Skelton Cline praises Pier Park built under his watch
Political commentator and clergyman, Pastor Claude Skelton Cline has praised the Cyril B Romney Tortola Pier Park; highlighting it as a successful business hub and events venue that locals built under his stewardship.
The Pier Park was built under the National Democratic Party administration while Skelton Cline was Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority. The project was the subject of a major scandal because it was priced to be built for $50 million but allegedly ran over budget by more than $30 million.
Speaking on his Honestly Speaking radio show earlier this week, Skelton Cline said though the project was turned into a “debacle”, he is proud the development is thriving and repaying investors all the dividends from their initial investments.
“All the local people who invested have been getting their annual dividends. For some of them, their seven-year term is up and three-year terms will be up and they’re getting back the principal of their investment,” Skelton Cline stated. “The glory of the pier park. It was our people — our staff led by yours truly who built the Tortola Pier Park. You know sometimes we let the best things become a debacle but look at it today! Look at it today!”
Even two years after the pier park was completed, the development was still plagued by talk of overspending. In 2018, then Works Minister Mark Vanterpool had cited a report from consultancy firm, BCQS International, which said the final project estimate of more than $80 million “was fair for the development of this project”.
Vanterpool had also explained that the initial cost of $50 million was not finalised and was revised to $85 million once the project was underway. The report was supposed to ease the public criticisms over the project but residents maintained their views that there were cost overruns and mismanagement of public resources.
However, Skelton Cline said he has learned to ignore negative comments that often come from some sections of the community.
“You can’t get bogged down too much with the naysayers. You have to press on. You have to do that which you believe that you have been called to do, irregardless, and trust Jehovah to see you through. All of us are now better for this major development — our pier park — coupled now with us getting back on stream with this airline. All of this is an expansion and enhancement of our tourism product,” Skelton Cline said.
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I only overspent $30 million on a $50 million contract. It is only an overspend of 60%. What is all the fuss about?
I’m sure he praised himself for everything he does. Little narcissistic… you think?
But the media folk love this guy, and people like me continue to react to every piece they write ….. so I guess this dog and pony show will never end.
Good morning crime you will praise your self for that because you get away with a pocket full of millones in my part of the world you would be wearing a yellow jam suit by now cooking.
A house?
Proverbs 27:2
King James Version
2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
I too would’ve praise it if I had gotten what he got
Man ayo go pay Hugh Daley for the work he did!
$ 30 million over budget, including $ 10 million in “soft costs”, and insufficient project records for KPMG to complete audit to figure out what happened, under CSC’s watch as Director of Ports. Not exactly a praiseworthy show case.
Them should have been in jail over that project, he mark stoutt and others
What will pastor crime think of next I guess who or where he can rob and get away scoth feel and brag about it criminals.
this guy has been allegedly stealing for years, the coi report called his contracts blatantly fraudulent
The brazenness of this guy is astounding! He will spit in yah eye and call it holy water from heaven. Why has he not been charged yet over his gross negligence and conduct? Why is white collar crime not prosecuted in these 3rd world backwoods places? Has corrupt political practices been so entrenched and ingrained into our psyche that we are oblivious to these shylocks?
What will the BVI political and infrastructural landscape look like in 30-50 years if we continue down this path of unsustainable growth? Have we lost our moral compass in pursuit of personal gain at any and all expense? Have we become so blinded by the plentiful snake oil salesmen/women especially those “of the cloth”?
Food for thought
For a project that ran over budget by nearly double and if I remember correctly 3 major building that were not built that were part of the original budget ? Those little kiosks on there water front cost us 35k each !!!! Jokes
The project was a sucess but there were too many and costly mistakes made, not only by CS but the entire process. Who start a project not knowing the final cost? Humble people appeal to me, no need to toot your own horn.
and the loan has not been paid for years.
This jackass need to be giving a brush cutting contract and he can chew on the roadside brush. Hope he liking the container houses. More coming.