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Governor was right to take money from Consolidated Fund- E.G. Maduro

- said he supports the Governor fully as the move was necessary & he did nothing unconstitutional
One of Governor John S. Duncan’s (right) fiercest critics, talk show host and retired civil servant Mr Edmund G. Maduro (left), has found himself siding with the Queen’s Representative. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) was virtually stripped of his powers as Finance Minister when Governor John S. Duncan OBE exercised Section 103(b) of the Virgin Islands Constitutional Order 2007 to take monies from the Consolidated Fund. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) was virtually stripped of his powers as Finance Minister when Governor John S. Duncan OBE exercised Section 103(b) of the Virgin Islands Constitutional Order 2007 to take monies from the Consolidated Fund. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – He has been one of the harshest critics of Governor John S. Duncan OBE, even calling for the United Kingdom to recall him; however, this time talk show host and retired civil servant Mr Edmund G. Maduro has found himself siding with the Queen’s Representative.

It was reported by our newsroom in March of 2017 that Governor Duncan ordered that over $1.88M of public monies be taken from the Consolidated Fund and given to the Police, Magistrate’s Court, Attorney General’s Chambers and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

This authorisation was under Section 103(b) which at the time stripped the Minister of Finance, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) of his powers as Finance Minister. The move was also seen as a form of direct rule by the United Kingdom.

The Governor was absolutely correct

In an exclusive interview with Mr Maduro, he emphasised that he is in total agreement with the Governor for taking out the money from the Consolidated Fund.

“The Governor was absolutely correct. There is a part of the government called the Cabinet and this is where the Governor and the Premier –head of the government of the day- meets. From what I have heard from the Governor and the rest of the government representatives, the Governor asked for this money.”

He continued, “As long as the money was requisite and right for what the Governor wanted it for, the Premier must make it available.”

Premier Smith allegedly failed to see importance of request

Mr Maduro pointed out that under the Virgin Islands Constitutional Order 2007, the Governor has the right to take money from the Treasury if the Minister of Finance does not make it available.

“He did nothing unconstitutional. The Premier of the day failed to recognise that the Cabinet is the place where her Majesty the Queen meets with the people of the British Virgin Islands through their representatives.”

The talk show host further said Premier Smith failed to realise how important it was to fund the police when crime was spiraling out of control.

“With these issues I don’t have any secret. We have to educate the people so they can be aware of what is happening,” said Mr Maduro.

11 Responses to “Governor was right to take money from Consolidated Fund- E.G. Maduro”

  • otuifhjkgvb,mj (24/06/2017, 08:05) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    All because he was fast asleep
  • Ok. (24/06/2017, 08:48) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    They have gotten the money...Nothing for it...Naada..Their next excuse, blame the public..
  • just asking... (24/06/2017, 08:51) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is this not old news?
  • voter (24/06/2017, 08:59) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    Ndp and the governor are one in the same no good
  • Old Detectives.. (24/06/2017, 09:02) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The modern detectives have the advantage of technology.... The old detectives depend solely on informants... The difference Is that the old were honest and trusted and deliver on the information they get.. If a detective doesn't deliver on the information given that turns the informant off,,, informants usually inform on someone because of dislike for that person, so when they see nothing done or hear the info they gave on the streets ...Lack of confidence and distrust dry the information up.....Just a little lesson or little advice....
  • Binocs (24/06/2017, 12:59) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    They got the 1.88 million n still cant solve crimes smh
    • @ Sad (24/06/2017, 19:13) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      the only purpose of that money was for Duncan to get our boys off to Trump Country SMH
  • Yes (25/06/2017, 22:44) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yo Conrad. We ventilated this ages ago. Guv was right and corrupt politicians were wrong. They threw Neil under the bus and think that is that. We are still waiting for the Anguillan and the Antiguan and the others to get locked up. Thats the long and short of it
  • www.com (29/06/2017, 07:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Next please


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