First Lady Lorna G. Smith slams critics of her Gov’t appointment
It was this news site that first and accurately reported on May 9, 2016 that Mr Julien N. Johnson had left the post of Executive Director where he was seconded for a year from the Financial Investigative Agency, a post he eventually resigned from, leaving Government all together.
A day later, the National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration announced that the wife of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, Mrs Lorna G. Smith OBE, who retired from the civil service years ago, will take on the role of Interim Executive Director of BVI Finance with effect from May 11, 2016 to December 31, 2016.
Many critics have since claimed that it is a conflict of interest for her to serve as Interim Executive Director while her husband is Premier and holds the portfolio which BVI Finance falls under. They also said there are many young people in the civil service who should be given a chance to serve, as Mrs Smith, who is over the retirement age, had her time in government and now owns her own consulting firm.
‘I could no longer hold out’
Mrs Smith began her Facebook post of May 13, 2016 by noting that she was not active on her facebook page recently because “it’s been a very rough five months as we have faced easily the toughest period in our financial services history. I have been doing my part to help as chair of the Financial Business Development Committee, a committee established by the Government several years ago.”
She then went on to explain that when Mr Johnson, who she said always had her full support and performed well in the position as Executive Director of BVI Finance, decided to move on she was asked to fill in while another person was recruited.
“I declined as I was happy with what I was doing and moreover I know my peeps and how they would react. But in the last two weeks I could no longer hold out as the situation intensified. I therefore agreed to return to active duty from Wednesday 11th May until 31st December for the reasons stated in the Government press release. We expect that the right person will be in place by 1st January, 2017.”
If you can do a better job, come forward!
Mrs Smith, who previously served as the Director of BVI International Finance Centre from 2002 to 2004, and from 2005 to 2013, said the fact that “a few nameless and faceless persons” have taken to online media to criticise her decision will not lessen her resolve to spend 12 hours or more every day helping to strengthen “our brand and to get us back” to centre stage.
“If there is someone who can do a better job please come forward and present yourself to the Premier's Permanent Secretary. In this period we must be a part of the solution and not the problem.”
Mrs Smith further said it would be wonderful to have everyone's full support so that the world could see how committed the people of the Virgin Islands are to maintaining the VI brand as a premier international finance centre.
“Naysayers will not distract my focus on that mission - whether or not I hold any official position as a public servant. My commitment to the BVI and to the promotion of our financial services industry is irrevocable and resolute.
Sacrifices for VI's Financial Services
Mrs Smith also let her critics know that over the years she made many personal sacrifices for the promotion of the financial services industry of the Virgin Islands.
“I don't have all the answers and welcome your thoughts and constructive criticism. I am always available to chat. I am the same person who spent a year living in a basement on a deserted street in London in 2003 setting up a strong presence in London and beyond. The Police Department became my friends as hardly a week passed without my calling them with every imaginary shake of the door. I am the same person who spent six months living in an apartment the size of a postage stamp in the heart of Wanchai in Hong Kong setting us up in Asia. I had to laugh at the consternation on Orlando's face when he saw where I was living. I was also the first Director of the BVI IFC now known as BVI Finance. I would like to think I did a fair job each time,” Mrs Smith continued.
The First Lady was also instrumental in helping to bring Bank of Asia to the Virgin Islands, although it is unclear what her role in the bank is.
“The BVI has a fine product which we have all sought to build for over thirty years. Notwithstanding the many negative stories we must continue to develop it. So let's all join hands and hearts to do so,” she said on her Facebook page.
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86 Responses to “First Lady Lorna G. Smith slams critics of her Gov’t appointment”
Total conflict of intetest. Anyone who go forward will still be rejected by them wicked self. Baaaaaaah!
So that’s why you continue to stronghold our country, you and your set because you feel we still owe you, ar?
