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Anthony S. McMaster confirmed as Communications & Works PS

- officially replaces Julian Willock who was the last confirmed MC&W PS
First generation Virgin Islander Anthony S. McMaster has been confirmed to the post of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works. Mr McMaster has since said his focus now is on doing the work within the Ministry. Photo: GIS/File
Julian Willock (left) was the last confirmed Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Communications and Works. On February 12, 2015 in Parliament, Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool announced a new Permanent Secretary who has been confirmed to the post in the person of Anthony S. McMaster. Photo: VINO/File
Julian Willock (left) was the last confirmed Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Communications and Works. On February 12, 2015 in Parliament, Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool announced a new Permanent Secretary who has been confirmed to the post in the person of Anthony S. McMaster. Photo: VINO/File
The Ministry of Communications and Works has experienced years of instability at the top with the acting appointments of three Permanent Secretaries including; from left: John Samuel, Gary Penn and Arlene Smith-Thompson. Photo: VINO/File/Provided
The Ministry of Communications and Works has experienced years of instability at the top with the acting appointments of three Permanent Secretaries including; from left: John Samuel, Gary Penn and Arlene Smith-Thompson. Photo: VINO/File/Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Ministry of Communications and Works has a confirmed Permanent Secretary (PS) in the person of Anthony S. McMaster. He officially replaced Julian Willock who was the last confirmed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works.

Mr McMaster, who also served as the Deputy Secretary within the same Ministry and had acted for one year as Permanent Secretary, saw the Minister for  Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool announce his appointment to the post at the February 12, 2015 House of Assembly meeting.

A first generation Virgin Islander, Mr McMaster, who lives in Pockwood Pond on the main island of Tortola, will now be the Chief Advisor to the Minister on all policy matters.

McMaster’s Qualifications

Mr McMaster, who has been in the public service for 13 years, holds a Diploma in Accounting and is currently working on the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)- the British version of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

He spent most of his years in the service in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, first as a Finance Officer and was promoted to the Finance and Planning Officer’s post.

Instability in MC&W

Before Mr McMaster’s confirmation in January of 2015 the last confirmed Permanent Secretary was Mr Willock, who was confirmed as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works (MC&W) in 2010.

Prior to that, the Ministry had seen a series of Acting Permanent Secretaries- from John Samuel before Willock to Gary Penn and Arliene Smith-Thompson after Willock, who was illegally fired from his post according to a High Court Judge after Mr Willock successfully sued the Government.

Willock illegally fired

Mr Willock, who was regarded as a very effective and efficient public officer, was sent on leave in 2010 after local tabloid the BVI Beacon claimed that he had a person working for one of his group of companies without a work permit. The Labour Department debunked that false claim and the Public Service Commission had voted unanimously for Mr Willock to return to his post.  

Meanwhile, Mr McMaster when reached by our news room confirmed his confirmation to the PS post and said “my focus now is on doing the work within the Ministry.”

A Permanent Secretary post is a government job with a salary range from $78,043-$107,071 in grade 19.

See our previous story on this issue here: 

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/update-anthony-s-mcmaster-expected-to-act-as-ps-in-mcw

