Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline during the August 25, 2026, airing of his show Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM. Photo: Facebook

Social commentator and host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has called out the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), saying now is not the time to operate for profit. Photo: BVIEC/File

During the August 25, 2026, airing of his show titled ‘State of Emergency’, Skelton-Cline shared his opinions on the issues surrounding electricity costs as reflected in bills received in August 2026. Management of the BVIEC explained that the increase in bills was due to increased fuel prices and hence a higher fuel surcharge reflected on these bills. 

“Especially at a time like this, the BVIEC cannot operate as a for-profit business. The BVIEC, like Water and Sewerage [Department], are public utility companies; they are there to serve the public.”

As per the Constitution, Skelton-Cline explained that the sole shareholder of BVIEC lies with the Office of the Financial Secretary. 

“Whoever sits in that chair becomes the singular shareholder, according to our Constitution. We don’t have any other shareholders. Our goal, especially right through here, is not to make a profit; it’s to ensure this country is energy efficient, so that industry and business can be conducted and remain uninterrupted.”

Foolish to make what gov’t owes BVIEC a big deal

Skelton-Cline added that the BVIEC should be treated as a business when it comes to accountability and simple transparency. 

“Don’t talk to me, and don’t talk to this country, about the bottom line.”

As it relates to the amount owed to BVIEC by the government, he said, “We are foolish for making a big deal out of what the government owes when the government is the owner and singular shareholder…we are the people, we are the government, it’s ours and their job is to ensure that we have energy uninterrupted in this country in order to conduct business.”