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Voting for budget is leaving the altar with your sins- Hon Fahie to backbenchers

- curious to know what is the position of the frontbench legislators
Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said if the National Democratic Party (NDP) Ministers decide to go against the wishes of the backbenchers with the airport runway extension project it would only prove that the backbenchers are not taken seriously. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Backbenchers Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6), Hon Delores Christopher (R5), Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Archibald C. Christian (AL) and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) have all clearly stated their objection to the airport runway extension project going forward now. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Backbenchers Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6), Hon Delores Christopher (R5), Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Archibald C. Christian (AL) and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) have all clearly stated their objection to the airport runway extension project going forward now. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Not totally convinced that the backbenchers, who told the House of Assembly (HoA) they were against the airport runway extension project being done now, would vote against the 2017 budget which has included funding for the controversial project, Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) told them they needed to put their mouth where their money is by voting against the budget.

Speaking during the debate of the Appropriation Act of 2017 in the House of Assembly (HoA) on February 28, 2017, Hon Fahie said he listened as the backbenchers spoke against the project happening now as they had various concerns, however, the defining moment for them would be when the time came to vote for the budget to pass.

According to Hon Fahie, "If we are going to make a stand, it has to be serious. The provisions are in here, it will have to be taken out. And if the government is going to make a stand that they are going ahead with it and pass the budget with these monies in it, it is telling the people all the talk was nice, it was a show, but you have decided to come to the altar and leave with your sins."

Backbenchers, Hon Delores Christopher (R5), Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6), Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Archibald C. Christian (AL) and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) have all said they object to the project going forward now.

Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) did not state outright that he was against the airport runway extension project now but said he was aware of the many concerns expressed by the other Members of the House and that he was confident their concerns would be addressed.

Proud of backbenchers

"They want the project, but not now, then you cannot pass a budget with any funding for it now. That money cannot be passed in the budget if you are serious, because we will be here giving the people lip service," Hon Fahie argued, noting that he was proud of the stance taken by the backbenchers and that it reminded him of when he was in Government and voted against projects he did not agree with even though his stance nearly cost him his job.

The only frontbench Minister to make his contribution to the budget so far is Minister for Communications and Works (R4) who did not state his position on the airport project happening now, much to the concern of Hon Fahie.

"It is clear that they are going to borrow a couple million dollars for capital project and also to look for financing for the airport project, " stated Hon Fahie as he said he was curious to see what where the positions of the Ministers as he said if they decided to go against the wishes of the backbenchers it would only prove that the backbenchers are not taken seriously in the HoA.

Some $400,000 has been allocated for the $153.5M airport project in the 2017 Budget.

23 Responses to “Voting for budget is leaving the altar with your sins- Hon Fahie to backbenchers”

  • wize up (01/03/2017, 12:14) Like (4) Dislike (13) Reply
    the budget will pass(talk!!! That)
    • @wize up (01/03/2017, 14:04) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Did you see VINO Cartoon? Take it from the Ladies- Too late shall be thy cry."
    • Binocs (01/03/2017, 18:17) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      When they hit you all with higher tax the budget will really pass and you can talk that because it is going to happen.
  • vip (01/03/2017, 12:35) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Tell um fahie
  • one eye (01/03/2017, 14:00) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Ndp going eat fahie alive during the campagin
  • chad (01/03/2017, 14:14) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    here who talking
  • Yes (01/03/2017, 15:29) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Nice try fahie, the money says airport, it didnt say airport expansion.
    • Did I missed something? (01/03/2017, 21:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Airport, not airport expansion...is that for their trini consultant who has already collected over a million plus already on this airport project and we have nothing to show for it? Is it for prior unfinished business? Is this money spent already for prior debts?
  • 1 (01/03/2017, 18:19) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Kudos to all backbenchers
  • wize up (01/03/2017, 20:55) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    Just a follow up: nice "try" to the VIP but the budget pass...VIP need to fix its house(all NDP said yes when the vote was called) take that!!!!
    • @ wize up (01/03/2017, 22:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your assumptions on who voted for the budget might be quite incorrect, no one said it was not going to pass after all many backbenchers are from the districts so they are concerned about things for their districts!!! Remember the airport is in the 8th district so Mr. Penn had to support
      • wize up (02/03/2017, 08:04) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        @@ wize up: don't get so excited(look at the headline for this story)....all I noted(despite the headline the budget will pass)...I have no time to deal with your blog because it is simply a play on word(fahie hoped the backbenchers would have said no)....just for the record that airport will be built and done so by the China Man them(talk that).....
  • open wide (01/03/2017, 22:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    People tend to anticipate the future performance of things based upon the past performance of those things, which sometimes leads to unexpected results.
  • mary j (01/03/2017, 22:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The rich get richer.
    The rest get less.
  • youth for myron (01/03/2017, 22:38) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Guys, is it not a little early to be predicting an end to NDP?
  • Myo (01/03/2017, 23:00) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Fahie jokey.. That money is not allocated for the airport expansion. It's just for airport as the government normally gives money. If the description had say airport expansion $153 million then I would have a problem
    If the backbenchers voted for it. They are smarter than you Fahie.
  • tretretrete (01/03/2017, 23:31) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    After all the noise those NDP back benchers made against the airport project they still voted for it. What a cryimg shame.
    • the recess (02/03/2017, 07:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      We had to approved under duress; Dr. Zzzz woke-up and threatened to fire all of us.
  • wize up (02/03/2017, 08:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    @ Hmmmm: birds of a feather will always flock together(the current VIP group) and not I said VIP ground; they should take a page from the NDP manuscript when it comes presenting a unified political face to the members of public..
  • Come on....... (02/03/2017, 15:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fahie, you can't hold up a country's budget of $300 mill because of $400,000. Come on guy....I get your point but it's not like the 300 mill is for the airport.
  • hey (30/03/2024, 07:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WE ALL THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE US TO HEAVEN WITH HIM


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