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BVIEC disconnects health clinics due to BVIHSA owing millions in electricity bills

- General Manager Neil M. Smith said BVIHSA is BVIEC’s ‘largest delinquent customer’
According to reports reaching our news centre, all the health clinics have since been reconnected with electricity supply except Nurse Iris Penn-Smith Clinic in East End. Photo: Facebook/File
General Manager of BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), Dr Neil M. Smith, in an interview with JTV Channel 55 on June 13, 2024, said the BVI Health Services Authority owes millions in electricity bills. Photo: Facebook
General Manager of BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), Dr Neil M. Smith, in an interview with JTV Channel 55 on June 13, 2024, said the BVI Health Services Authority owes millions in electricity bills. Photo: Facebook
The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) is the largest delinquent customer of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), BVIEC General Manager Dr Neil M. Smith has disclosed. Photo: Facebook
The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) is the largest delinquent customer of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), BVIEC General Manager Dr Neil M. Smith has disclosed. Photo: Facebook
LONG BUSH, Tortola, VI- Some health clinics in the [British] Virgin Islands had their electricity supply disconnected by the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) on June 12, 2024, due to millions of dollars owed in electricity bills.

This was disclosed by the General Manager of BVIEC, Dr Neil M. Smith, in an interview with JTV Channel 55 on June 13, 2024.

“We have had some difficulties with the BVI Health Services Authority paying their electricity bill. That has been going on for some time. They are actually the largest delinquent customer that we have,” Dr Smith stated.

Millions owed- Dr Neil M. Smith

The BVIEC GM did not disclose the exact amount owed but said it amounted to millions of dollars.

Dr Smith said it is the corporation’s belief that is not a case that the BVIHSA, a statutory body,  does not want to pay their bills but that they can’t afford to pay; however, BVIEC also has obligations to meet.

“On June 12 some of the clinics were disconnected, but still outstanding is the bill for the main hospital and the other clinics,” Dr Smith said.

BVIHSA has been ‘delinquent for years’

He explained that BVIEC has tried to have consistent dialogues with BVIHSA regarding their settling of the debt and has even issued notices.

“To be frank, at BVIEC we tend to sympathise with the Health Services Authority but we also have a business to run. What would make it easier is if we have consistent dialogue, which is sometimes difficult to get. I don’t know why but oftentimes it feels like a monologue than a dialogue.”

Dr Smith added that BVIEC is just doing its best to make sure it remains solvent by being compensated for the service delivered.

“Essentially what is happening is the paying customers are subsidising the delinquent customers and in this case we have a very large customer that has been delinquent for years…and at some point that needs to be sorted out,” Dr Smith stated.

According to reports reaching our news centre, the health clinics have since been reconnected except Nurse Iris Penn-Smith Clinic in East End. 

30 Responses to “BVIEC disconnects health clinics due to BVIHSA owing millions in electricity bills”

  • oh well (17/06/2024, 13:33) Like (67) Dislike (2) Reply
    Lets guess those music events were more important than assisting the BVIHSA. What a government. smh
  • jack donkey (17/06/2024, 13:42) Like (58) Dislike (10) Reply
    the BVIEC needs a slap, the BVI Government deserves many many slaps
  • Career (17/06/2024, 13:47) Like (37) Dislike (8) Reply
    Oh my goodness. And you guys are quick to disconnect poor people who are trying to keep their head above water
  • lord o. (17/06/2024, 13:53) Like (37) Dislike (3) Reply
    This should never happen A health facility should never owe that much and should never be disconnected, that person or person responsible for paying that bill need to be held responsible. That same person who were neglect in their duty will be enjoy the comfort and benefits of having electricity while innocent Doctors, nurses and patients have suffer the discomfort and pain. How could this be right...Britain wouldn't be this bad..Britain failed us big time they were to take over since the recommendation to suspend were made.
  • Thank you Dr Neil M. Smith (17/06/2024, 13:59) Like (14) Dislike (29) Reply
    I love the way you tell it like it is!
    Dr Neil M. Smith for next Premier please.
    • @thank you (18/06/2024, 05:15) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      2 words...BVI + Airways

      Leave Neil where he is. Premier? People are too gullible in the place man. Strupes
  • poor people disconnected montly (17/06/2024, 14:44) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    Rich never disconnected
  • Edmund (17/06/2024, 14:45) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    "cut them off "
  • no nonsense (17/06/2024, 14:46) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    Somehow Neil reminds me of Cindy
    • @ no nonsense (17/06/2024, 21:11) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Karma does not expire! They will all get their turns. Crazy Cindy turn coming
  • WHAT NEX (17/06/2024, 14:51) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    Those who are responsible for ignoring this vital financial obligatokn should be held accountable. A crime to place a hospital, our one and only hospital at risk of losing lives. Attempted murder is the charge...Lack of accountability in this place
    People do what how and when if they feel like...then the blame game on yt man..no conscience these church everySunday born here traitors..
  • Dr Samuel (17/06/2024, 15:05) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Get rid of Ag. CEO!
  • My 2 Cent (17/06/2024, 16:08) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    On the matter, now for time I been reading complaining of the following.
    1. The government need to do more to generate money
    2. The government need to find way other than our tourist and offshore banking to make money
    Etc

    Now the government has done such and now it's an issue. Now I did not go because those types of entertainment is not for me.

    But it was something hosted by the big first and we let usvi take it over

    I mean literally take it over.

