Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Board member posts given as reward for support @ polls- Hon Penn claims

- said this move can be 'catastrophic' for the territory
Leader of the Opposition Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8), left, has claimed that instead of competency and experience being at the core for selecting statutory board members, these posts are being filled by persons who supported the government at the polls. Photo: GIS/File
Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), who was part of the previous National Democratic Party (NDP) that was in the practice of replacing Board Members following elections and also had a history of firing civil servants who they believed supported another party. Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), who was part of the previous National Democratic Party (NDP) that was in the practice of replacing Board Members following elections and also had a history of firing civil servants who they believed supported another party. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Leader of the Opposition Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) has claimed that instead of competency and experience being at the core for selecting statutory boards members, these posts are being filled by persons who supported the government at the polls.

“As one can tell, any incompetence on the part of the Board of Directors or the Administration of these organisations can mean disaster for the people of our country. Therefore it is vitally important that the members of the Boards and the personnel of the Administrations are carefully selected,” he said during a statement released today, September 16, 2021.

“Administrators and other functionaries must be selected for their expertise in the duties they are chosen to perform. Likewise, Board members must be selected for their knowledge of the various policies and strategies necessary for the vision and mission for which the Statutory Body was created to be made a reality. Too often and disastrous, however, our elected representatives use these significantly important positions within the Statutory Bodies and their Boards as rewards for the support given to them during the electoral process,” he added.

Hon Penn, who was part of the previous National Democratic Party (NDP) that was in the practice of replacing Board Members following elections and also had a history of firing civil servants who they believed supported another party, said on one too many occasions, “these human resource selections, mainly based on support for a politician, are inexperienced and incompetent and replace experienced competent administrators and board members.”

These political appointees can be detrimental 

Penn expressed that these political appointees can be detrimental, as they could have “catastrophic consequences for our economy.”

He sought to explain what he meant: “For example, one misstep or one missed opportunity in the management of the Board of any one of our economic pillars because of inexperience or incompetence could mean slower economic recovery resulting in failed businesses, job losses, social unrest, and generally diminished quality of life in our country.”

“Statutory bodies, specifically those created here in the Virgin Islands, serve as semi-autonomous organisations that act like private corporations with the purpose of implementing government’s policies. Because of their flexibility, they are able to act much faster than the government’s administrative bureaucracy. The Board of Directors guides the organisation in the expeditious implementation of government’s policies and delivery of the services they are created to deliver. These organisations are tremendously important to the people of the Virgin Islands, to our sustainability, and to our economic growth and development,” he further said.

Hon Penn also said these bodies are expected to and relied on to perform the management of the two economic pillars- Financial Services and Tourism- and other areas of importance.

The topic of statutory boards is also being ventilated in the UK-sponsored Commission of Inquiry.

24 Responses to “Board member posts given as reward for support @ polls- Hon Penn claims”

  • Lb (17/09/2021, 08:04) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Facts! There is no other merit or reason.
  • Blindman (17/09/2021, 08:08) Like (14) Dislike (12) Reply
    Mr Penn its these kind of remarks that you make in the media that have the COl looking at us in the negative , if you saying that the government give these post as reward then it has been the pratice that they are carring on with from the previous administration because one can say the same was done with NDP and worst, but lets not go there we need to build our country instead of tearing each other apart it does the country no good.
    • @blindman (17/09/2021, 10:20) Like (12) Dislike (7) Reply
      He is not tearing anyone apart nor do he intend to tear anyone apart. He is just speaking truth that we are already aware of. Even a blind deaf mute knows this.
  • talking from experience (17/09/2021, 08:11) Like (19) Dislike (8) Reply
    Marlon hit the nail on the head
  • trrefdrfds (17/09/2021, 08:11) Like (23) Dislike (9) Reply
    every knowledgeable person in the bvi knows its the truth Hon Marlon Penn.you are not telling any lies
    • Hmm (17/09/2021, 11:10) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
      His government did the same thing he here calling down!! He want them to put his supporters so they could hold the government hostage because he’s ready to be premier!!
  • local boy (17/09/2021, 08:20) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon. Penn we know U R correct that's the normal thing all elected officials do. The problem i have is why the cronies are put on more than 1 board?
  • ... (17/09/2021, 08:23) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    hope Hon Smurf do not have to eat those words
    • Mango Man (17/09/2021, 10:10) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      Eat yah say?? With he size what more you want him eat mahboy? And them talking about Fahie.

