Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline during Honestly Speaking on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Photo: Facebook

According to Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, Trinidadian Dr William Dexter James is being considered for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA). Photo: Nature Isle News

Dr June M. Samuel has been Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) for the past four years. Photo: BVIHSA

“I do understand that the board of the BVIHSA has sent a name forward…some Dr William Dexter James, as a recommendation for CEO of the Health Services Authority,” Skelton-Cline said during his show on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. 

“Here we go again, with an outsider when we have qualified insiders.”

He called on the people of the Virgin Islands (VI) to ask the government why people like Dr Samuel, whom he called “one of ours”, has not been approved for the position even after acting for four years. 

“She has performed, she has acted for four years, you have required her to do things and then won’t fund some of the things you asked her to do and then decide, determine, she ain’t doing the job.”

Double standards?

Skelton-Cline said when it came to the issue of former Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool being replaced by the current Interim Acting Commissioner of Police Richard Ullger, Virgin Islanders marched for her over some of the same issues. 

“We rightfully called attention to the Governor’s actions, but today, I’m calling attention to our own actions, something that we have control over, and what are we doing again?”

He was quick to clarify that the issue is not about expats versus locals, and hoped the regional and expat communities would understand. 

Skelton-Cline, questioned why Dr Samuel’s recommendation, after being sent to the Cabinet, was rejected. 

“This gentleman, I’m sure, he’s qualified, although I did notice he often did not complete his tenure from Dominica to Barbados to Saint Lucia; he hails from Trinidad.”

He also questioned this trend of hiring non-Virgin Islanders, saying, “The guy over Trade, he’s from Trinidad; the good gentleman over the airport, he’s from Saint Lucia; now here we go again, some of our major statutory bodies and departments, nothing wrong with that except for we have qualified locals.”

Dr Samuel resigning? 

Skelton-Cline asked who would be blamed in this situation. 

“You can’t blame the Governor this time, you can’t blame the UK this time. Us, we’re the ones responsible.”

He pressed on, calling on the government to reject the recommendation of Dr James when it comes before them. 

“Your behaviour has forced and is forcing the resignation of Dr Samuel,” he accused, adding that she needs to be called back. 

“Give her the opportunity to do what she’s been doing over the last four years and provide her the resources with the proper board members in place to do what needs to be done for BVIHSA, because the health service in this country needs fixing, needs addressing.”