    Bvihsa is a statory department and get help by the government

    It's just bad manage by the staff and neglect by the workers
  • 2024 (17/06/2024, 17:02) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    shameful
    The entertainers came into Road Town now back Home with pockets fill with your tax money while those who looking health services the facilities have no power supply
  • Stealth (17/06/2024, 18:31) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Who to blame for this royal embarrassing, shameful mess, the current chairperson Ron Potter or former chairperson? Is the NHI a contributor to this royal mess? I was talking to a family member who resides overseas who asked if the NHI has a schedule of payment for procedures as Medicare in the US does? Or the medical services providers are allowed to behave as piranhas in a barrel, charging whatever they want depleting BVIHSA resources?? Healthcare is an important services used by everyone and it is a tragedy to put residents in such a perilous situation. It is a failure by Government, BvIHSA,,BvIEC, etc. They earn an F+ grade.
  • ht (17/06/2024, 18:38) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Seriously this can't be true and you guy disconnect poor people for a mear hundred wanders never done
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (17/06/2024, 18:58) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    What a shame and national exposure.
    The majority of adults in every country worldwide know the the importance of healthcare, why not in the BVI.
    This ongoing problem as per the Topic Issue cannot be allow to proceed any further. Healthcare services is much too much a service to ignore its necessity.

    Good management of our finances is a vital proof of good governance of all political leadership worldwide

    Truly the continuation of this neglects, and others too, cannot be overlooked any longer. Too many millions of $$$$$$$$$$ unaccounted for, so far. it tells others that the BVI political leadership and other departments leaders are proving a high level of incompetent of their responsibilities or simply don't care enough to solved them.
    This and other negative regularly happening in the BVI are highly disgusting and mistrusting.
  • lodger (18/06/2024, 00:47) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Take a glance at the last election. It wasn’t so long ago that many had entirely written off the vip
    Come next election the vip going right back especially if they get a new leader
  • wild (18/06/2024, 06:21) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I owe one month and get cut, but the people that takes taxes from me owes for years, and no cut.
  • kpt (18/06/2024, 08:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @poor people disconnected montly, Rich people pay their bill.
  • Hmm (18/06/2024, 08:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    What a fing shame! Hey I’m so sorry I voted in you guys! What a waste!!
  • Fed Up!! (18/06/2024, 09:08) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Please stop blaming the government! BVIHSA choose to go on they own years ago! They are not under the government anymore! If they would stop thieving the money they would’ve money to pay their bill! Government stepped in and help them many times to buy medication when they couldn’t afford to buy! At this point they just need to go back under government!! Cause this statutory board ain’t working for them
    • not so (18/06/2024, 19:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If I can recall correctly, the BVIHSA was made a statutory body back in 2005 by the NDP government. It was not a choice by the staff or its executives at the time. Now let’s suppose the authority worked out like they thought it would, who do you expect would be collecting the dividends? It is still a government entity.
  • Seer (18/06/2024, 10:12) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is not only reckless, but shortsighted decision by BVIEC. If you are of the belief that the BVI Health Services Authority “can’t afford to pay” and they are indeed a statutory body, why make the decision to disconnect the power? Were there no other solutions, i.e., bring the Health Authority to the table along with the Ministry of Health and Finance to draft an equitable solution that would see money being paid, and the continuation of healthcare services to the clinics? The clinics are in places to alleviate the pressure on the main hospital. The only outcome from this is an increased number of patients visiting the emergency room when they do not need to. The hospital has never break even and never will because social care in the B.V.I is non-existent and tertiary care (the hospital) spends great amount of its resources providing social care. It is 2024, I am 36 years old, and the only thing that has changed in the last 36 years is a new building and the hospital name changed. No new programme or policy by Health Ministers to improve healthcare in the B.V.I. And if you mention national insurance, I have some rope and tree for you.
  • Political (18/06/2024, 10:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a political move for under minding. Stay wake people how many more need to be cut but you all here pressuring the small man and woman for 100.00 utility Bill and if they don't pay it by due date you add on 10.00 but businesses cam owe thousands and you don't cut them. Tale an inward look and see if that picture is clear.

    Not only that you have/had some workers/people in their victimizing some vendors. yes i said so because experience is the greatest teacher before they go get electricity money from them family members who owing thousands they prefer to victimize the public. Covering for their friend and family cutting the poor and needy who just need an extra week to work and get the money to pay. Heart less but time longer than twine. Think electricity belongs to them and they will always be in that Job. Some came to that job with the intention to cover their immediate family businesses don't cut them when you go out. Payment plan while they rock up thousands
  • Hmm (18/06/2024, 12:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    But Then Who Suffering ? Not The Patients & Workers ? & Neither Or Has Anything To Do With How Much They Owe BVIEC..
    • A Real Loom (18/06/2024, 15:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Literally millions dating vack to 2006. Old story only now the public knows. Stop blaming government blame poor management
  • Good job! (18/06/2024, 13:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    No! It has to stop!
    This is the reason why the British Virgin Islands cannot achieve economic growth, as we persist in permitting the continuation of these activities. If an ordinary citizen has a sick person at home, they are required to cover the cost of their electricity. What distinguishes the clinic from this situation? I am sure that there were prior warnings, but as is customary, we will call prominent individuals such as Johnny or Sue to save us. This will encourage businesses that perceive themselves as invulnerable to fulfill their obligations.


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