BVIHSA clinics unplugged! Millions owed to BVIEC
General Manager of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) Neil Smith said several BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) clinics have been disconnected from its network for non-payment.
Speaking to JTV News, Smith revealed that the BVIHSA is the “largest delinquent customer” of the BVIEC, owing millions of dollars. He explained that the BVIEC is a statutory body that relies on customer payments to meet its obligations, such as fuel costs and infrastructure maintenance.
“At some point, it’s getting more and more difficult for us to meet our obligations, pay for fuel change, transform, or just deliver the services that we’re supposed to be delivering without the financial resources in which to do that,” Smith stated. “And what we have done is we have very gently, I would say, sent a message that, ‘hey, you know, we cannot keep this up any longer’.”
Smith declined to give the figure owed by the BVIHSA but said it was substantial and in the millions. The BVIHSA was made aware of the challenge and issued a response, but Smith said this fell short of addressing the issue.
Smith emphasised that the BVIEC had been patient and understanding, but the mounting debt had reached a critical point, threatening the corporation’s ability to provide reliable electricity to the entire territory.
“We cannot continue to go along accepting a situation where you’re delivering expensive services to a customer, and they’re not paying for those services because it compromises everybody else,” he said.
Smith said the disconnection of the clinics serves as a warning shot, with the main hospital and some other facilities still connected. He also clarified that this action was not intended to compromise healthcare services significantly but to send a clear message about the situation’s urgency.
Smith acknowledged that BVIEC’s decision has sparked public debate, with some criticising the corporation for disconnecting essential healthcare facilities. However, Smith defended the move, stating that the BVIEC’s financial stability is crucial for ensuring reliable power supply to the entire territory, including the healthcare system.
The BVIEC hopes that this action will resolve the issue and lead to a sustainable payment plan from the BVIHSA.
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But you well know those millions have been rising over several years.
Isn’t this a matter between BVIEC and the Government as opposed to BVIEC and the public who ultimately suffers? Where really does BVIHSA gets its funding?
BVIHSA could have owed $7M less – the money that went into the phantom plane could have been given to BVIEC – hmmmmm.
Don’t try to spin this, your priorities were on your musicfest. Look around, every thing is crumbling. Keep falling for excuses.
Don’t forget the stimulus money that went to families, friends and lovers.
are we better of with the denmark government agency or with the netherlands government agency? which european government agency should the british virgin islands work along with in a peaceful manner?
Maria, please pick up your marbles.
Could someone tell us what the legislation is currently on alternative energy? We need to start doing and stop the lip service. This is healthcare for god sakes when will we get competent individuals to run that sector.
Is this the reason ya all keep raising the bill on normal consumers, because of these delinquent institutions not paying their share so the small folk suffer to compensate?
@Curious is absolutely right. Households have to pay more because govt is delinquent.
There has to be a better way to resolve this. Vincent and Kye get cracking.
The better way – the only way – is for BVIHSA to pay their bill. They, too, are broke, which ultimately is the government’s problem. If we had audited financials, we might know how much was in the government’s coffers. My guess is not much.
there is no human rights in africa. africans in africa violate the human rights of other africans. there is nothing in this world but terrorism and human rights abuse all over the world.
With all that’s been going on in this country / guns / murder / drugs / free flowing sh*t water in the streets / pot holes and endless corruption , just to name a few / OH – free jamz is more of a priority to our wannabe politicians , and OFCOURSE the luxury of SQUANDERING TAXPAYERS MONEY ON
TRAVELLING ALL OVER THE WORLD IN STYLE (AKA) FIRST CLASS . WE GOT TO HAND IT TO THESE GUYZ , THEY KNOW HOW TO PARTY , MORE POWER TO YA’LL
Free electricity to add to doctors & friend’s & family greed for profits .
I remember before we had to take donkey to get to peebles hospital now everybody using ambulance or car.would we be better back to the donkey instead of polutting to air?
WTF!!..Mannnn…this woman is really off her rockers!
The system is unsustainable we will continue to face more complicated issues as time goes by with inflation and de dollarization. BVI runs on possibly the two most fragile industries and face an uphill struggle especially with a rapidly growing immigrant population that places a heavy strain on our infrastructure. The heavy borrowing that government is contemplating will only add fuel to the fire. We’re trapped there is no way out.
No way out????
,,”Decrease the immigrant population that is ,”placing a heavy strain “,,your true and truth words.
Every nook and cranny of our economy is being eroded thanks to an immigrant population that gives little and takes back more than they give..Schools crime,medical are all disproportianately saturated with their needs wants and simultaneous destruction. Change
the demographic of these iands.. Any
blind and foolish could have predicted this outcome that is getting worse bycthe day and then the icing on the cake us a tax paid music fest for dem 6and imported high salaried entertainers from the sNe countries that have us on the brink of economic and financial collapse.
Is this why the power is always off this days
Haiti, here we come! Thank you, UK for letting this happen.
Thank you for UK letting this happen? Surely, thanks (if any) would be due to the several past administrations who have completely failed to develop and implement any form of meaningful energy policy. We purchased generators that were too old to be reliabl. Those were replaced evenually with newer generators that were sabotaged so employees could have over time. Our distribution infrastructure we are told cannot handle net metering, so we do nothing about solar, and it is illegal to not be connected to BVIEC. UK had nothing to do with any of these decisions. Only Belongers.
