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An NDP Gov't should not be the ones welcoming inaugural direct flight by AA– Verne H.E. Browne

- Browne says VIP team must be the ones to welcome flight that did not cost $7.2M like botched BVI Airways deal
Former Chief Inspector in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Verne H.E Browne, who is also a barrister, has called on the people of the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to ensure the National Democratic Party (NDP) does not enter government to be the ones welcoming the inaugural flight from Miami to the Virgin Islands by American Airlines. Photo: Team of Reporters
American Airlines (AA) will be making a return to the [British] Virgin Islands on June 1, 2023. Photo: AA/File
American Airlines (AA) will be making a return to the [British] Virgin Islands on June 1, 2023. Photo: AA/File
The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government had paid $7.2M to investors of the BVI Airways Project but the flights never materialised. Photo: BVI Airways/File
The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government had paid $7.2M to investors of the BVI Airways Project but the flights never materialised. Photo: BVI Airways/File
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, VI – Former Chief Inspector in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Verne H.E Browne, who is also a barrister, has called on the people of the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to ensure the National Democratic Party (NDP) does not enter government to be the ones welcoming the inaugural flight from Miami to the Virgin Islands by American Airlines.

Us carrier American Airlines will from June 1, 2023, officially start non-stop flights from Miami to the Virgin Islands, a deal that has been recognised as groundbreaking for the Virgin Islands.

This comes after the botched BVI Airways deal under the then National Democratic Party (NDP) led at the time by Dr D. Orlando Smith. The failed project cost the VI some $7.2M and nothing to show for the funds.

This was also a subject under the recently concluded UK-sponsored Commission of Inquiry.

In a WhatsApp voice note directed to the Premier, Mr Browne questioned whether NDP legislators should even be allowed to welcome the inaugural flight. 

“Why should you allow an administration that squandered over $7M dollars of our hard-earned tax-payers money which never materialised, why should you and your government drop your guard at this time and allow that administration to be the welcome party on June 1st?” he questioned. 

VIP must spread the red carpet - Mr Browne

“Our welcoming party to welcome our first direct flight from Miami to TB. Lettsome International Airport… you and your VIP team must spread that red carpet at TB Lettsome on the first of June and blow your horn that it didn’t cost $7M,” he added.

Attempts by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) to contact Mr Brown proved futile.

Mr Browne, in the same WhatsApp voice note, urged the premier to ‘blaze’ the NDP over the matter that the flights will be commencing on June 1, 2023, without any burdensome cost to the Virgin Islands.

Successful negotiations for direct flights by American Airlines were led by Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5).

