Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

$40M stimulus grant handed over to VIP Gov’t by SSB

- As part of Phase 2 of Economic Stimulus Package
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, looks on as Social Security Board Director, Antoinette Skelton, left, and Chairman of the SSB, Ian S. Smith, centre, signs the cheque for the $40M to Government. Photo: Team of Reporters
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), 2nd from left, and Financial Secretary Glenroy A. Forbes, 2nd from right, pose with the $40M cheque from Social Security Board. Photo: Team of Reporters
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), 2nd from left, and Financial Secretary Glenroy A. Forbes, 2nd from right, pose with the $40M cheque from Social Security Board. Photo: Team of Reporters
The Virgin Islands Economic Stimulus Plan in response to COVID-19 has received an injection of $40M grant from the Social Security Board (SSB). Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands Economic Stimulus Plan in response to COVID-19 has received an injection of $40M grant from the Social Security Board (SSB). Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Just over a month after Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had announced that Social Security Board (SSB) had agreed to assist his Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government with $40M as part of the $62.9M Phase 2 Economic Stimulus Plan, the money has been handed over.

The check signing and presentation was done today, July 3, 2020, in the presence of Premier Fahie, Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, with responsibility for Social Security, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9); Financial Secretary, Glenroy A. Forbes; Social Security Board Director, Antoinette Skelton and Chairman of the SSB, Ian S. Smith, among others.

The handover of the money comes after Premier Fahie has been threatening to call names of persons who have been trying to block or delay the money already promised to Government by Social Security Board.

‘Strong leadership’

During the announcement of the Phase 2 Economic Stimulus Plan on May 28, 2020, Hon Fahie had said Government has been trying to avoid touching the taxpayers' piggybank “because we understand that the hurricane season is upon us, seismic activity in the area is continuing, and COVID-19 has not been eliminated, hence we have to leave room in case, God forbid, the BVI is struck by a disaster.”

Left with no alternative; however, Hon Fahie said his Government reached out to the Virgin Islands Social Security Board which has agreed to provide the people of the British Virgin Islands with a special COVID-19 grant in the sum of $40M towards efforts in providing social and economic relief and stimulating economic activity.

“The Social Security Board is committed to strong leadership and prudent investment of funds. They have been able to accumulate funds to help out the Territory in its time of need,” Premier Fahie had said.

27 Responses to “$40M stimulus grant handed over to VIP Gov’t by SSB”

  • :-| (03/07/2020, 14:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    stipulations knocking dog with that grant, economic geniuses smh
  • Hmmmm (03/07/2020, 14:15) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    That is good and please spread amongst the people. Don't give it all to J.Todman Again. That does not help the economy only an economy of one.
  • Not there money (03/07/2020, 14:20) Like (22) Dislike (5) Reply
    Both anthonette and smith need to go
    • Styler (03/07/2020, 18:44) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      I agreed with you Smith did not learn form BANCO. ... he see what the last administration caused him his own family
      • Stylus (04/07/2020, 01:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Envy and jealousy real and rampant in this BVI but thred carefully you friends and family when messing with the reputation God's chosen. When your soon to come disaster strike remember your own words cause it. God don't play, ask Haman.
      • tretretrete (04/07/2020, 01:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Styler you can't be talking bout the same bank that was legit begging Smith to come back. People like to sir up mess sa
  • Reader (03/07/2020, 14:36) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good to hear...
  • Local (03/07/2020, 14:44) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    The lady finally let go of the purse well saw look a thing , I thought it was our money not her money .
  • BVI National (03/07/2020, 14:56) Like (20) Dislike (21) Reply
    The people’s money not the Government. We want accountability and transparency. Let’s hope the money is not used to enrich cronies and VIP supports. We will be paying close attention.
  • trrefdrfds (03/07/2020, 15:28) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    but I thought the Minister of Labour said the hundred and seventy thousands or so was already release from the grant.

    He said it in HOA
  • 911 (03/07/2020, 15:30) Like (21) Dislike (7) Reply
    finally these mo moo stop holding up the money while people suffer
  • y (03/07/2020, 16:06) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    Smith & Skelton together I tell you my grandma will say when one say kill d other one say beried sorry to say two of a kind
  • hmmmmmm (03/07/2020, 16:06) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    I hope I get my darn money when time come for my retirement. I done put in over 30 years working. So, you all better don’t hand me sxxx when that time comes and it better take into account inflation and the cost of living.

    Government too lackadaisical and that is why UK behaving the way they are. $40M for how many? Keep behaving as if money falling from trees! If you give $40k to 1,000 families that is $40M and that $40k should last a minimum of 1 year. Are there 1,000 families who have no source of income because of unemployment?
    • No (03/07/2020, 17:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      No its because the SSB pay out pensions to peoiple who are still working , running their own businesses but have worked for 25 years and then retired on full pension from the age of 55 or even younger!

      You also need to read the news instead of just commenting then you would know where the money is going.
      • voter (05/07/2020, 06:54) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        what’s your point?? Are you saying they should not receive the message ney they earned by law... Heartless!!!
    • @hmmmm,mm (03/07/2020, 18:13) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      Wish you luck.
      This 40M is not a loan
      This 40M is not an investment.
      This is a G I F T....not what we signed up for. So some of u...kiss your old age benefits good bye.
      • Tongue Fu (03/07/2020, 18:59) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
        @ hmmmm.

        Agreed it should have been a loan. If we keep doing this there will be nothing left when I reach 65.

        Will it reach the people who really need it. That my friend is the 40 million dollar question.
  • Hopeful (03/07/2020, 17:58) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yall please hurry run those check people hurting.
  • rewrsdffds (03/07/2020, 18:06) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need to be getting something back from government every year... all this tax and ss we paying... yall want to follow everything America do, give us tax returns or something man... we paying too much money every month and not getting nothing... when we sick or lose our jobs, we like we begging for what's ours.
  • tretretrete (03/07/2020, 18:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Watch this
  • jock (03/07/2020, 18:32) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    About time...
  • hurting (03/07/2020, 21:43) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I have not receive a copper yet
  • My Take (03/07/2020, 23:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank God. FINALLY
  • Going going gone (04/07/2020, 10:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    MY social security monies given to the government to spend (embezzle) as they feel fit . Tell me why I should continue to contribute to a fund meant to benefit ME in retirement when it's given to the government to piss away ??? this action just means MY social security is a general tax for others to spend. So turd world
  • Sam (04/07/2020, 14:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We will dead before we get this money. Hungry will kill us.
  • BuzzBvi (04/07/2020, 16:12) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Finally $40Million to divide amongst themselves without oversight. Someone hit the jackpot!! Now the people have to bear the cost.
  • disappoint (04/07/2020, 20:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm disappointed by the ssb of the handling of the payment of funds to contributes I believe all ssb contributes should receive a payment also the employer's who do not want to sign the form they should look into that ssb no very well that covid has affected everyone and working or not their should try to help


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.