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

‘An abrupt stop must be placed on these political pirates’- Hon Fahie

- gives annual First District Report which again called for accountability & transparency from NDP Gov’t
Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) during his Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons who turned up to hear Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) give his Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons who turned up to hear Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) give his Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons who turned up to hear Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) give his Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons who turned up to hear Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) give his Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, interacts with members of his district following his Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, interacts with members of his district following his Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
Bikers, fully equipped with their helmets, at the Capoon's Bay Recreation Ground on January 21, 2018 when Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) gave his Annual First District Report. Photo: VINO
Bikers, fully equipped with their helmets, at the Capoon's Bay Recreation Ground on January 21, 2018 when Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) gave his Annual First District Report. Photo: VINO
Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) poses with a 'Virgin Islands Party cake'. Photo: VINO
Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) poses with a 'Virgin Islands Party cake'. Photo: VINO
Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) with former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority and Social and Political Commentator Claude O. Skelton-Cline, left, and former Permanent Secretary and Businessman Julian Willock, right, at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) with former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority and Social and Political Commentator Claude O. Skelton-Cline, left, and former Permanent Secretary and Businessman Julian Willock, right, at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
Getting a bite following the Annual First District Report by Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
Getting a bite following the Annual First District Report by Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
A hug for the Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) following his Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
A hug for the Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) following his Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
The Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018 was also a family event and no doubt the children had loads of fun with the bouncy castles. Photo: VINO
The Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018 was also a family event and no doubt the children had loads of fun with the bouncy castles. Photo: VINO
CAPOON’S BAY, Tortola, VI- “I know there is a cry for solutions and it is well within place. The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) will be bringing forward many solutions in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands. We cannot and will not sit idly by anymore. However, an abrupt stop must be placed on these political pirates that are robbing us of our monies.”

These were some of the forceful words by Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) during his Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018.

Hon Fahie over the years has been consistent with his calls for transparency and accountability by Government and yesterday was no different.

He began his address to his many constituents who turned up for the presentation by remembering the many persons from his District as well as the wider Virgin Islands who have passed on since the hurricanes of September 2017. The long serving representative then proceeded to give updates on many of his ongoing programmes, including the Bambelela After School Programme, nightly transportation service for students from the First District attending H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, transportation service for seniors desiring to visit the clinic in the District to receive their medical attention and medication when necessary and then afterwards transporting them home.

Totally cut off

Hon Fahie then extended his appreciation to the people of the First District who came together following the hurricanes to assist in whatever way they could, since he said they were “totally cut off from the rest of the BVI for times post Hurricane Irma. No fire department, no police department, no clinic, no food supply, no water, nothing. That is why I had to rally all of us together so that those and other government deficiencies that were non-existent, would not overwhelm us. You my people of the First District lived the journey.”

It was stated that the people of the First District set out immediately to consult with each other on creating a well-structured recovery system for the District One. The result of this was the creation of distribution centers in West End, Little Apple Bay and Carrot Bay, to get supplies, food, tarpaulins, generators and much more to all affected.

“We didn’t have a system of favouritism. No one sat in a room dictating who will get next but rather it was a system where all of us would benefit from what was being shared. To assess our distribution as well as to disseminate information as we were cut off from all modern forms of communications, each area met daily and later on weekly as we waited word from those in authority. Nonetheless, each person in each area of the First District was looking out for the other. This is what I call an unforgettable journey in life.”

The journey ahead

The journey ahead, according to Hon Fahie, means the VI must choose a system of accountability over a system of manipulation, one that always puts the people first and not personal selfish motivates, and reform not just for the public service but also for the elected officials because no one should be above the law.

“The journey ahead means that we must put an end to the ongoing blatant corruption by government and in Government.”

Hon Fahie also said the journey ahead means that the VI must elect a government that understands the importance of allowing the private sector to build back the economy.

He also reiterated calls for legislations such as the Whistle Blowing Legislation to protect public servants, Campaign Finance Legislation and Ethics Legislation.

“The journey ahead means that we must protect our name from these political pirates in power.”

Stop taking money from the poor

Hon Fahie also called for strong leadership for the Virgin Islands, reminding that his No Confidence Motion against Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL) as Minister of Finance back in August 2017 was not seconded in the House of Assembly even by the other Opposition Member. He said the Motion was for the betterment of the entire Virgin Islands as primary legislations introduced and passed by an NDP administration to ensure accountability, transparency and good governance in the administration of our territory’s financial affairs was not being adhered to.

