Opposition Leader ‘Misspoke’ on JvD electricity issue- Dr Neil M. Smith
The Opposition Leader had claimed that residents of JvD are being faced with “exorbitant” electricity bills due to the high costs associated with running a temporary generator on that island while speaking at the Continuation of the Sixth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) on January 30, 2024.
Hon Skelton called on Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) to resolve the situation urgently adding that, because of the BVIEC putting a generator in Jost van Dyke, they are “charging the residents of Jost van Dyke exorbitant electricity bills.
Speaking to the media during an interview on February 5, 2023, the BVIEC GM said the Opposition Leader simply misspoke and that’s the gentlest way he could put it.
“As professionals, we believe that we have a responsibility when we are in positions of influence and authority, to exercise due care in what we say. And what I would like to say in as gentle a terms as I can, is that what the members said does not reflect the reality of the matter.”
JvD not being charged more - Dr Smith
Dr Smith said that even though there is an extra cost to keep JvD powered, the island is not being charged more in the calculation of bills and that any suggestion of such is untrue.
The BVIEC GM; however, provided an explanation for fluctuations in electricity based on increased demand or increase in the cost of fuel, but added that JvD is not charged any different from the rest of the VI.
“Any statement that is made anywhere that suggests that we intentionally charging the people of Jost van Dyke extra because of the additional cost to maintain electricity over there is untrue,” he added.
Dr Smith reiterated that the BVIEC is simply looking at the statements made by Hon Skelton as a ‘misspoke’ with no need for any back and forth.
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14 Responses to “Opposition Leader ‘Misspoke’ on JvD electricity issue- Dr Neil M. Smith”
There is just too much "secretism" and need to know in this BVI as if everything is so serious. Place operates worst than the CIA with simple information.
The other day the same opposition leader asked for approved plans of a project. The premier says he has to check with the RDA. For approved plans??
the modern day political system we have now takes our people no way: they pull down one another during the live broadcast in an effort to make themselves look important
Most of them out of the 13 basically offer no solutions or bring no new ideas to the table