Customs Boss asked to delay his leave – Premier Smith

British Virgin Islands: After Wade Smith, Comptroller of Customs, was issued a letter from the Ministry of Finance, which was signed by Financial Secretary, Neil Smith, sending him on leave effective Feb. 6, 2012, Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith announced at a press conference yesterday, that the Customs Head has now been asked to delay his leave and continue working, according to a BVInews.com report.

Premier Smith told the media, “While I understand that Mr. Wade Smith, the Comptroller of Customs, has been requested to take a substantial portion of his leave in accordance with Government’s Policy, his absence at this time and more so in light of the new initiative that we just announced it is not convenient…I have therefore asked that his requirement for leave be deferred to a more suitable and agreed timeframe to allow the work of the department to continue unimpeded.”

The BVInews.com report said that when asked why the matter was not dealt with in a proper manner, the Premier explained that the situation was being handled but was pre-empted by the information being leaked. The BVI leader also disclosed that the policy has been in place since 2010.