Crack down on BVIHSA. Overlook cronyism in any other place, not health service. Provide value for money give people a piece of mind and restore confidence. Then the population would feel more comfortable seeking services locally as opposed to NHI which seems to be another leech on government funds.
what is the use of NHI?
The million dollars that the Prem spent on the waste of time music fest should have been given to the BVIEC to start paying off the outstanding debts. But oh no our party Prem has no priorities especially when it comes to health.
Anyone surprised? It will only get worse. Brace Yourselves.
The NHI is a cash cow for doctors of all natures medical theology or what ever bull#hit course they took friends & family etc , it was always a tax on the public ,the government were advised and knew full well it was never going to be able to improve health care or support itself. It was always and still is a simply a method for corrupt professionals to double bill a faceless organization which has its hand in the pocket of the public .
You hit the nail on the head. Imagine an accounting of NHI…..
That…. would be…… a scandal.
To put a pin in it. In the 2024 BVI budget address document NHI is mentioned twice. It exists in a bucket called “Transfers and Subsidies”. This bucket accounts for $125.74M out of a total expenditures $409.06M (~30% of total BVI budget). The only text to describe NHI in “Transfers and Subsidies” is as follows:
“Transfers and Subsidies showed an expected positive variance of $20.58 million or 19.6% over the original budget. This significant increase mainly represented an increase in grants to the National Health Insurance and the BVI Health Services Authority to assist them in meeting critical financial obligations.”
That my friends, is a slush fund.
DDM needs to declare a state of emergency and bring BVIEC under their direct oversight and immediately restore critical facilities. Head of BVIEC should be arrested for endangering the public.
We all know who you are…stop highlighting yourself with this bitter comment. You ain’t get arrested with all the wrong you did but you recommended other people’s arrest. Hmmmmm.
Don’t be an idiot! If BVIEC can’t meet its financial obligations we will all be off the grid and that includes the hospital and clinics. I agree with BVIEC. It’s time to address the matter so that we don’t all suffer because of mismanagement. BVIHSA needs to address the issue of collections. They need to collect the funds that are owed to them. There are many persons that utilize services then simply refuse to pay because there are no consequences. This can’t continue.
That is a failure of all governments over that past 15 yrs to allow it to reach to this much.. Why can’t the people responsible for paying and did not pay get arrested and charge. The law need changing. These massive failures are crimes
Someone finally had the ghuts to do what is right
Let the Premier use the millions for festival and pay the Bill . Do less flying .
Our country is going to the dogs
It takes a real man to Do this . I wish there were more like you . We would not have been where we are …
Watch your back Nello , God have you covered .
I bet the government also owes BVIEC. Maybe he should pull the plug on Slowman’s office. You know, keep him off the internet buying airline tickets and planning parties!
What does he have to say about about the 7million payment? Are we gonna get it back? It looks like only Fahie was doing anything about that.
Fahie was only making noise as a cover for his own gimmicks and banditry.
There are many more like Fahie in the Government. It is only a matter of time before their deeds are revealed. What is done in darkness will come to light.
It was just a bad investment. Crooked people took the money and disappeared
Ayo need to stop
!!!
And he own local people is bent on putting him down . Crab in a barrel mentality
We try to destroy good people and vote in and defend the evil
Ones
is saying )> so what are you saying , we should just allow ( nat – all- herO ) and his crew continue to rip OFF BVIEC , is that what ya’ll saying ❓️
I’m not defending him but everything he did was not bad. We need to continue going after our money. Can someone else get an update on this?
this country is in shambles and this is more serious than we can imagine. If someone has to be rushed to the nearest clinic for life-saving assistance, can you imagine that not even a defibrillator can be utilized? Some places need electricity to even pump the water through the pipes as water is a necessity. Where would be next? The senior home? the hospital? the police stations? the schools?
We are far gone and we cannot expect who has brought us to this point to correct the situation and to get us out.
What a beautiful 3 world sh!thole we live in. Embarrassing man.
There needs to be a proper accounting done for billing from private Doctors. Other countries have fixed prices what the NHI can be charged by private clinics and Doctors, Just look at the palaces going up paid for by the NHI
Work out some arrangement with whoever responsible in government first. I am a taxpayer. I never owe taxes. U mean if I need treatment at a clínic I can’t get because they bill not pay. Is not the people who work there owe the money. Is your waste government. You better put the power on back.
Competent management at BVIHSA is the answer. Not those that squander and squander. Spending 20% of your budget on a software instead of paying tour bills is nonsensical. Spending 10 % of your budget on accreditation while not paying your bills is not managing. It is not just BVIEC. There needs to be an audit and a plant to deal with payments for suppliers.
I totally agree with Mr. Smith.
BVIHSA need to copy off Mr. SMith’S way of doing business. CAUSE THE PATHETIC BROKE A** PEOPLE COMING INTO TO HOSPITAL TO HAVE THEIR LITER OF BA***RDS. DRINKING THEMSELVES TOWARDS DIALYSIS. MORON SCOOTER RIDERS. ALL THESE CRIMINALS THINK HOSPITAL SERVICES FREE AND THEIR GOD GIVEN RIGHT TO RECEIVE FREE SERVICES. BVIHSA HAVE MORONIC LEGISLATION GUIDING THE ORGANIZATION. IT IS SET UP TO FAIL MISERABLY.
I commend Mr. Smith. He’s got the guts to stand up for right!
BVIHSA has millions in unpaid bills spanning years, and only now they doing something about it. I missed one payment in the last year and they disconnected me without a word.