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'These are not the times when only the Governor went to college'- Premier

- reiterates calls for UK to relax conditions of Protocols for Effective Financial Management
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie says while the government is free to spend the money from VI's reserves as indicated by Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, there are consequences to those actions. Photo: GIS/File
On Thursday morning, Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert suggested to the press that the Premier was essentially misleading the public over his concerns regarding conditions of some financial protocols hampering the government's planned COVID-19 economic package. Photo: Facebook
On Thursday morning, Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert suggested to the press that the Premier was essentially misleading the public over his concerns regarding conditions of some financial protocols hampering the government's planned COVID-19 economic package. Photo: Facebook
According to the Premier, the conditions 'as is' must be revisited and vague language defined before he can move forward with any plans in his capacity as Minister of Finance. Photo: GIS/Facebook
According to the Premier, the conditions 'as is' must be revisited and vague language defined before he can move forward with any plans in his capacity as Minister of Finance. Photo: GIS/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has reiterated calls for the UK to define and revisit its conditions surrounding the Protocols for Effective Financial Management in the Virgin Islands (VI) so that the Territory can move ahead with borrowing money from its reserves and create a sound COVID-19 economic stimulus package.

Premier Fahie made the comments yesterday May 21, 2020, at a COVID-19 press conference, on the heels of statements from Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, who noted there is noting hampering the government from accessing funding. 

No hamper to borrowing money - Gov Jaspert 

Governor Jaspert suggested at his press conference that the Premier was essentially misleading the public over his concerns regarding the conditions of the Protocols hampering the government's COVID-19 economic package.

"I've not seen any evidence to indicate that they hamper the government's ability to bring forward an economic package for the people. From what I understand the BVI's reserves are in a healthy position, over $80M, according to the budget estimates announced late last year."

He said contrary to what was being suggested publicly by the Premier, that the conditions are a barrier to the government's ability to deliver an economic response to COVID-19, the VI also has the ability to flexibly agree with the UK to breach the protocols and borrow large amounts of money.

Revisit conditions of protocols - Permier Fahie 

According to the Premier; however, the conditions 'as is' must be revisited and vague language defined before he can move forward with any plans in his capacity as Minister of Finance. 

"These are not the times when only the governor went to college and the people here did not, all of us went to school now, we will respect because I have the most respect for the post and I thank the UK in everything, but there are areas where we have a difference in position and it's for the people of the Virgin Islands"

The Premier continued, "This is one of those areas, we have a lot that we have in common, but I cannot be seen as disrespectful because I am taking a position for the people and the future generation."

At the moment, the government can only borrow about $110M in loans without violating the protocols; however, Premier Fahie said the government has been trying to negotiate the conditions for the past 15 months as more monies could be needed.

UK must define terms in agreement - Premier 

He said with the UK's £300M loan guarantee, the Crown reserved rights to implement 'other measures and mechanisms' for spending certain amounts that can violate the protocols; however, has refused to say what those measures and mechanisms will be.

"All I am saying is, I'm not coming off of this position, because those conditions that [are] going to be put in once we go below a level of the reserves, and other things that we have to do... those conditions have to be removed and the language has to be clear," he said. 

"When persons are telling you that we can spend the reserves and there's no problem, the money is there... the money is there, we can spend... but everyone is free to do whatever they want to do, but they are not free from the consequences of their actions."

The Premier noted that he will defend his position to the end given the number of catastrophic events the Territory continues to face like COVID-19.

"We are saying that some of the conditions must be more clearly defined and some that do exist have to be removed!"

33 Responses to “'These are not the times when only the Governor went to college'- Premier”

  • Clarity (22/05/2020, 09:20) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Caution is always needed when working with any type of snake. ANY type ...

    Why can't the conditions be clarified if the person inking away asks for it?

    Same thing in the insurance business. Have one enter into contracts that are leaky. Today, insureds have to engage lawyers (another set of scammers) to obtain loss relief for revenues lost as a result of business interruption due to COVID.
  • Sherlock (22/05/2020, 09:21) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    In short, your explanation is understood Hon. Premier.
  • one eye (22/05/2020, 09:29) Like (17) Dislike (38) Reply

    We believe and trust Fahie not the w man

  • Challenger (22/05/2020, 09:30) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well said premier..well said.
    maybe we all need to see or hear exactly what it is that you refer to...ie...what specifically are the protocols and wordings that are suppressing our ability to borrow. publically bring these to the people and ask the govenor to respond...line item by line item why he believes these thigs do not hinder our ability to borrow......end the guesswork for us........ask him to help us see through the barriers, ask him to help us resolve this.
  • eyes (22/05/2020, 09:30) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    Stand your ground this is no time to be throwing away like you sure we're the money will come from to repay loans when we not sure when and if the economy is going to be robust anytime soon . This is not just a BVI problem it's a worldwide problem everything we do depend on the effects of the outside world whether it be tourism or financial services if they down we down and right now tourism gone till God's knows when or the other sector depleting . Mr premier if you going to do anything let it be it the interested that you help your people keep their homes that depends person paying rent ,offer s partial payment of their rent to help does that lost their jobs keep a roof over their Heads make payment payable to landlord/bank and give either a food voucher to buy food.
  • foxy (22/05/2020, 09:51) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    Translation we are not on the plantation mr governor
    • foxy in the hole (22/05/2020, 10:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      now that you left the plantation start counting your corn
  • Listen (22/05/2020, 10:47) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    why are we paying so much attention to this governor: we should have grown accustomed to the antics by now; after all the first governor arrived in the territory in 1972(derick george cudmore) some 48 years !!!!
    • 2020 (22/05/2020, 12:09) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
      The Governor is doing his job as the Territory’s rep for the Queen who sanctions certain UK Government matters. Like all other rational human being, we do not bite the hand that feeds us and right now Her majesty feeding the Gov.

