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Approval of Ministerial Political Advisors ‘adds salt to the wound’- Opposition Leader

- calls for the decision to be ‘rescinded forthwith’
Leader of the Opposition Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), seen here on the shoulder of Education Minister Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), 2nd from left, has slammed the decision by Cabinet to approve the hiring of Ministerial Political Advisors. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had said the decision to hire Ministerial Political Advisors is in alignment with the United Kingdom model and had been in the works for some time now. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had said the decision to hire Ministerial Political Advisors is in alignment with the United Kingdom model and had been in the works for some time now. Photo: VINO/File
The residents of Long Look and East End have to contend with sewage on the streets to this day due to the then National Democratic Party (NDP) Government taking monies intended to help address the problem and redirecting it to the Tortola Pier Park Project. Representative for the Eighth District Hon Marlon A. Penn had said noting about the controversial and illegal decision by the government he was a part of. Photo: VINO/File
The residents of Long Look and East End have to contend with sewage on the streets to this day due to the then National Democratic Party (NDP) Government taking monies intended to help address the problem and redirecting it to the Tortola Pier Park Project. Representative for the Eighth District Hon Marlon A. Penn had said noting about the controversial and illegal decision by the government he was a part of. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- In a lengthy press release, which has already been dubbed as hypocritical and a slap in the face of Virgin Islanders, Opposition Leader Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) who had chastised the Virgin Islands Government to hastily open up the borders and has since been silent during the COVID-19 explosion, has broken his silence to lambast the decision of Cabinet to approve the hiring of Ministerial Political Advisors.

$40 from SSB for economic stimulus was ‘wastage’

Honourable Penn also seized the opportunity to criticise the $40 million granted by Social Security Board towards the COVID-19 Stimulus Plan as “wastage” and alleging that there are over $12 million in unaccounted COVID-19 spending, “with nothing tangible to show.”

He said this can be equated to nothing less than poor financial management, inconsideration of the present and future wellbeing of this territory and its citizens, and a lack of sound leadership.

‘Salt to the wound’

“The recent approval for the hiring of Ministerial Political Advisers to the tune of over $1,080,000.00 annually in consultancy fees only adds salt to the wound,” Hon Penn stated.

According to Cabinet, the Premier would be assigned no more than three advisors and each other Cabinet Minister, and Junior Minister would be assigned no more than one advisor. It said the advisors would receive a contract that would not exceed $120,000, equivalent to $10,000 a month, “in accordance with the established pay bands.”

Hon Penn said the decision to hire advisors is “wrong” and “outrageous” and must not be accepted.

“We must stand united against this unconscionable decision being levied upon us. As the voice for the people of this Territory, Hon Premier and Members of Cabinet, we demand that you unequivocally and immediately rescind this callous and reckless decision!”

‘Advisors aligned with UK model’- Hon Fahie

Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had said the decision to hire Ministerial Political Advisors was in alignment with the United Kingdom model and had been in the works for some time now since the various and ever-expanding ministries are lacking resources.

He also said the initiative was discussed with the Governor’s Office and Deputy Governor’s Office before it was taken to Cabinet.

Additionally, he said monies for the advisors, which would not reach a million dollars as is being purported, will be taken from “conservancies of Ministries” and will not "piggyback" on the public purse.

‘You were not sent to squander’- Hon Penn

According to Hon Penn; however, since 2019, several Cabinet decisions have lacked clarity, good reasoning, empathy for the current circumstances and consider neither their implications nor the consequences.

He also said the decision to hire Ministerial Political Advisors is not in the long-term best interest of the Territory “nor aligns with the will and wishes of our people.

“Need I remind each of our Ministers sitting in Cabinet, you were sent to govern yes, but you were not sent to squander the scarce resources of our country, as you have time and time again. Since it seems we are experiencing VIP Déjà vu, I will repeat, you were not sent to squander the scarce resources of our country – nor were you sent to line the pockets of your handpicked supporters, many of whom add little to no value to the management of our Territory.”

