Premier Smith doubles down; hosts Chinese Ambassador to UK
It remains unclear who is pushing the Premier but he stood his grounds on firing the Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Board, John I. Cline.
There were many calls from strong National Democratic Party (NDP) supporters, Cabinet Members and Backbenchers to give Mr Cline a chance with "conditions" but in the end Dr Smith demanded he had to go.
It appears too that Premier Smith is also standing up to the NDP critics of the deal to have the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport runway extension project awarded to a foreign company, China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), while snubbing the company ADC, which, has a local partner and interest.
However, Premier Smith is moving full speed ahead with the Chinese state owned CCCC, who was cited by the World Bank for corruption and fraudulent practices on many of its projects worldwide.
Chinese representative on the ground already
Today, January 10, 2017 Premier Smith hosted the Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Liu Xiaoming.
According to senior government sources, one of the topics included cementing the awarding of the runway extension contract to CCCC and helping to allegedly facilitate the $150M loan from a Chinese bank to fund the project.
The meeting was not open to the press or did the secretive NDP administration alert the press on the visit of the high ranking official.
It’s unclear how long the Chinese Ambassador H. E. Xiaoming will be in the British Overseas Territory and his agenda while here.
Trouble in the Camp over project
The Smith Administration continues to be divided over the airport project and the awarding of the contract to the company owned by the People’s Republic of China.
It has caused much division of the Government, with two rebel Ministers- Hons Myron V. Walwyn (AL) and Ronnie W. Skelton (AL)- not supporting the deal in Cabinet.
It’s our understanding that up to three backbenchers have expressed serious objections about supporting the loan funding for the project; however, it’s left to be seen if they have the courage to go public and vote against it in the House of Assembly.
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29 Responses to “Premier Smith doubles down; hosts Chinese Ambassador to UK”
The World Bank has flagged the Chinese company for fraud and corruption, and Smith is still forging a relationship with them!
The Chinese are smart people, BVI will not win with them. Smith will sign the BVI as collateral, if the loan is not paid, BVI will be owned by China.
Why are the ministers against this deal not standing up. Come on love the country, ministers do something correct for once... stand up for the BVIs. Publicly oppose this contract. Mr. Smith has turned communist, holding secretive meetings, and going against the will if the people.
Lord have Mercy!!!!!
And stop the sensationalist bullshit. The Premier cannot put up the BVI as collateral for any loan, just rubbish! Borrowing is scrutinized by the UK because they are on the hook if we dont pay. China and UK have good relationships and if you read carefully he is meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to the UK. Show me how smaller nations are benefitting from the World Bank financing and schemes.
Investing from afar and actually being in the territory – is two different experiences all together.
Talking from experience.
The Chinese is all about building China and nothing to do about the countries they invest in.
Their strategy is and have always been about getting a foot-hold into any Country who is willing to entertain them and then Control – Their Government and Their Economy.
It’s everything to do with their IDEOLOGY.
Follow their History. They Never Integrate, and once they properly set-up their Banks, they move rapidly to strengthen their foothold.
Who don’t hear will feel. Except, in this case, it will be our descendants.
The NDP is leading us like LAMBS to the slaughter.