Smith cleared to do business with gov’t! New contract not yet in effect
For the second time this year, elected leaders voted to have Deputy Speaker Neville ‘Sheep’ Smith remain in his seat in the House of Assembly (HOA) after he (Smith) disclosed that his company will be doing business with the government.
In March this year, Smith’s company Caribbean Security entered into a contract with the government to upgrade the Attorney General’s Chambers’ security system for a total sum of $33,149.12.
And on November 24, Smith again sought the exemption from vacating his seat because his company inked another contract with the government – this time to provide security and surveillance equipment to His Majesty’s prison for a total of $17,633.93.
Smith’s request for an exemption is lawful in the BVI according to Section 67 of the Constitution which states that HOA members are expected to vacate their seat if they or their firm are party to a contract with the government.
However, a clause in the same section allows for the member to remain in the House if they disclose the nature of the contract and their interest before entering the contract with the government.
Before members voted to have Smith remain in his seat, Premier Wheatley highlighted that the practice of elected leaders doing business with the government is not new and is lawful once leaders declare their interest according to the provisions set out in the constitution.
“It’s important to note as well that the contract has not yet been entered into, which I know in the past has been subject to scrutiny. He (Smith) has been very careful to ensure he has not entered into a contract before coming to the House to receive this exemption,” Premier Wheatley said.
The Commission of Inquiry had revealed that in 2020 and 2021, Smith’s company had entered into at least two contracts with the government for eight months without it being declared to the House of Assembly. At that time, Smith had said he didn’t know about the contracts because he had stepped away from the day-to-day operations of the business since entering politics.
After that revelation, an emergency virtual meeting was called in the House of Assembly and Smith was granted retroactive exemption from vacating his seat for those two contracts.
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This man finessed the government for the whole election term.
Big up sheep for always doing the right thing now you back in the race you have my vote again
and the beat goes on
They say he’s not planning to run again so he does not care what the public sentiments are. This Vip Unity Government was a nightmare.
Where a cow tie he feed
When your boy Wally win was eating from the same food he was providing in the HOA nothing was a problem cause he was making sure he pocket was well line and fed but he went from food to a brick wall and then he and Foy humpty and dumpty had a great fall.
Just because it is “legal” doesn’t make it right
eat eat till belly buss or food done
No one who is serious about their country could ever vote for you at this critical juncture. We need competent people right now.
You obsessed with Walwyn man. This has nothing to do with him. How you get his name in this? Ayo fraid of this man. You don’t attack people who you’re not afraid of.
Its all legal and not done behind doors…I am ok with that. Now if other busineses can show there is a problem with him getting too many contracts then it needs to be looked at.
We got to bid for bush-cutting while he in there being exempted during his last lap jam
Good. This is how it should always have been done. Let’s keep moving in a better more transparent direction.
Don’t worry with them. They are trying to throw clothes dye in the water to distract you from their wrong doings. We the people will not be distracted.
You don’t sound competent just sour. Speak for yourself, Smith is more competent and productive than you. You’re just a sore hater! Get over it!
Is saying )> ah told Ya’ll ah was BaD
This is why the BVI isn’t a real place! You can not have an elected official receiving government contracts for work! Aint only Fahie who deserve to be in jail! The entire BVI corrupt!