55 Responses to “Anthony S. McMaster confirmed as Communications & Works PS”

  • ooooo (09/03/2015, 21:45) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    the NDP went thru 4 accountant generals and mark 3 PS???? WOW!....all this in just 3 short years
    • chad (10/03/2015, 09:24) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      What does that have to do with anything. The right person must fit the Job. This idiot person ooooo always trying to create drama.
    • gggg (10/03/2015, 18:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I never know that. They have a BAT a handle government money and taxt payer money
    • trrefdrfds (11/03/2015, 09:20) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Doesn't that tell u something about the NDP if they done replace so much people in those post, get down or lay down is their motto with their ghetto attitude
  • long look me come from (09/03/2015, 22:09) Like (13) Dislike (11) Reply
    There must be a law where Permanent Secretaries must be indigenous and have a Master’s Degree. Look how foolish locals are; a Minister from Anguilla and a PS from Antigua... Locals got everybody hold up on Dora’s on top of dress over them !!!poor we
    • pancho (09/03/2015, 23:26) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
      And a Vincentian PS in the premier's office a d a Jamaica PS in education. Shame.
      • @Pancho (10/03/2015, 06:13) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
        He is a BVIslander. His mother is the Vincentian, so stop being ignorant.
        • @Pancho (10/03/2015, 09:40) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
          long look me come from is quite aware of the PS's circumstances. The point is that you are not a BVIslander if only one parent is from the BVI. You have to be "blue blood" to meet that criteria. There are thee classes of BVIslanders in the BVI (1) those that can trace their parentage on both sides for generations (blue bloods), those who can only do so on one side (red bloods) and those who were born in the BVI to non-BVI parents (no bloods). Believe it or not, there are people who hold this view very strongly in the BVI.
          • tretretrete (11/03/2015, 11:09) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
            Pancho, you sound like a damn A$$. My mother is from the BVI and my father is not and I AM an indigenous BVI Islander. Her generations trace back through BVI prominence and you can't do $hit about it. There are no 'blue bloods' or 'red bloods' in the BVI. Indigenous BVI Islanders know from whence we came. What you need to do now is go find yourself an education. #talkinfolishness No wonder some of you afraid to leave the BVI. #ignoranceisrampantinthisplace
        • Yes (10/03/2015, 10:22) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
          They are all cashews without nuts. England said that you're from where your mother is from.
      • Antiguan (10/03/2015, 06:18) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        because all you too donse, get an education and stop complaining, i born here don't work no more, lol lol lol lol.
    • wize up (10/03/2015, 02:59) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
      here we go again; beating up on our own race while the whites comes here owns 3 & 4 charter boats; we allow them to build a house;they turn arround and use that "residental home" as a vaction villa(and we do nothing)...the white-man has a private boat and uses this boats for taking visitors on dive trips but nothing is said....we have persons from the BVI that hold top level jobs in the USA/USVI and not indigenous to those places(you been in long look to LONG)
      • Forbidden Truth (10/03/2015, 07:11) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        @wise up. What you are saying is so correct.
      • Addition (10/03/2015, 07:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        those same bvi people will only be allowed to go so far. as a matter of fact wherever you go there are protected areas. speak the whole truth.
    • @ LONG LOOK ME COME FROM (10/03/2015, 10:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I second the motion
  • embarrassed (09/03/2015, 23:23) Like (32) Dislike (3) Reply

    McMaster is a nice guy but this is ridiculous. I am actually embarrassed that our standards are set so low. The world is laughing at us. How can we move forward and take our place on the world stage if we do not put qualified persons in key positions who are not simply political puppets; who can't think for themselves.

    My goodness, this guy does not even have a Bachelor's Degree. Come on!!! There are seasoned Public Servants who have been in the service for far longer and have more experience and academic credentials who will never come close to obtaining such a position nor making that salary. We wonder why the public service is so demotivated and why we are not moving forward as a country. We also have qualified persons acting in thier post forever and this young man confirmed in this position.

    • FYI (10/03/2015, 06:42) Like (16) Dislike (13) Reply
      There are times when experience trumps certification. Some people learn in the field what some of us spend thousands to learn at a university. Don't be so close minded.
    • What? (10/03/2015, 10:03) Like (10) Dislike (11) Reply
      Having a BA or MA doesn't necessarily mean you will do a better job. Look how many 'qualified' people in Government that are a complete waste of time and space. Let the man do is job and stop the foolish noise.
      • rewrsdffds (10/03/2015, 19:41) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
        when you have people with BA and MA or MS who in the system long and can definitely do the work but do not get the opportunity or have the right connection then therein lies the problem. the system needs to be fair and transparent.
      • degree matters (11/03/2015, 09:39) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
        @What? You should have gotten an education instead of becoming a royal A$$. Where in the world can anyone hold such a position without a degree? Only in the "I born here" island. Dumb-dumb. Get an education so that the "Whites" cannot take over your country. Education matters!! Jack A.
  • well done (09/03/2015, 23:59) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    I have worked with Mr. McMaster -- he is pleasant, efficient, conscientious, and hard working, and he doesn't allow you to waste a penny. Congratulations.
  • tretretrete (10/03/2015, 01:41) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply

    You still working on ACCA boy? 

  • value for money (10/03/2015, 07:03) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Since McMaster take over the vip bulb at pwd has gone to sleep the men working variations are a thing of the past n the country for once have work in ever area. This is the type of PS every Ministry needs. You keep it up. Don't worry about the wasters they just want our resources squandered.
    • Huh? (10/03/2015, 07:38) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      seriously take your time driving on those newly paved roads and tell us how the drive feel.
  • ..................... (10/03/2015, 08:11) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is just dawn wrong the man is not qualify
  • Citizen (10/03/2015, 08:20) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look how the NDP is such wicked hypocrites…they claim our youths need 5 CXC to get a government scholarship, which is silliness but here is the highest t JOB in the civil service and my god one do not even need to have a Bachelor’s Degree to be in the post.

