‘8% pay cut for Ministers under a VIP Administration'- Hon Fahie
He said this would last until the economy of the Virgin Islands (VI) gets back on track as “me and my Cabinet must also feel the pain of the people we serve”.
Hon Fahie was speaking at the time at a community meeting in Sea Cows Bay last evening June 14, 2018, at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre, as part of a series of public meetings in his capacity as Leader of the Opposition.
In front of a modest crowd, Hon Fahie stuck to his script of bringing back integrity, accountability and transparency to the Government of the VI.
Legislative agenda
As he did at the meetings on the three sister islands, Hon Fahie who is also Chairman of the VIP said he would achieve this through his “legislative agenda” which he promised to have passed in the first six months of a Fahie Administration.
He again called at the Sea Cows Bay public meeting for ‘Whistle Blowing Legislation’ to help reduce government corruption and to protect civil servants from victimisation, once they make a report, as well as new legislation that caters for integrity in public life.
Another essential part of his legislative agenda—should his VIP take power—is a review of government’s procurement systems for contracts. This, in order to bring more accountability and fairness, he said to residents in Sea Cows Bay, that included the District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3).
Mr Fahie also raised the issues of strengthening fishing and sports Tourism and getting the people more involved in the economy and also hearing from the people more as “to what they want".
NDP poor financial stewards- Hon Fahie
He told the people that the National Democratic Party (NDP) has not been good stewards of our money as there is still no audited financial reports, “so we still do not know the state of our finances” and that when you have to borrow to cover your operation cost, it is like a household borrowing to “pay the light bill and buy food... that spells trouble”, the five-term elected Member noted.
The First District Representative who also dispelled rumors that he is running At-Large told the audience that the government rushed to borrow $65M, which they did a $15M drawdown and “to date no project has started, however, Government has paid almost $300,000 in interest inclusive of the funds received for the drawn down without any benefits".
Issues with NHI
There was a very active question and answer segment after Hon Fahie’s presentation. Many residents raised concerns about the service and cost of the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme, the lack of post office mailbox service on Tortola, and the need for an independent integrity commission.
On NHI, residents raised an alarm that a Board will decide on if a patient goes overseas for medical attention and that NHI will now determine which doctors are used.
There was confusion over if persons who are not working will get NHI coverage and Hon Fahie with the agreement of Hon Fraser conquered that was said during the NHI debate in the House of Assembly.
The Opposition Leader is doing a series of meeting throughout the Territory and said he is listening to the needs of the people, and bringing solitons to address them.
The date and place of his next meeting have not been announced.
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