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

Fix internet woes or be sent home - Premier tells TRC Chair Vance M. Lewis

-Hon Andrew A. Fahie says poor telecoms service in VI cannot continue
Following the motion to appoint Mr Vance M. Lewis as the Chairman of the local Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has made an ultimatum that he must get the work done with regards to fixing the Virgin Islands (VI) telecoms woes or be sent home. Photo: VINO
Current Chief Executive Officer of the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park (TPP), Mr Vance M. Lewis, left, has been appointed to sit as Chairman of the Board at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission for a period of three years with effect from February 1, 2020. Mr Vincent Wattley, right, has been appointed to serve as Deputy Chairman. Photo: VINO/Facebook/File
Current Chief Executive Officer of the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park (TPP), Mr Vance M. Lewis, left, has been appointed to sit as Chairman of the Board at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission for a period of three years with effect from February 1, 2020. Mr Vincent Wattley, right, has been appointed to serve as Deputy Chairman. Photo: VINO/Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Following the motion to appoint Mr Vance M. Lewis as the Chairman of the local Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has made an ultimatum that he must get the work done with regards to fixing the Virgin Islands (VI) telecoms woes or be sent home.

"We are putting you there and the deputy to work, and if you don't get the work done, we don't intend to fire you, we just will relieve you of your duties so that you can take them up elsewhere," Hon Fahie said at the Fifth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on Thursday, February 27, 2020. 

According to the Premier, the importance of proper telecoms service in the VI is paramount, given the country's economics. 

"Every day that you take up your phone and it's buffering it's being redundant, so we have a redundant problem going on for quite a while... nobody can tell me that it cannot be fixed, it can be fixed, it must be fixed," he told the House.  

Find a solution - Hon Fahie 

The Premier also urged the new Deputy Chair, Mr Vincent Wattley to work with the Chairman and find solutions to the current issues facing the telecom industries. 

"Everybody protecting their money source, but it cannot be at the detriment of the economy of the BVI and of the people of the BVI," Hon Fahie noted in relation to local shareholders of telecom companies. 

The Premier said he cannot leave office knowing that poor telecoms service still exists, "It cannot continue, we can't play political games with it," he said. 

Hon Fahie also noted that he has confidence in both the new Chairman and Deputy of the TRC to work with the major service providers and get the job done.

18 Responses to “Fix internet woes or be sent home - Premier tells TRC Chair Vance M. Lewis”

  • Old tale (29/02/2020, 12:22) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yeah, Yeah, yeah....the people of the BVI have seen screwed in all directions by these money sucking companies for YEARSSSS. I hope the premier isn't just all talk and no action. Vance used to work for Cable & Wuthlessness, so I'm pretty sure he knows what the issues are and might have an idea on how to fix them
    • smh (29/02/2020, 15:56) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
      CSC was supposed to deliver several things under his big $$$ contract or else he would be sent home. We haven't heard what he has done but he was not sent home. Now its Vance's turn. Does the premier and his government believe in what they say.
  • Fluff (29/02/2020, 12:54) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is urgent since, our financial services industry is and will be heavily dependent on it. With COVID 19 out, people may have to work remotely and the internet and other telecom systems incl. video conferencing and Skype must be operating effectively and efficiently. Electronic storage of records and data is the current means of data storage. Staff networking. All these require an excellent internet / telecom system(s) This is no easy feat. So don't think you will collect the people's money and have nothing to show for it. The people losing everyday already the way the economy is going and it is going to get worse if our international customers' needs are not being met. Customer exit is easy and low cost for both industry pillars.
  • Move From Here (29/02/2020, 13:17) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    The new man for the port mr samuels resigned from the ports and up to yet we cant hear a peep from you
  • My girl (29/02/2020, 13:56) Like (13) Dislike (8) Reply
    Foy ain't playing with these boys
    • soothsayer (29/02/2020, 15:29) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
      lol, you think he have ability to send Lewis anywhere ? - full of nonsence and an empty sound bite -
  • Shorty (29/02/2020, 16:48) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    Isn't having negotiations with the communications companies a part of the huge unnecessary waste of public funds contract Claude was given and yet no deliverables. Will he be sent home too strups. Talking pure nonsense.
  • Well Wisher (29/02/2020, 17:26) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yeah right! Guy Malone has been there for all these years through successive governments and has done nothing. Not a position paper, no evidence that as Executive Director he has done anything to advance the agency. The Chairman is not the only person that is charged with that responsibility. The Executive Director has a direct role to play. Just going on trips with nothing to show for them is not fair to the BVI. Job security is all Guy and others like him are concerned about. Does the Chairman have the authority to replace those that are underperforming? Can he effect a shakeup of the agency? If not then the Premier's ultimatum is nonsense. Will the Premier give the same ultimatum to the Executive Director who always thinks that someone is trying to get his job? OJ is not there any more so who is there to threaten him?. Get real! If you want results then hold the right people accountable...including the Chairman but be fair with your ultimatum. There are too many of these people who believe that once they are in a job they cannot be moved and because they are in with the ruling party they are exempt from firing. You are not entitled to any job. How you get the job is not the most important thing. It is how you perform in the job that matters. That is what should determine whether you stay or go. Your tenure in the job should be based on your perforkance and not your party affiliation. Stop dancing around the issue.
    • Try a Lady (01/03/2020, 09:25) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      I think a lady in this position is the change we need. The action we are looking for. Try a Lady. I will suggest switch Janice from town planning to TRC. Or I hear superintendent Vanterpol is resigning from the force try her. I truly think a lady will bring about the change we need.
  • @Well Wisher (01/03/2020, 08:40) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with you 100%. The Malone guy has been receiving a free ride for quite some time now and I have not seen any improvements. We have the same high prices and the same connectivity issues. However, Malone continues to be paid each month. If the man is not able to deliver what was promised then send him home. Maybe, what Vance Lewis needs is a fresh team to work with.
  • tretretrete (01/03/2020, 09:07) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    So how do you send home your own CCT full of it ...waste of time
  • Eagle Eye (01/03/2020, 09:13) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    Premier you ain't the first to talk and nothing happen. Next
  • ReX FeRal (01/03/2020, 09:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Didn't the premier say the telecom people have five years to deliver proper service? Short term memory might lead to nothingness in the telecom mess.
  • Bruce (01/03/2020, 09:58) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    I support the VIP and believe in Andrew Fahie
  • rip off (01/03/2020, 15:32) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    These communication companies are ripping off the people of this territory with our eyes wide open. Very poor service and raking in millions while the people suck salt because we cant do better. Time the government do something with them look at the rates in the Caribbean islands and see the same services
    are far cheaper than what we are paying here for poor services. It's a shame
  • Priorities? (02/03/2020, 15:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ohhh. "Ultimatum" is a big word to address the Telecom industries which were/are owned by government officials.
    On any give beautiful sunny Sunday, BVI Power Goes Out! Which stops the internet connection. Sunday Dinner ruined, freezed food worthless.
    Question: Is basic Electrical Power to our homes more or less important than Internet Access which is BASED ON ELECTRICITY? Just a basic question.
  • rip off (02/03/2020, 15:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am l am with u a 110 percent


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit 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.