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‘Public servants scared stiff’ of being charged in office- Hon Carvin Malone

- calls for streamlined approach of exemptions for business owning public officials willing to offer services to Gov’t
Opposition member, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has declared that public officers in the Virgin Islands (VI) are in a state of fright over the spate of a recent breach of trust charges laid on other public officers in the territory. Photo: HoA/Youtube
The House of Assembly (HoA) on November 24, 2022, gave Deputy Speaker Honourable Neville A. Smith (AL) an exemption in order for him to do business with the Government of the Virgin Islands without having to vacate his seat. Photo: Facebook/File
The House of Assembly (HoA) on November 24, 2022, gave Deputy Speaker Honourable Neville A. Smith (AL) an exemption in order for him to do business with the Government of the Virgin Islands without having to vacate his seat. Photo: Facebook/File
PASEA ESTATE, Tortola, VI - Opposition Member Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has declared that public officers in the Virgin Islands (VI) are in a state of fright over the spate of a recent breach of trust charges laid against public officers in the territory.

Hon Malone made the comments at the continuation of the Eighth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly held at the Financial Services Commission Resource Centre in Pasea Estate on November 24, 2022.

The House was at the time debating a motion moved in keeping with Sec 67 subsection (7) of the VI Constitution to give Deputy Speaker Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) an exemption in order for him to do business with the Government without having to vacate his seat.

Constitution makes provisions for practice - Hon Malone 

Hon Malone, who moved to solidify his support for the concept of exempting members, reminded that ahead of persons entering public office many were and are entrepreneurs to which the constitution makes provisions for such individuals.

The Opposition Member shared that for persons in business already, as in the case of a legislator who can provide services to the Government, it is wrong to suggest that only those outside the House should be able to provide business services.

“It is crippling, and it will limit the pool of persons wishing to serve the territory in the capacity, so I have a lot to say in terms of yes I support it, it was done correctly”, he added regarding the motion to exempt Hon Smith.

Officers scared 'stiff' - Hon Malone 

Hon Malone said another issue would be for those with existing contracts with the government that needs an extension, “Right now the public officials are unclear as to what will keep them out of this… breach of trust [charge],” he remarked.

“Public officials… are scared stiff, don't know what to do. I think that we should set the nation free by being clear on this,” Hon Malone added.

He said for instances where other public officials throughout the sector can offer business services to the Government and would also need an exemption, the system should streamline to include those individuals as well.

“Put them in, tighten it up [and] tighten the screws... But don't take off the wheel. You cannot take off the wheel,” he remarked regarding any crippling approach prohibiting the practice as catered for in the constitution.

24 Responses to “‘Public servants scared stiff’ of being charged in office- Hon Carvin Malone”

  • My Issue (06/12/2022, 16:18) Like (64) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon Malone, while some of the points that you have been raising lately may be valid, I have an issue. You were a part of the team that help to create this mess BUT REMAINED SILENT, you knew then, just like now that a lot of things were wrong WHY did you REMAIN SILENT. WHY???? Since you choose to speak now tell us why the contract that you issued for the old Peebles has gone wrong; why is the incinerator not yet fix, why does East End still not have sewerage after your company got contacted; and tell us about the HLSCC sewerage that you got paid to fix. Tell us about these issues before you try to blind us with the constitution rhetoric. Tell us !!!
    • Truth (06/12/2022, 20:03) Like (12) Dislike (8) Reply
      And why does he get all the blame? Was he the Deputy? This is the true Leader and him and Hon. V. Wheatley were used as scapegoats. But again we see the true characters of the others and these 2 will rise again.
      • @Truth (07/12/2022, 03:26) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
        He’s not being blamed for everything. All of the issues were under his portfolio and his personal company got money to do a lot of the work that remains unfinished or where shoddy work was done.
    • The watchman (07/12/2022, 04:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wish I could click like 100 more times
  • Public servant (06/12/2022, 16:28) Like (8) Dislike (28) Reply
    This is exactly the plan of the Uk, Governor and Head COP so that we the people of the BVI can get no help or service and lose confidence in our public service and elected officials and trust in them only. BVI people wake up.
  • jack (06/12/2022, 16:47) Like (3) Dislike (26) Reply
    The man on point again
  • Norris Turnbull (06/12/2022, 17:21) Like (47) Dislike (1) Reply
    Not all Public Servants are afraid to do their jobs Carvin. That statement is not accurate.
    • @Norris Turnbull (06/12/2022, 17:43) Like (7) Dislike (27) Reply
      I am a public servant who stays away from politics, but Carvin is 100% correct.
    • Rubber Duck (06/12/2022, 18:42) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
      … do you mean that some of them are too busy surfing the internet!
  • In or out. (06/12/2022, 18:19) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    This gives legislators an advantage over the competition especially those on the govt side .This cannot be a level playing feel...A govt member has the privilege or benefit to information necessary to win a bid...Cannot be right, cannot be fair..
  • local boy (06/12/2022, 18:20) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you ain't do nothing wrong why should you be afraid of doing?
  • Loose mouth (06/12/2022, 19:44) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Malone, why would a Civil servant be afraid of being charged for an offense if they are not involved in any form of activity deemed criminal or disciplinary? Your comment baffles me. All public servants should know the general orders and all other laws and policies that guide them when performing their duties. Potential charge(s) are likely to come when act one acts outside the scope of orders, laws, or policies. I am tired of hearing from persons who, while they are in a certain relationship sing the praises of that relationship but, as soon as a "fall out" occurs, they call foul and then tell the world how bad the other person in that relationship is.
  • Testing Testing 123 (06/12/2022, 19:58) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    is it not amazing only after these folks looses power they automatically knows such much about how the country is running
  • See (06/12/2022, 20:34) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    Crooks should be nervous.
  • mmm (06/12/2022, 21:32) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    you had the government give your family land cause they are running track ..wow...and y'all got so much already
  • @ testing 123 + (07/12/2022, 06:33) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is truly amazing ???? how he seems to have SELECTIVE AMNESIA overnight , according to (my issue ) then playing holy and awaken with all these brilliant one sided ideas / what a set of actors we have to contend with ????
  • Hoomemie (07/12/2022, 06:38) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I glad somebody is scared. Because they abuse the system for years. Thank God for the coi. Keep on moving.
  • ? (07/12/2022, 07:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What are they scared of? If they've done nothing there is no need to be scared.
  • Rolling My Eyes (07/12/2022, 08:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am a public servant, how comes I aint scared stiff???lolol
    Do the right thing, there is no need to be scared doing the right thing.
    • meto (07/12/2022, 10:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are so right I have been in the service the last twenty three years and never one day use my office to make extra money like I see some officers do. The day they will get caught they will bring Jesus from his home saying it's not true. When you came to the service you knew what the salary offer was now you acting like the government is robbing you. They re not so stop being greedy and make do with what you have. We seem to forget that lol the money we save cannot take us to heaven or make us better people if anything it terrible people. Stop using your offices to get rich over night at the end you can't take it with you where you are going. Has anyone seen a UHull truck pack out side a burrial groung waiting to off load anyone wealth.
    • VI Gyal (07/12/2022, 10:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Exactly this too
  • Stand your ground (07/12/2022, 08:46) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Public servants need to stand for what they believe in. if they stand for truth, honesty and integrity then by all means stand for it and don't let anyone change that about you. At the end of the day when things start to unfold you will be covered. if they stand for dishonesty, greed and deception then when things start to unfold their names will sure be called.

    A supervisor once asked me to lie for them and I told them plain out I WILL NOT LIE ON YOUR BEHALF. I was later transferred to another department because the supervisor did not like what I told them, but at the end of the day I still stand for what I believe in, honesty, truth and integrity.
  • VI Gyal (07/12/2022, 10:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    VIP- led by Fahie created this problem and feeling from long and they made it worst.
  • BUSY BEE (07/12/2022, 12:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of them ought to be scared!


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