Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Hon. Fahie: New hospital project drained Treasury

- Motion passed with amendments for Committee to review financial protocols
The new hospital which is expected to be completed in 15 months drained the VI’s Treasury, claimed 1st District Representative Andrew Fahie. Photo: VINO/File
Hon. Fahie is willing to debate the topic. Photo: VINO/File
Hon. Fahie is willing to debate the topic. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – First District Representative Hon. Andrew Fahie firmly believes one of the components that played a significant part in the difficulty of the cash flow to the Territory’s reserve is the new Peebles hospital project.

He made this disclosure while he was speaking on the motion to review the Protocols for Effective Financial Management last evening, July 3, 2012 in the House of Assembly which was passed with amendments.

According to him, it struck him hard when a nine year-old asked him as they passed the hospital if it was not finished.

“When I told her no, she said okay but Marias just done build a whole hotel…so what could I tell the child I just come out of Government….two administrations gone. We had two loans that we were supposed to get, Social Security and when the NDP [was in 2003 – 2007] it had made arrangements with a bank which was not finalised but the project was started.

“Hear what happened Madame Speaker, because the loan was not received the treasury carried the load for the hospital project. We are talking about a $64M project, we started at $64M but I knew that hospital project would cost us about $125M, I always knew that. The treasury was gasping for air because the money for the loan was never paid in and during our administration when the money was finally paid in we were told that the money that came out of the Treasury for the hospital project will be paid back into the consolidated fund,” Hon. Fahie stated.

So confident is he that the district representative is willing to debate anyone on it because it is something he has been watching carefully.

“...I don’t want that this boy name in nothing that he broke no country, mash it up …When the money from the loan could not be paid back like what we were thinking, the bank let us know about the stipulations, right then I feel like I could have grown a tail and two ears,” Hon. Fahie recalled.

He added that the opposition usually has to take the constant verbal battering for the millions of dollars from the Treasury that should have come from a loan. According to him, he had asked the leader of the opposition Hon. Ralph T O’Neal, OBE to set the record straight, who had replied he did not want to go “a war of words”.



Motion on financial protocol passed with amendments

Meanwhile, a little after 10 p.m. last evening, the motion, which was brought to the House by 3rd District Representative, Hon. Julian Fraser RA, was passed with amendments and paved the way for a special committee to review the protocols.

Hon. Fraser when contacted this morning July 4, 2012 said he was pleased that he accomplished his objective and looks forward to the committee doing its work.

According to him, the members for the special committee will be selected by the Speaker of the House and the leader of Government.

Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith; Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering; Hon. O’Neal; Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool; Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron Walwyn; 2nd District Representative Hon. Alvin Christopher; 5th District Representative Hon. Delores Christopher debated the motion.

