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Hon. Fahie slams Premier Smith’s Territory update speech

-Businessmen cautious about speaking out publicly; say they are in ‘Government’s pocket’ for survival
First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie has lambasted the Premier of the Virgin Islands Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith for saying one thing and allegedly doing contrary. Photo: VINO/file
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith has failed to effectively address the issues of the Territory as expressed by many. Photo: VINO/file
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith has failed to effectively address the issues of the Territory as expressed by many. Photo: VINO/file
Talk show host Natalio Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru echoed earlier sentiments in stating that Dr Smith has finally acknowledged the difficult economy facing the people of the Virgin Islands in his address to the Territory. Photo: VINO
Talk show host Natalio Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru echoed earlier sentiments in stating that Dr Smith has finally acknowledged the difficult economy facing the people of the Virgin Islands in his address to the Territory. Photo: VINO
Chairman of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) Mr Jamal S. Smith has promised to speak out on the Premier's recent address to the Territory. Photo: Internet source
Chairman of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) Mr Jamal S. Smith has promised to speak out on the Premier's recent address to the Territory. Photo: Internet source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Many persons within the Virgin Islands, including politicians, past Ministers of Government and those within the business community, have expressed either distaste, no interest, or high levels of concern about the recent address made by the Premier of the Virgin Islands and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith.

The Premier, through the airwaves on July 5, 2013, attempted to address the people of the Territory on what should have been a clear explanation on the state of the economy of the Virgin Islands and Government’s efforts to address those issues. However, for the many persons this news site spoke with, there was hardly a comfort level or a glimpse of hope derived from the speech. While some said they never expected much as the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government has been operating at "a level" above the people of the Territory, others said they did not bother to even listen to the speech.

In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online, First District Representative and former Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie said the Premier has been speaking in duplicitous language, playing around the issues, and has the people of the Territory confused as he has once again failed to come clean to the people of the Territory.

“The Premier is telling us everything is ok and we are going to ride out the storm but people can only ride out the storm when they are prepared.”

Duplicitous language

According to Hon. Fahie, not so long ago the Premier had said the economy was doing excellent, “A few weeks later he is telling us that there is a down turn in the economy. He knew the economy was experiencing difficulties from the first time when he said that it was going well. So I can only put it that the Premier has done a rip-van-wrinkle type of behavior.” This he referred to as speaking in duplicitous language.

“The speech by the Premier has left much to be desired in every way. As I have stated before and I’ll state again, the Premier needs to come clean and tell the people of this Territory what needs to be told, which is the truth, and prepare the people for what is coming. Some things can be avoided and some cannot but failure to prepare your people for what is coming is going to have a negative spin on the people in the BVI,” said Honourable Fahie.

He told this news agency that of the many things the Premier has failed to put to the people of the Territory are those things he has signed on to while in the United Kingdom and, according to Hon Fahie, neither the Members of the House nor the people of the Territory have any knowledge what those signings were for since they were not discussed and neither did they appear on the Order Paper for the recent sitting of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands.

“In addition, the Premier has made many trips to the UK and he has agreed with many things and also from my information signed a couple of things and he has not brought it to us so that we can read it. He has not brought it to the house to say what he has signed and what he has agreed upon. But more seriously we are not sure what the implications are for the people of this Territory for what he had agreed upon and what you have signed.”

Businesses have Spring-board for downsizing even when not necessary

The issues of the high level of downsizing and closure of businesses in the Virgin Islands were badly addressed by the Premier, according to Hon Fahie. He noted that for a country of just about 30,000 people, having approximately one hundred persons losing their jobs is a very sad state of affairs and the Premier has sent a bad signal which has the potential of seeing even more persons losing their jobs very soon. “This is a small country with only 30,000 persons with over 100 persons being laid off within two months and for the Premier to issue a statement that jobs are not safe, while one can understand what he is trying to say, he is giving a wrong connotation to business because he has almost given them a license to use this as a spring board to downsize even when they do not have to do so.”

Define cautiously! Tell us one thing and doing another cannot be the order of the day

Hon. Fahie called on the Premier to define what he meant when he spoke of his Government being cautious. He alluded to the exorbitant cost of the Georgie Hill project, the New Senior Citizens Home project (road and wall), hiring a consultant for over $1M, the port project, which the Premier has repeatedly declined to give details and many others, “I don’t know if those are what he is referring to when he tells us about spending cautiously.”

As it related to the Port Pier Project, Hon Fahie said it is his understanding that monies have been or proposed to be spent and/or released. “When we were told that we were not going to have to put up a dime, I don’t know if this is what the Premier means by spending cautious. So the definition of cautious is something that he would have to come to the public and define because he has us totally confused because what he is saying and what he is doing are two different things,” Hon. Fahie added, “Telling us one thing and doing another cannot be the order of the day.”

