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Hon Fahie blasts pro-Govt news site for malicious article

-First District Representative forced BVI Platinum News to update article
First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie has blasted BVI Platinum News for publishing inflammatory statements today February 2, 2015. Photo: VINO/Internet source
Some years back, former Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports Robert C. Chalwell (left) had been accused by both the Auditor General and the Ministry of Education and Culture of questionable spending. However, former Minister for Education and Culture Lloyd K. Black (right) was never held responsible for Chalwell’s alleged actions at the time of the allegations. Photo: Internet source/GIS
Some years back, former Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports Robert C. Chalwell (left) had been accused by both the Auditor General and the Ministry of Education and Culture of questionable spending. However, former Minister for Education and Culture Lloyd K. Black (right) was never held responsible for Chalwell’s alleged actions at the time of the allegations. Photo: Internet source/GIS
‎ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – A report carried today February 2, 2015 on the pro-government local online news site ‘BVI Platinum News’ came in for a blasting from legislator Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) for misleading the public in a matter relating allegedly to undelivered steel pans paid for since 2011.

“I noticed and read with keen interest an article written by BVI Platinum News with the headline ‘$$ Sent to T&T without contract; Four years later & still no steel pans,” he said.

The article has since been updated by BVI Platinum News to include Hon Fahie's response. The story had mentioned Hon Fahie’s name in a paragraph which reads, “BVI Platinum News understands that the transaction raised a red flag and was subjected to scrutiny by the Auditor General, Ms. Sonia Webster, who included her findings in an audit examination of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, which at the time was being administered by former Sports Minister, Hon. Andrew Fahie.”

Hon Fahie said, “What was interesting about the article is that it was mentioned that is was during my tenure as Minister. However, the manner it was stated coupled with my picture affixed to the story seems to be giving the impression that the Minister was involved in this transaction that is under scrutiny,” he said.

He further added, “As Minister one thing I never did is micro manage Departments under the Ministry of Education. They were monitored in a timely manner. Also as Minister I had no legal authority to sign purchase orders, agreements nor contracts. Under the financial regulations those are the responsibility of the Accounting Officers.”

According to Hon Fahie, if proper research was done on the matter it would have clearly shown the position he took as former Minister for Education and Culture as it relates to the said Department.

“So to give any impression otherwise cannot go unchallenged. I have no intention to throw anyone under the bus but the records will clearly show my position on many matters pertaining to this Department from the date of taking office and the relentless efforts in having them addressed. For the record Departments in government have their own votes to spend from and they are expected to run their day to day operations in a manner that is consistent with approved policies. Failure to do so then the checks and balances such as Internal Audit and the Office of the Auditor General are there to safeguard the public's purse,” Hon Fahie said.

He said all of the above was done independent of political interference and involvement which is the case in this matter at hand. “Any attempt to state otherwise or imply otherwise is without merit and can be viewed as malicious in nature,” said Hon Fahie.

Efforts to contact the Financial Secretary Neil M. Smith to confirm whether a contract is required for the purchase of goods under Virgin Islands regulations were futile as this news site was told that no one was available at the time of the call to give a response.

A few years ago a former Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports Robert C. Chalwell was accused by both the Auditor General and the Ministry of Education and Culture of questionable spending. At the time of the allegation former Minister for Education and Culture Lloyd K. Black was never held responsible for Chalwell’s alleged actions.

36 Responses to “Hon Fahie blasts pro-Govt news site for malicious article”

  • Thanks FAHIE (02/02/2015, 15:35) Like (76) Dislike (35) Reply
    Fahie you're the man, THANKS! Thank you for clearing this up. Thank you for finally making it clear that when VIP is accused of wrongs you can get technical and blame it on the civil servant responsible. But when NDP is accused of wrong doing, it's NDP, full stop. Myron, Mark, Doc, Picko, Ronnie. Whatever happens in their Ministries, even if it's a Board decision, PS decision, accounting officer decision, chairman decision, the NDP and their Ministers get full blame. When it's VIP's turn to fact the heat, then we get technical. Thanks Fahie, that clears things up quite a bit. Thanks.
  • Soca baptiste (02/02/2015, 15:54) Like (35) Dislike (19) Reply
    Andew boy you need to quit while you are ahead
    you are fighting a loosing battle. If you cant find
    no acheivements, make promises but dont play
    the blame game. It would not get you any where.
  • BVIPA (02/02/2015, 15:54) Like (60) Dislike (7) Reply
    So Mark can be blamed for BVIPA, PWD, BVIEC, WSD actions but Fahie cannot be blamed for any subject that came under his Ministry? Ok.
  • fat cat (02/02/2015, 15:56) Like (12) Dislike (26) Reply
    dem need to close that blue site tis a disgrace and only there to write ndp lies
    • platinum mess (04/02/2015, 11:13) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      I stop commenting on Platinum News articles. No matter how sweet and decent my comments are, they wont approve them if they are against their Party in anyway whatsoever. Vino is fair and the best. They will even accept comments against them.
  • qc (02/02/2015, 16:04) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
    yea yea defense brox bummer
  • VINO, PLEASE MAY I POST? (02/02/2015, 16:11) Like (10) Dislike (13) Reply
    Well I am trying to remember the comment I tried to post on PLATINUM earlier today as a reply to another blogger "The JUDGE". They never posted it as they do most of my comments. It went something ALMOST like this, "I agree. Why didn't the NOW Gov't try to get back the money or get the pans. $20,000 really OMG! Compared to the PIER PROJECT where the Gov't gives out contract to friends who cannot perform. Some of them cannot even install toilets. Sh.. man! There's alot of bad work. And then when contractors have to redo their own messy work they run at a loss. When they sue Gov't for the losses we the tax payers will have to pay. Trust me, they mess up and they go back to the gov't of the day for more money. Get people who know what they're doing!! Buh $20,000.00 for pans.
    • Principle (02/02/2015, 17:04) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
      It doesn't matter how much the pans cost and stop trying to justify nonsense with more nonsense. If there is wrong going on with the pier construction then I agree that needs to be dealt with. But it doesn't take away from the purchase of pans. It is Government's money even if it was $50.00, it's the principle of the matter. Corruption is still corruption no matter the cost involved, it's the act. These flimsy defenses on either side of the fence are just laced in stupidity man come on. Do you guys really love NDP and VIP over BVI??
      • Truth! (03/02/2015, 15:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Correct! However the issue is it's an election year and these parties looking for simple stuff to throw instead of dealing with more important stuff. Sue the supplier since you know this, it wasn't Andrew's fault the supplier didn't supply. They all show have followed up on this. Childish politicians the whole lot of them.
  • yu huuuu (02/02/2015, 16:15) Like (21) Dislike (12) Reply
    Andrew them trying to shoot you in the ankle AGAIN! Wow!
  • FAIR IS FEAR (02/02/2015, 16:20) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Patrick Harrigan took so much licks for Mr. Robert Chalwell when he came and met things the way they were. These people wrote a letter to the governor discrediting this man (Mr. Harrigan) just to get him out the department. He may have slowed up but how could anyone forget all that he contributed to Education and Sports. Heartless creatures they are. TIME WILL TELL!
  • this takes the cake (02/02/2015, 16:25) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    Honorable Fahie why are these people trying to destroy you they are telling bits and pieces of the story without telling a lie but grossly distorting the truth. A liar knows how to lie but when someone speaks portions of the truth in order to decieve the public that is dangerous.

