Why should BVIHSA pay electricity bills?
Local attorney Daniel Davies has raised concerns over the necessity for the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) to pay electricity bills after reports surfaced that some of its clinics had their electricity disconnected due to unpaid bills.
The issue was raised during a recent episode of the Hot Seat talk show on ZBVI Radio, where Davies questioned the BVIHSA’s financial management and the government’s role in ensuring essential services remain uninterrupted.
The BVIHSA reportedly owes the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) nearly six million dollars in unpaid electricity bills. This staggering debt has not only led to power cuts in some clinics but also compromised the delivery of critical health services. Neil Smith, General Manager of the BVIEC, underscored the gravity of the situation and urged the BVIHSA to fulfil its financial obligations to prevent further disruptions.
Davies expressed disbelief over the situation: “I just can’t imagine a critical part of a country’s infrastructure being cut off for not paying an electricity bill. You just don’t hear of this sort of thing. It’s very strange, really.” He further questioned the BVIHSA’s steps to reduce its dependency on conventional energy sources and explore renewable alternatives such as solar power.
Davies pointed to the substantial annual government subvention received by the BVIHSA and questioned its allocation and management.
“The BVI Health Services Authority receives a hefty subvention every year. The question is, how has that money been spent? Why hasn’t that money been used to come to some arrangement to discharge those debts?” Davies asked. The attorney highlighted the possibility of financial mismanagement and even questioned if the BVIHSA was on the brink of bankruptcy.
Davies called for a comprehensive review of the government’s responsibilities and a more effective strategy to ensure uninterrupted health services. “It is the government’s fundamental obligation to ensure that the public health service has electricity,” he insisted.
The debate over the BVIHSA’s electricity bills comes amid broader discussions on the government’s approach to managing public utilities and services. Recent government initiatives have focused on reducing electricity costs through various measures, including exploring alternative fuel suppliers and promoting renewable energy solutions.
Both the BVIHSA and BVIEC are government statutory bodies.
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Think them care about electricity bill for public clinic they done give themselves raise and make sure their retirement money straight is just to hit every conference now from here to china and back.
I’ve decided to not pay my electricity bill as now there is precedent. My business is critical to the economy as it provides a dire need to both residents and tourists alike.
Thank you for your understanding as no more payments will be paid to the electric company.
If shut off, I have rigged extension cords to the closest government building.
Bi Water do not pay, so why should i?
Think of how much electricity the Government could buy if they stopped needless travel, music festivals, crony payments, etc.
These are statutory bodies so they will, hopefully, be run as responsible businesses, which it appears one of them is trying to do!
Not being critical towards anyone But surely this situation didn’t happen overnight. What measures were taken over the Years to rectify this Problem to prevent it from escalating to this point> Health Care is the Number one Priority of any Country. Surely if there are No people then obviously there would be no need to worry. Where does this fit in the overall scheme of things like the Territory’s Budget? 6 Mils is a lot of Money to be owed. So is this a strong Message to the Residents to say ” Please take care of yourselves and don’t plan on going to the Hospital because you may very well Die because there is a strong possibility that Electricity could be disconnected? and with the condition with NHI We Frig anyway. Did the BVIEC had continious dialogue with BVIHSA and by extension Central Gov”t that this situation was getting out of Hand and the consequences if payments were not made? I think the people deserve to get a statement from the Chairman of the BVIHSA and the Premier as to how they intend to remedy this most serious condition which definitely affects the livlihood of ALL Residents and Visitors of the Territory. This again being out in the World is like telling our Visitors that they are seriously taking a chance to visit the BVI. Look forward to a Solution Statement from the Authorities.
“I think the people deserve to get a statement from the Chairman of the BVIHSA and the Premier as to how they intend to remedy this most serious condition which definitely affects the livlihood of ALL Residents and Visitors of the Territory.”
Good luck. If you havent noticed there’s a cannabis bill 2020 that we’ve never gotten a clear statement on what they are actually doing to remedy this most serious condition which definitely affects the livlihood of ALL Residents and Visitors of the Territory.
Give the tourist an optional grass pass & put it into healthcare.
