Ahead of his official commencement of from personal leave, Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) was spotted today heading off on official business to Virgin Gorda. Photo: WhatsApp

Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort is having its official reopening today, January 27, 2020. Photo: Facebook

Banking services return to Virgin Gorda from 12:00pm on November 6, 2019, with the opening of a Banco Popular Branch at Yacht Harbour. Photo: VINO/File

Just short of one year in office and effective January 23, 2020, Premier Fahie, regarded as a workaholic, took time off to leave the Territory and was scheduled to be back on the job from January 28, 2020.

Officially back on the Job?

It appears; however, the Leader of Government business was a bit eager to take back his role as Premier of the Virgin Islands (VI) from Hon Carvin Malone (AL) who had been acting in the capacity since his departure.

"On my way for the re-opening of the Little Dix Bay Resort on Virgin Gorda. BVI Recovery continues and is on the move," the Premier posted on his WhatsApp status as well as on his Facebook page today, January 27, 2020.

The re-opening of the resort, which closed since 2016 for renovations and suffered damages during Hurricane Irma, comes as the Fahie Administration boasts of transformative plans for the sister island that will see the return of local commerce and the creation of new jobs.

Employment for locals

While wrapping up the debate on the Beneficial Ownership Secure Search System (Amendment) (No.3) Act, 2019” at the continuation of the Seventh Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on October 18, 2019, Premier Fahie said Rosewood Little Dix Bay agreed to hire 250 locals.

Hon Fahie was at the time making a point that Virgin Islanders needed to equip themselves with the necessary skills to become gainfully employed in the Territory and that Government was trying its best to train and find employment opportunities for them.

“We want to make sure every single person in this territory is working,” Hon Fahie said, adding that “We signed someday and helped out with Little Dix that was supposed to open soon and one of the things we dropped down is…there are certain amount of people you have to hire, and they agreed to hire 250 people.”

“So I [am] looking forward to seeing 250 Virgin Islanders inside Little Dix when it opens. And we are going to make sure they are trained,” Hon Fahie had said.

Virgin Islands News Online had sought information from Managing Director of Little Dix Bay Resort, Mr Andreas Pade on the remarks by Hon Fahie; however, Mr Pade did not offer a response.

VG Economic Boost 

On November 16, 2019, banking via BancoPopular finally returned to the island following a long period of absence with the exit of Scotiabank. 

“Over the past months, you the people of Virgin Gorda shared some of the inconveniences being experienced such as having to pay close to $100 in transportation fees via boat from Virgin Gorda to Tortola and on land upon arriving to Tortola as well as other unavoidable expenses that were occurred such as food among other expenses just to change a $150 cheque,” Premier Fahie said in his remarks at the launch. 

“People of Virgin Gorda, you deserve better and today better has come,” Hon Fahie said to the loud applause of those present at the opening ceremony of the bank.