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 Turnbull falsely claims Gov’t spending $17K per barge

- accused Gov’t of blowing $51k per day on border security initiative
In light of Hon Melvin M. Turnbull's (inset) erroneous statements, Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has said the barges involve security details and remains a sensitive issue; however, Government will soon issue a statement on the initiative. Photo: VINO/Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie has shut down claims by Opposition Legislator, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, that the Virgin Islands Government is paying some $51,000 per day for three barges to boost VI’s border security in the COVID-19 fight. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie has shut down claims by Opposition Legislator, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, that the Virgin Islands Government is paying some $51,000 per day for three barges to boost VI’s border security in the COVID-19 fight. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie’s statements come after Government Consultant, Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, that he was preview to information of the three barges costing just $4,500 per day each, for fuel and crew. Photo: Facebook/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie’s statements come after Government Consultant, Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, that he was preview to information of the three barges costing just $4,500 per day each, for fuel and crew. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has shut down Opposition claims that the Virgin Islands Government is paying some $51,000 a day for three barges to boost the Territory's border security in the COVID-19 fight.

The erroneous claims were made by Opposition legislator, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) at an August 28, 2020, press conference where he questioned whether the Territory even has the infrastructure to support its enhanced border patrol services.

$17K per platform, $1.5M total per month – Hon Turnbull falsely claims

“We have $1.5 million dollars per month now, going out the door… $17,000 a day for each barge, its three barges… to facilitate the patrolling of our shores to help with border patrol,” he said.

“That might sound good, but do we have the infrastructure between Customs [and] between Immigration?... Where is the RVIPF in all of this?" he questioned. 

Now, according to Premier Fahie, speaking to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), the statement from the legislator is ‘totally false’ and also irresponsible given that they were made in the public domain.

4,500 per platform – Skelton-Cline 

Hon Fahie’s statements come after Government Consultant, Claude O. Skelton-Cline said on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, that he was privy to information about each of the three barges costing just $4,500 per day, for fuel and crew. 

“But I want to go a step further, what if it was costing $25,000 a day, but it was doing the job that we need most now which has to do with securing our borders… and we know for a fact that our borders have always been porous,” he said. 

“We have known for years we need coast guard, we need to always beef up our border patrols... It’s not new, but the chicken has come home to roost given this COVID stuff.”

Facts coming – Premier Fahie 

The VI Government has turned to the barges to boost border security following a spike in COVID-19 cases linked to human smuggling into the VI.

Premier Fahie told VINO that it remains a sensitive issue since the barges involve security details; however, he promised that the Government will soon issue a statement on the initiative.

