BVI News

Give Jeanette the full-time job, says Fraser! Premier withholds support

Acting Director of the Social Security Board, Jeanette Scatliffe-Boynes.

Arguing that she should get the job full time, Opposition legislator Julian Fraser said on Thursday that he was not in favour of the government’s motion to extend Jeanette Scatliffe-Boynes’ appointment as Acting Social Security Board (SSB) Director for another six months.

Fraser said Scatliffe-Boynes has more than 30 years of experience serving as the SSB’s Deputy Director so he moved a counter-motion to have her become the permanent director of the Board.

In outlining the reasons for his counter-motion, Fraser questioned whether she was not given the substantive appointment because of her gender and said there was something sinister when it came to the public service and women.

“How much better can Ms Boynes get? We’re looking for some wonder boy to walk through the door — some golden child to walk through the door?” Fraser asked.

The Third District Representative told the House of Assembly it was his understanding that Scatliffe-Boynes was interested in serving in the post in a permanent capacity.

Fraser’s counter-motion saw the support of all members of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition but the government’s leader did not. 

Premier and Health Minister disagree on Fraser’s motion and motives

“I am not supporting this motion [from Fraser],” Premier Andrew Fahie declared at the outset.

Premier Andrew Fahie pointed out that the previous and now retired SSB Director, Antoinette Skelton, did not recommend Scatliffe-Boynes as the new leader for the SSB.

Fahie said while he agreed that Scatliffe-Boynes should be appointed, the House should not simply ignore the recommendations of the board’s directors as Fraser had proposed.

The Premier said he had to go along with his government’s initial motion which is to extend Scatliffe-Boynes’ appointment as Acting SSB Director for another six months.

He then suggested that the SSB’s board of directors be called in for questioning at a later time.

Malone also opposes

Meanwhile, Health Minister Carvin Malone also outrightly said he does not support Fraser’s motion and dismissed the senior Opposition legislator’s arguments political grandstanding. 

According to Malone, Fraser’s motion was asking for the SSB board to be ignored and for Cabinet’s decisions to be changed “on the fly”.

He said Scatliffe-Boynes had his full support for a permanent appointment but argued that Fraser’s proposed amendment to government’s initial motion was not brought to Cabinet and was improperly brought before the House.

The debate on the issue is expected to continue at the next House sitting on September 6.

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28 Comments

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  1. heckler says:

    Fraser is right because the VIP is using the good lady as a political football. It seems like they want to put somebody else new there close to election so they can dip in that money without any resistance.

    Like 23
    Dislike 6
    • James says:

      @Heckler. I though her family were VIP. That said, did the Opposition Minister seek to find out whether she is or was ever interested in the job as Director of the Social Security Board? Being a Deputy Director doesn’t mean she will make a good Director. Often time someone in the number two position is given an opportunity to act in the number one position and ends up being a disaster. If I know to myself I cannot do a job that is above my current position why take it and fail? I don’t support the VIP but I think Cabinet made the right decision in this instance. Social Security is too important not to have a qualified person at the helm. The fact that she is being made to act says quite a lot.

      Like 11
      Dislike 6
    • Hmmm says:

      Even the blind could see they were once again playing with the people’s mind. Their behavior in the house was not consistent with what we already knows…

    • I agree with Fraser says:

      Just give the Woman the full time position already. I HATE WHEN THIS POLITICAL S**T HAVE TO COME IN PLAY FOR EVERYTHING.

  2. Feo Gomez says:

    The main focus should be the collection of all outstanding funds owed to SS including friends and family. Is that being done?

    Like 24
  3. BVI fo ya says:

    question-should the appointment be at the recommendation of the former director or on the recommendation of the Social Security board? Suppose the former director and the deputy had a beef?

    Mr. Premier I can’t remember the previous premier recommending you for the post either. Maybe if you were acting we would have been better off

    Like 38
    Dislike 4
  4. ??? says:

    IS THERE ANY REASON WHY THE DEP…. OF POLICE NEVER GOT THE POST OF BECOMING THE ” C o P”. ?

    Like 3
    Dislike 5
  5. ??? says:

    IS THERE ANY REASON WHY THE DEP… OF POLICE NEVER GOT THE POST OF BECOMING THE “C o P”.?

  6. 3rd DISTRICT says:

    you ain’t got no clue as how you got played by those you thought had your back ,so the lady is being played just read between the lines all of a sudden Mrs Skelton didn’t RECOMMEND ?

    Like 7
    Dislike 1
  7. buzzbvi says:

    Opposition playing nasty politics stand your ground Vip

    Like 3
    Dislike 13
  8. @ BVI fo ya says:

    You need glasses them in Hollywood can’t touch our guys. Wa you talkin bout if he was acting.

  9. Lmbo says:

    Her *** been doing the same thing to people on these Boards she sit on. Now it happen to her… I hope she learning what God she serving.

  10. streets says:

    If Mrs. Boynes do not get this position something really wrong with Andrew. From Mrs. Skelton go she should get that position automatic! She’s is the perfect candidate for Director. I don’t see no one fitting in this position but Mrs. Boynes.

    Like 4
    Dislike 2
    • Well Sah says:

      You hit the nail on the head.
      However, you ain’t hear ‘is because she don’t go down by the Pier Park for drinks?

  11. Right says:

    They have some people acting for over 10 years. Heard someone acted in the position the D G’s mother had for years upon years don’t mind how the magistrates recommended that she be appointed.

    This person has been acting as director of SSB for how long, and they already debating whether or not she should be made permanent.

    God don’t like ugly behaviours.

  12. Concerned says:

    What has bothered me the most in this whole saga is how those three women sat there and said nothing .Poor representation from them that is why I love Mrs Parsons and Lorna Smith also Mrs Christoper God rest her soul
    Next election we must elect it progressive women not bench warmers and women who have no clue about politics Since they were elected have they formed a women’s arm of their party or are they looking into women’s rights Women are women worst enemies
    I personally feel that we need women like Shana Smith and Kishma Penn who will elevate women in the BVI

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  13. next step says:

    Make it known that next election we should vote women only in all positions on both sides. See if the BVI will be managed any better. only time will tell.

  14. Concerned says:

    There are lots of people acting in positions in Government for a lot longer than six months, why is this one more special than those?

  15. @next step says:

    You know alot woman in the BVI have balls and can get the job done am with you on this one we should all vote all Lady’s in every area I think voting all Lady’s will bring the BVI forward these man’s bringing the island backwards

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