    Lord help us. I will be praying for you.
  • Dragon (02/02/2015, 16:26) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    WOW! This Andrew Fahie and the VIP isn't playing at all this time with NDP lies!!
  • facts man (02/02/2015, 16:32) Like (13) Dislike (11) Reply
    the real question for the blue site is; So what if Andrew Fahie was the minister? Was he the Accounting Officer???? Good try by the NDP but that corruption label is with you all for life,,haHA AHAHAHAHA
  • eat out (02/02/2015, 16:58) Like (20) Dislike (7) Reply
    Wouldn't it just be more honest to continue treating the trust like it does not matter but one thing this elections the NDP propaganda site and mechanics are dead on arrival?
  • Smells (02/02/2015, 17:06) Like (30) Dislike (5) Reply
    This one smells stink of Myron & Mark. It is their style.Try to make whoever speaks out against them seem like bad people. Good going Fahie.
  • Well Well (02/02/2015, 17:12) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    The NDP will stop at nothing. The audit does not mention Fahie but the Cruise Pier Project menions questionable conduct by many persons even the Minister. Two totally different situations. No comparisons.
    • @well well (02/02/2015, 22:32) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
      and you 00000 will stop at nothing with you blogs of many different names trying to destroy NDP..good thing people have sense...
  • bbc (02/02/2015, 18:53) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Keep off fahie he is a bless child
  • Plank (02/02/2015, 19:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Fahie once again, its politics, maybe you are too decent to be in it, its a nasty and s-h-i-t-t-y game, once you are in it, you will get messed up. Dry your tears, be a politician
  • jj (02/02/2015, 21:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ndp is wicked and in bed with platinum
  • thing teh talk (02/02/2015, 22:14) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The baldheaded culprit and robirth charlvel are good good good good friends. I mean extra special good good good friends. LOL!
  • mother hen (03/02/2015, 03:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    When your motive is yellow journalism because the staff going with a Minister your credibility will go to the dogs…always be objective BAM
  • wize up (03/02/2015, 04:19) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    any thing to win; he say, she say.....the ministers ducking looking cover and blaming to the departments; as a minister the buck surly stop with you; you are the managers of the given department( you were elected by the people; we do not elect department heads)...once the sh!t hits the fan, look pun shifting the blame(poor civil servents).....former ministers and current ministers the people voted for you to over-see the government's business, stand up and be counted !!!!! stop ducking and pointing fingers(at the end of the day your are in charge)
  • well sah!! (03/02/2015, 04:38) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    The question is: WHERE DID PLATINUM GET AN AUDIT REPORT THAT WAS NOT TABLED IN THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY?
  • Observer (03/02/2015, 09:23) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cry baby Fahie? You dish out but cant take it? Please man the f&*k up and stop crying like a bish!!!
  • big bird (03/02/2015, 11:34) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    They cant touch fahie
    • freud (03/02/2015, 13:22) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Fahie is touched!
      • Wendy (11/05/2018, 12:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Lol,
        And his response proves it.
        Coupled with the fact he assumes that we are all graduates of his dumbing down initiative dubbed Good to Great Program


  • ahha (03/02/2015, 13:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ms P. didn't want to, that is for doggone sure.
  • Pryor (03/02/2015, 19:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Andrew my boy, you are a joke but no one is laughing.
  • tt (03/02/2015, 22:28) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    the blue NDP site playing ole mas ahead of Carnival and elections , dem & thier CABAL in a band call corruption.They take the 1st price don't try to compete with them you go loose they are the best.
  • ANDY (11/05/2018, 13:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am so often infuriated by Andrew when he opens his mouth and insults the intelligence of the good people of the BVI.
    Often times I have say, " Did he really say that"
  • chad (26/07/2018, 20:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron, Mark, Doc etc, all of them just need to go


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