Hon. Fahie also said there were a number of serious issues that have not been addressed by the Premier and which should have been at the top of this address to the people of the VI. “While we respect the fact that you have to defend the financial services industry internationally you cannot continue to ignore the cries of your people locally….. but the blame game of trying to use the Virgin  Islands Party (VIP) as basis for which the economic situation had been brought upon is a flawed foundation that he is trying to build on. Until he stops that and get the facts to the people then we’ll always have the economy in a free fall as it is in.”

Lots of people are in their pockets

Persons in the business sector have declined to go on record in fear of victimization, claimed one business person. “Our hands are in their (government) pocket and this is a very small place. I see my brothers get burned to the ground because they were candid. I see they are to cut off what I am getting through them right now, I’ll be dead too.” The businessman, who had operations in East End and other locations, also said that he would wish to see the government of the day come clean and tell the people like it is and to stop “pussy footing” around issues.

He added, “We are all in this thing together, since sometime around the 1960s we have never seen this economy the way it is today. We are seeing, we are feeling it and if the people we put there, not me necessarily, finding it so hard to admit that there is indeed a major crisis in the Virgin Island, then all they are doing is setting themselves right and leaving us in the sauce to punish and that’s not right. This is the worst this British Virgin Islands has ever been and it’s no secret,” added the disturbed businessman.

Another said, “I will give my opinion in my circle of friends but to go out there and say it in public is like saying I am no longer interested in doing business here. Let the politicians deal with addressing the issues in public. I read what Hon. Fraser said and while he is not necessarily one of my favourite persons, he hit the point home very well and that’s the type of leadership we are looking forward to having, people with guts to call an apple an apple and a lime a lime but we aren’t getting that from the Premier.”

Chamber of Commerce reaction

Chairman of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) Jamal S. Smith, when contacted, said he hadn’t ample time to digest the recent address by the Premier. He has, however, committed to doing so overnight and will address issues of concern based on what was said by the Premier. “Needless to say, I have serious concerns on the bits and pieces I have read,” Mr Smith noted.

Little concrete steps suggested to improve situation- Natalio Wheatley

In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online, talk show host Natalio Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru echoed earlier sentiments in stating that Dr Smith has finally acknowledged the difficult economy facing the people of the Virgin Islands in his address to the Territory.

According to Wheatley, this is evidenced by unemployment, layoffs, a decrease in capital projects, and other things. He argued that in another instance, the Premier also acknowledged the need for businesses to lower prices and sell in volume in order to encourage spending at home rather than abroad.

“Unfortunately,” Wheatley stated, “there were little concrete steps suggested to help improve this situation.  Working groups have been constructed in the past but had little impact on local prices despite some concessions given to businesses.”

In giving his assessment of Dr Smith’s address, Wheatley said the Premier also spoke on the establishment of the National Business Bureau as an important step of the development of local business. He charged that until now, there has been very little to show in terms of its effectiveness and added, “we wait anxiously to see its impact on business creation and development.”  

The talk show host also referenced the Premier’s signal for the need to review the issuing of new work permits in jobs which Virgin Islanders are qualified to fill and stated that this acknowledgement was better late than never.

“Interestingly,” the commentator continued, “the Premier sought to take credit for reforms imposed by the United Kingdom while criticizing the opposition for failing to act on these reforms.”

He alleged that while it is true that the Virgin Islands Party did not abide by acceptable standards of financial management, “I must point out that up until this point the National Democratic Party has not, in my opinion, followed acceptable standards of financial management.”

One example he illustrated, is the lack of a proper tendering process for the development of the cruise pier, which allegedly forced the Foreign and Commonwealth office to intervene. According to Wheatley, “This project along with the airport project seems to lack a great deal of transparency with many unanswered questions to the public.”

He further stated that “people would also agree that the National Democratic Party government has not spent taxpayers’ money as carefully and thoughtfully as possible.”

Wheatley further pointed out that the Premier spoke about the Opposition’s failure to build the reserves, which he stated would be argued as being due to unfunded liabilities, such as the Hospital, left by the NDP in its previous administration.  

“Generally, the reforms to the Ministry of Finance are good, but the government is trying to save a large amount of money at too rapid a pace,” he argued, “which is somewhat painful to a community that depends on the government circulating money.”

He agreed with the prioritization of the hospital and sewerage system’s completion as well as focus placed on fishing and said he looked forward to more initiatives geared towards establishing this as a viable industry. He also felt the focus on agriculture is important and was interested to see how the government proceeds with the greenhouses. 

