Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

VIP Gov't discovers over $1.5M in unpaid NDP bills

- Premier said this was unearthed after companies complained of being 'sent to work' & never paid a dime
Premier Andrew A. Fahie has revealed that more than $1.5M in unpaid bills left by the Dr D. Orlando Smith's National Democratic Party (NDP) government have been discovered following complaints from several venders about the Virgin Islands (VI) Government owing them monies for unpaid work. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to former Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) for a comment on the findings, however, no response was received up to publication time. Photo: Facebook/File
Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to former Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) for a comment on the findings, however, no response was received up to publication time. Photo: Facebook/File
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - More than $1.5M in unpaid bills left by the Dr D. Orlando Smith's National Democratic Party (NDP) government has been discovered following complaints from several venders about the Virgin Islands (VI) Government owing them monies for unpaid work.

This was revealed by Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) at today's June 22, 2020, Tenth Sitting of the Second session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA). 

Debts unpaid @ Ministry formerly headed by Mark H. Vanterpool 

"The Minister of Transportation [Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5)]can attest that up to now we have found unpaid bills since we have landed... more that 1.5 million [dollars] thus far of venders that were engaged especially in the Ministry of Works at this time," Hon Fahie told the House.

According to the Premier, the debt was discovered as a result of a hunting exercise following complaints from vendors who did work for the then NDP Government but were never paid a dime.

"We have found those bills and venders have been calling us and we couldn't understand why because most of them either didn't have a purchase order, they were just sent to work in a different area."

Work can be justified - Hon Fahie 

Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to former Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) for a comment on the findings; however, no response was received up to publication time.

Hon Fahie noted; however, that the monies must be paid, "but the people worked, and their work, for the most part, can be justified and they are looking to government for their payment."

He said the Ministry of Finance is working on a full report on the outstanding bills, which will be presented to the House by Friday, June 26, 2020.

19 Responses to “VIP Gov't discovers over $1.5M in unpaid NDP bills”

  • Yeas (22/06/2020, 19:58) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    Them ndp crooks never paid out them bills left everything for vip so for the couple months when they got elected and everyone say they wasn’t doing anything yes they was trying to pay for ndp outstanding bill
    • @ yes (22/06/2020, 21:35) Like (1) Dislike (25) Reply
      It would’ve been paid if them didn’t had too much island people in the place
      • @@ yes (22/06/2020, 22:19) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
        You funny that’s not the reason but I agree is too much of them here
      • Norris Turnbull (22/06/2020, 23:25) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
        @yes....You need to stop.
      • wow (23/06/2020, 09:10) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Yes !!you who live an a continent ?island people go and take this money, oh boy all you who go to the march should be shamed to pour out so much hatred then gone march (black life matter) shameful set a people
  • Who moved my cheese? (22/06/2020, 20:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply

    Squeak Squeak You know the rat moved the cheese. Check the payments for the land..... Check the books for......Check the mega yacht! Check investors in Sea Cows Bay. This rat greedy and need to be exterminated immediately.

    • whistle blower (23/06/2020, 00:06) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Agreed, time for the rat to be exterminated. This particular rat is very greedy and dangerous.
    • @Who moved my cheese (23/06/2020, 16:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I got the answers lol Fat Hogs Bay everybody building then stop for a while. Cyril Romney and Purcell books match. That mega yacht SS D4 Platanos got D4 friends in SCB LOL They gah da JUICE!!!! HA HA HA HA
  • Dulce (22/06/2020, 22:09) Like (12) Dislike (7) Reply
    So who are these alleged claimants of overdue funds.
    In the name of transparency list name date of service completed a d payment due
    In order to dispel the rumour and suspicion that this million dollar claim is a means to divert funds to the pockets of the unscrupolous that are within the current elected ,name the claims.
    • Jaigon (23/06/2020, 05:47) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Dulce, did you read the last paragraph in the story? Please go back and read. When the full report is prepared I’m sure it will include everything.
  • rattie (22/06/2020, 23:19) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    Ndp dead Fraser should be opposition leader
  • bvi (23/06/2020, 06:04) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    i agree, we need full disclosure of the names of company's or individuals that are being owed, date of works done, outline the work done, we need to see a breakdown of how that figure was totaled, transparency accountability, government in the sunshine, no more secrets, we had enough secrete from the ndp, come clean fahie.
  • tretretrete (23/06/2020, 06:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    People work, they need to be paid, This is a failure of the head of departments, some department heds wilfully hold back payments because of spite and jealoysy....its going on all now,...
    • True (23/06/2020, 09:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      The departments waiting to spill the beans. Hurry up.
    • Chubble (23/06/2020, 10:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If there are valid purchase orders from departments why won’t they pay? QTNA
  • VI Gyal (23/06/2020, 09:52) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    so you telling me that VIP did not leave unpaid bills in the previous years too? Every govt does it. Some of you people so fool fool.
  • Youth (23/06/2020, 09:58) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am not political. Government is continuous. There will always be bills outstanding like any other company. I am a young person and to balance things. Can the VIP get me what was outstanding when the NDP took over? So, we do a good comparison.
  • @Youth (25/06/2020, 11:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Kudos. I love positivity. Please continue with your positive and right-thinking behaviour. The sitting Government seems to think that we were all born yesterday and that they are dealing with a bunch of 6 year olds. But I have news for them, even the 6 year olds can see through their drivel. Massive unpaid bills is the norm for Governments no matter who are the representatives and the people continue to provide goods and services because their money is sure. So when you are newly elected, call all your account payable persons in meetings in week 1 so that you can clear out old before new. At that time you can tell them that that is a priority because it is never about the past Government but of business continuity. After all Government is a business, and when taking over the helm of an ongoing business or concern, there will be unpaid bills, disgruntled and unproductive employees. Save the banter and get to running our country.
  • Commentator (25/06/2020, 17:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is not unusual for incoming Governments to find outstanding bills from the last Government. If they are legitimate pay them and move on.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.