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'Journey to recovery not a sprint but a marathon'- Dr Robert A. Mathavious

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Financial Services Commission (FSC), Dr Robert A. Mathavious, has reminded; however, that the recovery process is not 'a sprint but a marathon'. Photo: GIS/File
Hurricane Irma in September 2017 ravaged the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) headquarters in Road Town. Photo: VINO/File
Hurricane Irma in September 2017 ravaged the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) headquarters in Road Town. Photo: VINO/File
Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Premier and Minister of Finance told reporters at a press conference at the Alamanda Conference Room, Office of the Premier, Thursday, February 15, 2018 that he is placed with the pace of the progress of security. Photo: VINO/File
Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Premier and Minister of Finance told reporters at a press conference at the Alamanda Conference Room, Office of the Premier, Thursday, February 15, 2018 that he is placed with the pace of the progress of security. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While the Virgin Islands has seen much progress since the hurricanes of September 2017 ravaged the islands, there are many who still feel much more can be done, especially by the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Financial Services Commission (FSC), Dr Robert A. Mathavious, has reminded; however, that the recovery process is not "a sprint but a marathon".

Mr Mathavious is one of the lead men on the 'working group' put together by Government to man the recovery efforts before the Recovery Agency Board mandated by the United Kingdom is put in place by law.

"The journey towards a stronger, more secure, sustainable and greener BVI is not a sprint, it is a marathon. It is something that is going to be arduous but we have the will, we have the commitment," emphasised Dr Mathavious, who was at the time speaking at a press conference at the Alamanda Conference Room, Office of the Premier, on Thursday, February 15, 2018.

'Many factors affecting rate of progress' - Premier Smith

Meanwhile, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) went on to explain that there are many factors affecting how fast things are being done in the rebuilding efforts.

Dr Smith was at the time speaking about the state of security in the Territory, stating that he was satisfied with the work done so far.

"Yes, I am satisfied with the pace. I think everything could be going quickly but remember we are in a disaster and everything is damaged," he stated and emphasised that the port is handling a lot more cargo than it usually does.

Speaking on the state of police stations across the Territory, most of which were damaged by the hurricanes, Premier Smith pointed out that a plan must be in place where his government will conduct assessments and, based on the assessment, a cost will be determined.

"We can't just go and build a police station. It has to be costed. It has to be planned and architects have to get involved and there is a lot more before we can actually start the physical work. The fact is that we are addressing all these issues and there has to be a process which is essentially planning and then execution," explained the Premier.

RVIPF received $1.69M for rebuilding

Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews at a press conference on Monday, January 29, 2018 announced that the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) recently received £1.2M, or $1.69M from the United Kingdom (UK) to assist in its operations and rebuilding, which were hampered following the hurricanes of September 2017.

The funds were made available to the RVIPF from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) through the Governor's Office.

14 Responses to “'Journey to recovery not a sprint but a marathon'- Dr Robert A. Mathavious”

  • @@@@@ (18/02/2018, 12:33) Like (20) Dislike (6) Reply
    When is Robert going to retire giving the young people a chance?
    • I wonder (18/02/2018, 14:09) Like (8) Dislike (21) Reply
      I wonder if you are qualified to fill his shoe. If not HUSH!!! And go sit down.
  • that is what (18/02/2018, 13:00) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    most don't realised one can't build back every thing today . it is marathon and not a sprint trmrber Rome was not built in one day and so was the BVI.As long as there is life there is hope. Let's all hope in the Lord that He will do it for us in one way or the other and keep on remembering that we have to help ourselves and He will surely help us
    • trrefdrfds (18/02/2018, 16:02) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply

      The issue herr is people just $%&* selfish. Until they get back power, their house fix, jobs back and life returned to normal, they will never see any good in whats happening in the BVI. They are only concerned with themselves! As soon as things are good with them then they will say all is well and others should stop complaining. VINO needs to do a 5mth update and show photos and video of what the BVI was like just 5 months ago compared to now. Other places badly hit by storms took 5yrs and more to recover but 5mths in we are bickering. What a set of nasty, shallow and selfish people living in the BVI.

  • if he has (18/02/2018, 15:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    some juice in him still let him function or as usual give his advice to help take us forward and not backward
  • Boo (18/02/2018, 16:55) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lando surrounds himself with same recycled NDP hacks and hicks and expect some different result? This is by definition mental!
  • nonsense (18/02/2018, 17:02) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
    The idea of a marathon is already an excuse. If we do a priority A - B - C listing and execution we will be at the finish line faster than Husain Bolt, fresh and without stress.. Eliminate the favoritism, bias and victimization.. No more excuses..
    • Foolish (18/02/2018, 18:09) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Just an excuse to bash. There is no quick way to recover from a storm that completely destroyed 90 percent of homes and infrastructure.
    • sam the man (20/02/2018, 06:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      With the No Direction Party in charge we'll be lucky if the marathon ever gets properly finished...has it even properly started yet 5 months later? It'll be the same list of tired excuses and unaccounted for money (as they refuse to issue audited accounts)
  • one eye (18/02/2018, 18:02) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    VIP will get it speeded up trust me
  • Hush (19/02/2018, 05:28) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    How much more do you want them to do USA has all the help up there and up untill now some parts of Florida has not been fixed yet we was hit hard you know that? stop acting like you are not in the real world we will be on our foot again trust God to the government stay to gather with god all things are possible
  • Same ol’ (20/02/2018, 03:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Mathavious has full time employment as head of the FSC which supervises the finance industry. Why the same old tired faces when it’s a chance for further employment and fresh new energy in this role


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