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Why are 4 UK nationals making top $$$$ from home with RDA?

- As locals are laid off British nationals living in UK rake in thousands! Is this corruption?
The four officers working from home in the UK are, from left: Denise Stabler, a Project Coordinator and is assigned to the Caribbean Development Bank road works; Christopher Coulson, whose title is an Infrastructure planner; Charlie Peschardt, a project manager; and Tom Lilleyman, a chief technical advisor. Photo: LinkedIn/Facebook
The Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) was commissioned in 2018 via an act of the House of Assembly (HoA) to assist the Territory as an independent body to assist with recovery after the killer storms Irma and Maria of 2017. Photo: Facebook
The Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) was commissioned in 2018 via an act of the House of Assembly (HoA) to assist the Territory as an independent body to assist with recovery after the killer storms Irma and Maria of 2017. Photo: Facebook
The first item of business for the RDA, with the reported backing of former controversial Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka ‘Gus’, was to hire a Caucasian expat, Paul D. Bayly, with a price tag of $300,000 a year plus room, boarding and airline tickets. Photo: Internet Source
The first item of business for the RDA, with the reported backing of former controversial Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka ‘Gus’, was to hire a Caucasian expat, Paul D. Bayly, with a price tag of $300,000 a year plus room, boarding and airline tickets. Photo: Internet Source
There are also unconfirmed reports that the UK nationals working at the RDA have no respect for the CEO, Mr Anthony S. McMaster. Photo: RDA/Facebook
There are also unconfirmed reports that the UK nationals working at the RDA have no respect for the CEO, Mr Anthony S. McMaster. Photo: RDA/Facebook
One of the 4 United Kingdom nationals employed with the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), Tom Lilleyman, a chief technical advisor, right, is said to be a pal of the controversial former Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, 2nd from right. Photo: Team of Reporters
One of the 4 United Kingdom nationals employed with the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), Tom Lilleyman, a chief technical advisor, right, is said to be a pal of the controversial former Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, 2nd from right. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) was commissioned in 2018 via an act of the House of Assembly (HoA) to assist the Territory as an independent body, with recovery after the killer storms Irma and Maria of 2017.

It was also a place to build local technical capacity to help the Virgin Islands years after the Hurricanes, and after the term of the RDA comes to an end.

However, the first item of business, with the reported backing of former controversial Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka ‘Gus’, was to hire a Caucasian expat, Paul D. Bayly, with a price tag of $300,000 a year plus room, boarding and airline tickets.

His tenure ended in failure and he abruptly resigned because there were questions from local residents and some elected members of the HoA on performance.

Race matters?

A local, Anthony S. McMaster, a former Permanent Secretary, replaced Mr Bayly; however, was not paid the same salary as Mr Bayly. Many public commentators labelled it as downright racism and double standards.

In the past years, there have been issues of the United Kingdom (UK) funding coming to an end, and their lack of honouring their original commitment on the amount of funds promised to the RDA.

Additionally, word reaching our News Centre from two RDA board members familiar with the day to day operations of the organisation is that there are now four British nationals on the payroll working from the UK.

Their average salaries are between $120,000 to $200,000 per year, plus benefits for the four UK Nationals.

Is it right for them to work remotely knowing their titles?

The Board Members who spoke to our newsroom, on condition of anonymity, described it as an abuse and could be seen by some as bordering on unfair to the Territory and taxpayers.

The four officers working from home in the UK are; Denise Stabler, a Project Coordinator and is assigned to the Caribbean Development Bank road works; Christopher Coulson, whose title is an Infrastructure planner; Charlie Peschardt, a project manager; and Tom Lilleyman, a chief technical advisor and a pal of the controversial former Governor Jaspert.

One Board Member claimed, “with them making so much money it’s clear that they are not on the ground to address projects, but have to rely on an email from the staff in the BVI.....this is an abuse of office, in my opinion.”

The Board Member asked, “how can they verify projects from the UK?”

Locals Out! UK Nationals In!

Many locals and other Caribbean national contracts have expired and were not renewed at the RDA; however, the four UK nationals are still raking in huge wages with Mr Lilleyman, a close ally of the former Governor Jaspert, earning some $200,000 a year plus benefits.