58 Responses to “An NDP Gov't should not be the ones welcoming inaugural direct flight by AA– Verne H.E. Browne”

  • lol (16/04/2023, 09:20) Like (76) Dislike (20) Reply
    This must be one of the most ridiculous posts yet. Should have psoted it on April 1st
  • facts (16/04/2023, 09:52) Like (66) Dislike (18) Reply
    Mr brown will go down in the history books of antigua and Barbuda as the worst commissioner of police in that country and this is a fact.
  • jah know (16/04/2023, 09:54) Like (39) Dislike (47) Reply
    Brown you are so right on that
  • Coallision (16/04/2023, 09:57) Like (37) Dislike (15) Reply
    He must be one on the gravy train, we coaliding it.
  • Wink (16/04/2023, 09:59) Like (31) Dislike (14) Reply
    I second that
  • BVI love (16/04/2023, 10:04) Like (52) Dislike (12) Reply
    Divisive political talk like that is not welcome here sir. We trying to do things that benefit the people, all the people, not to please one political party or the other. Thanks for your opinion, but that's not going to help us.
    • FaaACTS (16/04/2023, 12:14) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
      Let the chips fall where they may it's perfectly ok for a government to Lst their Accomplishments; especially when it's abot what would have been Considered MiSSiON IMPOSSIBLE.. The year that Romney Pier Park was open, NDP blew thousands on Fire Works then Called Elections within 2 week or there about. What the heck was that. It was like a Rooster beating jis chest as if to say, LOOK, SEE. NDP not only carelessly throw away Tax Payers money, which was not only 7.2 million. If you add in the numerous flights that he took to France and elsewhere to learn a few things about Airport financina, management etc, plus the platform that was Anchored in the harbour im relation to testing depth etc. Additionally we damn well came close to Borrowing 400-million from China to finance the construction of the airport, plus beside taking the same 400 million and paying them for the construction, additionally they had talks about bringing Chinese workers to work on the project, What kind of a Deal that would have been? We would have been on much worst shape than we are now. We turned down the 300+million pounds guaranteed by the Uk to upgrade our delalidated infrastructure, but would have loaded us down with Chinese debt that would have Bankrupt the country. Not to mention the cost of Subsidizing the Airlines because of lacmm of bodies-in planes to/from Beef Islands.
      When Obama and Biden passed the Gay Marriage Bill in the US Biden unaware the the microphones were still on referred to the passing of the Bill as a "Big F-ing Deal". When American beging it's USA/Beef Island Operations, it will likewise be a Big F-ing Deal. Fair Game. Highlight what's Highlightable. Like Zoe says: BAM, BAM!
  • The gravy train (16/04/2023, 10:09) Like (34) Dislike (9) Reply
    Splatter on this man's door, why would you issue a statement as such? I thought educated people would learn to be careful with what they say. The VIP did not bring Anerican Airlines back, https://bvi.gov.vg/sites/default/files/12022022_american_airlines_announces_bvi_service_0.pdf
    They were already in progress to come, it just so happen they took credit for the announcement. The airport authority knew about the flight but not the starting date. So, Mr. Browne should not be giving any credit to any government because it wasn't them who called American back. The airline requested major improvements to the terminal and ramp, hope the airport is doing exactly so.
  • Yes to UK (16/04/2023, 10:10) Like (49) Dislike (6) Reply
    Who care what you think, the sitting government will be the one to welcome them no matter what you think.
    • Rhythm up.. (16/04/2023, 10:54) Like (33) Dislike (24) Reply
      I agree 109% with My former colleague, Kye and Sowande should be the ones welcoming that first flight.. Mr. Brown my friend they can do that from the opposition bench where they will be seating, I am sure the new Premier will and should give them their credit and allow them to lead the welcoming party...
    • @Yes to UK (16/04/2023, 14:42) Like (19) Dislike (10) Reply
      Of Course, it's the Green Team that will be at TB Lettsome to lay the Red Carpet fo AA inagural flight. Who else should it beDont mind the noose we marching Forward Ever, Backward Never. We have a Full Team and not only Ready but will not the ground running. Land Deals on VG and Anegada already im motion will get the immediate Attention of the minister.
      Last Sunday night the Met and Greet as at the Namboo Restaurant near the College. Last night it was at Spanish Town Cafe and again our Folks were there in full support. We know what we have and ain't going yake the chance to be blowing more 7.2 million on amything
  • And why (16/04/2023, 10:11) Like (50) Dislike (12) Reply
    Should we allow a Govt that squanders $40 mill in grants back in power? 40mill is far more than 7.2mil and I hate maths.
