Dr Pickering implicates NDP Cabinet in BVI Airways scandal
Speaking on the June 30, 2020, edition of 'Honestly Speaking' with Claude O. Skelton-Cline, Mr Pickering unapologetically defended the Ex FS Smith, while putting on record that he can be quoted when he touched on the topic of the now criminally investigated BVI Airways project.
Ex FS Neil M. Smith defended on principles
"The Neil Smith I know could never under any circumstances be in a position to benefit directly from Government’s finances. In other words, plain and simple in BVI language, the Neil Smith I know could never be accused of thieving anything, absolutely, I say that without any fear of contradiction.”
He said he and Smith are personal friends, pointing to familiarity with his parents, "He could never be involved in putting his hand in the government coffers for his own personal advancement, absolutely not!"
Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) in May 2020, reported that the Auditor General, Sonia M. Webster’s report on the ‘Government‘s Financing of the BVI Airways’ showed how the former Financial Secretary (FS), Mr Neil M. Smith, allegedly facilitated the $7.2M scam on the people of the Virgin Islands.
No Letter of Credit secured
The Operator parties for the project had demanded a ‘Letter of Credit’ from the NDP, however, the then Dr D. Orlando Smith Government was unable to produce the Letter of Credit secured by taxpayers; therefore, the former FS Smith used that as a reason to dole out some $7.2M in less than one year, which was a violation of the payment schedule of three years.
The agreement between the VI government at the parties was one whereby Government had promised an investment of $7.0M and the Operator parties to put in their own $6.0 M.
Through Smith's alleged violation, taxpayers were left footing a $7.2M bill with no flights, no plane, no information of the Operator parties’ $6.0M and no return of taxpayers $7.2M.
Ex FS Smith facilitated rather than scrutinise financial agreement - AG
The Auditor General raised some serious concerns about Mr Smith’s, the former FS, role in the BVI Airways project. She noted “the assignment of the Financial Secretary to facilitate the venture eliminated an important checklist that should exist between project execution and project financing."
The report continued, "This created a conflict whereby the Financial Secretary’s obligation to ensure the successful launching of the project may have obscured his public duty as primary custodian of Government’s finances. The acute level of scrutiny that should have been applied to the financial and other issues of risk presented by the Operator parties was replaced with insistent action to accommodate their requests,” according to page 18 No. 98.
Smith's decisions influenced by Finance Minister & Cabinet - Dr Pickering
Meanwhile, while Dr Pickering said the AG had her job to do and that both Dr Smith and Ex FS Smith submitted reports that were never published and Webster's report and findings cannot implicate people without a response.
"In other words, there's got to be some point and counterpoint, some fairness to any system because an Auditor General look predominantly at what happened," Dr Pickering said, noting that there is context involved.
He said Mr Smith could not have worked alone, as his decisions would be influenced by both the Finance Minister, who was Dr D. Orlando Smith, and the then NDP Cabinet.
Dr Pickering also revealed that he never read the AG's report and does not intend to read it since, according to him, he knows enough about what went on and what didn't happen with the project.
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24 Responses to “Dr Pickering implicates NDP Cabinet in BVI Airways scandal”
When my mother and my father abandon me, then you O Jah will take me in!
As Deputy Premier, were you asleep on the job? Isn't the Cabinet supposed to approve such things? That boy will be ayo scapegoat. He should sing like a canary and Ryan G should sing with him too! Time to put a stop to all the lies and criminal activity by elected officials and their cronies. But don't worry Picko, I'm sure your rich white friends will bail you out if you are implicated...not.
“ Dr Pickering also revealed that he never read the AG's report and does not intend to read it since, according to him, he knows enough about what went on and what didn't happen with the project.”
HOWEVER , DOCTOR YOU COULD HAVE SPEAK OUT IF YOU HAD SENSE ANY IRRIGULARITIES SO I BELIEVE THE ENTIRE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION GUILTY HERE AND SO DOING UNFORTUNATLY THEY DRAG ON WITH THEM A FEW BUREAUCRATS AND TECHNOCRATS.