30 Responses to “Hon. Fahie: New hospital project drained Treasury”

  • forward ever (04/07/2012, 09:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    all i want to know is, about this 15 months finish time!!!!! as three gone already
  • Heavy Buds (04/07/2012, 09:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Blah Blah Blah and more sad story talk. Sorry we don't believe you Hon Fahie, you need more peoples.
  • Movements (04/07/2012, 10:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    $6mil spent on green houses - results? Rats and weeds, no proper feasability study done, waste of money. $6mil spent on Purcell Ghut and Community Center - results? Yet to be seen but we know that wasn't value for money. $400k (so they say) wall in SCBay - results? Ugly pink wall on the way to west end serving no useful purpose. $400k greenland field - results? field dug up, out of use for years and now has one light post in the middle, where did the money go? $3mil + to upgrade Baughers Bay Water Plant - results? production of less water and more problems. $96k drag race study - results? Who knows, haven't heard anything $450k medical school study - results? who knows, haven't heard anything $1mil for ESHS perimiter fence while inside rots to the core - results? Half-way done, god bless Myron stopped it and reallocated funds towards fixing the library which was recently done. $500k (probably more) - sourcing, installing, then removing stop lights from round-about - result? You know the deal! $200k plus wall by market square with stupid wall down the middle - result? realizing after the fact that wall in middle made no sense. SCBAY Marina - nobody knows, fencing, concrete slabs, nobody knows the cost but we know it was Government money spent on it. $300-500k Havers concrete road paving - result? A good road dug up to be fixed again using taxpayer money on a private estate while public roads are in dire need of repair. I can go on and on. The list above totals over $18million US DOLLARS! Tell me one benefit that the Territory has seen from the list I made above and there are many more to go, but look at that $18million of total wastage. Then on top of that went to borrow $15mil from CDB? I agree that NDP made a major blunder with the Hospital, it was a costly mistake. But Andrew you cannot blame the Hospital for the bull.... you and your Government put the country into. INstead of focusing on education and fixing the place, you focused on drag race and cock fighting saying that would boost the economy. I have nothign agiainst those but they're hobbies, not economic stimulants. Instead of encouraging the youth to strive for better, we lowered the bar and offered free iPads and a host of other nonsense. Instead of breaking down the old moldy buildings in high school and put a proper plan in place, we erect tents with plastic and put the kids there to have lunch. So while the Hospital did cost a lot of money, don't blame it for your demise Andrew. You know better do better man. I dare anybody to dispute anything I said above. And before you froth at the mouth, look around at the hillsides that been falling in over 3yrs now, many are now fixed and safe to drive on in only 8ths!
    • taxpayer (04/07/2012, 11:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      All this bla bla bla cannot cover up the present blunders which Pickering and Vanterpool are about to make. The theft and misuse of our taxes cannot be condoned but handing over our ports of entry for two generations to opportunist is tantimount to selling ones birth rights. The darm problem is, once it is gone it is gone. Last night I had a dream, I dremt that Mark and Pickering were two tree and I was a puppy.
      • Champ (04/07/2012, 12:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Good dream taxpayer! Movement is quite right.
      • Movements (04/07/2012, 14:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Taxpayer Lying has become so common in your circles you don't even realize when you're doing it. Who is buying the port and who is selling it? Please show me where you got that information from. I'm sure you know better but know that there are many out here who don't care to read or understand and just love confusion. YOu will get them to believe this bull$$it you're selling but trust me, I know you know better. My post wasn't blabla it was fact. The same bludner Pickering going ahead with had a push from the great Fraser. If Fraser was in that very seat now he would be labeled an innovator, saviour and whatever else you could muster up. But because he's not involved it's bad for the country. You can't dispute anything I said above and I like that. Anything else you say just proves my point even more, that you all are just a set of ignorant political parasites awaiting the next meal at the expense of real taxpayers. It has nothing to do with truth or common sense, as long as you don't get your way, its not right in your book. I can bet if you get a big contract for work or otherwise on the same Port, you would claim it's the best thing since the rum, whore houses and strip joints in BVI.
    • Advertised (04/07/2012, 12:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well said!!!!!
    • Wait (04/07/2012, 15:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      As Fahie said this old campaign rhethoric got to stop. Nobody spent $6mil on ESHS fence, plus most of what you have blog is incorrect and nonfactual so just chil out and stick to the facts. NDP kill us with the hospital and that"s thst.
    • ta 37 (04/07/2012, 15:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      can someone tell these NDP crazy cow birds that the election is over and that they won but will loose the next???
    • To movement (04/07/2012, 16:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Go get your facts correct and stop letting the NDP especially Myron brain wash you with these old campaign talk. But wait this is MYron. How are you doing?
  • Amen (04/07/2012, 15:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its about time somebody talk about this corrupted hospital that Ronnie started
    • mask man (04/07/2012, 16:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      for real and his lies and spin about it will be finish in 15 months when 4 months done gone and not much has been done!!
      • insider (04/07/2012, 23:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        up to yet a man aint tell me when I could get good medical services at home
  • time (04/07/2012, 15:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with you Fahie. These NDP guys caused us to mash up close to $40Mil of our money because they started the hospital without securing the loan saying that when the loan comes through the money will get put back. It NEVER happen! NEil and Ronnie should be string up for this project! TIME will tell!
  • lawdy (04/07/2012, 15:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Finally the Opposition talking on our behalf. Between you and I, shhh...some of our money gone and going with the funny man traveling on personal business and claiming that it was government business and getting government to pay it through false document. Lawdy ayo keep this quiet because I don't want anybody to know.
  • gfdfdggfdgfdgfdg (04/07/2012, 15:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I use to work for government around that project and everything Fahie said is true. Some of you guys can Keep talking small talk about green house, etc., & all of the street talk that the NDP keep putting out there.None of it can't come close to the over $30million dollars of our tax money unneccesarily gone into that project because of the NDP and the FS ignorance and carelessness!