Dem dam know there were many names that was put forward BUT dem REJECTED THEM NOW TRYING TO FOOL THE PEOPLE
Lorna is a UWI grad and can reason with a clear understanding of effective governing. She knows that her being appointed director, albeit temporary, of a department that is within the ministry of her husband is a conflict of interest. We can spell it tomato or tomatoe it is still a conflict of interest. Clearly, there is no succession planning within that department, for the former department head bolted and there was apparently anyone within the department that could safely steer the ship for 6 months. This is an insult to the current team within the department. Are they no more than a wooden nickel? How can one excel if one is not given the chance or opportunity to excel. What will happen when the next department head comes aboard and leaves abruptly? Will she be the go to savior again? There must be more than one person in the BVI that can do this job. If so this needs to change. Lorna have had her chance to serve and excel. Now, it is time to step aside and let others get the chance to excel, though she may think and believe that no one can do the job as effective as her. It is not in the VI best interest for anyone to be indispensable.
No doubt Lorna serve the BVI well in various capacities while on active duty. But it is time to pass the paton on to the next generation of Virgin Islanders. It is time to give the next generation the opportunity to excel. She hS fought the good fight. Now it is time move on and let others do their thing. As NPolitico noted, the VI should not make any of us indispensable, for it is not in its best interest. Cannot end this comment without stressing that her appointment was a conflict of interest and bristling with nepotism. It is also saying to the electorate that government can do what it wants, how it wants and when it wants.
As a business leader, please adapt a best practice of grooming several candidates (not just one) to ensure the evolving BVI brand is maintained at the highest standard. Why? Ask yourself the reasonable question...if you fall sick tomorrow, how volatile will the efforts you took time to detail via social media be/become?
As a woman, i applaud you for you unwavering efforts and above par service to a passion and its people. There is no doubt in my mind that years from now your name will continue to resonate throughout the annals of the financial industry.
It is time...
These are serious times and what is required is a unified effort to promote the financial services but making appointments like this will result in division at a time when unity is paramount.
What an indictment of their own self serving policies. After years under developing the next generation and blatantly retarding anyone who tried to move forward the generation in power now has declared that no one else but them can lead us foreward. What a crock of sh**!!! They never had any intention of succeeding their power and prestige. Outside of taking from government they have no marketable skills and therefore have every intention of dying in their positions of power and prestige. They could not care less about the country or the people.
Haven't you seen what happens in the Caucasian world? As long as they have breath they continue to work. Even right here in VI, this takes place. So why are certain greedy elements of this society fighting down age like they want the whole hog for themselves. Slavery is supposed to be over but in reality the slave mentality still exist, while the ultimate beneficiaries are yes, the other race!
It's time we stopped the fussing and the fighting and tackle the problems meaningfully and head on.
So what if she us 60 plus!
Words of advice for her own good to save whatever is left of her credibility:
You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
That doesn't work with the “mob,” too many unsolved murders as it is already and we yet to know who are behind those killings.
Go on Mrs Smith.Do your job.There are more of us with you than are against you.Keep on keeping on for the VI.
Cut and Paste 40,000 times. Thank you!!!End of Story!!!
Why crucify one of us when there is presently working in VI many persons from the so called developed countries, with the larger populations and a lot more benefits than here; Europe, UK and US, where those factors you referred to abound. They keep coming in droves and are being allowed to come. What benefits ate they bringing with them and who is benefiting.
The question is why ate they here? Couldn't the jobs that they hold be given to the qualified locals also? As is being said for our own lady being vilified.
Aren't they who are here living among us from UK, US, South America. Africa, and Europe, also depriving of and stealing opportunities from the younger generation from the local idegenousl and Caribbean population? of jobs and much more... So why not turn you venom and attention to them? and begin phasing them out. No one ever touches or looks at them as they continue to mine our resources and carrying capacity limitations, while they contribute very little to the welfare of the society. If we don't watch it, here will become like South Africa with apartheid.
We have to know WHO is really doing the pillaging, and attack and confront them apropriately using the mechanisms we already have at our disposal.
I believe the real problems need to be confronted and stop looking for scapegoats and distractions by turning against our own. This is the trend that needs to stop soon. Stop the pettiness.
Where ignorance is bliss it's folly to be wise.
I would agree however that BVI has been poor at training our young people and passing the torch.