Premier Smith says negotiations transparent in cruise pier development
During their most recent NDP radio programme aired last evening, March 18, 2013 on a local radio station, Premier Dr the Hon. D. Orlando Smith said, “It is important that we do what we must do in order to make sure that we maintain a position in the tourism industry.”
Premier Smith related that an important part of the tourism industry is the cruise industry and said the Territory has to ensure that the cruise industry continues to contribute as part of the overall tourism industry to the country so that we can maintain the standard of living that we have been accustomed to in the Virgin Islands.
The leader of the Administration also stated that it was important to recognise that the cruise industry itself (cruise liners) indicated that it was necessary to extend the dock if the Territory wanted to stay in the business. He said smaller ships that were coming to the Territory previously, were now being moved to the Mediterranean region and larger ships were now coming to the Virgin Islands and other parts of the Caribbean. “Therefore,” he added, “it was necessary for us to be able to extend the dock, in order to accommodate these larger ships.”
According to the Premier, “If we did not do that, we would not be able to accommodate larger ships and therefore our cruise tourism would suffer as a result.”
Regarding the process involved, Premier Smith emphasised, “for us it is important that whatever negotiations or agreement we enter into, it must be paramount that the BVI benefits to the greatest extent possible.”
He further disclosed, when the current administration got into office and looked at what was being discussed with Disney, it was decided that this was not sufficient so the situation was reviewed. Following the identification of Disney through a process of selection the decision was taken to the UK for ‘expert’ opinion but did not find favour.
A tender process was later conducted and tenders were received and reviewed by the Tender Board which was followed by a recommendation to Cabinet.
According to the Premier, the Cabinet then appointed a negotiating team which then met with both parties involved in the tender process at the time, holding discussions, which resulted in the selection of Tortola Pier Partners as the team selected to go forward with constructing the cruise pier project.
He added, "the negotiating team was selected by Cabinet and included experts, law firm Baker and Mackenzie from the UK and also included an accounting firm PWC from Trinidad.”
Premier Smith identified the final input as having come largely from these external partners and the negotiating team. He further indicated that negotiations took place without the influence of government Ministers. “The decisions, actually, were largely based on input from these external partners and members of the negotiating team…”
Moderator for the programme, Hon. Archibald C. Christian asked whether it was accurate to say that of the five Ministers of Government, there was no discussion with respect to who would have been chosen at any point in time… “it was all left to the recommendations of the external team.”
Premier Smith responded by saying, “Of course, that is the way negotiations took place, in the form of transparency and openness. We appointed a negotiating team [and] they did all the work and reported back to government.”
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45 Responses to “Premier Smith says negotiations transparent in cruise pier development”
Hence the reason he will always be viewed as ah puppet on ah string....
VINO you are playing softball with this government.
Even with the US congress, there is a smaller findings committee and then it goes to the larger legislature for a vote. nothing is left for just the agenda-based committee to finalize. This is poor governing of the public.
The people want leadership. They are fed up with the status qou. They were very hopeful that after the 2011 elections that the NDP would deliver transparency and government in the sunshine.
But it remains clear the leadership is lacking in our land.
Your name is facts.. here are some facts..... the same person Mr. Cline who was linked with TPPG when they were first selected is the same person that was on the "TEAM" used to "FAIRLY" select a group to win the bidding after the first bidding process was scrapped. Now; if Mr. Cline was linked with TPPG when they were chosen for the job in the first bidding process do you honestly feel that he should be on any sort of team that could fairly select a company for the project for the second bidding process?
I anxiously look forward to you reply Mr./Ms FACTS!
http://www.ideaorlando.com/projects/
When this thing first came out I did my research. These guys have lots of ties within the industry having worked in it for decades. At the end of the day the UK are not stupid and should have all necessary information before they approve/disapprove. Whether we agree on something is not the point but telling blatant lies is not nice. To say these people don't have experience is a blatant and cowardly lie. Let me hear your response now after checking the facts. All of this information was put out at the public meeting on the cay so everybody could do their own research on the man himself and his company and partners. It was all put out there for us.
Historic Port of Falmouth - (this is the only project on there website that is actually complete)
Tortola Pier Park (conceptual visual renderings)
Saint Lucia Vision Plan (conceptual visual renderings)
Wilderness Alaska (conceptual visual renderings)
Port of Castries (conceptual visual renderings)
Port of Marigot (conceptual visual renderings)
Culebra + Vieques (conceptual visual renderings)
Port of MoBay (conceptual visual renderings)
Dock Maarten (conceptual visual renderings)
Icy Strait Point (conceptual visual renderings)
Oceansea Club (conceptual visual renderings)
Appleton Estates (conceptual visual renderings)
Nueva Zamas Tulum (conceptual visual renderings)
Themed Retail (conceptual visual renderings)
http://www.ideaorlando.com/projects/ check it out.
To say the company has no experience is a god damn lie. I deal with facts and will be bringing the facts from hereon. http://www.ideaorlando.com/services/
BVI being sold down the river.
imagine if hl stoutt waited for everybody to agree on a college and admin complex before moving forward. every single major project here had backlash and selfish motives. the govt should just get on with it. if they keep talking talking come next election the same @$$e$ will say they did nothing. nevermind they are the ones telling them stop stop talk talk. idiots.