  • ok (04/07/2012, 15:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not only the NDP kill our treasury with this project then turn around and use their mouth to blame the VIP for broking the country but they let a foreign contractor bring in foreign workers, pay them foreign wages, and share the rest between Ronnie and whomever else in the NDP because they signed the contract.
  • cool (04/07/2012, 15:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I thought what Fahie said was cool & accurate. I have family that was working around the treasury who are NDP but varified that what Fahie said is exactly correct. The NDP always new the hospital couldn't build for $64mil but rather was more in the region of $100-$125million dollars. We were robbed by the NDP and it will come out.
  • NDPsins (04/07/2012, 16:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    For the past years I have noticed that the NDP is good at dirtying the name of whoever is against them or disagrees with them so whenever you speak out against what they are doing or did like the robbery of our treasury with this hospital project they want to eliminate you or make people think that you are crazy & talking foolishness. I use to be a NDP but I realise that these guys are a CULT! NDP your sins will be revealed!
  • This is ting (04/07/2012, 16:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This piece of information Fahie give us is quite a thing. I believe him because Mr. Ronnie thinks his head is big and more intelligent than anybody else. Who in their right mind will start a project this size without securing and signing the loan! Somebody need to answer for this hospital project!
  • Help (04/07/2012, 16:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep pushing Hon. Fahie. Don't mind what they say negative about you because we know it is all NDP's smoke screen hoping that we would not believe you. Somebody come and HELP us with this hospital project! It's a dam shame how our treasury and country has been taken for a ride with this project.
  • People (04/07/2012, 16:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whether you like Fahie or not, he is right about a few things on this one. Our money was squandered badly with this hospital project and by the major millions. Some body needs to be held responsible for this hospital project. Let's start with Ronnie, Neil and Bennet. Afterwards go get the foreign contractor.
  • what a shame (04/07/2012, 16:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I feel strongly about the money wasted on this hospital project and how badly Ronnie and the NDP handled it from the inception. They give our money away. They give the work away. They now give our country away through what they signed in the protocol document. What a shame.
  • BVEye (04/07/2012, 16:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ayo arguing over NDP dis and VIP dat like it matters a hoot. Both parties are to blame for the self-interested, thoughtless, short-termist and greedy approach towards governing this territory over the last 10-12 yrs. Those people who speak so viciously against the one party in favor of the other - you all are the symptom and the cause. If NDP going to pay me or reward me with a contract, I will shout down anything the VIP say. If VIP going to give me some kind of kickback I will scream blue murder about NDP. Truth, principles, thoughfulness - none of these matter in BVI politricks. Its all about the Me Me Me culture which is fundamental around here from the top to the bottom.
  • To movement (04/07/2012, 16:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You have the heart to talk this pitle still. Add up all of what you saying even if it's true. That can't compare to the over $40 million in one shot that Ronnie and the NDP let get out of our treasury due to mismanagement of the hospital project and Neil never put back in although he said that he would.
  • Movements (04/07/2012, 19:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    LMAO! Ok let me give you guys this. Let's say NDP did waste over $30mil on the Hospital. What did VIP do in their 4yrs to remedy the problem? So they met an already ailing treasury and still spent on the stuff I mentioned above? That make sense? LOLOOL!! The argument about the Hospital actually makes the VIP look bad not better. If you inherit problems you fix them not make them worst. Blaming the hospital for over $18mil in spending that we got no benefit from doesn't make sense. Oh, and to the person that posted about 10 times so far about the hospital, you're not fooling anybody, we can tell it's the same person just using random stupid screen names lol.
  • Diaspora (04/07/2012, 19:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please somebody reassure me that what I'm hearing about the hospital project is idle talk from school chirrn Sum body tell that wat the Brown Bomber is saying is incorrect. And if wat the FAMU grad is saying is true, how can this be and why only now this being aired. For heaven save the NDP slaughtered the VIP at the polls and quicker than Bolt run a 100m cried that the treaaury. It is admirable that the former Premier did not want to get into a war of words over water under the bridge or spilled milk but facts are facts.The people of the BVI needs facts, not spin. So what are the facts? If it appears as if I'm rhetorical it is deliberate. Customarily in contracting, when a contract is executed (signed) the funding is secured. Moreover?, if tradition was broken and secured the loan after the loan was signed, why waa not the treasury not reimbursed? What the original working estimate for the hospital? What is the revised working estimate? What is the current funding. status for the hospital? Why did not the former minister correct the problem? Why did Fahie the FAMU Rattler lack the courage to. speak out earlier or did he? If the country is BROKE, where are we finding the money to fund all these projects? Do we have still have room in the agreement to borrow? Just a few simple questions that should be easily answered. agreement
  • big bird (04/07/2012, 23:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    lets just pray that the damm hospital get finish and I do not have to send my son to PR or Jamaica
  • Lilly (05/07/2012, 07:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When the NDP was in office the first time can anyone tell me the first contract the signed? Also there was a Hospital plans that the NDP Administration condemed and spent another set of money for new plans and look it there in our faces as I would call it the White Elephant of the BVI. If the NDP had leave the first plan and started the Hospital then we would have had it built, up and running now. But N0!, the VIP Administraion plans were not good enough for them nor the country and there is where things went upside down. 1. the hospital would have cost us the people of this country much cheaper than what we are face with today. 2. the landing pad would have been up and attached with the hospital and not across the street. 3. If any amendments or addition was to be done it could have. 4. we wouldn't have seen the ugly hillside where we know in the future, we are goin to have to build an expensive wall regarding landslides and I can give you more but we nned to go back and see where things when wrong and it started in 2003.
  • king wade (05/07/2012, 17:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    jamican is much better that P Rico at least dem speak english


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.