    • @any why (16/04/2023, 10:20) Like (31) Dislike (24) Reply
      The 40 million went to the people what about the $40 m over run at the pier project?
      • @ @any why (16/04/2023, 14:04) Like (23) Dislike (5) Reply
        Who people? The fishers and farmers that didn't produce anything? The overrun project is benefitting everyone sing it? The Pier Park is where you go and buy your meals and drinks with friends, isn't it? It's benefitting the people, not a few like the grants for limited family and friends. You can't compare that. If that plane was flying with the additional investment they wanted, we would have been flying to Miami every weekend. What has VIP done to benefit the people in the last four years?
      • This is da reason (16/04/2023, 14:11) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
        All is bull but Pier will make bk da money da people ain giving bk imagine man never pay a $ to SS and get money
    • @And Why (16/04/2023, 12:08) Like (22) Dislike (9) Reply
      Not condoning some.of the wasted spending but the 7 mil was paid to foreign strangers with ZERO benefit to BVI. If I recall correctly 100% of grant monies were spent locally. NHI got $11 million...SSB Housing got $17 million..there were some other spending and $23mil went to grant assistance to over 4000 people and businesses. While we can argue about who should have gotten what, the real question is do we know what wouldve happened to our economy if those millions were not injected in the height of COVID lockdowns and restrictions on business and employment? The 7.2 mil was gone with the win in a nasty wilful manner.
    • And why (16/04/2023, 14:57) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      You not finished counting. Add 40 Million from the Pier Park. Add 8 million from Long Look Sewage lines another 40 million from the Over run at Dr.D Olando Hospital, 1.3 million for the Great Wall of Hon Wolwyn and you have a government known for Massive Overruns.
  • collation (16/04/2023, 10:16) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr Brown,will it be o-k with you if a collation Government do the welcoming? I will tell as man, that's how it's going to be.!
  • Such nonsense! (16/04/2023, 10:23) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    This gentleman should just stop talking it shows ignorance. The sitting Government of the day, whoever that is should welcome this enhancement to the Islands capability. It’s not about political point scoring it’s about boosting the economy for the hard working islanders!
  • Hmm (16/04/2023, 10:26) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    How he get to be a lawyer, he open his mouth and confirm what we always thought of him. I like him, but this is sad.
  • asura (16/04/2023, 10:26) Like (33) Dislike (9) Reply
    the NDP has squander millions and millions and millions on walls, airplane, projects overruns, and consultants over a billion dollars. They should not get their hands back on our treasury!
  • ?? (16/04/2023, 10:42) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    What about a PVIM Government, do the welcome, will Mr Brown be @ peace with himself?
  • myrun (16/04/2023, 11:00) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    That is a Garrut's opinion
  • local boy (16/04/2023, 11:04) Like (31) Dislike (11) Reply
    Oh how bvislanders have short remembered it was 4years ago when the country was rescued by the VIP by the selfish hands of the NDP 1& 2, now they want to put dem back in. Vere Browne is right on point. It is a fact that NDP Premier and his wife used taxpayers to invest in an airline that they both personally had an interest in take out corrupt ppl to put back in more corrupt ppl.
  • Relax people. Stop. (16/04/2023, 11:04) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why the personal attacks and low insulting languages, the gentleman is just voicing his opinion.. Gash..Kool. .I can agree with him, though I do not think VIP will get back in and Showande will be prepare again..We should all thank Kye and the Premier for that, When they do good praise them clap for them.. They are already getting a beating for all the bad and wrongs that they did..Good Job VIP. We needed that direct flight...
  • VOTER6BVI (16/04/2023, 11:06) Like (21) Dislike (7) Reply
    HAVE NO FEAR NDP WOULD NOT FORM THE GOVERNMENT. THANK GOD FOR THAT.
  • HON GASTON BROWNE (16/04/2023, 11:19) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thanks heaven I sent his behind home when I became prime minister straight back to tola na stud he too bright
    • Eldread (17/04/2023, 07:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Gaston no want lock up you know, so right away he install a foreiias commissioner who will take crookish instructions. Gaston 20 times worst than fahie. And could tell vere Browne what to do. Gaston will just go on his radio station and announce to the police who he want lock up and it is done. And get the bank managers to tell him how much money on your savings and he announce it on his radio station or your health record announced on radio. He can't tell vere brown lock up or let his ministers criminality continue. Mr vere brown left on his own. A stooge from Dominica holds the post that is keeping Gaston in power.
