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Next financial secretary should come from BVi diaspora

Claude Skelton Cline

Honestly Speaking talk show host Claude Skelton Cline is calling on the government to search the diaspora for a highly qualified Virgin Islander to become the territory’s next Financial Secretary.

His call comes amid reports that longstanding Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett is preparing to retire at the end of this year after many years in the public service.

Speaking recently on his radio programme, Skelton Cline said Frett’s pending departure presents an opportunity for the government to conduct a global search for a Virgin Islander with the skills and experience needed to manage the territory’s finances during an increasingly uncertain period.

“We need to head hunt for the best financial secretary, someone we can recruit, some Virgin Islander that lives across this globe,” Skelton Cline said.

“We need to recruit her or him to come here, pay them properly, to be the new financial secretary.”

While acknowledging the capabilities of persons currently working within the public service, Skelton Cline argued that the territory needs someone with a higher level of expertise to respond to changing global economic conditions.

“The complement of persons we have there currently, they are our brothers and sisters, they are fine. But they do not meet the moment,” he stated.

Skelton Cline stressed that his comments were not intended to disparage existing public officers, but said the BVI must be prepared to attract its best talent from overseas.

He argued that there are qualified Virgin Islanders living around the world who could be persuaded to return home, particularly as geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty continue internationally.

The talk show host also warned that while the BVI may be geographically removed from major conflicts, the territory remains vulnerable to global disruptions, including possible shortages of food and fuel. He urged residents and leaders not to panic but to assess emerging risks and prepare accordingly.

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6 Comments

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  1. What!!!! says:

    The next financial secretary should be the most qualified applicant regardless of where they are from.

    Like 18
    Dislike 1
  2. Just saying says:

    Well it is our own that is messing up the BVi the most. CSC, got contracts to do work but took the pay and did no work. Andrew was selling out the BVi to drugs lords, gun men and witches. Natalio wasting our money and can’t account for it. Must I go on? One of our financial secretaries and budget coordinator went jail for stealing government money. Being from the BVI doesn’t mean you will do the right things for the BVI

    Like 12
  3. Marina says:

    And csc you think that should be you hmmmmmmm jackass of a man poor example of a man idiot csc why don’t you stick to your title you said you are a pastor go spread the word of God and stop getting in things of the world you false prophet.

  4. BVI Citizen says:

    Yawns…. The real fact of the matter is, local BVIslanders does not want experienced and qualified BVIslanders/Belongers to return from abroad because they will be threatened. The mundane crab in the barrel charade that we play is stale like Sunrise bread.

    The local mentality here is SICK! Just another jewel in the BVI’s crown of stupidity. Nothing to see here.

  5. Really says:

    A BVIslander and he cannot give account of
    The millions sent to the Jamacian company .

    Competence is not a name brand it is who is best at delivering the goods

    This feeling of entitlement without the proper skills , knowledge , backbone to stand up and not bow to pressure for the benifit of the country should be the pendulum which swings the job foolish man

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