First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie yesterday July 31, 2014 called upon Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith to ensure that the people of the First District are given priority for jobs now that the new post office has been opened. Photo: VINO/File

He was speaking at the official opening ceremony of the new Carrot Bay Post Office yesterday July 31, 2014, something that he has been calling on the Government to get done for a long time.

“Today is a testament that persistence always beats resistance once what is being perused is in the best interest of present and future generations. Today is a day where a renewed sense of hope for the people of Carrot Bay, the First District and the wider community is being realized through the long awaited opening of the Government owned building that will now house the more modernized branch of the Post Office in Carrot Bay,” said Hon Fahie.

“Today we are witnessing the vision of many persons in Carrot Bay and the First District community finally becoming a reality. The history of this project is quite interesting. More than six years ago as First District Representative, I was approached by many persons in the First District to have a modern branch of the post office established in the First District,” he said.

He said that the need for this was clear as the First District is a heavily traversed tourist area as well as a heavily populated area. In addition, he said that with the ongoing decentralization of services, both government and private, from the Road Town area becoming more and more imminent, this vision of the people of Carrot Bay and the First District fell right in line.

Hon Fahie noted that the First District residents also wanted to be offered the opportunity to take advantage of other services to be offered in the First District at the branch such as being able to pay utility bills such as electricity, cable, telephone, and to have automated banking machines (ATM) and internet café access, among many other essential services.

“The vision was to allow for all the services that are offered and would be offered at the main Post Office Branch in Road Town, Tortola, to be offered in the First District,” he said.

“I know that the Premier realizes that I have been consistently behind him in the House of Assembly among other venues, to get this project completed for the people of Carrot Bay, the First District and the wider community,” said Hon Fahie.

“Now that the task is accomplished in only three years of the life of the now administration is remarkable. Please join me as we give the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. The Hon. D. Orlando Smith a round of applause. Thank you sir for finally completing this needed project for the people of Carrot Bay, the First District and the wider community,” he said.

Hon Fahie called on the Premier to ensure that jobs at the facility go to people of the First District as a priority.

“I encourage the Premier and Minister of Finance to ensure that the people of the First District get first call on all jobs and business opportunities as a result of this new venture by the Government of the Virgin Islands. After all, what we are witnessing today was the vision of the people of Carrot Bay and the First District so it is only fair to allow them to have the first opportunity to benefit,” he said.

“I also encourage the Premier and Minister of Finance to continue to persevere to ensure that the many essential services as mentioned previously are housed in this building such as the ability to pay utilities such as electricity among many other services…” he said.

“The people of Carrot Bay and the First District deserve better and although not a member in the present government, I will respectfully continue to lobby the Premier and Minister of Finance [for the betterment of the people of Carrot Bay and the First District],” said Hon Fahie.