Hon Walwyn’s companies rake in over $100,000 at HoA, asked to step down!
Violation of constitution by Hon Walwyn?
In a letter obtained by this news site from our sources in the public sector, three Opposition members have penned a letter to the United Kingdom appointed Governor John S. Duncan OBE, and Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith outlining details of two companies owned by Hon Walwyn doing business with a Government Department, the House of Assembly, without permission.
The two companies in question are MVW International Ltd., and The Pub (2012) Ltd.
According to the Opposition letter dated April 30, 2015 the two companies in question “are beneficially owned by a member of the House of Assembly (HoA), a Territorial elected Representative, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn”.
The letter states that “as such, the contractual arrangements between both MVW International Ltd, and The Pub (2012) Ltd., and the HoA of the Virgin Islands are in contravention of section 67 (3) (e) of the Constitution, and the Honourable Members should, in accordance with section 67 (7) of the Constitution, vacate his seat in the House of Assembly, he not having disclosed to the House the nature of this contractual relationship and his interest in it and also he not having sought the exemption of the House of Assembly, as provided for in the Constitution.”
Affixing their signatures to the letter were Hon Julian Fraser RA, Third District Representative; Hon Andrew A. Fahie, First District Representative and Hon J. Alvin Christopher, Second District Representative.
The money paid to the two companies is for catering services to the HoA.
Evidence presented in letter – vacate seat
In presenting their case to both Governor Duncan and Premier Smith, the opposition members enclosed one of many cheques paid to the Pub (2012) Ltd., for over $8, 327.50 dated April 10, 2015 along with many vendor Account details from the Treasury Management System for the periods July 4, 2012 to March 26, 2015.
The letter then asked both the Governor and the Premier to exercise their powers and responsibilities, which they both have under the Virgin Islands Constitution, to take the required steps to ensure that the Honourable Walwyn “vacates his seat in the House of Assembly, as mandated by the Constitution”.
It’s the law
Under Section 67, a member of the HoA should vacate his or her seat if they become a party to any contract with the Government of the Virgin Islands for or on account of the public service, or if any firm in which he or she is a partner or any company of which he or she is a director or manager becomes a party to any such contract, or if he or she becomes a partner in a firm or a director or manager of a company which is a party to any such contract.
However, Section 67 allows for any member to be exempted while doing business with government once they come before the HoA for permission.
Hon Myron V. Walwyn still in office
As of Friday May 1, 2015 according to a Ministry of Education and Culture staff, Hon Walwyn was still in office and had not vacated his seat. It remains unclear when the Governor or the Premier will take action in accordance with the laws of the Territory.
There has been no reaction from the Education and Culture Minister Walwyn to the letter from the three Opposition Members.
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53 Responses to “Hon Walwyn’s companies rake in over $100,000 at HoA, asked to step down!”
Also, few years ago, Dr. Smith, Dr. Scatliffe and Vernon Malone wanted to carry on their practice and were granted permission to do so as the law required.
Just a year or so ago Marlon Penn came before the house for permission to work for FSC.
Not only does MVW business interest/contracts go against the grains of the constitution, but as a representative, he is actually competing with the very people he is there to represent.
This is so plain to see, Ray Charles wouldn’t have any problem seeing through it. He got not permission he should and must leave office and refund the tax payers NOW!
(my opinion). They working---now they need to jump on these corrupt boards.
That they build cruise pier
they build hospital
they paving road
they got money to start to feed the people of the virgin islands
so I guess they would not say
y are we not getting water
power always off
the cost of food is so high
we do have first class or second class or third class in this county we only have first class and poor class
you cannot have four year in a office and when it come to election you start doing thing it not right so what they was doing for the three and half year they was in office I guess they waited for election to come and tell the people they just got money people in the virgin islands don't be fool the money will finish and they will go back to the same old thing .
too stupid to step down. should be in j**l by now.
It must be made clear that Drs. Orlando Smith. Scatliffe and Vernon Malone was given exemption by the house after they had broken the law and made a to of money Funny man have no house To go to now so he should not even be in the Ministry. He MUST go NOW he think he is so smart he should have realised his wrong. Ad hoc arrangement my @$$