Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

HoA to seek more exemptions for Hon Neville A. Smith

HoA to seek more exemptions for Hon Neville A. Smith

Two motions to prevent Deputy Speaker Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) from having to vacate his seat as a legislator because a company he is affiliated to is seeking to or has entered into contracts with the Government of the Virgin Islands, will be moved at the 12th Sitting of the 3rd Session of the 4th House of Assembly (HoA), which starts today, September 22, 2021.
Motions to exempt Hon Smith from Vacating HoA seat


According to the Order Paper, Hon Smith is the Director of Caribbean Security Limited, which is desirous of providing services to the Government of the Virgin Islands for the installation of Access Control, Video Surveillance and Burglar Alarm in the Ministry of Finance and additional installation including Building Wide Fire System at RFG Place, Road Town, Tortola for a total contract sum of Eighty-seven thousand and thirteen dollars ($87,013.00).

In a second motion, also to be brought by Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), exemption will be sought for Hon Smith to not have to vacate his HoA seat since the Government of the Virgin Islands, through the Ministry of Finance, entered into a contract with Caribbean Security Limited on December 6, 2019 for the delivery of items such as access controls and intercoms for the refurbished Police Headquarters at Sir Olva George’s Plaza for a total contract sum of fifteen thousand, nine hundred and eighty dollars and twenty-four cents ($15,980.24).

It was on July 29, 2021, that the HoA voted to exempt Hon Smith from vacating his seat after the company the legislator is a Director of entered into two contracts with the Government of the Virgin Islands.

What the constitution says?


Section 67(3)(e) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 (U.K.S.I. 2007 No. 1678) provides that subject to subsection (7), an elected member of the House of Assembly shall vacate his or her seat if the member becomes a party to a contract with the Government of the Virgin Islands for or on account of the public service, or if any firm in which the member is or becomes a partner, or a company of which the member is or becomes a director or manager becomes a party to a contract with the Government of the Virgin Islands.

Section 67(7); however, provides that if in the circumstances it appears just to do so, “the House of Assembly may exempt an elected member from vacating his or her seat under subsection (3)(e) if the member, before becoming a party to a contract, or before or as soon as practicable after becoming interested in a contract with the Government of the Virgin Islands by virtue of being a partner in a firm or director or manager in a company which has a contract with the Government, discloses to the House of 14 Assembly the nature of the contract and his or her interest in the firm or company involved in the contract.”

44 questions from Opposition


Meanwhile, the Opposition will be waiting in the wings with some 44 questions ready to be fired.

The HoA Sitting is slated to start at 10:00am and will be carried live on CBN Radio 90.9 FM, CBN-Television Channel 101 on Flow TV and can also be followed on the HoA YoutTube channel and online at www.cbnvirginislands.com.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×