Smith accuses Opposition of scare tactics

Junior Minister for Financial Services Lorna Smith has accused Opposition members of using “scare tactics” during debate on the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation Bill 2026, as the House of Assembly considered legislation to merge the BVI Electricity Corporation with the Water and Sewage Department.

Smith said she listened carefully to the Opposition’s contribution and took issue with what she described as language and arguments designed to alarm the public.

Referring to claims that government arrears posed a major threat to the proposed merger, Smith told the House: “This is not true. In fact, the government’s bill, as far as I understand it, is in the region of $580,000. Out of a total budget of the corporation of 70 million dollars. This is the Electricity Corporation I’m referring to. So to make these comments, I see as scare tactics to scare the public that will enjoy the benefits of the combined Electricity Corporation and the Water and Sewerage Department”.

She also challenged assertions that provisions in the bill were overly harsh, particularly Section 12 dealing with right of entry. According to Smith, concerns that officers could enter private property at will were misplaced.

“But again, I see it as a scare tactic because the rest of that paragraph on right of entry says that … provided that the corporation shall cause minimal inconvenience and damage as possible, and shall repair all damage caused or make fair and reasonable compensation for any damage caused,” she said.

On the issue of water trucks and exclusive rights to supply water, Smith said similar provisions already exist in law and suggested that raising an alarm over them was misleading.

“Referring to it, and going to great lengths and telling people that they must be worried about their water trucks and whether they can carry on their business is another scare tactic that really should not happen in this House,” she stated.

Smith maintained that the merger represents a positive step for the territory and should not be portrayed as a threat to consumers or workers.

“This merger of the Electricity Corporation and the Water and Sewage Department represents a new day for both departments, and indeed, more importantly, for this territory,” Smith said.