He said the Motion was intended to bring more awareness to all that the incumbent government’s policy of “reverse Robin Hood” must be brought to an abrupt end.

“Our government must stop taking money from the poor and challenged, which is now you the people, and giving it to the rich and privileged. Taking $7.2 million dollars with absolutely no accountability of its expenditure is poor financial management. Spending public funds for six years without audited financial statements presented to the House of Assembly is not only poor financial management but is contrary to the 5 primary legislations enacted by an NDP Administration.”

He added his action was taken on behalf of our forefathers who have labored and agitated for the reinstatement of the Virgin Islands Constitution in 1950 and on behalf of our leaders who have sought and attained constitutional advancements in each of the reviews since 1950.

“On behalf of the many bus drivers that take our children to school and can never get paid in a timely manner. I took this action on behalf of the many Public Servants who were awaiting their long over-due full increments that they have already worked so hard for years prior.”

Hon Fahie continued that the Motion was taken on behalf of the business people, especially the small businesses who complain to him every day about how stressful it has become to do business in the VI.

“You complained to me daily about the increasing challenges being met in conducting business in the BVI -- the numerous government imposed taxes and increases in existing taxes. You have complained that these new taxes and other government decisions are removing the joy and prosperity of doing business in the BVI.”

He also said he took this course of action for the many businesses that are not paid in a timely manner or not paid at all for services and goods rendered to government while at the same time being required to pay your suppliers, employees, NHI, Payroll Taxes, Social Security among other government fees.

“The same government that wouldn’t pay you are hunting you down without mercy when you are unable to pay government fees on a timely basis.  I did this for you.”

VIP to the rescue

Hon Fahie concluded that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) was going to be the solution to take the Virgin Islands to its intended destination.

“After 12 additional members are selected by the Congress of the Virgin Islands Party; after the Virgin Islands Party forms the new government; after the Premier and Ministers are sworn in --- together we will achieve, together we will complete our journey!”

11 Responses to “‘An abrupt stop must be placed on these political pirates’- Hon Fahie”

  • Excellent (22/01/2018, 09:28) Like (23) Dislike (4) Reply
    Excellent speech Hon. Fahie. Too much corruption going unchecked under this NDP Government
  • GOOD ONE (22/01/2018, 09:30) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    I like this one "POLITICAL PIRATES". Couldn't describe the ndp gang better.
  • Laura (22/01/2018, 09:50) Like (24) Dislike (4) Reply
    If this is what Leadership looks like I want to see more of it. Keep pushing through Hon. Fahie!
  • Interested (22/01/2018, 10:10) Like (8) Dislike (20) Reply
    Hon Fahie please,every year basically the same speech.Who are they robbing? What do you mean?
    In a time of crisis and the need for restoration let us help each other.Some of us are very stressed and tired right now and this is not the kind of entertainment we are looking for.
  • NDP must go (22/01/2018, 10:23) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    I heard they waiting on a glover park speech to respond to the broxn bummer lol
    • pat (22/01/2018, 10:45) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
      This government has proven time and time again that they are liars and is only out for power.
  • Helpus. (22/01/2018, 10:52) Like (6) Dislike (15) Reply
    Some only went to full their empty bellies. Eat them out, drink them out and vote them out.
  • wize up (22/01/2018, 11:37) Like (0) Dislike (29) Reply

    We should be seeing clause, willock and Fahie on some political ticket or platform: Sam coming soon to along the young woman from the cay
  • Ben (22/01/2018, 17:29) Like (8) Dislike (23) Reply
    So what are the solutions to our problems. Careful now, VIP was in charge for over 25 years and were voted out.....WHY! Giving parties and grinning for the camera with the same old speeches of promises is lame. We need totally new young positive minds to come forward and pull us out of this swamp we cannot get out of. These same old tired money grabbing politicians are sickening.
    • To Ben (23/01/2018, 09:00) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
      Go listen to the entire speech because a few solutions were given. Also Fahie has been doing this report and party for the last 12 consecutive years. The man remains being accountable to his people which is what the ndp does not do. You are just a hater.


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.