Auditor General Port Report not on HOA agenda for next Sitting
However, according to the Order Paper of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly scheduled for Tuesday 19, November 2013 it will not be on the agenda.
It would have had to be placed on the table of Parliament by Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE.
Premier and Leader of Government Business, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith told the media that his Administration never requested an audit report of the cruise pier port development project.
The report, leaked to selective media houses two weeks ago, unearthed corruption, conflict of interest, disregard for the laws of the Virgin Islands, unfair practices, undue influence in favour of one developer, disregard for the established tendering process and no one looking out for the interest of the people and tax payers of the Virgin Islands, therefore putting the residents at a disadvantage.
The report, which has been tied around the neck of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) regime, has been the talk of the town on radio, television and online news sites. Many have called on the governor to conduct a Commission of Inquiry. The Auditor General’s report on the Ports Development Project is in the hands of the House of Assembly’s select Public Accounts Committee.
The report pointed out potential conflict of interest with the BVI Investment Club partnering with Tortola Port Partners, the company allegedly pushed by the Smith Administration through the Communications and Works Minister Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool and then Ports Consultant Claude Skelton-Cline.
It was also pointed out in the Auditor General’s Report that even after the NDP halted the project to follow the laws and rules of public tendering, the provision in the invitation for expression of interest mirrored the previously accepted proposal from Tortola Port Partners to a considerable extent. This she said may have created an unfair advantage.
Other items on Order Paper
The November 19, 2013 Sitting will also see many Departments and Statutory Bodies’ annual reports being presented by Ministers of Government, along with a motion from Honourable Julian Fraser RA, (R3) for a special select committee to be established in accordance with Standing Order 78 for the review of the 10th Actuarial Review of the Social Security Fund as of December 31, 2009.
The Premier, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, is to introduce the first reading of a bill entitled Arbitration Act, 2013, while the Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton will present the first reading of two Bills entitled Social Security (Amendment) Act, 2013 and Public Assistance Act, 2013.
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18 Responses to “Auditor General Port Report not on HOA agenda for next Sitting”
Some sort of BOOTCAMP IS NECESSARY NOT TO MENTION A JUVENILE DETENTION CENTRE.