Bring back petty contract system, Fraser pleads
Third District Representative Julian Fraser has called for the return of the petty contract system in doing business with government; protesting that it’s near elimination has helped to stymie the growth of the economy.
“We need to make sure that we get the petty contract system back up and running. That was taking a lot of stress off the people in this territory,” Fraser said at a debate between political party leaders recently. “You know how much money was circulating in this territory through petty contracts? That has been eliminated almost completely right now.”
According to Fraser, the impact of the changes made to the petty contract system are having visible effects on the BVI’s economy and its people. “It’s not hurricane Irma alone,” he argued. “Those are some of the things that happened. People who are are lauding the Commission of Inquiry and its report, the impact is being felt now from that. One of those things are the elimination of petty contracts.”
This is not the first time that the veteran politician has protested the revamp of the contract-issuing system. Late last year, Fraser lambasted the new system and complained that elected leaders were finding it difficult to deliver vital projects needed by constituents because of the new tendering requirements brought on by the United Kingdom (UK) to foster transparency within the BVI government
“If you have a project to execute, you have to go through some mini form bidding process instead of issuing a petty contract as it was in the past. The contractors now have to be registered at the Ministry of Finance, it takes forever,” Fraser said previously.
The contract issuing process was one of the major issues identified in the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report. Elected leaders were told to stop issuing tender waivers and instead opt for a formal tendering process to facilitate transparency after it was discovered that there was massive abuse of the petty contract system.
Fraser is not the only lawmaker to protest the absence of petty contracts though, as National Democratic Party (NDP) Chairman Marlon Penn had also accused the Virgin Islands Party-led government of circumventing the system to deprive his Eighth District constituents of work.
In the meantime, Fraser said elected officials have to build the courage as leaders to put systems in place that can work and help the BVI’s people. “That’s one of them (petty contracts)” he argued. “If people complain about the way it was done, [then] okay, tell me what about the way it was done that was wrong, and show me another method, how it can be done, and I will follow it.”
“Don’t tell me it has to be eliminated because it’s not good. It was good for our people. Our people just need jobs and opportunities,” he added.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
“If you have a project to execute, you have to go through some mini form bidding process instead of issuing a petty contract as it was in the past. The contractors now have to be registered at the Ministry of Finance, it takes forever,” Fraser said previously. Meaning = I can’t get my kickback money as fast as I used to. I can’t win elections if I can’t pay people off!
Time for this dinosaur to go away!
It just too damn hard to steal anything small anymore; quarter million for bathrooms no problem, a few thousand now impossible!
He must be short of money
Frazer need to go. Just want to keep the bush politics favor system.
Stone age thinking!!
Ayo fraser haters are so blind ayo cant see what the man is talking about….THE COUNTRY IS GOING BACKWARDS FAST WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM BECAUSE ITS ONLY A FEW MEN GETTING ALL THE JOBS AND TAKING FOREVER TO COMPLETE THEM
FRASER IS CORRECT WITH WHAT HE IS SAYING BECAUSE THE MONEY AINT CIRCULATING
The petty Contract is or was a system designed to help small contractord to grow and expand, improve their skills, purchase equipment and be able to take on bigger and more profitable jobs. That’s what happened in the 7th district. I recall a 7th district individual cutting bush along the roads in the district. Today he has grown into a big company capable of taking on RDA Contracts that the smaller guys can’t because of the monetary requirement and the need for “Mobilization moneys. Ppl”. Paul Watteley made it possible for small contractors to upgrade their skills by making arrangements for them to take short courses and workshops. Paul was a great man and made real meaningful contributions to the Bbis. Apart from being a Legislator Paul was also an Architect,Photographer and amf generally a good man. Long may he be remembered as a great man and outstanding BVI-slander.
While I am at it, Paul Wattley grew up in the BVIs. His Father was a Nevisian. The point I am making is that the people we sometimes refer to as down Islanders have been making and are continuing to contribute to do their part to build the Bvis. Respect to the people of the greater Caribbean. VIP all the way. Bam!
He was one of the founders of the NDP and was never part of the VIP. so NDP ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!
The late Hon R T Oneal was a believer and supporter of the petty Contract System. The idea being the development of small contractors into bigger more successful builders. Though the system has merits ànd the possibility to take the small builders onto profitable businesses the system needs to be tweaked so that the same contractors do kt get all or most of the contracts; but done in a way similar to the guys in the Taxi System; the next in line gets the contract, then the next.
While I agree with Hon Frazer in support of nring back the Petty Contract System his suggestion would have been more impactful had he brought it forward much sooner especially since he is himself an Architect, a Registered Architect.
Some of the Fraser haters are always on here waiting til they see his name pop up but starting tomorrow at the polls it will be fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fraser fffffffrrrrraaaaasssssssseeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr AGAIN….4 MORE YEARS!!!!!!!!!
The reality of the situation is that the old petty contract system was being abused and used to steal money from the taxpayers. As part of the COI it HAD TO STOP and rightly so. If those in Govt hadn’t abused the system in the way that they did then it may still be an option today. Sorry Fraser, but you were part of the problem.
How can we buy an election if we’re not given free access to public funds makes no commercial sense !
no you guys abused it to give your cronies fraudulent contracts
His brothers.
Julian you in all abused the petty contract system. So no. We not going back to that.
It is time for a haircut.
See exactly why you all should not vote he in????!!!!
Just look where it lead us to. Roads a mess, sewage uncontrolled and pumped into the sea, electricity unreliable, lack of water in many areas, poorly functioning airport.
It is time to move ahead.
Noooo!
It was abused! It would still be abused today.
Fraszer until the NDP East End launch Lorna was the first to talk about this. That is why u so in politics for so long and have nothing to show but steal other ideas.
From this basket full of bad apples, we’ll have to eat of the ones that are the least rotten.
Ain no way those words came out his mouth and he thought that it sounded correct. omg wow… u having to be registered wit the finance ministry is a problem??? wow….. color me flabbergasted.
Bring back the good old days when the politicians could decide that they giving their friends and family the work yuh say… cant teach a old dog new tricks… Nobody even want to form no party with him… just completely out of touch
This man is determined to have his way. Hate taking instructions from anyone..The COI tell us how that this was corrupt and unproductive and not a good practice, yes this man is too stubborn…#3 vote Parillon pls.
I guess some politicians are having to find alternative ways to electioner!
Soon this old f**l Fraser will be gone.
And a good thing that will be for the BVI.
“If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it” (slogan)