There are also unconfirmed reports that the UK nationals working at the RDA have no respect for the CEO, Mr McMaster, who did not respond to our request for a comment on the matter.

Many residents also said this is another reason why the British are anxious to take over the Virgin Islands and impose direct rule under the false pretends of ‘corruption.’ If this happens, it will open the way to lay off locals and hire British nationals.

The British will also move to cut the public service leaving many locals out of jobs, hungry and homeless. Many residents also stated that the example of what is going on in the RDA is yet another form of slavery and exploitation of the people and resources.

63 Responses to “Why are 4 UK nationals making top $$$$ from home with RDA?”

  • TruDat! (27/01/2021, 08:47) Like (34) Dislike (9) Reply
    Caucasian expat here - dump these bloated salaries and hire some local talent. Job done. Next problem?
  • Honestly Thinking ... (27/01/2021, 08:53) Like (31) Dislike (21) Reply
    Shame on the RDA members that think it appropriate to leak confidential information to select media house(s). Seems corrupt to me. Definitely not board member quality. Wonder how those members dealt with the matter internally? And ain't it the same current board that maintaining the alleged wrong?
    • Honestly thinking (27/01/2021, 10:08) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
      That is called whistleblowing
      • @Honestly thinking (27/01/2021, 11:19) Like (32) Dislike (2) Reply
        Whistleblowing when you formally complain to a competent authority, not to john public.
    • Rubber Duck (27/01/2021, 17:13) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      So if they are not providing value , why does the CEO of the RDA not fire them?
  • My girl (27/01/2021, 09:07) Like (22) Dislike (3) Reply
    Well sah keep exposing the double standards
  • STAY FOCUS (27/01/2021, 09:12) Like (22) Dislike (5) Reply
    People of the BVI stay focus. Please do not get side track. We know a lot will be thrown at us, but let us stay focus to the issue at hand.
    • The watchdog (27/01/2021, 09:41) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
      Yes stay focus but all corruptions must be exposed both that of Gus and that of NDP
  • Comment (27/01/2021, 09:14) Like (5) Dislike (20) Reply
    'Many residents also stated that the example of what is going on in the RDA is yet another form of slavery and exploitation of the people and resources.' Still in the 21 century slavery is alive and well. It is time to stamp out the injustices of evil. Independence must come to this nation!
    • @Comment (27/01/2021, 10:04) Like (24) Dislike (6) Reply
      Yes slavery is still alive in 2021 - however, this is not it. Please try to educate yourself and stop with the foolish statements.
      • them educate (27/01/2021, 17:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        them a educated and so man problems still in there about money. wow
  • vex (27/01/2021, 09:14) Like (15) Dislike (18) Reply
    You see the real reasons why the Uk wants the bvi?

    They out of brexit so they need work for their people in the islands
    • Capt Ron (27/01/2021, 17:23) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      Oh yeah, I can just see the long lines at Heathrow now. All them Brits ready to move down to Tola and serve drinks at Peter Island Resort. And then they'll go out to Beef Island for the late night scooter races. Gonna be good time for sure!
  • fact man (27/01/2021, 09:15) Like (9) Dislike (17) Reply
    This is ridiculous that we have to take this abuse from the UK. Why can't the locals get the same pay as the "White Man"
    • reality (27/01/2021, 11:44) Like (15) Dislike (8) Reply
      They don't have the requisite qualification nor the years of experience.
      • BS! (27/01/2021, 13:52) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
        @ a dem boys look about 25 y.o. - how many years of experience they could have since leaving university???
  • Surprise surprise (27/01/2021, 09:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    ^
  • Hmmmw (27/01/2021, 09:27) Like (7) Dislike (15) Reply
    We kno he was eating under the table all the time ...Gov gus is not just rascal but corrupt him self
  • Headline! (27/01/2021, 09:31) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply

    Jamaica Culture Minister seeking UN support for reparations

    The United Nations, having declared the International Decade for People of African Descent, must leverage its global influence to create instruments that will encourage States to develop actions and activities focused on reparatory justice,” Minister Grange said.

