Exclusive: Hon. O’Neal lashes NDP over VIP ‘left country broke’ claims!
He has accused the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government of Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith of playing politics and looking for votes when he had accused the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government of leaving the country broke.
Speaking exclusively to Virgin Islands News Online, the Ninth District Representative said he didn't get “too angry or vex” when the statement was made by the NDP that his government “left the country broke” as he was confident that his VIP Administration [2007-2011] had left the Reserved Funds Account un-touched, something he said no other previous government can challenge.
"I didn't get annoyed or vex nor worried about what he (Premier Smith) said because when he left it, I knew what I met there, and as time goes by I will set the record straight," Hon. O'Neal told this news site.
Being reminded of the allegation by Premier Smith, Opposition Leader Hon O'Neal fired back at the allegation and revealed some of the skeletons that were in the NDP closet when he took office.
Hon. O’Neal recalled that after the 2007 elections when his Government took office from the NDP in a 11 to 2 landslide, he had to make a personal guarantee to First Caribbean International Bank of an overdraft in excess of $2M to pay bills at the Tourist Board, monies they [NDP Administration] had owed to people in the USA, England and locally.
"That was only for the Tourist Board, and there are much, much more, however, after the 2007 elections I didn't go about talking about that.”
In punching back at the NDP’s popular claim, Hon. O’Neal, sounding upbeat and ready for war, also recorded that during the NDP administration of 2003-2007 “they had told us that they had bought a house in the Valley, Virgin Gorda and one morning I was up in my district office in Virgin Gorda and one of my schoolmates came to me."
Hon. O’Neal recalled “that visit was to express frustrations since Hon. Smith's government at that time had made promises to buy the property from him, but the property owner complained that they had not given him any payment….back then we were told that they bought it."
The VIP leader also recalled being approached by many others after the 2007 elections about monies owed, after they worked for the NDP government.
In particular, was one contractor who was highly annoyed after having worked for the NDP. "He said he worked with the last government and they still owe him. When I checked out the situation it was something like $60,000 still owed."
Hon. O’Neal, who was first elected as Ninth District Representative in 1975, told this news site that “there were records of several others and similar blunders that the VIP had to deal with following the 2007 elections.”
"We didn't leave the country broke, what we did was to ensure that we didn't touch the Reserved Funds," Hon. O'Neal said.
VIP did nothing for 40 years
He also dispelled claims by NDP critics that the VIP government had done nothing while in power as he said “the evidence is all over….people know better, they know better. They (NDP) would say anything to catch votes."
VIP signed Contracts days before Elections-Hon. Smith
Recently, in a statement sent to selective members of the media in response to a Public Meeting held by the Third District Representative Honourable Julian Fraser, RA on May 30, 2013, Premier Smith claimed that during the waning hours of the VIP administration many contracts were signed, but as he [Smith] understands some were given out on the day before the polls were opened.
On the issue of the VIP Government signing contacts days before the 2011 elections, Leader of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal did not take Premier Smith's accusations of him and Hon. Julian Fraser, RA signing a series of contracts days prior to the 2011 elections lightly, a procedure that gives one the impression that something was done that was illegal.
"Elections day (2007) the then Minister for Works, Elmore Stoutt was signing contracts in Virgin Gorda and in Tortola. So I don't see what is the halababo about if contracts were signed some days before," said Hon. O'Neal.
He stated that the contract for Smith's Ferry Service was signed in 2007, the day prior to the NDP government leaving office in 2007. "So what could he be accusing us for? What is good for one is good for all….they need to be honest with the people."
Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE is the Virgin Islands' first Premier and also served as Chief Minister following the death of the late H. Lavity Stoutt in 1995.
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53 Responses to “Exclusive: Hon. O’Neal lashes NDP over VIP ‘left country broke’ claims!”
why people behave in a certain manner and miss the simple truth and explanation.
Lets talk about the 300k @ndr*w gave to an expat for a report we have yet to see. Lets talk about that lol
We will get time to talk about many things; 100, 000 dinner, 1.9 million corruption on road in east, 1.9 craft alive, 1.6 Paul Watty Road, 10,000 for a horse, 96,000 to write speech when the con******t could not even hold on to a job at GIS, trips all over the place with no reports, parts and things from China…oh gosh stop nuh
Let it be known that all newly elected bodies always has to take over the liabilities of the last administration. When it comes to contracts that were signed days before an election, I am not too concerned unless through investigation and reporting it was done unlawfully.
I did however agree with the course of action that was taken by Minister Vanterpool when he placed a hold on the majority of those contracts so he could have evaluated the position of the portfolio before renegotiating or proceeding with those contracts.
The problem I have is why Hon. Ralph not built upon the Reserved Fund. According to this article he did not touch it. In my opinion, if one does not build upon cash reserves in the event of default in the future then we run the risk of implementing unfavorable measures in order to keep the Government afloat. Kind of what is happening now.
Hon. O’Neal, you might have been silent all this time but you really have not answered for a lot of mismanagement that have accrued under your leadership, so go and com again. I am on to you.
What POOR thing you talking about? He has become a rich FAT CAT for years in office . he had control all these years before NDP got in and ruled this island so his friends could get and blackballed any of us who didn't agree with him. Controlled the banks etc. Look at the poor thing? Why the hell don't he step down so a younger person who need a job can have an opening. Selfish and greedy who will enjoy the perks of traveling, free transport around the island, free luncheons, free everything. GIVE ME A BREAK! Do you notice as one old head leave a job, they recycle them into another job instead of retirement. This next generation is suffering for this. Glad NDP told it like it is.
Shame on you Dr. Smith!! The BVI got fool we voted for CHANGE not the same OLD POLITRICKS that got you elected in 2003.One love :) thanks .
AND NOW THEIR DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS CAME OUT LEAVING NDP TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEMS.