BVIEC defends stance after clinics disconnected over unpaid bills
The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) has defended its decision to disconnect power from clinics operated by the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), stating that the move was necessary due to repeated non-payment.
General Manager Neil Smith said the BVIHSA had been unresponsive despite owing millions.
“There is, at one point in time, when I came into BVIEC, the BVIHSA owed the BVIEC $5.5 million. That’s bad enough,” he explained. He described the debt as “by far” the single largest outstanding amount.
Smith emphasised that BVIEC had sought dialogue before taking action. “We started to communicate with the BVIHSA and said, Look, we have this outstanding balance. Let’s get a payment plan or something so you could find a way to deal with it. It got to the point where it was a one-way type of conversation,” he stated.
He said repeated efforts to reach officials went unanswered. “From all levels, from the highest levels in government to the other levels, we’re trying to communicate with no response. So you have to do something to catch their attention,” Smith argued.
The general manager said the disconnections followed months of warning. “We give the BVIHSA some deadlines. We say, look, if we don’t get a response by such and such a time, at least give us a break. Nothing. So the time comes and we say, okay, we’ve indicated to you that this is what we’re going to do. We’re just going to follow through,” he explained.
Smith said the public reaction overlooked key facts. “It was something that we did at the last resort. And we noticed that the main hospital didn’t come off. And all of those clinics that came off have generators on them,” he stated.
He added that BVIEC had warned facilities and checked that back-up systems were ready. “Before we did these things, I actually had communicated with the facilities person and said, hey, if this doesn’t happen, this is what’s going to happen. But we could help you to make sure that your generators are ready to operate,” Smith said.
The general manager insisted that responsibility lies with the health authority. “It is not BVIEC’s responsibility to maintain the electricity supply to the BVIHSA. It is the board of directors whose responsibility is to make sure that the supplier is paid so they can continue to supply the products,” he argued.
Smith admitted the corporation continues to struggle with unpaid bills. “We continue to have a problem with accounts receivables in the tune of millions of dollars. In some cases, close to $10 million,” he noted.
Earlier this year, reports revealed that the BVIHSA owed the corporation more than $2 million, and that previous partial payments had not cleared the balance. The disconnections led to temporary closures of some clinics, including the Iris Penn Smith Clinic in East End.
Smith said the decision was difficult but unavoidable. “You cannot just continue to ignore your suppliers. The suppliers have obligations they need to meet as well,” he insisted.
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There could be no excuse for cutting off electricity to clinics. I don’t even want to hear it.
I agree with you. we all hear about the problems with the hsa so the government need to step in. but then they have that useless man as minister
It is clear that BVIEC are not the ones to blame for the electricity being cut off.
Do not get distracted.
Can you imagine that the leaders in Government or BVIHSA are not paying there bills at home. Do you know why? They would be cut off.
Do you know why the electricity has been cut off. IT is because the electric that has been used has not been paid for.
This is not the fault of BVIEC.
Make sure you go after the right people.
We will find out next the hospital connected to the water without going through a meter like many VI homes and businesses.
Something for nothing culture needs to change in the VI.
Create a bill. Pay it at some arranged point. In full or installments. Geese.
It unbelievable to hear persons say it’s not acceptable to cut who needs to get cut after given ample notice. I heard yr after yr the company is just making it just to cover some of there debts and at times dipping into to retirement funds to pay employees paycheck. Remember the company have outstanding debts to pay for borrowing to buy new sets .Maintenance has to go on periodically. Cost of diesel which cost the company 80% if the revenue collected. And that other 20% you guest it.. what I expect people to say .. government and statutory agencies please pay a u bills or even some accordingly.
It is so funny that he says he tried to engage with government to pay the bill. So that means he went home and spoke to his wife as SHE IS THE deputy secretary RESPONSIBLE for the health side of the Ministry of Health which includes HSA, Public Health etc. I find that hard to believe but oh well. Another day… another story that doesn’t add up.
The general manager needs to realise that the BVI EC is just a cashier for the government. The Government created BVIEC to administer electricity distribution throughout the territory, and Mr. Smith needs to realise that a quick amendment to BVIEC legislation can render it useless. There is no way in this world Mr.Smith could have gotten away with this rogue behaviour, which I find very disrespectful.
Now you see and Hear how this whole Territory is Sickening? Clinics being Disconnected. What about the lives of the People? Who Cares? Better we go to Camp out on a Deserted Cay somewhere and catch Fish and pick Berries. All these Things are this Government’s fault. Our 5 Million Dollars went into BOA. That Money could have paid an Electricity Bill. Am sure Everybody would have been satisfied knowing that it served a worthy purpose BUT We are here like a set of Moo Moos Highjacked by a Corrupt Government who think they owe us NO explanation where our Money gone. Again, the Monies that go towards all manner of unworthy causes can be spent on more important Bills that affect the Lives of the People. On another note, If someone’s Electricity Meter is disconnected because of a late Payment, is it a Punishment that their Meter is only reconnected at 5PM the following day even though they had made the payment first thing in the Morning? Man BVI People are past being Wicked. But You can do what you want But Not as Long as you want. Something has to give in this place and I hope it is sooner rather than later. This Territory is filled to capacity with Wicked People. Their Minds are far from God.
Cut the hospital if yuh bad lol
Again? lol BVIHSA had been running on generators for at least two-weeks at one point in time or another. I think it was more than once too. BVIHSA believes that because of its importance, it can do and behave as it sees fit. We all have bills to pay. They’re not exempt
If they hadn’t put $5 million dollars into the Asia Bank they could have paid their electricity bill.
Pure lie bor he made sure backup systems were working before he made his decision to turn off power.
Dah dude sabotaging the VIP
That $12m P* S* stole during the Covid era,was to be used to pay the BVIEC and other outstanding bills. The BVIHSA need to get rid of J*, P*, and D* and all of them who are embarrassing the Authority.