  • Landing (16/04/2023, 11:49) Like (16) Dislike (10) Reply
    Only person greeting the first AA plan to land on Beef Island this year is the Governor. No politicians are invited to attend
  • Sense alone (16/04/2023, 12:00) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    Education is not common sense. Why would this man post a thing like that. These a things you wonder to yourself and then chase it out of your mind. Not bring this in public.
    So that means NDP Legislators shouldn’t fly on the airline too ? He not even from BVI and saying something like that to BVIslanders. Come on man. If you ain’t got nothing good to say just shut the hell up.
  • Gaston (16/04/2023, 12:03) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    Vere go and sit dowm with your foolishness what happen in antigua with gaston you did not learn from your mistake now you doing it again here
  • lol (16/04/2023, 12:20) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lol
  • brown (16/04/2023, 12:41) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I Guess you get some of the people's Money too....Saddd
  • Stealth (16/04/2023, 12:59) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Was H.E Brown allegedly unceremoniously kicked to the curb as Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda Police Force? . If so his illogical reasoning may have be a cause and he was an Antiguan homy. Mr. Inspector here is how the governing process. After an election, the transfer of power is made from one government to the next. True, the VIP negotiated the deal for nonstop flights from MIA to EIS but if it does not win re-election, it will not be there welcoming the maiden flight to EIS. That role falls to the incumbent government. The voters will determine who is there to welcome the maiden flight. It is a pretty simple process.
  • fired (16/04/2023, 13:05) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    The worst mistake the Spencer's administration ever made was to hire this fool. Now we know why Gaston fired him
  • moomoo (16/04/2023, 13:07) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Dis man sound like a moomoo. He has no integrity. Whatever VIP gave on him, whether it is money, blackmail or obeah, this man need some holy water or something. He forget that but for the minority NDP members in the opposition who, thanks to Marlon's suggestion, joined with the incompetent VIP government, we would NOT BE HAVING ANY ELECTION TO TALK ABOUT. Direct Rule is what you would be waking up to today. I welcome everyone from all walks of life but if you insist on being a moomoo, don't do it here...go away...ANYWHERE. The BVI do not have space for any moomoos like this one.
  • Sad (16/04/2023, 13:10) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Aiport in Antigua was built by the UPP Government, but the ALP Government was the one who opened it. Is there something wrong with that?
  • The Coach (16/04/2023, 13:10) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    It also sounds like this man got a direct call from Head Coach. Complete lack of integrity on display. Look how he became another CSC overnight. Well we'll.
  • its (16/04/2023, 13:18) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply
    It's VIP all the way for me. They did way better than the NDP did. I can never forget the disaster the country was in when NDP was on power. I am not ready for another 4 years of that. I'll stick with VIP.
    • its (16/04/2023, 15:20) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      I still have the picture of Dr. Orlando out in the middle of the streets pushing a big Upside down broom because he had told the British ship, that was ready to clean up the mess from the Flooding during the festival on Tortola.to go back because we could handle it ourselves
      The truth was that we couldn't handle it and several businessesgot flooded because we couldn't.
  • Concerned (16/04/2023, 13:23) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Vere Brown has finally taken all the green juice
    • @concern (16/04/2023, 14:38) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
      No Sir/Madam he is correct!
      I'll never ever vote for NDP again! They are Power hungry!!
      Waste of time!! Dr. Smith had hell with those men of NDP
      trying to keep the party together!! Neither one haven't done anything substantial for the Country to even put their name on!
  • 2023 (16/04/2023, 13:58) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    it shameful that the people of this territory be them born here or residents; have to rely on a foreign carrier when a large sum of government funds went into the purchasing of an aircraft which will have been the property of the people

