Statutory board members have too much pay and power
Commentator Claude Skelton Cline has blasted what he described as the growing power and pay of statutory board members in the BVI, arguing that some appointees have lost sight of their true role and are behaving as though they run the organisations they oversee.
Speaking on his Honestly Speaking radio programme, Skelton Cline said statutory boards were originally designed as quasi-independent bodies that could operate more efficiently than central government while benefiting from oversight by experienced professionals serving in a largely voluntary capacity.
“Being a board member is a volunteer job,” Skelton Cline said. “You used to get a little stipend for your little time, for your lunch at the board meeting, because it’s really designed for you to lend back your services to your country. It ain’t no job.”
He argued that the culture shifted under the Virgin Islands Party administration in 2019, claiming board appointments increasingly came with inflated stipends and blurred lines between governance and executive management.
“Most of these stipends that were raised should be reduced back to normal things that make sense,” he stated. “You are a board. You don’t run the organisation.”
Skelton Cline, a former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority, said board members must understand the laws governing the institutions they oversee, noting that during his tenure, he arranged legal orientation sessions to ensure directors understood their fiduciary responsibilities.
His comments came as he weighed in on the recent resignation of former BVI Airports Authority Managing Director Kurt Menal, whose departure reportedly came shortly after his contract was extended.
Skelton Cline said the circumstances surrounding Menal’s exit raise troubling questions, particularly given Menal’s leadership role as the territory pushes long-discussed airport redevelopment plans.
“The question is, what happened there?” Skelton Cline asked.
He further claimed that after Menal submitted his resignation — reportedly with the required notice period — a board member suggested he leave immediately instead of serving out the transition period.
“What kind of arrogance and pomposity? What hubris?” Skelton Cline said.
He argued that if accurate, such a move would demonstrate poor governance and a failure by both the board and supervising ministry to manage leadership transitions strategically.
“You have a leader of a major corporation in your country trying to build an airport … and you just gonna let them go?” he said.
Menal’s resignation has sparked public discussion about governance at the Airports Authority, though officials have not publicly detailed the circumstances behind his departure.
Copyright 2026 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
I sure he well trying to get on one of those boards to get money and power. CSC should not be commenting on governance issues with all the stains on his character for how he has handled government funds – from the neighbourhood project to the Pier Park to contracts that he got paid for but did no work.
Some people have no shame. I continue to be amazed about how easily our people are misled. Some people actually listen to CSC knowing what they know about him. What is wrong with us?
He is right — especially when we are talking about institutions that directly affect people’s quality of life. Put the wrong board member in place, someone more interested in obstruction or partisan games than progress, and suddenly the whole system freezes up. Worse still, there is often no practical mechanism to remove them quickly once the damage starts. That is a serious flaw. And because these boards are not particularly public-facing, many people do not even know who sits on them, which makes accountability weak almost by design. There really should be a process to rapidly identify and remove board members who are using public institutions to play partisan politics rather than serve the public.Finally the public is waking up and becoming aware.
STARTING WITH THE BVIHSA,BVIPA,BVIAA,BVIAC,ETC
You one to talk…weren’t you advising the Government in 2019 when you say this culture shift happened???!!? Maybe you should have advised on this @¿@
Csc why don’t you pick up a Bible go around try to win souls for the kingdom instead of every day opening your mouth stirring up problems better yet strip yourself of the name pastor.
Says the pot to the kettle
Ha ha ha. Claude talking about people getting paid for doing nothing. He the King of that.
And we are supprised he hasn’t blame the ( white colonists slave masters as an excuse like the rest of them who uses the racism song everyday , as if we are going to swallow it and say “R men”
Claude Skelton Cline raises valid concerns about governance and accountability on statutory boards. Board members are supposed to provide oversight and strategic guidance, not interfere in the daily management of organizations. If boards are becoming overly political or overstepping their authority, it can damage morale, create instability, and weaken public trust.
However, serving on statutory boards also comes with major responsibility, legal obligations, and public scrutiny, so reasonable compensation is understandable. The bigger issue is whether there are clear boundaries, transparency, and proper governance standards being followed.
The questions surrounding the Airports Authority leadership transition also deserve answers, especially with a major airport expansion project being discussed. Good governance, continuity, and professionalism are critical for projects of this scale.
The original intent was that the Minister would set the strategic vison and the Board was responsible for the execution of the vision and day to day operations oversight. It got flippped so now we wrongly assume that the Ministers are responsible for the operations , this essentially leaves the Minister with responsibility but no Authority and with that imbalance a Minister cannot function effectively. Board member need to serve at the pleasure of the Premier -meaning that they can be removed at anytime. much like some cabinet post in the US.