    Talk about double standards and politics. Mr. McMaster only got this job because he is an NDP…

    But we will wet our finger and waiting for them next elections
    • alpine (10/03/2015, 12:32) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      All he has is a CMI cert not even the highest CMI Executive Dipolma dam shame onthe DG if you ask me
      • Yes (10/03/2015, 15:18) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
        The man is performing who cares what you think. Many of you have more degrees than a thermometer and not worth the paper they are written on. WASTE OF TIME! The man is the first PS to be formally appointed in 5 years, that must say something about his performance.
        • Boo (10/03/2015, 20:48) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
          No proper education or experience. This is the top advisor to the Government on matters of Public Works and not even a degree?
    • Online Now (10/03/2015, 15:58) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
      @Citizen. Such a foolish argument. The 5 CXC's are to get a scholarship. After that you have to prove you are good enough and work hard. But there are other routes to the top which require no qualifications but hard work and intelligence on the job. Go and ask Sir Richard Branson to see his qualifications!
  • facts! (10/03/2015, 08:26) Like (25) Dislike (5) Reply
    Anthony cannot walk in the shoes of the giants who served in that Ministry like Mrs R Adams. Julia Christopher, Soppy Stoutt, J. Willock and Mr T. Fahie…BAM
    • @ facts! (10/03/2015, 09:20) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      Don’t forget Lorna Smith and Stanley Gordon they were some of the best Per Sec they had also
  • i from here (10/03/2015, 09:05) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Look how my country has gone backwards...An Antigun Minister-MW and PS-AM, an Anguilla Minister-MV and a JAMDOWN PS- MP, a SVG PS-BP and a Angullian First lady-LS

    BVI people ayo fool fool
    • Stopit!! (11/03/2015, 10:56) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      We busy cussing among our people while the other nationalities join together and dig out our youi. This is the same mentality that kept us in slaved so long because when there was a plan for advancement, a house-boy squealing. Mr. McMaster must have been doing something right to land himself a PS position. Move on, go build some decent school buildings and take the board houses off the college that HLStoutt envisioned.
  • Black Butterfly (10/03/2015, 09:52) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    I really don't know this man but just seeing him in the service but he seems like a humble person and humble persons are very teachable. Congrats just be the best PS you can be.
  • farmer brown (10/03/2015, 10:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Under ndp standards drop
  • son of the soil (10/03/2015, 10:28) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    All the indigenous byi-islanders are being phased out one by one. Watch the game people!
  • disgraceful (10/03/2015, 10:45) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    All of you people claim to be from AFRICA yet never step foot on the land but want to come on here talking about who one parent not born on Tortola and all sort of nonsense.

    All of us have roots traced to other Caribbean islands not to mention so many of you quick to have your children born in the USA.

    Give it a rest with this hypocrisy!!
  • HR where are you...? (10/03/2015, 10:54) Like (26) Dislike (2) Reply
    The comments about experience trumps experience are out of touch with reality as it pertains to running an organization. The relative work experience for said individual does not (imo) commensurate with the post occupied. Would any Fortune Five Hundred or Blue Chip organization hire an individual for a critical senior (most senior at that) post without a foundation degree - no sah! It is one thing having work experience running a supermarket, hotel or small company - quite another situation for the top post in MCW. Can BVI Gov. HR now comment whether the requirements for other top posts will also be given the same treatment - i.e. work experience trumps qualifications and RELATIVE work history; or this is a special one-off favour?
  • Joc (10/03/2015, 11:17) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    congrats tony!!
  • paul (10/03/2015, 11:39) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Love them or hate them ndp takes care of their own
  • Realist (10/03/2015, 12:08) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Permanent Secretary positions are political appointments. Why are you people suprised?!
  • x factor (10/03/2015, 12:45) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    All u need for a government job nowadays is to support one party over the other
  • Realist (10/03/2015, 12:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well I am a no blood BVIslander with a brother who is also a no blood BVIslander in the Civil Service with a Masters Degree and is smart as a whip.
  • Online Now (10/03/2015, 16:00) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    All these people talking about blood lines and skin colour are the reasons that "outsiders" are doing so well here. It's because you are IGNORANT. No wonder you are being surpassed in "your own country".
  • shot (10/03/2015, 19:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just be an ndp and u get anything
  • Weirdos (10/03/2015, 20:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    All you people are so weird, that is seems everything revolves around politics. I've learned to accept people for who they are, and things the way they are.
  • pat (10/03/2015, 23:09) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    if you ask me McMaster confirmation jezze up bread That's scandalous.
    • insider (11/03/2015, 23:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      it explain why the cabinet sec complains about the poor cabinet papers submitted from MCW and how many of them have to be send back....the man out of his league in terms of writing skills
    • prayer (12/03/2015, 09:47) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Inez & archer day is coming
  • teacher john (16/03/2015, 07:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just like anyone could get elected anyone could be a ps


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