Hon Penn is the voice of reason?

While Hon Penn is sounding the horn against the alleged squandering of “scare resources”; however, many are now shocked that he now suddenly has a voice, as he had remained silent when his National Democratic Party (NDP) Government had given away $7.2M to an airline that was never able to deliver on its promise of direct flights from the United States to the Virgin Islands.

Additionally, Hon Penn had kept his mouth zipped when his NDP government took some $8M, which was intended for the East End Sewerage Project and would have benefitted his Eight District, and placed it into the Tortola Pier Park Project.

The redirection of funds was also deemed an “illegal move” as the Accountant General’s Report had shown that the records stated $8M of the loan was not paid to the government, rather, transferred directly to the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) with ‘no advance warrant’ in support of the transaction.

This meant that it was done without the knowledge of all legislators of the House of Assembly.

The now awakened Hon Penn also did not utter a word when there was some $40M overrun on the Tortola Pier Park Project.

He has somehow found the courage and lack of shame to now label the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government as having no conscience in their decision-making.

29 Responses to “Approval of Ministerial Political Advisors ‘adds salt to the wound’- Opposition Leader”

  • WOW (26/07/2021, 10:39) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    some sweet day penn might become a minister
    • Rubber Duck (26/07/2021, 17:05) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      They may we’ll need these “ consultants “ when all the permanent secretaries are in jail.
  • Well Sah (26/07/2021, 10:47) Like (74) Dislike (41) Reply
    Hon penn take a back seat and let the gov do their jobs. You called for the boarders to open and now look what happen. you feel like you have to speak to remain relevant but sometime less is more. Clearly you yourself is not a leader for if you were in power we would have been doomed ages ago based on you calling for the boarders to be opened from some months ago. Bottom line is you are not getting my vote. You are not ready to be premier. Hon Premier and team will get us out of this one. Just let them do their work and stop giving input that doesn't make sense and are/is misleading. It is people like you that got the people of the BVI in that uproar to open boarders when you know the outcome would have been exactly what we are in today.
  • one eye (26/07/2021, 10:49) Like (16) Dislike (12) Reply
    Well sah thing to talk hold them smurf
  • .... (26/07/2021, 10:49) Like (34) Dislike (1) Reply
    Education plan for September...?
  • Voter 7 (26/07/2021, 11:00) Like (25) Dislike (9) Reply
    Hon. M. Penn is an honorable man at the time he was new in the game. Now he's well seasoned and marinated to what politics turly is. Because he doesn't support every decision government makes his vioce must not be heard. He speaking the voice of the cries of the people. We the people dont agree to lots of things imposed upon us by the Andrew Fahie administration but because we the people cant come together as one voice with the same goal we will forever be faced what currently happening in this country but we afraid of being victimized the government works for the people we can fire and hire at the same time Stop allowing things that will affect us soon or later come to fruition. Time to raise up a standard against the things thats wrong. Stop be cowards people and lets fight for things that would benefit our in the long run think about or kids
  • Blk talent (26/07/2021, 11:19) Like (49) Dislike (5) Reply
    We seemed to have lost our minds in this place. Political Advisor is another way of pocketing Kickbacks from their cronies. Lawd help we.
  • Listen (26/07/2021, 11:36) Like (11) Dislike (15) Reply
    this was a great move. I think that some of these people we elected are idiots and they need the help. Some of you who have gone to school and can help, look at it as an opportunity to use that which you have learnt. The world does it. political candidates have advisors. lets step into the 21st century.
  • Some sweet day (26/07/2021, 11:43) Like (11) Dislike (27) Reply
    Hon. Penn will be our nx Premier stay tuned.
  • dude (26/07/2021, 12:09) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    So clarify is this for me please. Is this to pay the people who already work as political consultants or is this to hire more people? Because every government has consultants, so is this a new thing or a new way of paying for an old thing?
  • asking for a friend (26/07/2021, 12:11) Like (15) Dislike (16) Reply
    Where was he when they hired glova parks
  • #@@ (26/07/2021, 13:11) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    This will be another set of people getting paid for doing absolutely nothing. You have a lot of persons with senior positions and not giving anything for what they are paid. U guys have support already. Start getting rid of persons who aren't doing their jobs and replace them with people that can . Smh
    • @#@@ (26/07/2021, 16:37) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      AGREE 100% We all know in the past it was the Permanent Secretaries and Senior Administrative/Administrative Officers did the Work in terms of Research, Advising and writing Speeches. If the present ones can't perform get rid of them and allocate within house who can. No Government Employees increments but yet funding for all types of consulting contracts with NO accountability. Now you want to hire Political Advisers. Government Funds should not be used for any Political Advisers. Go get fund raising personal wise for that. Mr. Premier acting like a darn mule being minupilated by greedy Bofoons.
  • vip (26/07/2021, 13:20) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
    The government don't need advisors , the need civil servants who are willing to do their work. A bunch of lazy people
  • More than Salt. (26/07/2021, 13:22) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Smell currupt, Stink and Bitter bad, bad bad...Not good for human consumption..
  • RealPol (26/07/2021, 13:38) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    This communique has the imprint of a former legislator on the comeback trail. Does the term Glover Park ring any bells. Did it advised a former government. Why what is good for the goose not good for the gander? Pot calling the kettle black.
  • Which action is worse, Hon. M. Penn oposition about bad spending or bad spending? (26/07/2021, 13:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Right is right. Opposition against right is an extreme feeble position. Now to the contrary, wrong is wrong. Agreeing with wrong is opposing right.
    Support the CoI., so much so in hard and and money chunching time like these, and the covid-19 virus spike
    Wise actions taking over political ones proves wise judgment. Wise judgment is the entry key to good
    governance, both here and there.


