‘Clear up dark clouds over cruise pier project!’ – Hon Andrew A. Fahie

-said it behooves those in authority to act on the findings of the PAC & AG on Cruise Pier project

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"...there are some clouds over the project and some concerns in the project that remain unaddressed and they must be addressed in the best interest of the people of the Territory,” Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) told this news site. Photo: VINO/File

(Left to right) FCIB Interim Manager Mr. Valentine Fraser; Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith; Harneys’ Partner Johann E. Henry, BVIPA Chairman Mr. Edward de Castro and Managing Director Mr. Claude O. Skelton Cline at the closure of the $35 million in financing last week. Photo: BVIPA/April T. Glasgow

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – In the wake of Government’s closing of a $35 million loan for the Cruise Pier Development Project last week, Representative for the First District and Member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Hon Andrew A. Fahie said that the “dark clouds” that hover above the project must be cleared up in the interest of the people of the Territory.

“The Government intends to try to place in people’s minds that the PAC report and the Opposition’s only intention is to stop the project. However that is a political smoke screen because all along everyone has clearly stated that they are for the project. It is a needed project, but there are some clouds over the project and some concerns in the project that remain unaddressed and they must be addressed in the best interest of the people of the Territory,” Hon Fahie said, speaking exclusively to Virgin Islands News Online.

“In no way is it intended the stop a needed project for this Territory because the last administration was the one who started it anyway,” said Hon Fahie.

He said it is up to the powers that be to look into the matter to ensure that the concerns are addressed and addressed properly so that the clouds that came up as a result of the testimonies given during the PAC’s examination of the project could be resolved.

“Those testimonies were given by current and former public servants, Board members and one former managing director. Those concerns were flagged by them, not any member of the PAC,” he said.

He said that the concerns were flagged inside the reports given to the Government, mainly the Ministry of Finance “by some of the very consultancy firms that they continue to laud as being excellent firms.”

He reminded that those concerns were also flagged by the Auditor General’s (AG) Report on the project on Jan 31, 2013. “So the concerns were not made up by the PAC members or the Opposition,” he said.

“It is extremely amazing the lightness with which these matters are being taken and handled thus far. I would hasten to add that the PAC and the Opposition are only giving the preponderance of evidence given to the PAC and it behooves those in authority to take the necessary steps to have them straightened out in the best interest of the people,” said Hon Fahie.

17 Responses to “‘Clear up dark clouds over cruise pier project!’ – Hon Andrew A. Fahie”

xxxxxxxx (11/07/2014, 16:58) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
still no one in jail where is the white house
bat man (11/07/2014, 19:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
If they do not go jail the voters will speak
idk (11/07/2014, 19:51) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
Struppssss, run along Fahie...the port project going to finish...
- to idk (11/07/2014, 22:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
  regardless of the criminal behavior uncovered? So the end justifies the means? that any laws can be ignored as long as you get your way? This is what is wrong with this country. Comments like yours having no respect for the law. Some project is needed at the pier. everyone agrees. The question is the moving goal post of scope, design, procedure and process. It is arrogant and disrespectful (of course unless you are the one benefiting from it directly). Shame!
  - idk (12/07/2014, 07:36) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    What criminal behavior? There is none and no proof of none!! That Auditor report is not accurate neither is PAC. It clearly shows thee was no wrong doing with the port project. Everything that was done was approve by the Port Board..Nothing was hidden from anyone. Fahie and Christopher needs to go sit down from this wild goose chase...go read the report man..its a public document that says nothing.
    - Lawyer (12/07/2014, 12:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Idk are you living on mars or some isolated part of earth, come on
    - to idk (12/07/2014, 23:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      you mean that improper signing by the wrong people, ignoring procedure with qualified and proper officials telling them differently, they still move forward? Have you read ANY of the proceedings? Even if they are "acquitted", there is enough there to at least put a hold on the project to make sure it is being done correctly. You mean to tell me that you don't care about some of the charges and plow ahead anyway?? If one person tells you you have a tail, you probably want to blow them off. But if many people tell you you have a tail, YOU HAD BETTER TURN AROUND AND LOOK!!!
- pat (11/07/2014, 23:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  Just wait you will see who will run along.....time longer than twine
- Fitzpatrick (12/07/2014, 08:59) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
  No body says the project will not finish. As fahie mentioned they were all for the project and the previous administration of which he was a minister is who started the project but what he is saying there were numerous allegations of corruption during the negotiation stages and all of us will agree that those serious allegations needs to be address. Remember it already cost the tax payers of this country 1.7 million dollars without anything to see for that amount of dollars. Are you supporting this kind of corruption
- what (12/07/2014, 12:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
  My problem with some of these idiots who are blogging is that they are dumb and they can not reason. Andrew Fahie keep up the pressure and make the NDP Government accountable!
Clearly (11/07/2014, 21:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
If this project is not fully investigated then nothing else should be...let there be a free for all.
HAHA (11/07/2014, 21:48) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
Poor Andrew. Money released and project start boss. Keep beating that dead horse while the govt move things forward. Desperation has no bounds it seems. When will Andrew ask for the cloud to be cleared up from over the scbay illegal marina?? Until then I won't take him seriously. This is the man pushing for a 40mil port in west end and spent over 600k on stupid studies. Have a seat please.
what (12/07/2014, 12:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
Andrew beat that dead horse until couple of them go to jail…corruption can't done!
what dark cloud (12/07/2014, 13:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
There were so many dark clouds in the past that is still hovering over us. I hope Andrew don't have memory loss
right? (12/07/2014, 13:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
I hope the honorable minister go with them.
Curious (12/07/2014, 21:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
What is really going on out at the cruise ship dock?. The work that is going on looks so shoddy like it is novices working over there. My best guess is, that at the end of the day that $35 mil is going to blow away with the Sahara dust, and we will not see anything for it. Wait and see.
Peter (14/07/2014, 22:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
every dumb people want to have a say so you all shut you aaaa and let the government do their workyou can not do the work so stop comment

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‘Clear up dark clouds over cruise pier project!’ – Hon Andrew A. Fahie

17 Responses to “‘Clear up dark clouds over cruise pier project!’ – Hon Andrew A. Fahie”

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