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Government releases draft hurricane recovery plans! Done deal?

- Opposition Leader said it is 'putting the cart before the horse'
The draft recovery plan following the August floods and September hurricanes has been posted on the Government website for input from residents, according to the National Democratic Party Government. Photo: bvi.gov.vg
Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), left, blasted Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) saying that he has 'missed a golden opportunity to unify the Territory after hurricanes Irma and Maria.' Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), left, blasted Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) saying that he has 'missed a golden opportunity to unify the Territory after hurricanes Irma and Maria.' Photo: VINO/File
Vehicles destroyed by Hurricane Irma on the waterfront of Road Town, Tortola. Photo: VINO
Vehicles destroyed by Hurricane Irma on the waterfront of Road Town, Tortola. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) has no history of practicing participatory democratic principles. So many were caught by surprise when a few days ago they posted on the Government official website a draft of the post hurricanes Irma and Maria recovery plans, along with the floods of August 2017, claiming that they wanted the public's input into the plan.

Already, the Chambers of Commerce and Hotel Association has scoffed at the plan, telling some local media they were locked out of the discussions and not consulted.

The plan calls for privatisation of some government run departments; however it’s unclear, if they are calling for these agencies to become statutory bodies or to be sold on the open market to investors.

Who, What, When?

The recovery plan, following the destruction of the Virgin Islands (VI) by hurricanes Irma and Maria, also calls for focus on five main areas: Human and Social Services, Business, Natural Resources, and Governance.

While the government is claiming that that they will begin consultations in January 2018 many residents are skeptical, because with this administration all public policy incentives have been kept far from the public and residents are only made aware about such policies via leaks to the media and to Virgin Islands News Online in particular.

Wheel & come again- Hon Fahie

Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said “it’s up to the people to agree on the plan” but “the government has it the other way around.”

He blasted Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), saying that he has “missed a golden opportunity to unify the Territory after hurricanes Irma and Maria.”

Hon Fahie, a former Minister of government, told our newsroom “the views of the people should have been sought first then a plan around the views of the people.” The fiery Opposition Leader condemned the process as just a “camouflage” and questioned whose agenda the NDP Administration is carrying out.

Ousted Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Brodrcik Penn has been appointed to lead the recovery efforts; however, his job description remains unclear.

The plan can be found on bvi.gov.vg

16 Responses to “Government releases draft hurricane recovery plans! Done deal?”

  • ccc (27/12/2017, 20:09) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    yea yea tell them foy
  • Amen (27/12/2017, 20:17) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    I fully agree with Hon. Fahie.
    • ?? (28/12/2017, 11:32) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
      Just like Fahie came to the people before he gave away $500K for a mock medical school study? The people agreed to that? Did the people agree to the $800K + paid to the Detroit Pastor who returned home broke and needed a top up? Fahie did that as well and I don't recall us being informed. That's $1.3mil where we saw absolutely nothing beneficial for the Territory but these are the fiscally responsible people that will be saving us from NDP? I will take NDP broken and fragmented any day over the VIP and the others battling and killing for power.
  • tretretrete (27/12/2017, 20:18) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    The NDP gone to get loan funds to use as election money and have we pay back for it twice while thinking that they doing us a favor.
  • Boards (27/12/2017, 20:39) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    No more boards. These boards behave as if they have their own labour code. So much injustice going on at BVIHSA so much abuse by supervisors and managers. Too much friendship running this institution. Minister Skeleton please clean up this place it is in a mess.
    • @Boards (27/12/2017, 22:51) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Chair lady is a nice person in general but she is too soft for beast called BVIHSA.....
    • So tru (28/12/2017, 06:45) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      I look at it every day, its to much friendship, all the department them needs to clean out,to much advantages goin on in BVIHSA.
    • staff (28/12/2017, 14:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with you especially when it comes to payment of raises. Imagine raised that should be paid since March are delayed once again blaming the two hurricanes is their new reason.
  • trrefdrfds (27/12/2017, 21:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    just like JJ drop down Lavity Andrew is going to drop down Orlando
  • just asking..... (28/12/2017, 04:33) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    THAT thing is over 90 pages who going read THAT?
  • Local (28/12/2017, 07:04) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    What about abuse by staff because of their from here attitude and their last names.
    • John (28/12/2017, 22:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      From here matters. But people shouldn't be wearing it on their shirt sleeves.
  • critic (28/12/2017, 07:41) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    I can see they looking at privatizing HMP, the airport, security of the courts, messenger services, governor taking full control of the finances of the police force. BVI Electricity will be sold to a private company such as Valard of Canada, Con Edison of New York, and other potential buyers, bviports will be sold as well. England instituting a Regiment to deal with unrest or civil disobedience or looters. More UK police in senior offices of the force. The opposition needs to get their house in order we could be facing another snap election in early 2018, don't get caught with you pants down again.
  • Repo Man (28/12/2017, 09:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    recovery? what recovery if there isn't major attitude and behaviour changes in the BVI? the snot nosed arrogant
    ones who ARE from here. keep it up, you will have nothing. you depend on others for almost everything. but
    thank you so much to the good people still here, if it weren't for you, there would already be nothing. clean house.
  • Well Well (28/12/2017, 11:01) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    People of this ISLAND please it is time to unite and if we do not we are doom. The BVI did not built over night but it take a short time to be destroyed by two hurricanes and it will not rebuild over night so I am begging who cares for this ISLAND please just do not blog we will have to force this premier out of office we will not stand or sit back and accept his wasteful spending. We the people deal will be the real deal. UK please keep your eyes on this place so these /////// do not robbed us again.


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