Daniel is such a sweetie but has no knowledge of life. Why can’t we all have free electricity?
@ such a sweetie, spend more time with you grannie. I am sure you will learn a lot of things, including how to recognize and identify people of purpose. Smile, take a deep breath and recall this quote “ can all you can, while you can”
Attorney Davies, is an advocate, how many are you seeing today advocating for tomorrow?
The problem with Electrcity did not happened a few hours, days , weeks or months, that has been years. For me there should have been a back up plan. Most sensible people have plan a,b,c and even d before they dismantle their plans and start again. Management should have their five year plans, each year critical ares need to improve.
Most housewives will tell you if you don’t have mommy, you will have to deal with granny. I have learn a lot from grannie . Housewives don’t fail , they find alternatives, I like when women of purpose are manager,they get things done the right way,doing the right things. Don’t come up here sticking bones in Daniel wings, it hurts, and you won’t like him to do the same.
DO you know there is law or legislation that prevents BVIHSA to legally pursue unpaid debts. If that is true then WHAT KIND OF PHUKERY DAVIES TALKING BOUT MISMANAGMENT AND OTHER MEANS OF POWER? All that cost money solar cost money etc. GET RID OF THAT GOT DAMN LAW THAT HELPS RESIDENTS ACCESS ALLL SERVICES AT THE HOSPITAL FOR FREE! The true definition of insanity! Doing the same phuk and expecting different results ayo Itarded MS.
Would you really want “free service” at THAT HOSPITAL? Remember, one gets what he pays for and if its free no one gives a dam….. The BVI hospital is filled with nurses from other countries who did three months courses, then get imported to provide nursing care.
A lot of people aren’t supprised ~ WE NEED AN OUT SPOKEN PERSON TO RUN BTHE COUNTRY , BUT THE POWERS THAT BE WILL BE EXPOSED , SO THEY MIGHT TAKE YOU OUT ( WE WERE ALREADY TOLD THAT KNOWN COLDBLOODED EXECUTION STYLE KILLERS BARE WALKING IN THE STREETS AMONGST US , THATS A FRIENDLY WARNING , AND WITH ALL THAT IS GOING ON IN THIS ONCE PEACEFUL AND LOVING COUNTRY , ONE OF YHE 3 WISE MEN WAS CONCEITED ENOUGH TO BOLDLY GO ON A PLATFORM AND PROUDLY HOLLER OUT ” WE DON’T HAVE ANY CORRUPTION HERE ” THATS ANOTHER WAKE UP CALL ON ALL THE HYPOCRISY THAT EXISTS HERE , STAND FIRM MY FRIEND , SOMEBODY HAS TO BRING THE TRUTH TO THE PEOPLE . MY RESPECT TO YOU AND WHOEVER DOES
If doctors are running semi private businesses out of them and taking profits
Is like power gone every day now ever since they start harassing BVIHSA for their money.
If I remember when Fahie was in power there was a certain auditor that did an audit on the Hospital and end up getting fired.
Bvi government just love high expenditure and are incompetent when it comes to investing into the country
They only concerned about investing in their pockets and private businesses
So long they could of switched many of their assets to solar energy
Bviec even got a truck advertising solar energy
The government even made a tax exemption on solar products but the government fail to invest
I guess that’s what it is just advertising
And instead bviec run the lines underground like other advanced countries they still got these big old poles over we head as we drive in the day and age
And this is the same government crying out for climate change grants but they refuse to invest in solar panels for many government services in the bvi
Most of the government vehicles still gas and not ev as well
Tropical storm come and knock them down and we got to wait until it’s restored. Did we not learn from irma?
They are both government entities why does the have to pay each other for services??
That’s how businesses run. I own a restaurant, and when I order food there, I pay. The staff must be paid as well as the electricity bills.
Well at least the government see and feel the high bills that bviec dishing out to public.
But them still debating over raising minimum wage and scared to implement a proper price control smh
Not like them care but at least them get a taste of it. I guess
Of course they should pay. John Q can’t be expected to pay for everything here. But they should also not get cut, they should have a flat rate that is paid quarterly. Sounds like poor management to me all around.
