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VI 'Consumer Protection Act, 2020' passes in HoA

- Motion for Third Reading seconded by Opposition Leader on invitation
The motion for the third and final reading of the bill 'Virgin Islands Consumer Protection Act, 2020, was moved by Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, and seconded by Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), left. Photo: GIS/File
The Virgin Islands Consumer Protection Act, 2020, was passed at the Eighth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on June 8, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands Consumer Protection Act, 2020, was passed at the Eighth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on June 8, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - The long-awaited Virgin Islands 'Consumer Protection Act, 2020' was passed tonight, June 8, 2020, with amendments in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) held at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), moving a motion for the third reading of the bill shortly before 8:00pm said, "Today is a historic day in the House of Assembly and is a day that we all will remember and all our names will go down into the passing of this Consumer Protection Act, it was 2019 when it came in but the amendments will be 2020," Premier said.

The Premier continued, "This indeed is a good day for the people of the Virgin Islands and the businesses of the Virgin Islands and for the protection of the consumers and also for the protection of businesses."

Seconding the motion, on invitation by the Premier, was Opposition Leader and former Junior Minister for Trade and Investment, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) who was credited for his work on the bill during the drafting process.

Bill is an important step for VI economy - Hon Penn  

"I rise to second the motion and I also associate myself with the comments just raised by the Premier. I think it is important that we have gone through the process and this bill has passed through very strenuous situations at times," Hon Penn said.

"I think it is a red-letter day that we have been able to accomplish this here this evening, and I think to god be the glory and to the people be the glory for all the people for all the persons who worked on this piece of legislation."

He said the passing of the bill is an important step in strengthening and moving the economy of the Virgin Islands forward. 

More details to come.

22 Responses to “VI 'Consumer Protection Act, 2020' passes in HoA ”

  • Reap (08/06/2020, 21:04) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job a Premier. Now we just need to find the BVI airways money.
    • GG (08/06/2020, 22:18) Like (18) Dislike (8) Reply
      This is a premier for his people we definitely chose wisely in 2019.
    • Hot one (09/06/2020, 06:49) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      I am afraid that the Consumer Protection Act will only cause prices to remain expensive, and service to be poor. The best way to protect consumers is to allow competition - that leads to better service and cheaper prices.
    • smh (09/06/2020, 10:22) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      taking our social security money is a $40m version of bvi airways situation. wait and see.
  • ABC (08/06/2020, 21:15) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
    Marlon needs to cross
  • ... (08/06/2020, 21:16) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    that stationary store could ease on the prices now then

  • YEA YEA (08/06/2020, 22:19) Like (6) Dislike (31) Reply
    He need send home some them people back down the island now. Please make that the next move
    • @ yea yea (09/06/2020, 07:26) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
      Honestly I was against this island people and send them home stuff... im now rethinking my position because im home now for months my company open and its all those work permit people on the Job.... its not right...
    • @yea yea (09/06/2020, 07:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Come on! continue. Do you think you are saying that by your self?
  • boy oh boy (08/06/2020, 22:30) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    dah croak wouldn't second his fellow opposition's motion that was brought before the house but now he here seconding the premier......jack i tell yo
  • ? (09/06/2020, 05:31) Like (18) Dislike (7) Reply
    YEA YEA
    take your knees off ISLAND people neck please.
    it's time we can't breathe.
  • yoyo (09/06/2020, 06:41) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    Great job, this law may put an end to the worst customer service in BVI
    • Crazy stupidness and foolishness (09/06/2020, 10:00) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      The law does not allow competition and therefore rewards bad customer service - the BVI has some of the worse customer service in the world.
  • Law Enforcement (09/06/2020, 07:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Law enforcement simple means the enforcement of laws...Not pick on who u want to pick on... In a society where friendships and gifts render law enforcement ineffective...Keep hope alive!!
  • Hmm (09/06/2020, 08:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh my people suffer for lack of wisdom. This Bill passing has nothing to do with price control its just smoke. Price control is a totally different thing.
  • Long and short... (09/06/2020, 08:02) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    This Consumer Protection bill needs to include price control man. You all just skipping around the real problem on this island.
  • josiah'sbay (09/06/2020, 08:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is there a draft of the Bill anywhere?
  • yeah (09/06/2020, 08:27) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another crock. How will it be enforced. Specifically, what are Consumers being protected from. To whom do you take your complaints and then what
    It is insulting to even the least of intellect that we are being taken for fools. Being sold a bill of rhetoric meaningless gobblede gook.
    Give the people of the VI adequate running water, internet service,public transport,a clean airspace and environment,enforcement of laws,rules regulations..basic and doable and ..cut the insulting clownings...pleeease!!!!
  • pat (09/06/2020, 09:56) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    hats off the VIP with NDP we were dead dead dead
  • @hot one (09/06/2020, 10:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dam good move MY bio andrew ...and yes hot one the both can stand together make it much easier..both price control and and competition.....it our money there running behind ....
  • ... (09/06/2020, 23:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This was an important meeting, why were Mark V absent?


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