  • E.Leonard (26/07/2021, 14:51) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Politics is common place in the VI(British) as elsewhere around the globe. Some directly engaged in politics as politicians; others choose to partake indirectly, ie, advisers…..etc. Moreover, some good business decisions are not good political decisions. Similarly, some political decisions are not good business decisions. Further, as politicians, all decisions made in the HOA…..etc may be influence directly and indirectly by politics. This is as true as the sun rises in the east.

    Moreover, paid political advisers, if codified into law, will not be unique to the VI; other jurisdictions employ the practice. Whether the time is toght or should be a top priority at this juncture falls under the purview of VI voters; voters at the polls will approve/disapprove of the measure. The reality is that given the environment (political) a reasonable, practical balance between business and political decisions should be expected. Political advisors are just advisors. Ministers are given the authority and must be held responsible and accountable for their decisions. The final decisions rest with ministers and ultimately the voters. Voters have the true power.
    decisions
    • @E.Leonard (26/07/2021, 16:07) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      @E. Leonard, you are a real politician, balancing a pin on a pin and straddling the fence. One has to mine deep and read between lines to get the point. Posit good points though.
  • Wounds (26/07/2021, 16:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    To much wounds I really wonder how are we going to close these wounds. Lord have mercy on this BVI
  • Opposition v. Reality (26/07/2021, 16:45) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is interesting that in opposition, Opposition for the most part downplay policies brought forth by government. However, when in power at best slow walk the same policies. Opposing for the sake of opposing is counterproductive. If Marlon were to become Premier, would he jettison political advisors?
  • immigrant (26/07/2021, 20:06) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is this bvi news?
  • Well Well Well.... (27/07/2021, 02:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    $1.08M to pay Political Advisors .....$10K a month....and I can't even get my little chicken feed for an increment since 2017!!! Front line workers NEED an increase in pay for all the good, bad and indifferent task they have to endure on a daily basis and this government wants to squander millions of taxpayers dollars on more advisors during this hard period of covid....this is just peachie. Last year he said, which you rather...to have a job or be paid your increment? Now the government has monies to hire more advisors and he wants three? Didn't the Premier hire a group of persons a couple months back for something similiar?


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