      The matter is between the BVI Government and the UK Government. The Gov role is to open his mouth as the Queen and the motherland sees fit.

      Get that straight.

      If you don’t like it, if you don’t like having a Governor over you the solution is simple! CUT ALL TIES with the UK. Completed cut off the navel string and you can do as you please.
      • @2020 (22/05/2020, 14:13) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
        You got to be an idiot. The UK feeding us?? The UK don’t give us a red penny. When you don’t have facts shut the front door.
        • @@2020 (22/05/2020, 16:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          Learn to read and comprehend.

          “We do not bite ... us” was written as a general statement. Her majesty is feeding the Gov. and he is not going to bite the hand that feeds him. He will support the Queen. He is not stupid to lose his future meal.

          Where in the above blog it says UK feeding BVI. You see why Foy no want to provide the details as to the EM protocols? So he has to give the details himself and will give parts if it, and not all? Because of responses like yours that indicate lack of reading and comprehension skills ....
      • eyes (22/05/2020, 19:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        2020 you a idiot which UK feeding us . 2017 you know what they had for us body bags not food , we work for our money , when the governor came first and saw the houses he couldn't believe it and some of the soldiers when they came made comments as if only drug dealers can own homes so big they live in flats . This Governor trying his best to get the people against the government but we smart country smart you think we like them American you watching to much TV we know all about divide and conquer we standing together you might fool some but not all . You want to feel special.
        • 2020 (22/05/2020, 22:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Another idiot that can't read.
          The Gov is not going to bite the hand that feeds him. The Queen feeds the Gov so her dide he stands by ... the Queen & the UK related ... reading is fundamental ... read between the lines

          No where was it written that UK feeds BVI.
  • teacher john (22/05/2020, 11:22) Like (13) Dislike (11) Reply
    I miss Ralph Oneal with the kind of behavior this governor would have been sent packing to England
  • My girl (22/05/2020, 11:47) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    Thanks VINO for this piece of news, now I'm really getting the understanding of this thing and the full narrative.
  • GG (22/05/2020, 13:00) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    The government should just pay everybody electricity bills! So that the money stay in the country. That could just cover the stimulus package for everyone.
  • @one black eye (22/05/2020, 13:50) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    How can the oppressed be the oppressor.......there will never admit there savage ill treatment was wrong
  • Don’t fall for it (22/05/2020, 13:58) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Well welll. Hon Premier they take us for fools but we ahead of the game. The Gov on a mission, don’t let him mislead you.

    Now Mr Gov as the rep of her Majesty can you please assist the Premier and our beautiful islands in getting the UK to address our valid concerns. I think that’s the very least you can do here.
  • Gov interest (22/05/2020, 14:17) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    There expecting disaster...so in preparation of there lil white community...that was the reason of us military presence just for there protection. ...no good interest of the bvi as long as it in the people hands
  • OH WOW (22/05/2020, 14:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You on to something the Honourable Premier. Now Mr governor, we all speaking the queen's language here. I do not think that what the Premier is asking for is unreasonable by any means. It is a very simple matter, unless there is some extra hidden agenda. Please enlighten the people.
  • karma (22/05/2020, 16:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I love the way the indian expat taken power over in the uk .....there off springs Is are foot stool to the one there forefather oppressed years ago
  • Diaspora (22/05/2020, 20:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dem think all VI people chupid. They enslaved our fore parents and purposefully kept them dumb so they could control them. Just in case we forget it was against the law to teach a Slaves how to read; even White folks who got caught teaching Slaves how to read write could be lynched. Here in the VI, it was a struggle to secondary education. Notice that there is a Her Majesty prison but no Her Majesty high school. Do you not think that speaks volume? It is not a coincidence; the attitude is why waste money on those people. It is a long way from 1720. They think because they come from Big countries their brains bigger than ours and can give us a 6 for a 9. Some of us worship them like Gods putting them on pedestals but not all of us. They like to come out to the colonies so that they can pretend that they are some big shot. GTFOH. The Governor think he can promulgate all kind of vague Nancy tory talk and we would lap it up. The Guv needs to come with some real talk, specific language, not vague and supposedly diplomatic bullish..t. We are not impress.
  • ReX FeRal (23/05/2020, 06:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dont Do It.
  • Hmm (23/05/2020, 11:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Going in three years now and BVI still here small talking dragging their feet with this loan agreement, a new season is upon us stop playing politics.
  • Unbelievable (24/05/2020, 15:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Those submitting comments should read their own comments before submitting. All of you make the country look illiterate. Try spell checking you text.
  • TRex (24/05/2020, 17:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I admire this Governor because he is not a push over like the previous one. He doesn't care about fitting in with the crowd. He is here to carry out his responsibilities that waa placed upon him by the UK and no one will intimidate him to do differently. Many don't like him because no more free access to money without accountability. About time !!


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