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Hon Fahie wants laws to protect ‘whistleblowers’

- said Opposition will insist they be brought to the HoA for debate & approval
As allegations of mismanagement of public funds and corruption by the National Democratic Party (NDP) remain the ‘talk of the town’, Opposition Member Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) is calling for laws to protect whistleblowers and said the Opposition will be strongly advocating for such. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has lambasted Governor John S. Duncan OBE (left) and Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith for the controversy surrounding the Ports Project. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has lambasted Governor John S. Duncan OBE (left) and Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith for the controversy surrounding the Ports Project. Photo: VINO/File
According to Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), until now the people cannot get an accurate answer on the budgeted amount for the complete development of the Cruise Project; where the funds would come from; and who would provide independent verification that the territory got value for its money. Photo: VINO/File
According to Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), until now the people cannot get an accurate answer on the budgeted amount for the complete development of the Cruise Project; where the funds would come from; and who would provide independent verification that the territory got value for its money. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- As allegations of mismanagement of public funds and corruption by the National Democratic Party (NDP) run rife and the NDP Government's disregard for transparency and accountability, Opposition Member Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) is calling for laws to protect whistleblowers and said the Opposition will be strongly advocating for such.

A whistleblower is a person who exposes any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within an organisation that is either private or public.

Whistleblowers continue to approach this news site over many alleged injustices and wrongdoings within Government but often have to do so piecemeal and anonymously for fear of victimisation and possible lawsuits.

Governor & NDP Gov’t to blame for Ports fiasco

During his presentation of his annual First District Report at the Capoon’s Bay Recreational Grounds on January 23, 2016, Hon Fahie highlighted the controversy surrounding the Cruise Pier Development Project and said neither Governor John S. Duncan OBE nor the NDP Government seem to have any interest in transparency and good fiscal responsibility.

“The blatant violation of the Protocol Document allowed by the Governor; The misleading statements made by Ministers; the refusal to answer questions asked by the Opposition in the House of Assembly and; the decision by the Governor not to conduct a Commission of Inquiry are some of the reasons why this project and the finances of the entire Ports Authority is where it is today,” Hon Fahie argued.

The former Minister for Education said until now the people cannot get an accurate answer on the budgeted amount for the complete development of the Cruise Project; where the funds would come from; and who would provide independent verification that the territory got value for its money.

“No transparent answer nor course of action,” Hon Fahie stated.

NDP ordered audit an insult to injury

Meanwhile, the recent announcement by Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith that he was going to hire an international team to conduct an audit on the ports project was mocked by Hon Fahie.

“To add insult to injury, the Premier is going to look grown people with common sense fully in their faces and tell us he is going to conduct a second international independent audit of himself, by himself and for himself. The report of the first audit for the same project done by CDB is still sitting on his desk and has not seen the light of day. Is this the actions of a government in the sunshine? Where is the sunshine? Come on! Let us get real.”

According to Hon Fahie, the former Auditor General, Sonia M. Webster wrote and warned about the project as did the Public Accounts Committee. He said too that a Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) report commissioned by Premier Smith wrote and warned about the project.

Recently, former developer of the Cruise Pier Development Project, Mr Hugh E. Darley alleged corruption and high-handedness by Government over the Ports Project and that Government owes him money. He also said his team was willing to deliver a better quality Ports Project for $45M but his offer was rejected.

Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool disclosed in the House of Assembly during the Sixth Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly on January 25, 2016 that the price tag for the still incomplete project was an astronomical $82.9M.

'Whistleblowers in Gov’t being hunted'

“Hugh Darley is singing like a bird about this project. What else would be required for a complete independent review of this project? As we speak, the whistleblowers at the Port and other government departments are being hunted and this is unfair to them and the people of the Virgin Islands.”

According to Hon Fahie, laws to protect whistleblowers in the Public Service must be prepared by Government and that the Opposition will insist they be brought to the House of Assembly for debate and approval without delay.

Whistleblowing

According to research, those who become whistleblowers can choose to bring information or allegations to surface either internally or externally. Internally, a whistleblower can bring his/her accusations to the attention of other people within the accused organisation. Externally, a whistleblower can bring allegations to light by contacting a third party outside of an accused organisation. He/she can reach out to the media, government, law enforcement, or those who are concerned.

Whistleblowers also face stiff reprisal/retaliation from those who are accused or alleged of wrongdoing.

In some countries legal protection can be granted to protect whistleblowers, but that protection is subject to many stipulations. Hundreds of laws grant protection to whistleblowers, but stipulations can easily cloud that protection and leave whistleblowers vulnerable to retaliation and legal trouble.

Whistleblowers are sometimes seen as selfless martyrs for public interest and organisational accountability; others view them as "traitors" or "defectors."

