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Premier Smith's $92G Cadillac repaired after accident

- driver had to swerve off the road to avoid crashing into car being shot at
The $92,500 state-owned Cadillac Escalade before and after it was involved in an accident on July 31, 2016. Photo: Team of Reporters
Responding to critics of the Cadillac Escalade purchase, Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith said the previous Virgin Islands Party Government ‘did it too’ and ‘purchased more vehicles for their Ministers than his administration.’ Photo: VINO/File
Responding to critics of the Cadillac Escalade purchase, Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith said the previous Virgin Islands Party Government ‘did it too’ and ‘purchased more vehicles for their Ministers than his administration.’ Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was over four months ago, on July 31, 2016 that the state-owned $92,500 Cadillac Escalade purchased after the 2015 snap election for Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) was involved in an accident.

The Premier’s vehicle was at the time heading west on the James Walter Francis Drive Dual Carriageway when the police driver had to swerved off the road to avoid being hit by a car that was being shot at.

Premier Smith was not in the vehicle at the time of the incident as he was attending the 2016 Miss BVI Pageant at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town on the main island of Tortola.

Last month, the Cadillac Escalade was repaired by Virgin Islands Motors and is now back to transporting the Head of Government; however, the cost of repairs has not been made public.

While the vehicle was down for some four months, Premier Smith was driven around in the other state-owned SUV, which was used to transport the former Premier Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE.

After coming under fire for the purchase of such an expensive SUV when the state coffers were left empty, Premier Smith told reporters at a Press Conference that the previous Virgin Islands Party Government “did it too” and “purchased more vehicles for their Ministers than his administration.”

24 Responses to “Premier Smith's $92G Cadillac repaired after accident”

  • Easy (02/12/2016, 20:27) Like (30) Dislike (3) Reply
    The pendulum of change in politics is definitely swinging the VIP's way - I believe.
  • one eye (02/12/2016, 20:30) Like (26) Dislike (3) Reply
    After coming under fire for the purchase of such an expensive SUV when the state coffers were left empty, Premier Smith told reporters at a Press Conference that the previous Virgin Islands Party Government “did it too” and “purchased more vehicles for their Ministers than his administration.”

    this is something!!!!
  • tola (02/12/2016, 20:35) Like (33) Dislike (2) Reply
    everything the NDP touch is one big mess.
  • rock city (02/12/2016, 20:36) Like (37) Dislike (3) Reply
    All that money they spend to purchase and fix that suv they could of take that same money and give FSN, Rainbow Home and assist people in community who don't have it especially this Christmas. But no NDP don't care for no one especially them at large members.
  • rastaman (02/12/2016, 20:39) Like (11) Dislike (12) Reply
    The crab in the barrel mentality...Dr. Smith deserve this
  • wize up (02/12/2016, 20:39) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
    Thanks for the history lesson BUT how much did the repair cost the tax payers
  • wize up (02/12/2016, 21:01) Like (16) Dislike (16) Reply
    But it is ok for fahie and fraser to purchase vehicles with the tax money while in office: as a matter of fact the former VIP crew had personalized plates
    • FYI (02/12/2016, 22:20) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
      those plates were paul wattley's idea
      • wize up (03/12/2016, 07:51) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ FYI; agreed (my question to you FYI; who actually spent your tax money)...have a bless holiday season
  • On the road to nowhere (02/12/2016, 21:16) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ad to be paid for by the National Disaster Party whenever social security releases another bailout cheque.
  • qc (02/12/2016, 21:27) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
    Government broke for some but not for others
  • Sawda (02/12/2016, 22:12) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    They in the Social Security money heavy,they better be careful ,look at what is happening To GRS in USVI,the SYstem will be broke in couple years ..Hope the people of the BVI is paying attention to what going on with their money under this Crooked Government..
  • smh (02/12/2016, 22:25) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is it running straight?
  • she like power (02/12/2016, 23:48) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Funny man made a mess of the bush cutting contracts
  • Socrates (03/12/2016, 02:57) Like (20) Dislike (5) Reply
    Why does the Premier need such an expensive vehicle on a 2x4 island? Is it for security reasons? Is it for status and show? Is this demonstrating humility? Is the the Premier pretending to be humble but his actions show something else? Is this living high on the hog before leaving office? Was the vehicle used by Ralph good to driven in for the last four months yet a new car is needed? A new car was needed and why? Is the Premier physically capable of driving himself? If no dis is another tory? Is it not a great marketing tool that the leader of the BVI can driver his or herself around, roll up any where? Does politics change people? Is government doing all the crap because it knows the electorate is a wet noodle, just talk and all depending on one another to take action? If the Premier's image tarnished or he just does not give a damn? Is he being pressured to live large and high on the hog at taxpayers expense? Would VIP or PEP behave any different? Is the electorate really fed up?
  • Why (03/12/2016, 08:36) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    And, pray, why has not the cost of the repairs been made public? It was paid for with public funds. Probably because it cost half as much as the car!
  • wise up (03/12/2016, 09:50) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    aint nobody can get me to vote next election cause all this is heights of non sense!!! Mr. smith was at jump off?? the driver was to stay with n wait on him. not drop him off and bust off makes no sense!!
    • tretretrete (03/12/2016, 21:26) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      Is the driver not human? I bet you cant do what that young man did daily but u on here chatting bull
  • ta ta (03/12/2016, 09:54) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    You see why we broke!
  • RealPol (04/12/2016, 14:17) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why is this big news? Nonetheless, since it was reported, what was the cost to repair the vehicle and why it took so long? Parts received, it should not have taken longer than a week for the vehicle to be complete and useable. Four months. Strupes.....!!!
  • trrefdrfds (05/12/2016, 15:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    was not this vehicle ensured, or any quarranty???
  • HMMM (09/12/2016, 17:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the jeep is insured


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