Well I’m happy you didn’t get elected! You would have a FRIG!
Have watched our home electrcity bill go from let’s say from $10.00 a month for our home that ran a refrigerator 24/7 and minimum light at night before going to bed, leaving a one bulb yard light on,..
In a forty year career, saw our bill gradually rise each month. By 2022, the bill arrived at $100.00, while the house wattage usage remained the same for i refrigerator, minimum night usage and one yard light at night.
The current revelation again is revealing high level mismanagement and corruption, with the main focus, as usual, being the misappropriation of money in high places, while robbing the weak and defenseless, the customer. This is evident by those of us who can read and see clearly between and behind the lines.
Where are the “heavy Subventions” going, and who ultimately manages and directs them? Are they ending up with numbers for names for names in foriegn nations, Europe and recently in Asia and the far East? Things people can infer and recognize, but incapable offollowing through on.
This is where the investigations should now start, while our bill is above now $150.00, where it was once just $10.00, even as all of us are no longer utilizing the house.
How is the house still being charged for electricity of a refrigerator that is no longer plugged in, and no other electricity use thereof day or night since all of the past occupants are no longer there?
The same wattage usage for over forty years, yet the bill continued to rise astronomically each month for all those years. Now there is no more wattage being used, but the bill is still extremely high, where there is not even one watt being used?
This looks and smeels like stealing and corruption, is it?
Health Care must be the Number one Priority of any Country. Hence, that problem must be corrected promptly, but the apparent fleecing of the citizens, especially the low wagers, seniors and the elderly earners is gastly inhuman, criminal and unGodly. Clearly this is an old and ongoing practice.
It has been finally been revealled the insidious ness and depth of money misappropriation and corruption of it in our once clean and peaceful nation.
The whole national entity appears completely corrupt because from top to botton and in every entity. it is. Lord help us all.
Electric generators use fuel to run. Fuel cost fluctuate in an increasing trend and is passed on to consumers. Do the math on why your bill fluctuates in an increasing trend.
Our bill never flucated. The house bill went up each month, never down, never stationary, only up, up and up. Same frig, same light and nothing. Then, no more frig and no more light, but bill still getting higher.
It is understood and recognize that fuel cost went up over time. Yet, itis ridiculous to think that customers should be subjected to what was lived and is still being lived.
The people ofthe Vigin Islands, Tortola and her neighbors have been getting robbed since 1960 0nwards by crooked cooperations, businesses and especially foriegn food conglamorates. The past governments in particular sold out their peole for corrupt pay and kick backs. As they their bellies and accounts grew, the suffering of the people icresed exponentially.
Today, that suffering is emmense and the few are livinghappy off of that suffering without a care for no one but themselves
Mr. Davies, electricity is also an essential service and must be funded. This is what electricity bills are all about. You are not an essential service. Lawyers do important work but let’s agree, they aren’t essential like electricity and health care. An easier argument to make is why are you being paid?
The title of this article is misleading. When you read the body of it, you will realise it is saying something completely different. I was suckered in just like you and had a similar view but after reading, he’s not asking what the title says he’s asking…at least not in that context.
You are right, good spotting. All the quotes shown being made by Mr. Davies show him questioning the Health Authority’s management for not getting the bills paid. The lead line in the story implies he was questioning the need to pay but they don’t quote anything with him saying that. Either they missed printing that or they completely misrepresented him.
HOW THESE SUPERSTARS JUMPING ON A PLANE GOING HERE , THERE & EVERYWHERE , LOOKING SHARP & NEAT AND PORTRAYING A FALSE IMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD AND THEIR BACK YARDS ( FULL AH SH*T ) (ROADS THAT LOOKS LIKE CRATERS ON THE MOON ) ( GUNS ) ( DRUGS ) WE EVEN
GOT ( HITMEN ) CHILLIN – OUT WID – WE / AND WE NOW HAVE FREE JAMS THAT IS BECOMING THE NEW NORM / MAYBE OUR CONSULTANT CSC WAS RIGHT ~ WE GOT ” FRIGGED ” FROM A RODEO COACH TO A FREE JAMS COACH
And I don’t intend to pay. Ever heard of underground electricity? I will not give away my secret. I’m much more smarter than all of y’all. Want the secret hook up? It is going to cost you a one time fee of $300.00.