Another source of disappointment however, was that high level discussions are taking place in regards to the development of Prospect Reef with the general public having very little knowledge of what is transpiring.  “This disappointment,” he stated, “extends to the Pier Project as well, which I believe has been shrouded in secrecy since the UK’s intervention.  More information and debate is also required for the airport extension, but this has not been forthcoming.”

Wheatley concluded that overall, the Premier remains firm in the priorities established by his government and the positions he has taken thus far and that his statement seems to be an acknowledgement that the economy is not doing as well as previous statements might imply.  

“The statement,” he added, “also illustrates the United Kingdom’s increased assertiveness and influence, which has mixed results, and the success of this National Democratic Party administration remains hinged to two controversial projects: the Cruise Pier and Airport extension projects.  The Premier has two years to deliver.”

Meanwhile, Virgin Islands News Online also attempted to get a reaction to the Premier's speech from Leader of the Opposition Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal OBE and Second District Representative Hon. J. Alvin Christopher, however, they both declined to comment.

21 Responses to “Hon. Fahie slams Premier Smith’s Territory update speech”

  • BuzzBvi (09/07/2013, 08:47) Like (7) Dislike (23) Reply
    Where are all those computers you promised Andrew?
    'Fahie added “Telling us one thing and doing another cannot be the order of the day.” '
    That only for other people Mr 100%?
    • Crap (09/07/2013, 09:37) Like (4) Dislike (18) Reply
      man go office max and buy one from posting crap on the media
    • @ BuzzBvi (09/07/2013, 09:51) Like (1) Dislike (27) Reply
      NDP paid bloggers out early today bouy
    • dem say (09/07/2013, 16:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ bUZZbvi YOU NEED TO LEARN TO REASON INSTEAD OF ACTING LIKE AN ILLITERATE FOOL. THE BVI IN A ECONOMICAL CRISIS AND YOU ARE POSTING ABOUT DUMB COMPUTERS. stupid fool!!!
  • the rock (09/07/2013, 09:15) Like (12) Dislike (41) Reply

    Wow the business community feels they will also be victimized by this government…we need an Egypt style revolution NDP is bad for democracy...Can’t wait to vote them out before they kill all ah we
  • Master (09/07/2013, 09:23) Like (1) Dislike (32) Reply
    Jamal is a VIP/Fraser hack. What's new? Fahie and Fraser will regret all this nonsense. Continue to keep an eye out, a bombshell will be unleashed that will have them backing up like crabs in a fire. Stay tuned!!!
    • .... (09/07/2013, 09:54) Like (8) Dislike (38) Reply
      Take care that when the so called bumbshell drops it kills who you lease expect. The NDP & supporters think we afraid of their old time evil scare tatics. Trouble Fahie & Fraser & a revolution will come.
    • ... (09/07/2013, 09:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      ok 'master' aka MVW we will wait but hope when your bombshell comes you can take it!!! BAM
    • Bvi man (09/07/2013, 10:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      So sorry to hear of your illness Master..it will not work this time!!!!
    • TO Master (09/07/2013, 16:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Like the ol' B V Isladers use to say...

      MVW Need his mouth washed out with soap...

  • Who dead? (09/07/2013, 10:26) Like (2) Dislike (14) Reply
    NDP and VIP DEAD!!! Natalio you are on target and your message needs to be stated over and over again for it to stick in the minds of the people. A new party is coming to run these islands. The wicked days of the VIP and NDP is DONE, OVER.
  • vince (09/07/2013, 10:32) Like (5) Dislike (16) Reply
    Politics and life sometimes sends us a curve ball and we feel it is so unfair for a good party like the VIP to be in the opposition.

    The great thing though is that the VIP and Fahie have the determination to fight on and with the help of God you will form the next government…the VIP was born to lead the BVI!!!! Just keep pushing now….how long NOT LONG!!
  • my two cents (09/07/2013, 10:36) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    I really think that the mother country has so much dirt on the NDP that the NDP selling us out to them so that they the NDP cannot be investigated & allowed to hold power by giving the mother country whatever they want. We are being sold out by the NDP. A set of house slaves. A revolution must come.
  • Who dead? (09/07/2013, 10:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another dead here again. Start building ayo coffin buddy.
  • ooooo (09/07/2013, 10:53) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    andrew keep the heat on ndp
  • disbelief (09/07/2013, 14:57) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    just cannot get over the Premier claiming the economy is robust...where do they live?
  • hoa (09/07/2013, 16:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The old heads and people have often said " The higher monkey climb the more you can see"....we got more to see from this gang
  • report (09/07/2013, 19:22) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Over the past 19 months, the NDP has made themselves easy targets for criticism because they have done nothing for the people!!
  • Tail (10/07/2013, 00:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ‘Aha, I catch you telling tails on the economy Smith


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