Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communication and Works Arlene Smith

The appointment was approved by new Governor, His Excellency William Boyd McCleary, CMG, CVO, acting on the advice of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Willock was sent on compulsory leave following an article published in a local newspaper, which alleged that Willock had workers in the territory working for Virgin Islands News Online without  work permits.  However, the Labour Department has refuted this claim and cleared Willock and confirmed that all persons working for VINO had their work permits intact and did not violate the labour laws or administration of the Virgin Islands.

Willock’s lawyers have since sent a letter to Russell Harrigan, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Beacon and Mason Marcus, Business Editor, demanding a full retraction and apology, and payment of compensation for damage to Mr. Willock’s good character and reputation, following the publication of the article, or face legal proceedings.

Recently in the House of Assembly, Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Julian Fraser RA, called the actions taken by the former Governor of the Virgin Islands David Pearey to send Willock on compulsory leave as “evil” and based on “frivolous grounds printed in a tabloid”. Others have also voiced that the article was racist against the well respected Mr. Willock.

According to a GIS press release, Ms. Smith whose appointment is effective 31 August, holds a Masters of Education Degree in Educational Management from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom in 1999 and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1992. Ms. Smith also holds a Level 5 Diploma in Management and a Level 7 Executive Diploma in Strategic Management with the Chartered Management Institute, United Kingdom and a Certificate in Public Management from York University, Canada.

Ms. Smith joined the Teaching Service as a Grade IV Teacher in 1992. She was transferred to the Public Service as an Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture in July 2003 and was subsequently appointed to act as Deputy Secretary in June 2007. Ms. Smith was transferred to the Deputy Governor’s Office and promoted to the post of Deputy Secretary in November 2007. She also acted in the post of Permanent Secretary on several occasions, the most recent period being 8 March to 16 August.

As acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Ms. Smith will be responsible for managing and supervising the activities of the Ministry of Communications and Works and all departments under its portfolio; serving as the government’s chief advisor on all matters relating to Communications and Works; and managing the financial resources of the Ministry.