25 Responses to “Hon Fahie wants laws to protect ‘whistleblowers’”

  • chad (30/01/2016, 11:59) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I fully agree with Fahie
  • Online Now (30/01/2016, 13:15) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    With such a law VINO will have tons of news on government corruption by the minute
    • Wendy (30/01/2016, 14:08) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
      News as usual and not evidenced,as usual.
      Evidence is key,otherwise,the messenger is a fabricator with ulterior motives.
      • @ Wendy (30/01/2016, 15:34) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
        I must say so far the news evidence have been overwhelming and solid...now go smoke that in your pipe
        • ta ta (30/01/2016, 18:48) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
          Rise-Up! Our People! It’s time to make things Right! NDP must GO!
  • cheese (30/01/2016, 13:22) Like (1) Dislike (16) Reply

    Andrew,do you have any evidence of victimization of whistle bowers? Whatever whistle is being blower,cannot the same information be found with some research,unless they are untruths,of course.The Farleys and other bottom feeders are attracted to places with a J**k D**key like yourself. You and ,Darleyy are enemy combatants of the Vi. His attempt to destroy the ViGov will fail and soon,you will be a vague nightmare to the VIP and the peoples of the VI but a people would have learned valuable lessons so thanks and farewell.



    • wize up (30/01/2016, 14:11) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
      @ cheese: I am shock to see VINO actually published your blog...from 2011 until now, all from the lips of VIP and they associates are pure negative vibes( being in opposition got them boys hot around the collar)
    • Ghost (30/01/2016, 14:17) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Put a dam sock in your yuk mouth come on here bloggin piss.
  • wize up (30/01/2016, 14:02) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    I am lost; fahie is a member of the virgin islands party for all most if not 20-years: why did he and his colleagues not pass such laws when they were in office: just for the records, the Virgin Islands Party ruled the territory for well over 40 years and had the golden opportunity to enact all the laws( just curious)... he need to stop the mind games and political foolishness: VIP were at the helm of Government for many many many year
    • @wize up (30/01/2016, 15:15) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      The NDP has taken a needed pier project from $45million to a whooping $82.9 million and persons like you hate Fahie so much & love the NDP so much that you see nothing wrong with this act. Fahie & the Opposition are not the problem here. Rather Mark & the NDP & some on the project have a lot to answer to we the people for. This is beyond corruption.
      • wize up (30/01/2016, 16:28) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ wize up: text fahie and have him tell the territory about that 650K, also the 500K for the medical study then also ask Andrew about all that tax payers money for the drag racing; all now some people have no idea where that tax money gone BUT you sound like his legal advisors so text fahie and let him talk about the government money(the tax payers money,because he should talk the whole truth if he want ting 2 talk)...them ask Fraser about that wall in sea cows bay; also the sea cows bay harbor project because crime is crime and lack of accountablty is lack of accountably... don't worry man went jail house for that airport project under the VIP administration (that's a fact, so talk that)
        • Easy resolve (30/01/2016, 18:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          The records are in the different Ministries. Why don't you ask the ministers for those ministries to audit or COI the projects them. Fraser and Fahie have no issues with that.
      • the rock (30/01/2016, 16:39) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
        vip took the queen elizabeht bridge from 3.4 mil to almost 60mil now u explain that @wize up!
        • wize up (30/01/2016, 18:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          @ the rock ; I am happy when I meet someone else that know the history and not falling for the current old talk:::from 3.4 million to over well 60 million dollars for that beef Islands brige; some people hope that people of the territory will convenently forget those transactions under the Virgin Islands Party administrations ( I say corruption is corruption) you won't hear fahie or fraser reminding the people of they wrong doings with your tax money while in office BUT the facts are still right there and you can not erase history( you can try hard as you wish to forget history but the records will always be right there).... true & very true..VIP/NDP same thing!!!!
        • @ the rock (30/01/2016, 21:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          That is such a BIG FAT LIE and you know it. Far from the truth; I worked on that project. Look Boosie telling lies to keep the thieves from the Ports Project out of Jail not going to work this time, we not drinking the cool aid!
          • wize up (30/01/2016, 23:30) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
            @ the rock: so you saying that the beef island bridge was built for the sum of money allocated for it???? yea right!!!!!
  • Xxx (30/01/2016, 14:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good point brox bummer
  • fish (30/01/2016, 15:36) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hudge darley is to be trusted any day over Mark CLUADE AND POW
  • fed up of these 2 (31/01/2016, 09:17) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    To be honest. Fahie and Frazer have become so monotonous. Need to hear someone new. Mr. Dawson where are you? Step forward.
    • wize up (31/01/2016, 14:52) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ fed up of these: I know right, same old talk in every publication but Dawson works for government so he not doing to jeopardize his job for VIP
      • TO WIZE UP (31/01/2016, 16:34) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        The NDP and you painted Fahie & Frazer as bad and nothing good for years but time is proving that the truth will float and the lie will sink.
    • To fed up of these 2 (31/01/2016, 16:38) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Hush your ignorant self. Without Fahie and Fraser this place would have been another Cuba in the early years already. They are courageous men who continue to put their families and lives at risk to try to save this country. Persons like you I am fed up of because hypocrites like you have become monotonous & foolishness. You are a hater of truth.
  • needed (31/01/2016, 15:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great idea Hon Fahie. I see such a law as being absolutely essential here in the BVI
    And, of course many other laws are needed such as consumer protection laws. I am tired of being ripped off by unscrupulous landlords and other so called business people.
  • Road Town Rebel (02/02/2016, 03:59) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? The Bible asks this.


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