    some have the spending of 7.2million and not one thing to show for it, to be joke and just sweep that wrong doing under the rug…….


    • @2023 (16/04/2023, 16:48) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
      Welsah ! People telling me to vote Lorna and NDP ...Not Voting for NDP ..We need answers for the PLANE!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • chips (16/04/2023, 14:21) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well be known the chips will fall exactly how God plan is. No devil in hell will stop his plan. Watch just watch who has the final say. Trickery will not prevail.
  • brace (16/04/2023, 14:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    People please brace your self for we will be I for a ride
  • Local Brother (16/04/2023, 15:55) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply

    Because the damned flight has nothing to do with any political party! It has to do with the BVI as a territory and destination. Don’t bring your @#$% up Antiguan party politics above country nonsense here! It is about BVI not VIP nor NDP!

  • LaLa (16/04/2023, 16:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Its so disrespectuful and u greatfull how the bvi government co tinues to fail their civil servants. Since hurricane irma and the oandemic these person where the people in the front line riski g their lives gor these u greatful go ernment. Still they refused to pay them their I crement 5 years and to make things worst they refuse to raise their salaries for over 15 years. The teachers, doctors, police, customs, immigration its a disgrace how u treat the local civil servants. But u will pay for that soon or later trust me on this. Myka barry hasexposed all of u.
  • east (16/04/2023, 16:51) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    Mr. Brown is correct! Them already spent my 8 million dollars from my retirement money! NO PLANE!! They CANNOT TAKE CREDIT FOR THIS IF THEY DON’T WIN..
  • INTRESTING (16/04/2023, 17:55) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Have several seats Sir. That type of thinking is why we are where we are today. This is not about NDP or VIP its about what's best for the territory.

    Plus at the rate the VIP Government going most of them going be in the jail by the time the first plane touch down.

  • Down West (16/04/2023, 20:32) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    He needs to go Antigua and dictate to Gaston Brown what should happen there. His voice is not needed here. He need to go and sit down and do a refreshers course if anything.
  • musa (16/04/2023, 20:52) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Brown will soon be black
  • Observer (16/04/2023, 22:45) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Let’s be honest with ourselves and look at the last 4 years and tell that the VIP didn’t perform. Many of you on here blogging are NDP supporters . VIP supporters don’t go on no radio station and talk. Just like last election they will come out in numbers and the VIP will form the next government. No NDP 1 or NDP 2 can form the next government.
  • VI Gyal (17/04/2023, 11:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nothing wrong with a new government welcoming them. NDP provided VG with a Poly-clinic and VIP opened it, but did nothing else.

    In regards to the plane. It was a great investment in which the BVI would have owned the majority. However, the lawyer involved is who collected his money and dropped the ball.

    https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/bvi-airways-case-now-under-full-criminal-investigation-premier-fahie

    https://bvinews.com/govt-wins-bvi-airways-case-against-its-former-attorney-lester-hyman/

    NDP did not breach anything or do anything wrong in investing the people's money. It was a deal that fell through. This can happen in any business deal.

    VIP had over 30 year in office. this new VIP has 4 years and what have they done but bring such shame and embarrassment. The projects that VIP has completed during their time is projects that were already consulted upon before NDP came out. The hurricanes happened in 2017, election was early 2019. NDP had to build up funds inorder to take care of teh many issues the country now faced. When now were the projects to happen when we did not vote them back in.

    so you cannot say NDP did all bad. Both NDP and VIP was faced with serious times in these last years.
  • tola (17/04/2023, 13:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I write to commend Mr. Browne on his views. Firstly, I am a lawyer with significant working experience. Lawyers are trained to utilize literary devices in their written work. I observed that Mr. Browne has craftily utilized, a "Premise" in his comments!
    What is a "Premise" you may be asking? A "Premise", is simply, a previous statement or proposition, from which another is inferred or followed as a conclusion"! Therefore, if the premise is true, then the conclusion must be true! Mr. Browne has definitely hit the nail on the head!
    Most significantly, his unique, LIONHEARTED, and Bold views are deeply rooted in legal philosophy. That branch of legal philosophy is termed "Restorative Justice". "Restorative Justice is a system of Criminal Justice, which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders, through reconciliation, with victims and the community at large".
    His views are based on the premise that our society meted out stringent sanctions against politicians and political administrations, who were involved in "Rip-Off", or committed other crimes and wrongdoings when they were in public office.
    The issues surrounding the $7.500:000 for direct flights to the BVI from Miami have been well-ventilated in the public; however, that deal never materialized. the NDP Administration has squandered our hard-earned taxpayer's dollars with impunity!!
    Accordingly, it is Mr. Browne's" legal views that our Society ought to invoke the Doctrine of Restorative Justice, as a form of reasonable sanctions against those NDP Political Offenders!! His views are not Political at all! It is an incontestable fact, that the NDP Administration is the Offender! If is was the VIP Administration, the same legal "Premise" would apply!!
    Therefore, if his "Premise" is CORRECT, then HIS conclusion is indeed TRUE!!
    Hat's Off Mr. Browne!!


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