      Marlon is always hungry for power. He craving it and he already say he ready to be Premier. Well I don't think he is ready. He lacks wisdom. He have some knowledge but this place can turn upside down with him at the helm.

      I got evidence on the running around.
    • @… (17/09/2021, 10:14) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      Eat his words for simply TELLING THE TRUTH? SOME OF YOU WOULD PREFER TO TAKE A SWIFT BLACK EYE KICK IN THE FACE THAN ACKNOWLEDGING THE TRUTH OUT OF IGNORANCE. THE MAN IS TELLING THE TRUTH. AND I AM GOING TO SUPPORT HIM.
  • Mr.gage (17/09/2021, 09:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    So what's new?
  • vex (17/09/2021, 09:13) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    If this the way he intents to be premier it’s sad sad sad
  • Rudolph (17/09/2021, 09:13) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Oh boy! Here he is again talking loud and saying nothing.
    This lad so badly wants to usurp the premier's position that he seems willing to say anything he thinks sounds good at the moment. - all meaningless of course. In today's piece of nonsense he should be made to show verifiable evidence that supports his claims. So annoying.
  • ONE GOOD THING (17/09/2021, 09:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    we ain't gonna hear those canaries singing ( OH ITS THE UK / JASPERT OR THE EXPATS , what a relief from the blame game and tit 4 tat
  • WOW (17/09/2021, 09:28) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    and you want to run the affairs of this country here talking piss trying to impress the UK

    hon penn was associated and continue to be associated with one of the most corrupt administration in history

    todays folks connected to politics are very self centered and truly don't have the peoples at hart

    me me me
    its was me that did this; it was me that did that

    the old-school politicians made sure what they did was truly for the benefit of all the people
  • BVIslander (17/09/2021, 10:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    For years we have had competent and experienced board members and if you do a check you will see all what was done and the now boards that don't have competent and experienced board members according to Hon Penn is who is fixing all of the boards check the records I wish there were public knowledge so the people could see who the real incompetent boards are
  • Good Advisor Free-Of-Charge Advisory (17/09/2021, 10:36) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon. Minister Marlon Penn, Rep. D8, you told the truth. You have openly admitted that the common practice of awarding statutory membership to certain persons as board members are politically motivated, as was under the NDP government practiced when they were in power prior to Feb. 25, 2019, when it, the NDP government was defeated by this VIP one.✓
  • shut the front door (17/09/2021, 10:52) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply

    Marlon should be the last one to speak about board member post given as reward for support when his pick for the RDA board is his brother-in-law (his sister’s husband). He take us for fools man!!!

  • No (17/09/2021, 11:15) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I only agree with him half way! NOTHING is wrong with giving political supporters a board seat, BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT they should be qualified to hold such a seat, that's the issue! If a new government is elected they should be able to appoint people who are aligned with their policies but more importantly, people who are PROPERLY QUALIFIED to do so. There should also be proper systems in place for vetting and documenting the process by which they are appointed. What is sad is that VIP must have had other persons they could have chosen from but were hell bent with their ulterior motives so they appointed who they wanted. No disrespect to some board members but there are quite a few that add nothing to the posts. The NDP doesn't get a free pass either as they have appointed some not so bright people as well but they never revoked entire boards especially only weeks after being elected.
  • Me (17/09/2021, 11:48) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    Speak your truth Marlon. All I see is a bunch of DISGRUNTLED VIP’ERS grasping at life rafts to stay above water. VIP is going down next election, no amount of life rafts is going to save them from sinking.
  • Agree 1000% (17/09/2021, 12:14) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Marlon,
    This is one time you hit the nail on the head. It’s very dangerous and detrimental indeed.
    Some of these people have NO CLUE!!! What they’re doing, but still they’re sitting on Boards.
  • most (17/09/2021, 13:04) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Most of the board members that was appointed, we’re not QUALIFIED to be sitting on boards. The thing that disturbed me most was the musical chairs.
  • You would know about that Marlon... (17/09/2021, 13:21) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Marlon you not ready for the premiership...humble yourself...even though you in a different party Premier Fahie is a good mentor for you if you let him...stop playing politics with the people business and help the Premier cos England taking over is good for none ah we. United we stand divided we fall. You are not ready to lead this country yet. Fahie ain't perfect but he's got what it takes for such a time as this...sit down and learn...this is your time to learn...your party is a big part of what got us in this mess.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.