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by pltm
(PLTM) - Months after being elected, At-Large Representative and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Neville Smith’s security company entered into a contract with Government, but nearly two years later, that contract is now set to engage the House of Assembly (HoA).
Hon. Smith is a Director of Caribbean Security Limited and requires an exemption from vacating his seat as an elected member of the House of Assembly as a result of the company inking the contract with Government.
According to the HoA, Smith’s company entered into a contract through the Ministry of Finance on December 6, 2019 for the delivery of items such as access controls and intercoms for the refurbished Police Headquarters at Sir Olva George’s Plaza, Tortola, British Virgin Islands for a $15,980.24.
The matter will engage the House of Assembly today September 22.
The Government had faced strong criticisms for bringing one of Smith’s security contract matters ‘late’ as described by opposition Members. That contract was entered into on November 26, 2020 between Smith’s company and Government.
The contract was “to provide services for the installation of ICT equipment for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force at identified locations in Tortola, for a total contract sum of $99,285.00.”
On the delay in getting the 2020 contract to the HoA, Hon. Smith, had said that the sensitive nature of the contents of the contract and legislators being busy with COVID-19 were some of the reasons for the delay.
It is not known as yet what may have caused the delay of the 2019 contract in getting to the HoA, but Smith has been grilled by the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (CoI) about his company’s contracts with the Government.
Smith is also seeking House approval to not vacate his seat as his company is set to undertake another security contract in the amount of $87,013.00 for the installation of access control, video surveillance and burglar alarm in the Ministry of Finance and additional installation including building wide fire system at RFG Place.
In addition to the 2020 contract, Smith was cleared to retain his seat following HoA debate after his company entered into a contract on April 8 this year.
This contract was to “provide services for the installation of access control, video surveillance and burglar alarm in the Department of Information Technology/Telephone Services Management, Inland Revenue and Treasury Departments and for additional installation including building wildfire system at relocation offices located at Skelton Bay Lots, Fish Bay, Tortola, for a total contract sum of $72,917.56.”
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