Next Director of Trade needs to be a Virgin Islander
Honestly Speaking radio show host Claude Skelton Cline has argued that more qualified Virgin Islanders should be placed in top public sector positions, saying the next Director of Trade should be a local professional.
Speaking on his programme recently, Skelton Cline referenced rumours that the current Director of Trade’s contract is expected to end this August and urged the government to ensure that a Virgin Islander is appointed to the post.
“I want to say to this government and to all of us, we need to get one of our people — qualified people — in that position,” Skelton Cline said.
Skelton Cline also pointed to the BVI Airports Authority as another example where he believes experienced Virgin Islanders should be given leadership opportunities. He referenced former political hopeful Coy Levons, arguing that he should vie for the top leadership role at the airport authority.
“I think a guy like him … should go right back up there, become managing director, CEO of our airport,” Skelton Cline said.
The outspoken commentator suggested that Virgin Islanders must secure positions of influence within the territory’s institutions, particularly during what he described as a period of instability. “We need to get our people in these positions,” he insisted.
His comments come amid public debate surrounding the recent decision not to appoint Virgin Islander Dr June Samuel as Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), despite her serving in the acting position for an extended period. While the exact reason for Samuel not being appointed has not been publicly disclosed, Health Minister Vincent Wheatley recently suggested that other candidates may have possessed greater expertise for the role.
Skelton Cline also addressed reports circulating publicly that a candidate from the United Kingdom may be selected as the next BVIHSA CEO. However, he said Minister Wheatley told him that no formal recommendation had yet been received from the BVIHSA board regarding the appointment.
“I asked the minister, and the minister told me as early as this morning … he has not yet received any recommendations from the board in the matter,” Skelton Cline stated. The radio host said the controversy highlights broader concerns about leadership and management within public institutions.
“This country needs proper management,” he added.
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Finally there is something I can agree on from the mouth of the consultant pastor!
Mr. Skelton Cline. I totally agree with you. In this day and age, I am sure there are enough qualified Virgin Islanders to hold those positions. You do not hear of any great changes that these people do or bring anything new to the table to carry the BVI forward. I hope this practice is discontinued in the future.
Is that the foremost criteria to put some one
As the head of a Department that supersedes
competency, growth , leadership skills, hospitality to workets and tge public, productivity , experience, skills and knowledge were the main factors in determining the success of choosing a department head . As a BVISLANDER myself i am suprised
Claude looking work?
Not qualified but a belonger is what he’s saying
with all the XENOPHOBIA that exist here you don’t have to remind anyone , everybody knows that the people of any country has the first preference / except when there’s no one to fill that particular position , master WEATIE & his humble servants are more than competent enough to know that , so why you has to dictate to them on how to get things done properly ? ( well maybe you couldn’t find or dream up some sad story to holler out from your pulpit /and the DEVIL always find work for IDLE hands to DO •¿• perhaps you should seek the assistance of the canary on the yello site (aka) “wiggie” the embelisher to coach you on the art of embelishing – either yo loosing yo touch or the heat affecting you , which one ? .
Wouldn’t make a bit of difference.
The issue with this is the most BV Islander professional wants this job only based on this argument even if they are not qualified. This is why things don’t progress in this country. Get a qualified individual with the skills, merits, and vision to improve the agency. Being a local professional shouldn’t be the main qualifying criteria for this job.
Most local professional qualified for this job, find better opportunity outside of the BVI. So, we are left with the less qualified. What do you think the outcome will be?
It Might Be In The best Interest of Aspiring Candidates and Country If The Recruitment and Hiring Process Be Done After The Next Election Cycle. So There is Not a Repeat of The Young Skelton Debacle.