Knowing procurement rules wasn’t part of my cruise pier consultancy
Pastor Claude Skelton Cline has insisted that he did not need to know anything about government’s procurement procedures while serving as their consultant during the cruise pier project.
As a consultant, he evaluated the proposal from developers, Tortola Port Partners (TPP), who initially priced the development at $57 million and was eventually selected to execute the project. The controversial project ended up costing the government $82.9 million.
During his hearing on Monday, Cline told the Commission of Inquiry (COI) that the experience he possessed that allowed him to evaluate bids for the project was that of ‘leadership’.
Cline then directed the attention of the COI’s participants through a nearby window overlooking the pier and said his leadership is what ultimately got the project completed.
When asked by the COI whether he (Skelton Cline) would’ve been guided by some of government’s policies in evaluating the proposals that were submitted, Cline said this was largely the job of the ministry’s Permanent Secretary.
Needs assessment, cost-benefit analysis not in my job description
He rebuffed any suggestion that he could have advised the then portfolio minister about public finance regulations that were expected to come into force, arguing instead that it was completely outside of the remit of his consultancy.
When told that this was relevant to how a bid process was expected to be progressed, Cline said in response: “As a consultant in my private capacity, I would not have any preview to what government’s functions, processes or systems are, so I would’ve had no cause in which to advise the minister of whatever financial — if I’m understanding your message correctly — [procedures] that’s coming on stream.“
Skelton Cline emphatically said subject matters such as a needs assessment, cost-benefit analysis, estimate of costs and scope development were also all completely outside of the scope of his consultancy.
Conflict of interest?
After the acceptance of TPP‘s proposal, Skelton Cline was later made the Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority — the entity that was charged with overseeing the execution of the project.
He told the COI that there was no conflict of interest in accepting the post and executing the duties that came with it, even though he had helped in the process of securing the winning bidder.
The project was heavily criticised for its enormous cost overruns. Former Works Minister at the time, Mark Vanterpool, has denied that there were any cost overruns.
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Wolves in sheep’s clothing hiding in the church to do wickedness and expl**t poor people playing smart and not being clever.
BVINews is once again selecting which comments to post. How disgusting to be dishonest in reporting. Just like the government you will hear what we want you to hear.
what the end results are when there are people who are hopelessly conceited, truth deniers, dictatorial, arrogant and supremist. They simply do what their nature requires.
I watched this fellows performance in the witness chair. Sh**ty, defensive, uncooperative, hands waving about, loud mouthed and unable to remember anything. Guilt written all over him.
And if this is the best we have to be a government advisor we are in deep trouble.
COI should investigate the fact that the Govt raised money from the public without disclosing the massive cost overruns. People would go to jail for this in the UK, EU, US.
Liar liar pants on fire. How a man who claims to be a clergyman can sit their and tell l** after l**. No wonder he took an affirmation instead of swearing on the Bible. He allegedly did this same crap in Detroit and when the mayor went down he ran to the BVI. Where you running to now Claude? Haiti wit da Foy?
IF NOBODY GET THE JAIL AFTER THIS COI FOR ALL GOVERNMENT MISMANAGED MONEY LOOK OUT FOR THE CRIME RATE TO GO UP. IF JAIL IS GOOD FOR ANYBODY ELSE IT IS GOOD FOR THEM.
Besides Facebook, WhatsApp, and IG being down – we all learned from the COI hearing that the Devil is from Tortola. Religion and Politrics just don’t mix!
Not my job man.
Breaking news !!!!Head of the Ms BVI ‘selection committee’ hired as chief judge ( One of One ) for the ACTUAL competition ?. Conflict ? What choo talking ‘bout , Willis ?
Awesome comparison!!! 🙂
Stone cool pastor you are bless to have life air but please enjoy it for the pure purposes.
It was Marlon who said these post were given as rewards for political allies. This is and was a disgraceful move by the NDP administration. He ran as their punch throwing aggressive candidate and they rewarded him when he wasn’t successful with government project post. Now he says his job description didn’t say blah blah blah. He should not have been officially involved in that project as he has no credible experience or skill set in anything related to it. And the government purse should not the milk cow for any one citizen’s benefit. We the people are owed answers Cline not just the COI.
The NDP gave him the managing director job at the ports. They eventually refused to extend his appointment and he tried to take them to court. NDP was not the problem.
He ran to the VIP and they gave him $16k per month plus benefits on a 6 month contract. They even used the wrong contract form which mistakenly added the benefits. It seems he did not produce or report on anything of value but they still continued to give him more contracts.
It seems the problem is with the current VIP and members of this government could be prosecuted or removed from office.
“After the acceptance of TPP‘s proposal, Skelton Cline was later made the Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority — the entity that was charged with overseeing the execution of the project.”
Who owns the cruise pier? Is it the BVI Government or the statutory body – the BVIPA. The above statement says the latter was charged with overseeing the project. Well, CSC consulted with Government to procure the project and then became the project overseer. People, is there conflict of interest here?
Furthermore, if CSC procured the contract on behalf of Government, then should he not be aware of Government procurement procedures?
The following is BS!
“Skelton Cline emphatically said subject matters such as a needs assessment, cost-benefit analysis, estimate of costs and scope development were also all completely outside of the scope of his consultancy.”
Needs assessment, cost-benefit analysis, estimate of costs and scope development ARE within the scope of CSC consultancy. These requirements are COMMERCIALLY NATURALLY implied.
Which Tolans (BVIslanders) he fooling?
Will someone PLEASE shut this man upppppppppp omg, walking contradiction, full of l**s, gr**d and hypocrisy. Yal good pastor is embarassssssinggggg. Cheesus Kraisssss man, always spewing some nonsense on Rihanna’s good-up internet! >_< #cringeworthy
This man is not a pastor, he is fooling the BMI people. No pastor would act the way he did, he was not professional.
This man is not a pastor, he is fooling the BMI people. No pastor would act the way he did, he was not professional.
Easy money lol
Question is:
What are CSK’s qualifications and experience?
That’s what he said! Lots and lots of leadership….!
This man is what is known as a sch**ck.
I understand needs accesment and cost benefit analysis….but not cost and scope… cost and scope were his responsibilities……I pass the Project management test on my second try and have a masters degree… not that that make me any smarter that anyone else… but maybe needs accessment and cost benefit analysis was done before he was hired….
Hope they measure you for handcuffs. Come off the pulpit preaching Sunday to go show his ar***ance and r**eness on Monday. You are out of control and you have milked the treasury as a well with no bottom. And then cry Lord Lord.
Can you preach to people after such tirade ? What kind of clergeman take money from government that is not justified? You have been exposed as a g**edy !de****rate l**r! Your eloquent way with words showed you are manipulative and di***nest you cannot hide behind your cloak anymore
what a mess in bvi imagine if this country be running with this locals ! the island will sink! coi should investigate deeper