NDP Gov’t ‘must come clean’- Hon Andrew A. Fahie
In his first public address since being elected Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party on November 30, 2016, Hon Fahie said he listened with amazement to the State of the Territory Address by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL) on December 6, 2016 and was overwhelmed by the multiplicity of contradictions and what can best be termed as “perception management.”
Vendors crying out for payment
“Contrary to what our current government continues to state about the good state of our economy it is clear that as of late something major is going wrong with our finances under their watch. On a daily basis, so many people are literally crying out stating that they cannot be paid after doing work for the NDP Government from months before.”
Hon Fahie also pointed out that so many government ministries, departments and schools are operating without basic necessities because of being told that there is no money.
“So many local businesses are meeting hard times and cannot make ends meet largely in part to the poor state of the economy coupled with government not paying them in a timely manner for services rendered. Our Government must come clean!”
Hon Fahie vowed to address those issues “one by one” in the House of Assembly, adding that truth and reality will again be united and thereby separated from perception.
Negotiating from position of strength
The party boss and legislator said the VIP intends to work with the UK Government to ensure that all the tenants of the Protocol for Effective Financial Management signed in 2012 by the NDP government are followed and adhered to in a manner that does not compromise the local economy.
According to the former Minister for Education and Culture, it is only from a position of strength that a Virgin Islands Government can negotiate with the UK Government as it relates to altering any of the terms of the Protocol that are overly stringent and not in the best interest of the VI people.
“We will not be better and we cannot negotiate from a position of strength when we ourselves fail to complete and present to the House of Assembly the audited financial statements for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.”
Direct Homeland Intervention
Hon Fahie further said that coupled with other major infractions, the risk of “Direct Homeland Intervention” is more prevalent now than any time since 1950 and Virgin Islanders are now being made to feel like second class citizens in their own country.
“…especially when it comes to being selected for senior and mid-level senior jobs in Central Government and Government Statutory Bodies despite being qualified.”
He said the on-going concerns of the people are many.
“This is the reality that is playing a vital role in our people who are now losing hope but with due respect to the Premier, he and members of his Government continue to try to insult our intelligence with glorious fancy speeches that are out of touch with the reality on the ground while failing to take any responsibility for their actions. Nevertheless, I can assure you that with God's help and your support, the refueled VIP will bring hope back to the many that are now feeling a sense of hopelessness.”
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
15 Responses to “NDP Gov’t ‘must come clean’- Hon Andrew A. Fahie”
Those who fail to plan should plan to fail.