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Gov’t applauded for quickly correcting “mistake”

- Talk show host Cromwell Smith says it’s a sign of humility
Premier Smith (left) said Mr. Wade Smith’s leave had been deferred since it would not have been convenient considering Government was introducing new initiatives at the ports of entry.
Cromwell Smith stated that Government’s recognition of its mistake and correcting it was a “good sign”.
Cromwell Smith stated that Government’s recognition of its mistake and correcting it was a “good sign”.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Government’s decision to defer Commissioner of Customs Wade Smith’s leave has been lauded by radio talk show host Cromwell Smith.

Speaking on his weekly programme ‘Umoja’ last evening February 2, 2012, Mr. Smith said Government’s recognition of its mistake and correcting it was a “good sign”.

“I want to applaud the Government for recognising and correcting its mistake in asking Commissioner of Customs Wade Smith to take such a long vacation all at once....It’s a good sign when we see a Government recognising its mistake and making corrections right away. It shows a sign of humility and it shows a sign that they are listening and they are acting in the best interest of our Territory.

Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith had announced on February 1, 2012 at a press conference at the Central Administrative Complex that Mr. Smith’s leave had been deferred since it would not have been convenient since Government was introducing new initiatives at the ports of entry.

Smith’s leave was to take effect on February 6, 2012 for some 200 days. “I have therefore asked that his requirement for leave be deferred to a more suitable and mutually agreeable time frame to allow the work of the department to proceed unimpeded,” he disclosed.

When questioned if he was aware that Smith was to be sent on leave, was going on leave, why it wasn’t handled differently and if he was pleased with how it was handled, the Premier responded: “The situation was being handled but it was pre-empted by information being given out, leaked out and so this pre-empted the process which was being instituted by informing myself and the officer.”

He had also stated that he was unaware that Smith was to be sent on leave up until that time.

On a different note, Cromwell Smith also applauded the Government for reducing the duty on imports, stating “so that we could get lower prices on necessities and establishing a monitoring process to make sure that the savings are passed on to the consumers even though of course we shouldn’t have to monitor the business community, they should know that their responsibility is to pass on those savings”.