    Emancipate yourself from mental slavery. We all must take a stand throughout the world. This has been going on far too long!
  • FEO GOMEZ (27/01/2021, 09:36) Like (4) Dislike (10) Reply
    I mean these devilish CLEARS disrespected the crown princess of England. Poor Harry had to leave his family behind for his wife piece of mind. DEVILS with education and no class decorum etc. you expect the CLEARS to have respect for Anthony? ALL FACTS debate me
  • asking for a friend (27/01/2021, 09:39) Like (12) Dislike (7) Reply
    So Jespert lined up jobs for his buddies who will investigate that?
  • GG (27/01/2021, 09:52) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is terrible. Let us put every one under the radar. This COI should include Governors too. Nobody is above the law
    Let us see what is the former Governor's real motive. Transparency is welcome for everyone.
  • facts (27/01/2021, 10:14) Like (16) Dislike (10) Reply
    I think you will find that the UK is paying their salaries not BVI.
    • @facts (27/01/2021, 10:28) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      We need confirmation of that
    • Who cares whose paying? (27/01/2021, 12:07) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
      The questions are

      Are the worth that salary
      Do they work fir that salary
      If you are not in the ground what use are you and are you really earning that salary
      Why the disparity in what they are paid and what those in the ground are
      Are they doing any work that’s benefiting the BVI

  • Challenger (27/01/2021, 10:18) Like (28) Dislike (4) Reply
    hang on a minute. surely these remote positions which you are talking about are approved by the board of directors and the current CEO - as would the layoffs. All BV Islanders i assume...
    so why are UK to blame. Can someone please explain.


    • @Challenger (28/01/2021, 09:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      There are differences between position and authority, position and power, and position and influence.
  • Why (27/01/2021, 10:22) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    They had enough time to come and secure their jobs.... why are they still WFH?

    I dont blame them I blame the RDA board and poor management. "Boarders open you have up until such a time to report to office otherwise you can not meet your full obligations as stated in your contracted and you will be OUT!"

  • The watering hole (27/01/2021, 10:28) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Who cares
  • bvi (27/01/2021, 10:38) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    Why the former governor don't go talk about that? Sickening
  • Handwriting on the wall (27/01/2021, 10:41) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    I saw the handwriting on the wall and when I opened my mouth about the unfairness going on up there, I was punished. I wonder who those board members are speaking on anonymity, you all should be ashamed of yourselves. Aren't you approving contracts for companies who owners work at RDA? Go talk that. The scope of the COI should not omit RDA.
  • Hear hear! (27/01/2021, 10:42) Like (16) Dislike (16) Reply
    Totally agree. Completely obvious white supremacy, white privilege, white cronyism and white corruption.

    Please investigate the same going on at the governor’s office. Why no jobs there advertised to us? We know they employ people on local contracts, why are they all white and no belongers???

    Where’s the transparency and accountability in the governor’s office???

    And why they on the board of RDA and that too another white woman?? Why no blacks from governors office on board??

    Please investigate and report.
  • more (27/01/2021, 10:55) Like (13) Dislike (14) Reply
    Allegedly there are other white non belongers not mentioned in your article such as Matt Waterfield and Maria Mays or have they left with their buddy gus?

    Yes, we agree, full transparency and investigation required.

    Also the alleged violence towards the Premier by gus. Unacceptable and gus should have been charged. Why wasn’t he? Is it as he appointed another friend as commissioner?? Why isn’t the commissioner of police charging gus with assault?
    • @more (27/01/2021, 12:31) Like (16) Dislike (7) Reply
      What’s your issue? White people or white people not in the BVI? Your point is irrelevant at best, but more just ignorant
  • W*F (27/01/2021, 11:25) Like (29) Dislike (6) Reply
    So the RDA is managed by a board of directors, not the UK. Who is on the board? If there is impropriety, blame them.

    Payment in most places in the world is based on experience, so are these people being paid in accordance with their qualifications? If there are BVIslanders QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED to the same level, name them, and when they applied for the job.

