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Funding of the RVIPF is a great start- Opposition Leader

- supports move by Governor John S. Duncan OBE to exercise his reserved powers to fund the police
According to Leader of the Opposition Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), funding the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is a great start; however, there are many issues he wishes Governor John S. Duncan OBE to address before he leaves office in August 2017. Photo: VINO/File
Governor John S. Duncan OBE on March 16, 2017 announced that he was exercising his reserved powers in the 2007 Virgin Islands Constitution to ensure additional funding for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). Photo: VINO/File
Governor John S. Duncan OBE on March 16, 2017 announced that he was exercising his reserved powers in the 2007 Virgin Islands Constitution to ensure additional funding for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) wants Governor John S. Duncan OBE to order an investigation into the over thirty million dollar overspending on the Cruise Port Development Project before his tenure is up in August 2017. Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) wants Governor John S. Duncan OBE to order an investigation into the over thirty million dollar overspending on the Cruise Port Development Project before his tenure is up in August 2017. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Leader of the Opposition Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has no issues with Governor John S. Duncan OBE exercising his reserved powers in the 2007 Virgin Islands Constitution to ensure additional funding to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

However, Hon Fahie wants to see Governor John S. Duncan OBE, before he vacates his office in August of this year, do more to address other issues such as ensuring the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government produce to the House of Assembly Audited Statements and an investigation into the overspending on the Cruise Port Development Project.  

Governor Duncan, in a hastily arranged press conference on the steps of the Government Administration Building on Thursday March 16, 2017, announced that within 24 hours he would be invoking Section 103 of the Constitution and instructing the Account General to release an additional $800,000 to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

War of words when families mourning

Hon Fahie, in a press release on March 17, 2017 pointed out that the Governor cited that, "One of the big problems we have had is the failure to disburse funds. The Premier has been repeatedly given instructions to disburse and they have not been disbursed." Further Hon Fahie took note that within four hours of the pronouncement, Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) issued a near midnight broadcast and practically refuted the primary reasons cited by His Excellency for his actions.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, this war of words between the Governor and the Premier comes at a time when families are mourning the loss of their love ones to senseless murders. These words come at a time when gun crimes have escalated to untenable heights. They come at a time when my colleague from District Two, our citizens and the wider population are demanding increased monitoring, together with swift and decisive actions by the RVIPF,” Hon Fahie stated.

The Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) said persons can excuse him if he is not distracted by these war of words as he has stood on the floor of the House of Assembly on numerous occasions and have advocated for increased funding for the defense of the Virgin Islands people.

“It has been publically stated that the failure to prioritise our National expenditure is alarming and unsustainable. The economy is not robust. There is no transparency. Accountability does not exist. Conflict of Interest is at an all-time high.

$$ for Police a great start; Governor has more to do

Stating that Governor Duncan has announced that it is not proper to vacate his office in August of 2017 without resolving some of the ills developed during his tenancy, Hon Fahie said funding of the RVIPF is a “great start,” however, there are other issues he wishes the Governor to address.

“The House of Assembly has not received audited financial statements in ten years. This is a Constitutional issue that must be corrected before August 2017 and must not be left to succeeding Governors; the Attorney General and the House of Assembly have refused to seek a proper interpretation of what constitutes Conflict of Interest and what contracts would require the permission of the HOA prior to being entered into by members of the HOA. This is a Constitutional issue that must be corrected before August 2017 and must not be left to succeeding Governors.”

Investigate overspending on Cruise Project

Reminding that over thirty million dollars have been expended on the Cruise Port Development Project, in excess of the amounts approved in the House of Assembly, Hon Fahie said this is a Constitutional issue that also must be investigated before the Governor leaves the territory.

“Eight million dollars was diverted from loan proceeds approved by the House of Assembly for the East End/Long Look Sewerage project to the BVI Ports Authority without being deposited to the BVI Treasury or without proper approval. This is a Constitutional issue that must be corrected before August 2017 and must not be left to succeeding Governors.”

I shall not be bullied

According to Hon Fahie, the people of the Virgin Islands will address the other political reckless decisions made by the NDP Government at an appropriate time.

“The seven million dollars disbursed to the airline; the one million dollars spent on a three hundred thousand dollars wall around the high school; the implementation of a sixth form when absolutely nothing was in place for it to function; the sixteen million dollars from Social Security for road works that is still not properly accounted for; schools without sanitary supplies; the public library has now been closed for one year and to date the House of Assembly has not been given the budget for its relocation or the operational expenses required for its operations. There exist some unwritten words at the windows of the treasury of the Virgin Islands – NOTHING THERE!”

Stating that not even the Governor can escape the “unrelenting and bullying wrath” of the NDP for criticising them, Hon Fahie concluded with that assurance that he “shall not be deterred nor bullied because my interest is of that of the safety and security of the people and visitors of the Virgin Islands.”

