Flip flopping again? Premier Smith admits BVI Airways owes nothing to BVIAA
This the Premier reported at his last press conference held on Wednesday February 10, 2016 at the Central Administration Complex. He had given information to the contrary in the House of Assembly on February 4, 2016 in responding to answers to questions.
Speaking at the press conference, the Premier said the matter of the outstanding payments was in court but it was satisfactorily resolved, so there is currently no legal matter.
“There was a court case in 2014 and after the court case the matter was satisfactorily resolved,” he said. “What was owed was $70,000 which they paid. There was a question of other fees but that was what the court case was about. And those were satisfactorily resolved,” said Premier Smith.
Senior Opposition Member Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), during the February 4, 2016 Sixth Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands had asked Dr Smith what provisions have been made for the payment of all outstanding fees by BVI Airways to the BVIAA or Central Government.
In response, Premier Smith had said BVI Airways owes the BVI Airports Authority the total sum of $112, 403.40 and that legal action was being sought to recover the funds. “Madam Speaker, the BVI Airports Authority has taken a decision to engage their legal representatives to recover the funds owed by BVI Airways,” Premier Smith had said.
He had also stated that the BVI Airports Authority is uncertain of when the balance owed will be paid.
However, in a press release from the BVI Airports Authority on February 9, 2016, it was stated that there are no legal actions against BVI Airways.
“The BVI Airports Authority Ltd hereby advises that, presently, it has no active or pending legal action against BVI Airways. A previous action, however, had been brought in late 2014, which has been satisfactorily resolved,” the press release stated.
This is yet another instance of Premier Smith – the territory's Minister of Finance – flip-flopping on answers given in the House of Assembly to questions posed by members of the Opposition.
12 Responses to “Flip flopping again? Premier Smith admits BVI Airways owes nothing to BVIAA”
I cant trust the government, the opposition, if another party comes on stream... it would be quite difficult to trust them as well. We know the old saying once bitten twice shy. Where does our country go from here?
Our country goes DOWN from here , at least the massives will be LEFT BEHIND
A sad sadd state of affairs our country is facing