38 Responses to “Hon Turnbull falsely claims Gov’t spending $17K per barge”

  • Ok you all (04/09/2020, 10:32) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    Turnbull, make up to get a roasting and call out to the max today. DAMN MITCH, HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
  • denial without facts (04/09/2020, 10:32) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    words are cheap. If it's not true. What are the real numbers?
  • We Believe Mitch (04/09/2020, 10:38) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    Claude said that it is costing government $4,500 per barge including crew and fuel. That is $13,500 per day and $405,000 per month. This came directly out of Courage mouth
  • zone 2 (04/09/2020, 10:53) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    So sad when he done he say he is a preacher and god fearing man
  • Kramer (04/09/2020, 11:00) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    An evil tongue speaketh evil things. The devil can do this to you but not all self proclaimed Christians are Christians. Mitch need to check himself and surrounding.
  • Want2Kno (04/09/2020, 11:09) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    3 Barges @$4500=$13,500 daily equals $40,500...a $10,500 savings!!!
  • Rubber Duck (04/09/2020, 11:13) Like (37) Dislike (5) Reply
    It would cost nothing for the Royal Navy to do it better. Why is their help refused? Corruption or false pride?
    • Local (04/09/2020, 14:00) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ Rubber Duck take your head out of the sand , i personally think that the UK navy would do a better job and my reason for saying this, is there would be corrupt persons here that have a tendency to taking money under the table to look the other way either police or customs all the same over the world .The UK persons have no affiliation with any one here. As for no cost would be wrong to say , government would have to secure fuel and provision for the ships which has a cost at the end would get value for money.
      • Rubber Duck (04/09/2020, 17:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        You think these tin pot criminals here can bribe the Royal Navy. Wow , you really have no clue.
        • @rubber duck (05/09/2020, 05:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          No one said that the Uk navy could be bribed. Do you even read the comments sent pertaining to your post, or are you so self absorbed that you cant see beyond your extended hand? You acting just like your name Rubber Duck!!!! Senseless!!!!!!!!! Damn!!!!!
    • Absolutely (04/09/2020, 14:07) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
      If the Navy was securing our boarders we could sleep soundly and plan for recovery!!! A real plan!
    • Hmmmm (04/09/2020, 16:41) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      Who told you it would cost nothing? Careful what you say.
    • @rubber duck (05/09/2020, 14:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Some of ayo still have slave mentality. Or maybe you just a former slave master trying to maintain the status quo.
    • Wise upn (05/09/2020, 15:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Same thing I saying me son why refuse the navy and pay people who already have millions
  • OK Then (04/09/2020, 11:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The bible tell us we can't please both men and God, you must choose one. What's it going to be.
  • ballast bay (04/09/2020, 11:36) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mitch please clear your road never give out information that is not true ask your father to guide you and ask forgiveness of the people of the country we here in the 2nd district is waiting on our money WHAT TAKING SO LONG the bargde done clear now clear the money we are hoping there is no backdoor negations where monies go to family members then push forward comes circulate the monies in a meaningfull manner do not blame andrew for nothing he did is best so far stop holding up the process
  • Truth Sayer (04/09/2020, 12:03) Like (32) Dislike (4) Reply
    While Mitch"s figure might be wrong, i give him credit for bringing it to the forefront. Claude Skelton-Cline indicated on his talk show that it is more like some $4.5K per day for each barge which should give us about $13,5k per day for the three barges. So Mitch is off by about $3.5k a month. Be that as it may, it is still too much to be paying out for a country that is financially strapped. If we had only taken the British Navy ship's offer which I believe would have been practically free, that money that we are now paying those barges would have been better used to assist with purchasing the much urgently needed ventilators and test kits for covid-19. .
    • @ Truth Sayer (04/09/2020, 12:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why are you having a cow ? At the end of the day they will still get paid . Becareful Your due date don’t come early.
  • Sue (04/09/2020, 13:29) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    OBSEQUIOUS, MR. MITCH TURNBULL. OBSEQUIOUS. If you don’t UNDERSTAND, RESEARCH THE WORD.
  • Thinker (04/09/2020, 14:21) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    It is so ironic we are sending 4 plus k. On our security to locals and didn't said anything about the 7 plus millions for plans we can't use and to outsiders he and the leader of the opposition sit did nothing and say nothing now want to come and talk about money's to help keep us safe FOR GOD IN HEAVEN SAKE GO SIT DOWN
  • Shein (04/09/2020, 14:26) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The barges are out there if the Navy ship was here the people would still cus BVI lamders benifited they need to eat to andrew I hope that by year end you will be able to pay incruments if the CoVID let up I hope that by the end of the year we see a diffrent move ask God to help carry it away and if is a man madr thing whom ever the culprit is workon something to clear it away Do not let the talk distract you there is a lot to do so continue to pray and trust God for the outcome We extend our concerns to USVI next door we have fmilies there Premier it is hard but we will survive in the name of jesus keep on keeping on
