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$35m not enough; project could cost up to $70m – Hon Andrew A. Fahie

-says price projections that were highlighted in PAC are cause for concern
First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie believes that the Cruise Pier Development Project could escalate to about $70 million dollars by the time the land-side development and other aspects of it come to an end and does not feel the $35 million received by Government is nearly enough. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie believes that the Cruise Pier Development Project could escalate to about $70 million dollars by the time the land-side development and other aspects of it come to an end and does not feel the $35 million received by Government is nearly enough.

Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online, Hon Fahie, noting the financial closure for $35 million last week by the Government, said that this money is not nearly enough for the project, whose scope has changed over time.

“In terms of the loan, the loan is $35 million dollars but one aspect alone is already $31 million and change, the contract is already four point something million dollars. That in itself is already $35 million and the land based section has not been fully developed and the tenders are out,” said Hon Fahie, a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Assembly.

“Somebody has to be forthright with the people and stop the political games. This does not include monies owed to PriceWaterHouseCoopers and other consultants and other technical personnel. This does not include other monies to complete the project in totality,” he said.

“So obviously the $35 million is not enough to complete this project. From the projections, even in the PAC report this has been highlighted, the projections are that this project may go up to $50 million or $70 million and that is room for concern,” he said.

“We cannot run a country where wrong is treated as if it is right depending on who we love and right is turned into wrong depending on who we hate,” he said. “Those are inconsistent principles which usually end up in a very unstable Territory,” said Hon Fahie.

18 Responses to “$35m not enough; project could cost up to $70m – Hon Andrew A. Fahie”

  • ooooo (12/07/2014, 09:30) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    andrew is correct with what he is saying because (for example) take the hospital under ndp....from 68 to 100 million_____the georgie hill road project under ndp started at 300 thousand and ended up over a million dollars.......i wont mention craft alive, manse road nor hospital parking lot because i dont want to bore ayo with the facts
  • true tolian (12/07/2014, 09:50) Like (4) Dislike (20) Reply
    how is he so sure that cost will escalate,is he only thinking about what his administration would
    do if they were in power.Is this his stance to try to stop this development sorry to say i had a lot
    of respect for andrew,but if he is such an advert accountant and consultant he should then give
    up politics and stick to consulting.
  • wize up (12/07/2014, 10:32) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    news flash; please do not forget that the NDP administration is very deceptive administration. Just a cautious reminder....
  • Malcolm (12/07/2014, 10:56) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply

    If its not enough, the shortfall would come from somewhere. Projects of that magnitude always go over budget. It's economics. Its needed for the advancement of the BVI something that generations will profit from for many years to come. Therefore its better to experience the costs now than later when things will cost a lot more. Criticism is good but negative criticism from leaders concerns me. I am not sure what Andrew is trying to prove. He is still trying to hide his s......ns probably.

  • shaw (12/07/2014, 11:09) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    why can't the land-side development be scaled back along the lines of Crafts Alive instead of the huge shopping mall approach? you can still have individual stores, cafes, restaurants, restrooms etc. but it will be smaller and more reflective of BVI culture and not any place in the world including Miami. Andrew is right. These bigger companies don't know how to bid competently and make it up to get the job. THEN reality sets in. Same with most government projects.
  • Outspoken (12/07/2014, 12:57) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Oh wow. All I can say it's things to think about, things to talk about and things to ponder upon. Let us band our bellies and prepare to bawl out loud, loud, loud.
  • big bird (12/07/2014, 14:18) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    under NDP the BVI is already decades behind where it should be economically
  • ABC (12/07/2014, 15:27) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    The fact of the matter is, this project should have been placed on hold based on the Chief Auditor's report and the PAC 's subsequent findings. The true colours of the Governor are now coming to light and our spineless Premier is equally responsible for the shameful mess we find ourselves.
  • doc (12/07/2014, 15:36) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    This project has to go on for the simplest reason. Just think for a moment who have land in that area.
    Hon. Mark Vanterpool , HON. Dr. D. Olando Smith. So weather you like it or not it would be the people's tax money who would develop that project.
    • dog (12/07/2014, 22:45) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      yes, Dr Smith has plans already for a tall building across from the cruise ship dock. It was presented in BVI Business years ago. I agree that the project should be put on hold because of the questions brought up by the Audit and PAC. This is a public development using some taxpayer money, but there are shady questions that need answering and the premier and even governor have not stood up and taken responsibility to have them answered for the public. Ignoring the law is bad form and arrogant.
  • Boo (12/07/2014, 17:11) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    100 mill to unfinish the hospital now 70 plus mill to build some shacks and call it a shopping centre? What is the experience with the cruise project in St Thomas? easy answer ... a dismal failure.. what will be the outcome in Tortola? hmmmmm
  • AA (12/07/2014, 17:34) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    The uk needs to stop this project
  • Whoknowknow (12/07/2014, 19:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see that what he is saying is true. I am sure we will hear about this one, to much in hast to prove that something was done in the last four years and not concern enough about citizens and country as usual but who know, know.
  • Curious (12/07/2014, 21:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Was a cost analysis for this project carried out or figures are just being pulled out of a hat? Just curious to know how they arrive at these figures.
  • i told you so (12/07/2014, 21:41) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply

    This project is fraught with corruption and bobol, the hallmark of each and every NDP initiative.
  • idk (12/07/2014, 22:21) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    Struppsss, move on along...tired of this same old story...Listen. we building a port..end of story
  • MONEY GALORE (15/07/2014, 10:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Them suckers like to waste money sah..


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