Projects bungling making Works Minister look like an abject failure – Hon. Fraser
According to Hon. Fraser in a statement issued to the media on October 22, 2013, included among these are the decimation of the Public Works Department (PWD) by removing its key personnel including the Director, and placing them at the Ministry to do the work of the same Public Works Department; $15.7 million Caribbean Development Bank Projects not getting started without explanation; Georgie Hill Road Project escalation from $300,000 to a million dollars; negotiations with Tortola Port Partners (TPP) abruptly cancelled, just to name a few.
“The list of missteps by this minister since his short stint in office are staggering and unusual for a new minister, since new ministers actions are usually bridled by their leader's steady hand, in collaboration with a Ministry of Finance where project planning is controlled,” Hon. Fraser said. Sadly, he added, neither of these two currently exists, and can be blamed in part for the minister's apparent demise.
Hon. Fraser alleged that the Works Minister has an insatiable determination to operate like a CEO in the private sector, to the disregard of the Public Service and its bureaucracy.
He cited the debacle of the Cruise Pier Project as being the latest in a series of missteps by the minister, whom he added “now places his ministry and the entire government in such a stew that the public is calling for the head of the BVI Ports Authority's Managing Director.” He added that this didn’t have to happen, had the Minister followed the established procedure for project planning and execution.
During a meeting held with Taxi and Livery operators on October 17, 2013 to discuss issues surrounding the port development project, taxi drivers let loose in expressing their dismay and disappointment at the disclosure that Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) had cancelled calls to the VI and criticised the Minister severely for being left out of consultations.
Hon. Fraser contended that the BVI Ports Authority is a Statutory Body mandated to operate independent of central government and has specific affiliation with its minister, none of which includes project execution.
He alleged that the minister’s lack of appreciation for the process, and his desires to circumvent the bureaucracy of the Service by inserting himself has bungled the project.
Barring legislative change, Hon. Fraser contended that this arrangement between its Managing Director, Claude Skelton-Cline, and the minister is not supported by law, and is wrong. Therefore, the current procedures if not halted are subject to challenge.
He cited the ‘rushed and clumsy relationship’ between the Minister and the BVI Ports Authority as a sign that Central Government is broke, and is now unable to borrow any monies as a result of having lost its credibility with the UK Government.
“Unfortunately, however, the impression given by the minister that the Port will be able to borrow that same money is false,” Hon. Fraser added, “since the true reality is that the same Central Government is required under the Protocols to guarantee any and all such loans by Statutory Bodies including the BVI Ports Authority.”
Hon. Fraser continued, “While I do understand what this minister is trying to do, I cannot support his actions since he seems to have abandoned good governance and transparency for his own expediency.”
He called on the Premier to halt this current behaviour of secrecy, and arrogance surrounding this project and reveal in full, the agreements his government has entered into that are causing such confusion across the industry.
Tortola Port Partners (TPP) had previously been controversially engaged to execute the project but negotiations subsequently fell through with the government before it was transferred to the BVI Ports Authority. Concern has also been expressed about a proposed payment of $1.7M towards the TPP Group and calls were made for the reasons behind this.
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33 Responses to “Projects bungling making Works Minister look like an abject failure – Hon. Fraser”
- Street lights on the round-about that he was told wouldn't work.
- the BiWater debacle
- getting Electricity to purchase a generator for BiWater and then pulling back when exposed, blaming the Board.
- the "govt" project as SCB
If Mark is an abject failure, then what does this say about Fraser himself?
The one most unforgivable act that has damaged this country financially is the NDP's Santo eternity corrupt hospital construction project which sucked & is sucking the Treasury dry but ayo want us to leave that alone & forget it while you try to blame others for the nonsense Ronnie & the NDP has done. Millions & millions & millions & more gone through the hospital door thanks to the can't do no wrong NDP.
The NDP is the political party of choice & majority but it is obvious to most of us now that they got the office through lies and malicious behavior and now it is coming back to haunt them which I don't mind but we the people suffering also which is where I have a problem. THE NDP MUST GO NOW!
Frazer, you have vehemently opposed every step the current administration has made towards progress. It was your master plan all along because to see progress under anyone but the VIP would've killed you. You rather see us suffering than progressing by any means other than yours!
I am backing Mr. fraser on this one for principle's sake....
M..so disgraceful to his colleague he told them about the meeting 4 pm the same day that is why none of them showed up…Doc bell that cat!
The solution(s) to this is rudimentary, not rocket science....NDP must GO NOW!!!