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‘Proof will be in the pudding’ - Skelton-Cline defends $98k contract

- hits back at critics of his consultancy contract
ZBVI ‘Honestly Speaking’ radio host and Virgin Islands Party (VIP) supporter Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has broken his silence regarding the controversial $98,000 contract given to him by the VIP government through his consultancy firm, Grace Consultants. Photo: Facebook
When questioned by Host ‘Picko Moff’ on whether he deserved or is worth the contract—given his alleged poor performance in past areas like the Tortola Pier Park (TPP) project as pointed out in a referenced BVI Beacon article—Skelton-Cline viciously chided the host saying, “I’m not going to let you get away with that, just like I’m not going to let Beacon get away with that… you can speak about your opinion [but] your opinions are not facts.” Photo: Facebook
When questioned by Host ‘Picko Moff’ on whether he deserved or is worth the contract—given his alleged poor performance in past areas like the Tortola Pier Park (TPP) project as pointed out in a referenced BVI Beacon article—Skelton-Cline viciously chided the host saying, “I’m not going to let you get away with that, just like I’m not going to let Beacon get away with that… you can speak about your opinion [but] your opinions are not facts.” Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) at the opening of the 2019 Budget Debate on Thursday, April 25, 2019, had indicated that if Skelton-Cline through Grace Consultants does not produce, he will be fired. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) at the opening of the 2019 Budget Debate on Thursday, April 25, 2019, had indicated that if Skelton-Cline through Grace Consultants does not produce, he will be fired. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – ZBVI ‘Honestly Speaking’ radio host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has broken his silence regarding the controversial $98,000 contract given to him by the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government through his consultancy firm, Grace Consultants.

Mr Skelton-Cline in a heated exchange on Tola Radio VI with hosts Julio S. Henry and Kaream K. Pickering aka ‘Picko Moff’ streamed on April 25, 2019 came under attack, which led to the man of the cloth not only defending his track record, but divulging some minute details on his contract.

Deliverables

“The only thing I would say about the contract is that our entity has some deliverables, and there’s a value associated with those deliverables and they will be had, the proof would be in the pudding,” Skelton-Cline told the listening audience.

He said in terms of expanding and enhancing the tourism product, his company will be identifying opportunities on land in an effort to enhance the entire industry, “not only cruise but land-based tourism [and] looking into the whole prospect opportunity for development,” he said.

Further, Skelton-Cline said the consultancy contract will be looking at improving services for high-profile clientele that move in and out of the territory, including in Road Town, the Territory’s financial capital.

“My role overall… with any of the components, is to ensure that these things, these developments, these opportunities come on stream, so it’s working in tandem with the government of the day, to ensure that happens,” he said.

No Explanation

Skelton-Cline, in further defending his contract, said he owes no one an explanation, “But I ain't going to have no elongated conversation about my contract with you guys, or the people who are asking, what I would like for them to do, is that you get all of the contracts that’s been had, whether with individuals and or group over the last eight years,” he said in reference to contracts issued under the Dr. D Orlando Smith led National Democratic Party (NDP) government. 

“Let us speak to the quantum, let us speak to the deliverables, and in that context I think we can have a more intelligent and informed conversation around contracting.” 

When questioned by Host ‘Picko Moff’ on whether he deserved or is worth the contract—given his alleged poor performance in past areas like the Tortola Pier Park (TPP) project as pointed out in a referenced BVI Beacon article—Skelton-Cline viciously chided the host saying, “I’m not going to let you get away with that, just like I’m not going to let Beacon get away with that… you can speak about your opinion [but] your opinions are not facts.”

‘I don’t read Beacon’ – Skelton-Cline

Host ‘Picko Moff’ further lashed out asking whether it was right for the VIP to issues the contract in what may seem like a biased way. “I didn’t know we were discussing right or wrong… I thought we were discussing value and deliverables,” Skelton-Cline implored.

According to Pastor Skelton-Cline, “I don’t read Beacon, so I don’t know what it is that that you [are] referring to. What I’m going to tell you here tonight is, I am not going to have a regurgitation or relegation of anything that I have done in the past.”

Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) at the opening of the 2019 Budget Debate on Thursday, April 25, 2019, had indicated that if Skelton-Cline through Grace Consultants does not produce with regards to the deliverables, he will be fired. 

12 Responses to “‘Proof will be in the pudding’ - Skelton-Cline defends $98k contract ”

  • we the people (03/05/2019, 12:12) Like (4) Dislike (20) Reply
    Don’t mind the noise we with you csc
    • Hottie (03/05/2019, 15:39) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      If I was the Overspend, I would not want any "regurgitation or relegation of anything that I have done in the past" because it is too awful to remember.
  • I wid VIP (03/05/2019, 13:24) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    I truly believe in giving persons a second chance. However Claude has to realize that there will be concerns over his awarded contract especially his track record as it pertains to previous contract in which he produced nothing and other questionable areas as the over run of the Pier Park. So don’t come talking nothing about what the NDP did that’s why they were voted out because of what they allegedly did. We don’t expect the VIP to perform the same way or do things that the NDP to justify the what is being done. Your campaign was all about transparency, accountability and against all the bad NDP did and didn’t do. That’s why I for one voted VIP. I do believe that you will deliver this time but you can’t beat persons for bringing up your track record the same way this news site, the Premier and many others keep bringing up the NDP who are non existent.
  • bvi (03/05/2019, 13:46) Like (2) Dislike (14) Reply
    TELL THEM ASK THE RDA CHIEF TO DEFEND HIS SALARY. SET AH UNCLE TOM LIVING AMONG US. HE IS VERY INTELLIGENT AND ARTCULATE, LOOKING OUT FOR THE LIKES OF THOSE WHO DISLIKE HIM.
  • Not that stupid (03/05/2019, 13:50) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Until CSC accounts for every cent of the $580k he tiefed from taxpayers he has zero standing in my house
  • apple pie (03/05/2019, 16:10) Like (3) Dislike (16) Reply
    we support you Claude do not mind the noise
  • Funny (03/05/2019, 16:25) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The Premier said he will be fired if he doesn’t deliver the goods/doesn’t perform....lol
  • kkk (03/05/2019, 18:46) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    I don’t read beacon either a set of racist
  • me again (04/05/2019, 05:35) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    With CSC returning to BVI we always say it is GOOD for bvislanders to return and “ help” build our country . But CSC name has been associated with so much “ alleged “ wrong doings HOW can the people NOT be skeptical about this individual? His ———- preceded him in a “ negative way : This is NOT good in a small community:but I guess as “ granny “ say “ he mek he bed , so he gotta lie in it “ Poor Tom
  • BVI STRONG (05/05/2019, 21:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Once and dog learn too suck egg they will never stop sucking eggs.
  • YOU (12/05/2019, 14:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Two
  • Real BVI Honesty (13/05/2019, 11:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Mr.........has had some very questionable iincidents in the past. We believe he is nnotmas honest as he say both in his professional and perds personal live. We need people with integrity. Just last week what did he and the rest do in Grenada at the UN meeting besides just a meet the chair.
    What was seen is that he more busy romancing a UN white woman on the beach and making late night moves. It that how we spend our money.



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