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HoA passed record 15 pieces of legislation in June 2020 - Premier Fahie

- said all House members including Opposition gave their input to bills
July 10th, 2020 | Tags: legislation bills HOA Andrew A. Fahie record
As part of the aggressive legislative agenda of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government led by Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), the administration passed a total of 15 pieces of legislation in June 2020 alone. Photo: YouTube/File
Legislators were busy at work in the House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Photo: VINO/File
Legislators were busy at work in the House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Photo: VINO/File
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - As part of the aggressive legislative agenda of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government led by Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), the administration passed a total of 15 pieces of legislation in June 2020 alone.

'In June alone we have had several pieces of legislation collectively passed by all members in the House of Assembly without dissent and quite a few are now waiting on the Governor to assent to them and for subsequent publication in the Gazette," Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has said.

Legislation will aid VI's economy - Premier Fahie 

The Premier was speaking at today's July 10, 2020, 12th Sitting of the Second session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola, where he said the legislation will now go on to help the people of the Territory and the economy. 

While some of the bills have been controversial, the Premier said, "We have revenue generation initiatives such as, but not limited to, what is found in the Gaming and Betting Control Act 2020, Stamp Duty Amendment Act 2020, Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Act 2020, Cannabis Licencing Act 2020, and there are more that would be coming," he said. 

While both the Gaming and Cannabis legislations faced heavy scrutiny from the Opposition, the Premier said that both sides of the House inputted on legislation to come up with the final versions. 

Bills were amended clause by clause and line by line, by both sides even as the Territory is facing challenges with COVID-19, Hon Fahie noted. 

Gov't & Opposition had healthy input 

"I'm pleased that all members of the House of Assembly had and took their parliamentary privileges seriously and debated the proposed bills," he said.

As a result of those debates and inputs, he said the public was privy to HoA talks on the bills, resulting in community discussions, which he said is a sign of a healthy democracy. 

The Leader of Government Business further noted that the House did not wrap up the Committee Stage review of bills until all Members were comfortable, even if it meant staying late at the HoA or persons returning late to give minute by minute input.

14 Responses to “HoA passed record 15 pieces of legislation in June 2020 - Premier Fahie”

  • give us time to digest (10/07/2020, 13:30) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    This VIP government is cramming too much down our throats back to back.
  • My girl (10/07/2020, 14:28) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    Forward ever, backwards never!
    • not interested (10/07/2020, 16:18) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Whats going on with borders been closed is the real issue. Thats what u all ahould be discussing...
  • Really (10/07/2020, 14:40) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    but still cannot put out an application form for the small/medium buisness grants...due June 15th announced on the 28th May and still waiting ...
  • Jammin (10/07/2020, 14:53) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Busy hollow noise is all. None of these bills will be enforced, followed through or be effective.
  • tretretrete (10/07/2020, 15:37) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Too aggressive.... They need to relax ...take a deep breath and re-assest things... Open up of the borders gradually starting with a few OECS countries should be a priority of discussion . But nothing....hmmm
  • Well Sah (10/07/2020, 15:38) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    And nothing for the people. All these initiatives are for getting more tax money for the government and we can't even pay our rent or know how to plan for the future. No plans to open up? No plans to help people in need. So sad.
  • Street reporter (10/07/2020, 15:40) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    No healthy informative debate about the borders opening up....That's the issue of the day...!!!.
  • tola (10/07/2020, 16:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Strupes
  • tola (10/07/2020, 16:22) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    You need open the borders strupes
  • Mask off (10/07/2020, 16:51) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply

    Still ain’t wearing no mask, wouldn’t be paying no fine and wouldn’t be attending no class, I’m in control of my health 

  • EVERYONE (10/07/2020, 22:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyone need to take a time out and pray and seek God we are living in perilous times. Take stock of our lives and repent where necessary. Turn from our wicked ways if we really want to see change. Yes shift the focus off the government and place it on our selves. The government don't have all the answers but they have a soul and each one of them and all of us have to give an account to God for our selves. Pray for them that they would shun the wrong and do the right. Less we all fail. Spend time especially at twilight because a lot of evil taking place especially at that time.

    Wake up our of our slumber and sleep and go before God pull down,tear down the strong man over this territory. Wage war in the enemies camp fight for this territory. Wake up my people wake up stop taking things and people for granted. All smiles are not genuine all shake hands are not genuine alot more things are not genuine. All the prayer warriors over these virgin islands wake up my brothers and sisters. Pray for this government its critical and crucial at this time. Yes we been praying but we slackened up for some reason or the other. Hey wow some of you in council yes some of you need to leave some organizations that you are tied to come out from among them if you want to succeed. Stop listening and stop taking council from them. Time to turn if you want this country to thrive. Dont kill the messenger. Stay close to the Great God of the universe if you want to stay on the right path. Peace
  • Concerned (11/07/2020, 14:52) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I truly hope that we are not bypassing QUALITY just to have record-breaking QUANTITY.

    This is really disturbing and I hope people are taking note, especially since everything is rush-rush and there are no public consultations.
  • Albion (11/07/2020, 18:27) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    That man clearly has been eating too well. Brother, slim things down a bit.


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