    Racial inequality is engrained into the way we think. It is propogated by the media, often completely unintentionally and innocently, but it is damaging nonetheless. We won't beat it until we start looking at things rationally. To suggest that these people are only employed because they are white, could be accurate, but it's more likely that its because we all have bias and prejudice.

    The questions are simple:

    - Who actually oversees employment at the RDA? I would bet not the UK
    - Were there BVIslanders of equal or similar relevant qualifications and experience that applied for the job? This factors into capacity building, some of our capacity is limited, it's the fact of being a small community and why we sometimes have to bring people in from outside.
    - Was the compensation for people with these skills and experience in line with international and local trends?
    - ONLY if the answers to these questions are all out of line should we start to consider that this may be about race. Don't let your prejudice cloud your judgment. We all have it, but that's ok if we acknowledge and mitigate it.
    • @wtf (27/01/2021, 20:02) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      First of all by LAW, The same law we were forced to accept or be denied hurricane relief, the chairman and deputy are appointed by the Governor , UK government selects one Board Member, another 3 is jointly selected by the Governor along with cabinet so the Governor always has a say in the appointees because as we know he can just decide not to agree or hold up anything even if it was passed in the HOA.
  • Tell us (27/01/2021, 12:12) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    IF WE JUST HEARING OF THIS TODAY , WHERE WERE THE MANY ALL THE TIME.??
  • please (27/01/2021, 12:18) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    please please...why can't we all just get along?????
    • @Please (27/01/2021, 13:03) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
      An eye for an eye the forner Govenor started it. Let's get it on.
  • pat (27/01/2021, 12:24) Like (7) Dislike (18) Reply

    Thanks vino we will never hear about this in the British press

    These devils are too courupt so they put it on we

  • The TRUTH (27/01/2021, 13:00) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well, whoever knows the facts, go down to Hickenbottom's office and sing like a canary. Since we exposing all the corruption.
  • Yes (27/01/2021, 13:29) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Evil thimks as evil does.
  • musa (27/01/2021, 13:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    who hire them can fire them case closed move on .
  • ha (27/01/2021, 14:02) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad thing is there is only one of the four actually qualified for their position
  • Bree (27/01/2021, 14:52) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    I wonder if this too will be added to the Commission of Inquiry? Seems to me like a few issues need to be added to the list including the Police Force and our former Governor.
  • asking for a friend (27/01/2021, 14:59) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is wrong would this be investigated???
  • What?? (27/01/2021, 15:06) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Appears these 4 expats have not performed and must be fired immediately.

    Obvious that gus was propping them up.

    Now he’s gone hopefully they’ll be some accountability and transparency and they’ll get fired.

    What a waste of money on them.

    Aren’t quangos not allowed??!!
  • from buckingham palace (27/01/2021, 16:20) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    dont be a fool.This UK Country,and that ownership was proved to the speaker and the Premier.The BVI belongs to the UK.What dem dem do.You cannot tell a person what to do in his land, BVI tis UK Land
  • not so sure (27/01/2021, 17:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just google their names.... sounds like 2 of them are worthy keeping even from UK. Not so sure about the other two... let's wait and see what RDA's board has to say about it..
  • HAHA (27/01/2021, 19:43) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Now this need an investigation. Why is it always a white governor. There must be at least one decent, qualified black man in the UK but we will never know because the UK only hires Caucasians. How are the governors selected where is the transparency in that.
    • Really? (27/01/2021, 20:14) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      Go check out governor for Anguilla. She ain't white.

      https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-governor-of-anguilla
  • lol (27/01/2021, 22:14) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    say one say two. How come he never talk about this hmmmm. they always say don't throw stones if you live in a glass house. I wonder what else he have hidden?? wake up my people stop begging for them to take over.
  • cnn (28/01/2021, 06:47) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply

    It’s clear Gu**** was a crook

  • okay (28/01/2021, 11:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Blah blah blah everyone in the RDA doing their thing. They are no different. Moving on.
  • Just wondering (28/01/2021, 21:02) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why we usually have a black premier and not a caucasian one?? Time to leave the colours behind and move on guys. We are all better than that!! Let’s just get the job done!
  • ... (30/01/2021, 12:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a Racist hunt from jespert the most disrespectful man in the bvi history


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