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Premier Smith admits to not following Financial Management Protocol

-says his Gov't strives to follow all the protocols
Honourable Julian Fraser RA, Third District Representative (left), grilled Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Premier and Minister of Finance (right), if his government has been managing the financial affairs of the territory in accordance with the Protocol for Effective Financial Management (PEFM). Photo: VINO/File
During the House of Assembly (HoA) on Thursday, March 22, 2018, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Premier and Minister of Finance, admitted that his government did not comply with all the Protocols for Effective Financial Management (PEFM). Photo: VINO/File
During the House of Assembly (HoA) on Thursday, March 22, 2018, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Premier and Minister of Finance, admitted that his government did not comply with all the Protocols for Effective Financial Management (PEFM). Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – During the Question and Answer Segment of the Third Sitting of the Third Session of the Third House of Assembly today, March 22, 2018, Honourable Julian Fraser RA, Third District Representative, grilled Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Premier and Minister of Finance, if his government has been managing the financial affairs of the territory in accordance with the Protocol for Effective Financial Management (PEFM).

In response, he said, “Ever since 2012, my government has endeavoured to follow the principles of the Protocol for Effective Financial Management.”

Not pleased with his answer, Hon Fraser reiterated and asked the Premier if he is saying that his government has complied with “all the provisions of the protocol”.

“What I said Madam Speaker, is that my government has endeavoured to follow the principles embodied. We know that, Madam Speaker, since the hurricane we were not able to, for example, place any money into the Reserve Fund at this particular point in time. So there are various things which we have had to do,” stated the Finance Minister.

Based on the Premier’s response, Hon Fraser pointed out that he was referring specifically to “good governance and filing all documents that are required”.

Premier Smith then commented that his government has been filing all documents that are required, explaining that he mentioned in his Budget Address on March 19, 2018, that the Accountant General's reports have and are being submitted to the Auditor General.

“My views are totally different”

Meanwhile, the Third District Representative stated that he believes that the establishment of the Recovery and Development Agency is being stipulated by the United Kingdom (UK) because the Premier’s government has not been following the Protocol for Effective Financial Management.

He explained, “If you are telling me that best international practices require or dictate that you have this investment and development agency and it is for transparency and good governance and you just told me that your government has been practicing good governance and transparency based on the Protocol for Effective Financial Management, something isn’t right. Something does not add up. It says that you were not following the Protocol for Effective Financial Management as you said or you are not telling us exactly what this agency is about. Am I missing something? However, my views are totally different and I am sure that has a lot to do with the UK’s position in this document which is supposed to be a secret document.”

Dr Smith then responded that he has not been able to comply with all aspects of the protocol while adding that it is something that his government is “aspiring to do” as soon as the territory is back in a better fiscal position.

He then emphasised that the agency is not a reflection of his government not following the Protocol for Effective Financial Management.

There have been reports that the United Kingdom does not trust the NDP Government to manage the monies to be borrowed for the hurricane recovery, hence the reason for the controversial Recovery and Development Agency as stipulated by the High Level Framework for UK Support to BVI Recovery.

15 Responses to “Premier Smith admits to not following Financial Management Protocol”

  • cay (22/03/2018, 17:55) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    The only way to deal with the ndp is at the polls
  • Legal tender (22/03/2018, 18:13) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    What is it that the not so good anymore doctor feels that he has to always lie to wiggle himself of a situation. Making himself look so incompetent
    • VOW (22/03/2018, 19:07) Like (2) Dislike (32) Reply
      This is really sad to read is the man playing with a good deck. He need to join DONALD RUMP.
    • @ Legal Tender Poor Doc. (22/03/2018, 19:51) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      Lying is not for Doc. Never knew Doc to be a liar. Now Politics has turned our good and honourable Doc into a different man.. Lying is a skill, a talent, you have to practice for years.. Poor Doc. U dont have the lying skills..
  • See (22/03/2018, 19:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    CRIMINAL
  • Back Benchers plight. (22/03/2018, 19:46) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    They locked us out. Ignored us. Now their house is on Fire they are asking us to bring water and expect us to run and fetch water for them.. Life is not like that..We have the numbers power but we get no respect...
    • @ Back Benchers plight. (23/03/2018, 05:34) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hmmm. Couldn't have said it better. I heard that They are still 2 back benchers that still not fully on board. Neither is Fahie. Seems like Frazer is their only hope....Back Benchers United seems to be the way forward..NDP is very unpopular. VIP isnt ready..We will see..
  • oh boy (22/03/2018, 20:33) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    Put a broom stick in a jacket and tie and he or she will be better to run the affairs of the virgin islands than this NDP Government. Yes he or she in a Jacket. Rat can take care of cheese better that NDP run this country.

    Think.
  • perry mason (22/03/2018, 23:21) Like (43) Dislike (4) Reply
    fraser outsmarted him
  • Thinking... (23/03/2018, 05:27) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I'm thinking that this agency idea is such a brilliant one. Here is why. 1/ it doesn't hold any government foot to the fire.. 2/ One government cannot blame another for waste Mismanagement or stealing which is the norm.. Example..if 2019 ViP should wn they cant blame NDP or going there and start spending crazy on their cronies..Same go for the back benchers if they should launch a take over.. This Agency idea seems to me to be in favor of a new or subsequent government, especially a back benchers take over..they will have the professional finanxil advise and descipline a new administration would need..I think this agency should be a 13 - 0 vote in favor...This is good for the BVI..
    • Ramsuru (23/03/2018, 09:34) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Think about Faulkner, Fonseca, Penn and de Castro in front of the house of assembly. We not going back there. If you don't understand we are not going back to UK rule by appointing our leaders.
      • What? (23/03/2018, 22:40) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        UK rule? That is the very last thing the UK wants. Think about it. That would be an extra headache the UK doesn’t need as it is trying to deal with numerous other issues. What would the UK get out of it? Having to deploy more money and personnel with no upside. If somebody here is trying to spin you that line, they have an agenda. It’s laughable as a concept. Uk is interested in this not being a corrupt sess pit though as it responsible to BVI and BOT citizens.
  • I believe (23/03/2018, 14:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The UK gave the VI Government an ultimatum: Either this Agency be put in place OR WE, the UK will do like we did in
    Turks and Caicos.
  • Ahhhem (23/03/2018, 16:32) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Someone needs to point out to the Hon Fraser that the UK govt. is instigating this Recovery Board not only because it doesn't trust the NDP, but because it doesn't trust the VIP either.
    It doesn't trust none a we, because we become so damn greedy in the last three decades.
  • ConManRaT (24/03/2018, 04:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why aren't persons from withers sides not in jail?


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