  • evil (04/09/2020, 16:23) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    This doesn’t sit well with me reading these negative comments! This is why I always say to Mr. Ali.. “stop feeding these people”. Stop giving your stuff to these people when catastrophe hit them A**. They are not for you and your family! Feed you and yours and f*** the rest! Look how many people upset because the gov give the contract to the barges , and it’s not like you don’t give . When you do give (especially when the country is in distress after natural disasters) , you give big! Thousands of dollars! These people have the audacity to come on here saying that stuff??? I’m ashamed for them. Stop giving your stuff and especially to those Is**** people! I am not saying that people will starve if he doesn’t give but trust me you would lol. Those stuff he gave out after Irma saved a lot of us ! Including myself and I’m grateful! So I can’t bash or hate because they do give back.
    • Exactly Evil (04/09/2020, 18:37) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      That family does give back, if their businesses do well you best believe they will help their community that is how they are . They don’t need take pictures of their faces every time they do something good to get publicly either like the same politician lying and bashing .
  • 1st District (04/09/2020, 19:36) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    I stand with Mitch, if it was not for him, the midnight government didn't show signs of TRANSPARENCY coming forward to we the people. " If you see something say something "
  • British Navy (04/09/2020, 19:39) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    British Navy would be free? Are you so sure about that? Do we realize who controls the seas and borders? Its Customs and not the police. Who does the Police fall under? They fall under the Governor or UK control. Can you imagine Customs and Police falling under the control of the UK government. If our waters are full of Navy ships do you realize that they can over throw and hold the BVI under siege. Do you remember what happened in Turks . It may sound far fetched but it could happen. Just saying
    • Crap (04/09/2020, 22:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Stop the Crap about siege. Why would England put us under siege? People just go around talkin crap and calling wolf when there is not even a rat. On the other hand if England wants to put us under siege who is going to stop them, the handful of police we have?
    • 1st District (05/09/2020, 05:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      So who is the SOLE OWNER OF THIS TERRITORY???IF NOT THE WELL, GO AND COLLECT THE 4MIL POUNDS! HA! HA! , BVI PUT THAT IN YOUR BRAIN AND ABSORB IT!!
  • cline (04/09/2020, 20:09) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Turnbull .you give any one money in your district yet. Please give your people some money to buy food and pay rent. .you said you is a Christian . People need help.
  • waste of money (04/09/2020, 21:16) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Spending all of that money and still hearing boats all hours of the night
  • means nothing (04/09/2020, 22:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    mitch will have got that info from somewhere.
    its so very easy for government to back peddle now they taking heat.
    they should swear under oath that this was the deal to begin with...this 4500 per barge per day...let us see the signed and notarized contract which will be in place...where is the transparency with tbis.
    its all words. talk is cheap.
    • @Mean (05/09/2020, 14:57) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Mitch get set up. Somebody give him false information and he run with it because it sound hot. That is what happens when you let people put you up to do their dirty work for them.
  • Raunchy Navy (05/09/2020, 00:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    For all those who want the navy ships to guard our boarders: Years ago there were snakes in the Caribbean and mongoes were imported to kill the snakes. Alas, the mongoes also ate the chickens. Moral of the story. When you think you solving one problem you only creating another.
  • Short Memory (05/09/2020, 08:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why you all hating on Government?

    You all forgetting Governor authorising his white crony friend from New Zealand being paid USD350,000 a year BY US!!

    Plus accommodation & expenses!!

    Similar to what white governor and white commissioner get now...

    Wake up VI!!

    Investigate governor and his all white office for corruption favoritism.

    Why no blacks or belongers get employed for top jobs there?

    Why they just hire black house servants?

    Why we still being enslaved by this imperial emperor Augustus??

    Even uk don’t want him.

    Couldn’t even protect his own black servant.
  • wow (05/09/2020, 12:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why Skelton-Cline always putting out Government Info before Government? I didn't know he was the Press Secretary. Government need to stop this behavior of his because he is going to cause division amongst the Cabinet.
  • $500/Day (05/09/2020, 16:16) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I have a faster boat can cover way more ground and I would do this job for $500/day. Was this contract ever put out to bid or is this just yet another case of corrupt politicians filling the pockets of their friends?
    • $500 Captain (06/09/2020, 19:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Captain Ron you really think the barges are chasing the fast boat? They are platforms ...hope your $500 can feed and provide resting area/showers for those guys working 24/7
  • facts (06/09/2020, 08:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Come on guys don't continue to be hypocrites. we know Marlon, Kedrick or funny man will never never never be Premier


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.