No Job Cuts Promised As Bill Passes For Air, Sea Ports Merger

No Image Found!
BVI Platinum News

(PLTM) - The Virgin Islands Air and Sea Ports Act, 2021 has been passed in the House of Assembly paving the way to commence the process to merge the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) and BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA).

Premier and Minister of Finance, who piloted the bill yesterday September 23, assured that there will be no job losses. He also made it clear that government does not intend to privatize the entities.

The bill was passed with amendments after 10.00 pm last evening following several hours in committee stage.

“One thing I want to say clearly to anyone that’s listening, two things to take away- no one will lose their jobs in the merger and second of all this government has no intention of privatizing and releasing the companies into foreign hands…that’s not what this bill is about,” Premier Fahie said.

In explaining the bill, the Premier said provisions were made for the establishment of a statutory cooperation namely, the Virgin Islands Air and Sea Ports Authority which will manage the operation of air and sea ports of the territory.

“Once merged it should result in cost saving for the operation position of the new body.”

Under the Act, the board shall consist of not less than seven and no more than nine directors who are voting members of the board including a chairman and deputy chairman appointed by Cabinet. There will be one CEO and two Managing Directors.

“When it comes to our air and sea ports government recognizes that they are similar and overlapping functions and therefore there is an opportunity to increase the financial efficiency and organizational capacity if we embrace this overlap and streamline the relationship with the two bodies that managed all our ports of entry,” he explained.

Further, the Premier told the House that there will be a transition team.

“There will be need for a transition team to merge the two entities and in the process no jobs will be lost. When we have one board, one management team, and one management structure we will be able to have the foundation of a shared vision to all our ports of entry,” he pointed out.

Not Now

It was stated that the merger will take months to be realized.

“May I say to anyone who has fears about this, this transition is going to take some time, it will not happen overnight, but you cannot start the transition if you do not have something [law] passed. It’s a transition of a merger and all the perimeters of how it will work. Everyone will know and get to know more of because there will be teething pains with the merger,” Premier Fahie said.

No Image Found!
BVI Platinum News

Meanwhile, Hon. Marlon Penn, Opposition Leader said government should have held informal discussions on the proposed bill.

“To at least give us the opportunity to have a conversation with the technocrats in understanding how they came about this merger…but on the face of it, conceptual, I have no issue with the approach but as they say the devil is in the details. So I think it is important for us to have that level of discussion concerning the details,” Hon. Penn stated.

He also touched on the issue of jobs.

“I heard the Premier mentioned as well that no jobs will be lost, and we will have one executive team. I am keen to figure out how that will work as well because you are talking about two CEOs who are paid at that same level and deputies are paid at that same level.”

He continued: “are we going to cut salaries, are we going to cut the different administrative salaries that is being paid at each level at each organization. How will that work?”

-----
Copyright 2023 by Virgin Islands Platinum News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Reader Opinion
Please note that the opinions posted are the opinions of its author and does not in any way reflect the views of the management, staff, parent company or sponsors of Virgin Islands Platinum News.
There are no comments to show at this time.
Cruise Schedule
IN PORT - TODAY ( 28 March )
We have no cruise ship in port on this day!
IN PORT - TOMORROW ( 29 March )
We have no cruise ship in port on this day!