The politicians and everyone else in high positions is stealing money on the Daly so why not join the club. So what if you are stealing electricity.
Persons need to understand that BVIHSA is a statutary board. They have a board they make their own money and handle their affairs without the ministers input. Why not pay they pay for electricity? Ohhn I remember the same persons going seeking medical services and not paying their bills, thus why they cant afford to pay electricity. Clear your debts and maybe the clinics will reopen. Why subsidize, what should be a moneymaker?
Oh Danny boy. They have no need to pay that bill because all of us paying customers have been paying exhorbitant bills to cover it. It wouldn’t be so bad but do you know the clique’s exhorbitant salaries, allowances, and other payments to pad their salaries while the rest of the staff suck salt? Hospital never has any supplies and cant maintain anything?
Ever wonder why none of the special audits of that organisation have never seen the light of day? Why the internal auditor was fired once she blew the whistle? what did the Auditory General find? I wonder if the ink is dry as yet on the contracts the UK has instructed to review the finances and governance arrangements of all statutory board.
Oh Danny Boy not everyone is as naive as you
Danny Boy still in diapers
He and Sowande are not out of puberty but most likely permanently stuck with brain loss and arrested development.
The other Wheatley Bro shaking hands with the Powers in agreement the BVI becomkng a a bigger refugeecamp given the fact that CARICOM refugees installed in these VI vastly outnumber the other universal groups installed and larger than..inclusive of
BVIslanders. No where else to go
but,deeper in this human inhabited septic entity ?
referred to as BVI. Po We
The Government need to continue getting the plane money back that the former Primer was in the process of doing and pay the electricity department which all would benefit from.
If you all know the true story behind this fiasco, some of you will be sh*t with shame. Here it is in a nutshell.
Back in March 2005 the hospital and clinics where transfer from the government to an authority. From the beginning they were told the have to deposit some funds as back up so they can keep afloat. This never happened. Fast forward to 2014 and anew hospital is transferred to the authority. Guess what came along with it? If you say an electric bill you are correct. Imagine giving a company a huge bill in the millions to pay and they don’t have it and hands are tied in collecting outstanding monies owed to them.
This brings us to 2016 and the introduction of NHI. Now imaging having to share limited funds with other health care facilities and you still cannot collect outstanding monies nor raised fees. The health services has been battling for years to pay off these bills especially those incur from building anew hospital that was transfer including said electric bill.
Here is my question to Dr. N. Smith and the four elected members from the NDP. What were you all thinking when that decision was made?
Dr. Smith were you not part of the finance ministry when decisions were made to lower the funding for the hospital? If my memory is correct at sometime you were the Financial Secretary. So you are aware of the state of finance at the hospital.
Hope this can help people to understand the situation and if you must lay blame put it where it belongs. Hint our current Premier is not responsible to this fiasco. He wasn’t elected and also half of the assembly. Notice those who know quiet about it.
Inefficient administration, send them home
He is rational, knowledgeable and sensible. He is like a college professor, when he speaks you listen and learn..
I think the hospital and clinics should be partially powered by solar.
The airport too
The Premier and the majority of his team does not have the expertise and experience to run the country
The bundle at the speed bump says
Government has cut back drastically on the money it barely give the District – They raise it them pull it back .
Those of you who have done retirement years leave take your money and run . The Government is spending money and not bringing any why?
No capital projects!!
Lorna in your corner cannot give out information on the increase in minimum wage because they know what is happening.
The government is going headlong inti being dead brokenand the Premier don’t care My
Poeple be aware ayo put dem dey .
Soon they will
Lift the tax FREE off your first ten thousand dollars . The BVI is slipping and we are so complacent. Clinics closef what will be next ??!
SMH. Every time this young man opens his mouth a bunch of hogwash comes out. What a waste of nine months.