20 Responses to “Funding of the RVIPF is a great start- Opposition Leader”

  • zoe (18/03/2017, 11:59) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Good job fahie
  • Impoverish (18/03/2017, 12:17) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    Smart guy you are hon. Fahie. You are the only one in the hoa deserving of being called honourable. Restoring our VI once more for all. Moving Forward with vision. Like crime the smith administration has no place in our society with their malpractice and level of disrespect to the people and the throne.
  • Old INSP. perspective. (18/03/2017, 15:14) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    We were solving more crimes I'm the 80s n 90s with a 100 strong police force, old jeeps, very little Crime fighting resources with a 4 strong detective team... You know why? 1/ We had good social skills.. 2/ We had great supervision...3/ We work together had each other's back..4/ We hangout in Bars...5/ We had informants that trusted us.....Just saying plenty police and new vehicles don't solve crimes..It's all about having the right persons and proper supervision in the investigative department.. These politicians just saying the popular things. We need to hold our police responsible and accountable..We can't always accept them not getting what they asked for as Excuses for not solving Crime....
    • NEW INSP, perspective (18/03/2017, 17:20) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      You seems to be stuck in the 80's my friend, you are so lost, get with the program and wake up.
      • wize up (18/03/2017, 17:51) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
        @ new INSP: the old school inspector is right and I honestly hope that you are not a member of the police force (just saying)...modern day police officers before the magistrate court on a set of criminal charges(dope and money laundering) and you blog piss(you can not be a serious citizen of this BVI)...you sound like the modern day police whose main focus in BVI is money gram/western union on the 15 and end of each month(all most forgot to mention come here to head butt or tase the members of public) no wonder our country is being overrun by the criminal element)....but i know the devil is a liar; our forefathers were praying people and Good will always conquer Evil
        • Caught (19/03/2017, 20:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          @wize up, Mr. JC, please tell me what meaningful contribution you made as a member of the RVIPF for you almost 30 years. You was also a salary collector, so don't come with your bill. How many arrest have you made, how many times had you appear before the Magistrate Nd Supreme Court. Don't come here making people think you was such an excellent COP because you were not.
  • wize up (18/03/2017, 16:30) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    this is fascinating here we have two affiliates(one chap biging up the governor: one chap disapproving with the governor)..long live the Virgin Islands Party!!!
  • seize the moment (18/03/2017, 18:27) Like (1) Dislike (10) Reply
    Andrew is an opportunist....He is capitalizing off this move by the governor
    • NOT an opportunist. (18/03/2017, 20:33) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
      Andrew is being honest and has real passion to see his BVI thrive. Ask about what he has done for the people in his own district and maybe you will understand him better. In fact, district one is arguably the only district in the BVI that does NOT look like a bruk down shanty town. We who know you support you Honourable Fahie. And I also support your suggestion for the Governor to use his power to invoke an inquiry into the cruise pier development project!
      • wize up (19/03/2017, 03:49) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
        some of us still cant emancipate ourselves from mental slavery(still sitting here in limbo expecting the pale man to fix it for us)...when your former slave master return do you seriously think it will be in best interest of the blacks in this Territory; his foot only in the door and some places in the British Virgin Islands are off limits to the people of this country(keep crying wolf) you will never see the same governor lift a finger(invoke his constitutional) and give funding to improve education: the same governor will not lift his pen and ensure the Immigration and the Customs Department are given 800.000(stop the talk and prove me wrong)...police, Customs and Immigration are responsible for law enforcement in our country BUT the Governor gave is buddy from the United Kingdom(commissioner of police) all what he requested while Customs Officers and Immigration should go sit down: it is so funny how some of us rejoicing as do the Governor is the best thing since white slice bread(give money to one give money to all and not just the chap from UK)...who is going to scrutinize how that 800.000 of the tax payers money is spent(hope fahie keeps check).....
        • @wize up (19/03/2017, 10:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          How often do you know the governor to invoke his powers...more like NEVER...you lost in time about slavery. If you open your eyes you will see that the current government is the one trying to enslave the people. They do not support nor fight for their own and we have a Governor who could have left us at the cruel mercies of the wretched government but thankfully he stepped in to ensure that national security is given better attention. He did not go online to say to the murderer/s "turn yourself in". This isn't about black and white...only racists look at one's colour so maybe question where you stand. This is about right and wrong. Frankly, the governor could be any colour, I don't care. I agree with his decision.
    • @seize the moment (18/03/2017, 21:37) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your comments are not factual. For the past five years all of Fahie speeches have been warning us of many questionable acts by the NDP including the need to properly fund the police beeing one of them. Fahie must be commended for his consistency.
      • luke (19/03/2017, 08:04) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        This guy Andrew been preaching about the smith administration's ill ways long time now. Thank him for this or else smitty and his gang would just continue say whatever they want. Like "the economy robust" "we partnering with BVI Airways" "Tortola Pier Park doing good" "everything good"

        Taxpayers consistently pay these punks to play politricks. Failed promises and no accountability. Sad no external person to see how elected members acquire wealth in short time. The governors probably should stay 4 years. More and more people getting caught with drugs. Too bad it's still so easy to get away with white collar crime.
    • @seize the moment (19/03/2017, 00:31) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      How all you get so buddy. What there to seize? It's not now Andrew being highlighting several concerns regarding this Administration. Just stick to the fact of the matter. We have a weak selfish government that would F#%* up its people at whatever cost. Look how they treat the two clines, Delta and VI Airlink. Look how they disrespecting Her Majesty's representative? What's your opinion? Should we continue to support Monsters to lead us?
  • Xxx (18/03/2017, 23:15) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    We support fahie and the duncan
  • jokers (19/03/2017, 13:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    AM HERE WONDERING IN JOST VAN DYKES IF THE GOVERNOR CANT MAKE A MOVE LIKE THAT FOR US IN JOST THE INTIRE ISLAND IS IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY RAODS ELECTRICITY SCHOOLS ECT
  • Bohannon (19/03/2017, 19:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Families mourning for the last 20 years Orlando. Yes 37 unsolved murders in that period of time. Talk that.
  • islander (19/03/2017, 19:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wait, just wondering if the Scotland yard office is set up yet in the BVI...
  • heads roll (21/03/2017, 22:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oppose yes but not because of political expediency's sake.


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