Opposition Member and Fourth District Representative in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) says that while he supports the direction that the Fahie Administration is moving with its renewable energy push, the previous National Democratic Party (NDP) Government, ought to be given credit for laying groundworks. Photo: HoA/YouTube

The Government of the Virgin Islands is determined to cut back on the use of fossil fuel and steer the Virgin Island into an era of renewable energy. Photo: VINO/File

"It would be remiss of me, Mr Speaker, not to ask the Premier to give some credit to the previous government in what we have done in delivering the legislation on this matter, and delivering regulations to allow renewable energy to thrive in the way that we think it should," Hon Vanterpool said at today's February 20, 2020, Fifth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA).

Hon Vanterpool was at the time speaking at the conclusion of a statement Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) made on the green energy sector; interjecting to underscore that it was the NDP that prepared the legislation, passed regulations, and that leaders and the Chairman of the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) must also be given credit. 

"This is what happened to lay the groundwork for what is happening here and I just want my good Premier to give some credit to the past government for all the work we have done, it's a lot of work that was done to prepare us for this point," Hon Vanterpool noted.  

"This is not about credit, it is about the people" - Premier Fahie 

Premier Fahie, in acknowledging the statements made by Hon Vanterpool, said: "I'm always amazed when I hear the Opposition get up for what is good and say 'don't forget'; then and when it is not good, they say 'it is you."' 

Premier Fahie continued, "Of course the past government did some work on it and the Member has given himself the credit and I would tell him thanks for whatever you have done." 

Using an analogy that the stalled train is now moving, Premier Fahie said the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration met things that were being developed to which they built upon and they also started new projects.

"It's a lesson to our young people that we must give credit where credit is due, and I expect that when you get up at another time, you give us credit for all we have done... but this is not about credit, it's about the people," Hon Fahie said.