24 Responses to “Gov’t applauded for quickly correcting “mistake””

  • billy b (03/02/2012, 07:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    doc, you all need to get it together, that "mistake" should have never taken place. Why is it that this man is made out to be so indispensible?? Why don't we have second in command in areas like these?? God forbid, if Wade dies tomorrow, would not the work go on???? Something is wrong with the system, it should have been addressed in the days of VIP. Doc, its time to fix this.
    • bay youths (03/02/2012, 08:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      me sick of reading "billy B' comments....he needs a job from on he boat all day writing pi$$! Doc was wrong for what they did. Wade Smith born rright here...
      • jazz (03/02/2012, 09:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Wasnt the VIP the one to say hold it back until election is over, the VIP wanted to get rid of him so dem give it to the NDP to do, how about that, and who is Cromwell to tell be off, he is not no better, he is to corrupt, he is a false witness, think he noe it all
        • weed (03/02/2012, 11:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          another one trying to rewrite history..this was always about wade and they feeling that he will run against dem...my two cents
      • billy b (03/02/2012, 10:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Bay youths, if you sick of reading “billy B’ comments… there's a simple solution, skip over them. That is what I do sometimes with blogs like yours. You need to ignore my blogs and stop being jealous the life I live on my boat. And by the way, what the heck Wade being born here have to do with anything??? Do you see now why I skip over idiotic blogs like yours?????????????
    • Professionalism Please (03/02/2012, 13:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Of course there is a second in command. Is't that what Dean Fahie is? The problem is first and foremost is that the leave for a head of department or anyone for that matter, should not have been handled in such an unprofessional and disrespectful manner. Second, the time of the leave is not conducive to the newly implementation of the duty import. Consequently, if the matter was handled in the professional manner in which is should have been handled, the head of Human Resources and who ever else was involved in this decision, would have had the opportunity to sit and discuss what major pending move were in the process and could have better handled the mandated planned leave of Mr. Smith. As it stands, they have all made themselves appear as if they do not know what they are doing, unprofessional, and vindictive. Hopefully, they have learned a lesson for the next time around.
  • Virgin Son (03/02/2012, 08:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with comwell but what disturbed me is to hear Dr. Smith lying bout he did not know!
  • jog (03/02/2012, 10:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why does he have so much vacation leave any?? He needs to take a break at times he is not super man.
    • billy b (03/02/2012, 12:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      No jog, he is not superman, I told you guys already, working in Government IS a vacation, so why should they take leave??? 75% of them going wuk everyday and they can't honestly say that they have done an honest stroke of wuk in weeks. Shuffling a bunch au papers every now and now is the most. If you was in that position, would you see the need to take leave???? Doc, yuh got wuk to do; put your employees to wuk cause while the hair on their heads staying black and youthful, the action man gonna soon share his dye with you. You ain see how black action man scalp is??
  • critic (03/02/2012, 10:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    what???? this is yet another smith looking out for another smith again?
  • YELLOW (03/02/2012, 11:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    no comwell get it right--THE NDP WAS HUMILIATED OVER THIS CRAZY DECISION TO SEND HOME THE BOY
  • Whooosa (03/02/2012, 13:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Three lanky smith in a horse race
  • Smiths run tings (03/02/2012, 16:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    first it was three Smiths, Dr, Wade, Neil now you add Comwell..let me stay out before I get burn tis ah Smith show!
  • ENOUGH PLEASE (03/02/2012, 18:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ok with all due respect i have had enough of this boring story...now more on to the next topic fast fast
  • Quiet Storm (04/02/2012, 09:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Limiting the amount of vacation an employee can carry from one budget year to next is a common and good business practice.it is in the interest of both employee and employer if leave is taken regularly. If an employee can go extended leave and there is no impact on operations, are they really needed? On the other hand when they are gone for long periods, burdens are place on other employees. And if not the size of the workforce should be evaluated. Further if an employee cannot be gone for a short period,success planning is lacking. This whole episode was handled unprofessionally. In politics it is viewed as an unforced error. And in other circles as shooting oneself in the foot or an error in judgement. Enquiring minds are wondering what is more distressing 1) the Premier and the Minister of Finance did not know that the Commissioner of Customs was being forced on extended leave, or 2) that he engineered the action and approved of the action. If the Premier did not know he should have known. When you do not knowing what you do not know but should know is being in untenable position. Delegation is needed but responsibility cannot be totally delegated; trust but verify. The Premier needs to charge and take hold of the reins of government. Many staff or even some ministers or back benchers may believe that they are more knowledge, experience, louder, stronger personality, stronger leader......etc but you are the leader. Walk talk, thread lightly but carry a big stick. Ier
    • hellooooooooo (04/02/2012, 21:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      he could have still run the show from vacation...a lot of them out but still running dey show!
      • Quiet Storm (06/02/2012, 01:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Being on vacation and still running things does not instill confidence in employees remaining on the job. It does not allow them to grow. If an employee is on vacation and have to worry about work, the work place is dysfunctional.
  • the blood (05/02/2012, 11:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    just another NDP decision to send home the man in haste. but Wade from here so tis ah good ting he aint got to catch no plane to go Anguilla, Antigua or St. Vincent. this place need the blood of Jesus over it fast.
  • Since you know (05/02/2012, 16:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everybody talking about the him being sent on leave, it is so funny knowing the the same FS ensured that he was paid out for all of his vacation along with another PS, both of these people are heads of dept. why they could get paid out all their excess leave and others can't get it. The government need to think about these type of actions and the effect it w I'll have on other employees, who are being told by their heads that they can't go on leave when they want due to activities going on in that dept. so what happens to that employee? Also decisions need to be fair what goes for one should go for all
  • lets vote people (05/02/2012, 23:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i wish we could have another election this year...NDP needs to go


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