BVIEC disconnects health clinics due to BVIHSA owing millions in electricity bills
This was disclosed by the General Manager of BVIEC, Dr Neil M. Smith, in an interview with JTV Channel 55 on June 13, 2024.
“We have had some difficulties with the BVI Health Services Authority paying their electricity bill. That has been going on for some time. They are actually the largest delinquent customer that we have,” Dr Smith stated.
Millions owed- Dr Neil M. Smith
The BVIEC GM did not disclose the exact amount owed but said it amounted to millions of dollars.
Dr Smith said it is the corporation’s belief that is not a case that the BVIHSA, a statutory body, does not want to pay their bills but that they can’t afford to pay; however, BVIEC also has obligations to meet.
“On June 12 some of the clinics were disconnected, but still outstanding is the bill for the main hospital and the other clinics,” Dr Smith said.
BVIHSA has been ‘delinquent for years’
He explained that BVIEC has tried to have consistent dialogues with BVIHSA regarding their settling of the debt and has even issued notices.
“To be frank, at BVIEC we tend to sympathise with the Health Services Authority but we also have a business to run. What would make it easier is if we have consistent dialogue, which is sometimes difficult to get. I don’t know why but oftentimes it feels like a monologue than a dialogue.”
Dr Smith added that BVIEC is just doing its best to make sure it remains solvent by being compensated for the service delivered.
“Essentially what is happening is the paying customers are subsidising the delinquent customers and in this case we have a very large customer that has been delinquent for years…and at some point that needs to be sorted out,” Dr Smith stated.
According to reports reaching our news centre, the health clinics have since been reconnected except Nurse Iris Penn-Smith Clinic in East End.
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30 Responses to “BVIEC disconnects health clinics due to BVIHSA owing millions in electricity bills”
Dr Neil M. Smith for next Premier please.
Leave Neil where he is. Premier? People are too gullible in the place man. Strupes
People do what how and when if they feel like...then the blame game on yt man..no conscience these church everySunday born here traitors..
1. The government need to do more to generate money
2. The government need to find way other than our tourist and offshore banking to make money
Etc
Now the government has done such and now it's an issue. Now I did not go because those types of entertainment is not for me.
But it was something hosted by the big first and we let usvi take it over
I mean literally take it over.
Bvihsa is a statory department and get help by the government
It's just bad manage by the staff and neglect by the workers
The entertainers came into Road Town now back Home with pockets fill with your tax money while those who looking health services the facilities have no power supply
The majority of adults in every country worldwide know the the importance of healthcare, why not in the BVI.
This ongoing problem as per the Topic Issue cannot be allow to proceed any further. Healthcare services is much too much a service to ignore its necessity.
Good management of our finances is a vital proof of good governance of all political leadership worldwide
Truly the continuation of this neglects, and others too, cannot be overlooked any longer. Too many millions of $$$$$$$$$$ unaccounted for, so far. it tells others that the BVI political leadership and other departments leaders are proving a high level of incompetent of their responsibilities or simply don't care enough to solved them.
This and other negative regularly happening in the BVI are highly disgusting and mistrusting.
Come next election the vip going right back especially if they get a new leader
Not only that you have/had some workers/people in their victimizing some vendors. yes i said so because experience is the greatest teacher before they go get electricity money from them family members who owing thousands they prefer to victimize the public. Covering for their friend and family cutting the poor and needy who just need an extra week to work and get the money to pay. Heart less but time longer than twine. Think electricity belongs to them and they will always be in that Job. Some came to that job with the intention to cover their immediate family businesses don't cut them when you go out. Payment plan while they rock up thousands
This is the reason why the British Virgin Islands cannot achieve economic growth, as we persist in permitting the continuation of these activities. If an ordinary citizen has a sick person at home, they are required to cover the cost of their electricity. What distinguishes the clinic from this situation? I am sure that there were prior warnings, but as is customary, we will call prominent individuals such as Johnny or Sue to save us. This will encourage businesses that perceive themselves as invulnerable to fulfill their obligations.