaker Christopher stopped Honourable Fahie from reading the letter further, saying it is not in line with what is being discussed.
See previous story posted March 20, 2015
Orion Law Firm’s link to Speaker Moses & Hon Walwyn questioned!
- First District Representative Hon. Andrew A. Fahie to ask the Premier if the law firm is engaged in any capacity, directly or indirectly in doing business with Government
A new sitting of the House of Assembly (HoA) will take place today March 20, 2015. The Fifth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second House of Assembly will commence at 10:00 AM at its Chambers in Road Town, the Virgin Islands’ capital city on the main island of Tortola.
Opposition pit-bulls Hons Julian Fraser RA (R3) and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), and senior Member of the VIP Andrew A. Fahie will pepper government ministers with questions on a variety of topics.
Orion Law Firm
Included in the many questions to be asked are three by Hon Fahie as it relates to Orion Law Firm, which was started and is owned by the controversial Education and Culture Minister Honourable Myron V. Walwyn and Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Ingrid A. Moses.
Hon Fahie will ask Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith the following questions. “Madam Speaker would the Premier and Minister of Finance please confirm whether or not Orion Law is engaged in any capacity, directly or indirectly, by the National Bank of the Virgin Islands? If yes, would the Premier please furnish a copy of the contract or sub-contract?”
The First District Representative also wants to know, “Madam Speaker, would the Premier and Minister of Finance please confirm whether or not Orion Law is engaged in any capacity, directly or indirectly, by the BVI Health Services Authority? If yes, would the Premier please furnish a copy of the contract or sub-contract?”
In addition, the former Government Minister and veteran legislator will ask the Premier “Madam Speaker would the Premier and Minister of Finance please confirm whether or not Orion Law is engaged in any capacity, directly or indirectly, by the Social Security Board? If yes, would the Premier please furnish a copy of the contract or sub-contract?”.
Were laws broken?
If the answer is yes then it will raise issues as to whether both members of the House of Assembly had sought permission from the House of Assembly in line with Section 67:3 (e) and 67: 7 of the Virgin Islands Constitution.
Also on today’s Order Paper, the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith will move a Motion for the Second and Third Readings of the Bill entitled, “Legal Profession Act, 2015”; “Financial Investigation Agency (Amendment) Act, 2015”; and the “Firearm and Air Guns (Amendment) Act, 2015”.
The Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) will move a Motion for the Second and Third Readings of the Bill entitled, “Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund Act, 2015”.
The House of Assembly will be broadcast Live on CBN Channel 51 from 10:00 AM.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
36 Responses to “UPDATE: ‘Orion Law indirectly engaged with BVIHSA’ – Premier Smith”
(e)
subject to subsection (7), if he or she becomes a party to any contract with the Government of the Virgin Islands for or on account of the public service or if any firm in which he or she is a partner, or any company of which he or she is a director or manager, becomes a party to any such contract, or if he or she becomes a partner in a firm, or a director or manager of a company, which is a party to any such contract.
(7) If in the circumstances it appears just to the House of Assembly to do so, the House may exempt any elected member from vacating his or her seat under subsection (3)(e) if such member, before becoming a party to such contract as there described, or before or as soon as practicable after becoming otherwise interested in such contract (whether as a partner in a firm or director or manager of a company), discloses to the House the nature of such contract and his or her interest or the interest of any such firm or company in it.
I love ingrid moses. Shows how much women can accomplish. But rules r rules.
That was myron time, and now it is our time.