‘Too many secrets with public funds’ – Julio S. Henry
This is according to concerned resident and talk show host Mr Julio ‘Sam’ Henry, while he was a guest on the popular television show ‘Big Story’ on JTV Channel 55 with Peta-Gay Coombs and Cathy O. Richards.
Mr Henry further stated that the government should reshuffle and make some changes within the cabinet. He strongly believes that the Premier, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE (AL) should give up his portfolio as Minister of Finance and Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) should take over his position.
This view was first expressed by former legislator and staunch NDP supporter Ms Eileene L. Parsons OBE in a letter to the National Democratic Party in November 2016, a story broken by this news site in January 2017.
The suggestion was publically supported by Bishop John I. Cline but paid the price as he was subsequently sacked as Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) on the request of Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL).
BVI Airways deal seems shady
Speaking on the controversial BVI Airways deal and the failure by the airline to begin direct flights from Miami International Airport in the US to Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island, Virgin Islands, Mr Henry continued, “The fact now that BVI Airways is basically showing their hand, I don’t think it’s much surprise to anybody really who is already cynical about the whole deal. So here we are, we’ve heard comments, situations and questions in the House of Assembly from the very beginning and now those questions are being answered.”
BVI Airways recently announced it had laid off all staff as it was financially challenged and blamed the Virgin Islands Government for some of its shortcomings.
The often outspoken Mr Henry pointed out that, within the community, people are saying that the deal seems shady and BVI Airways announcement is just reinforcing people’s beliefs that there might be some sort of secret deal that was signed.
“It’s very similar to other projects that went down in the territory and as things started to unravel, we see that their might be some secret deal. That’s a part of the problem, too many secrets in public funds,” said Mr Henry.
Airport conditions should not be a hindrance
Mr Henry said he thinks the claim made about the conditions not being met at the airport to be nonsense. This has been one of the excuses of BVI Airways failing to take off as agreed.
“We have Liat that carry roughly 90 people along with other airlines -I agree that we should be looking at expanding our immigration entry and have more customs- but that shouldn’t be a hindrance.”
He continued, “That should not be a condition as to whether or not we could facilitate or handle the flow of people that your little plane is bringing. My opinion is that there is something wrong with the deal.”
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