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CoI has 'requested' info on failed BVI Airways deal- Premier Fahie

- said matter also part of ongoing criminal investigation
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has revealed that the controversial BVI Airways deal made by the now-ousted National Democratic Party (NDP) Government is of interest to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on governance in the Virgin Islands. BVI Airways/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) speaking during the continuation of the Eleventh Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) held at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola today, August 16, 2021. Photo: YouTube
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) speaking during the continuation of the Eleventh Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) held at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola today, August 16, 2021. Photo: YouTube
Opposition Member and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA had wanted to know if government was seeking to retrieve the monies paid out for the BVI Airways deal that eventually failed. Photo: YouTube
Opposition Member and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA had wanted to know if government was seeking to retrieve the monies paid out for the BVI Airways deal that eventually failed. Photo: YouTube
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has revealed that the controversial BVI Airways deal made by the now-ousted National Democratic Party (NDP) Government is of interest to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on governance in the Virgin Islands.

Premier Fahie was at the time addressing a question by Opposition Member and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA during the continuation of the Eleventh Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) held at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola today, August 16, 2021.

The Opposition has the answers!- Premier

In posing his question, Hon Fraser said “Mister Speaker, for several years across this and last administration, the Opposition has been stonewalled, and at times downright refused answers relating BVI Airways and an associated missing $7.2 million of Government funds. Could the Premier and Minister of Finance please: a. Tell this Honourable House whether his Government is actively pursuing the retrieval of these moneys? b. If the answer is yes, how is it being done? And c. If the answer is no, why isn’t being done?”

Before addressing the question, Premier Fahie noted he has been left “mind-boggled” because the persons who can give Hon Fraser the answers are sitting in the Opposition with him, referring to Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn, Fourth District Representative Hon Mark H. Vanterpool and Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull who were all part of the last NDP administration when the controversial deal was made.

CoI has requested info on airways deal

But, according to Premier Fahie, while his government is about transparency and accountability he could not respond accordingly to the question due to Standing Order 17 Subsection 1 of the HoA.

The Standing Order states that a question shall not be asked which deals with matters referred to a Commission of Inquiry or within the jurisdiction of a chairman of a select committee.

According to the Premier, the question falls directly into that category as the Commission of Inquiry has requested this information that spans the tenure of this current administration as well as information of similar nature for the immediate past administration.

“In addition, Mr Speaker, this matter is also part of an ongoing criminal investigation.”

Premier Fahie had first disclosed of the criminal investigation during the Eighth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on May 28, 2020.

“I cannot say anything further on this matter as we have been informed by the Commissioner of Police that this is now under a full criminal investigation,” Premier Fahie had said.

Successful defense of $10M lawsuit

The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government had pledged to go after the monies paid out to BV Airways and had filed a lawsuit in a US court.

BV Airways in return had filed a $10m lawsuit claiming fraud and defamation; however, this lawsuit was defeated in March 2021.

Premier Fahie had hailed the victory and vowed to leave no stone unturned in its pursuit of the recovery of the sums paid to Colchester Aviation LLC, BV Airways Inc and individuals connected with those companies.

He further stated, “Anyone legally responsible for the BVI’s loss will be held to account to the extent that the law permits; we will now move to the next phase of our recovery strategy, having successfully defended this claim.”

17 Responses to “CoI has 'requested' info on failed BVI Airways deal- Premier Fahie”

  • Good question by Hon. Opposition Minister Julian Frazer (16/08/2021, 22:11) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good answer by Hon. Premier Andrew Fahie, in reference to the 7.2 millions, BV Airline, CoI persuit, current Administration desire to retrieve.
  • I THOUGHT (16/08/2021, 22:19) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    HE WAS DIEING FOR A PAUSE
  • akon (16/08/2021, 23:11) Like (2) Dislike (13) Reply
    Boss try move this curfew off people then speak about col after
  • WOW (17/08/2021, 03:35) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    wow Pure lies
  • Curfew (17/08/2021, 07:07) Like (2) Dislike (12) Reply
    I'm expecting this curfew to be call off today.
  • Give the all the info u have.. (17/08/2021, 07:41) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whats the issue, they ask for it give it to them..Simple...They know why they need it....Atlease it wasn't Fahie Administration that screwed that deal up..
  • the rock (17/08/2021, 07:41) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    One time we against the COI next we feeding them to.kill each other, jokes!
    • Jail all NDP (17/08/2021, 10:11) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply

      They walking around playing Gangsters, yet they soft..They allow 3 little white men - boy out smart them and take 7 Mil from them...The One who think he is Gangster need to pay ***** staff their money, promissinig, promissing, promissing...Them acting bad but them soft..Wait - Watch. These Kinda-garden politicians only have strength for locals....Dont cover for them Fahie give up the info. They wont cover for you..Time for Balo.

      • Wayne DEAD (17/08/2021, 13:40) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Out smart them? Those 2 individuals involved in that fiasco walked away with a cool million for themselves lol but you all praise them as pillars of society. Black people become well educated and successful enough so they can swindle and con later on in life.
      • the rock (17/08/2021, 21:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        So you believe the VIP is that clean, what's good for one is good for all!
  • all (17/08/2021, 10:55) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    both side need jail so shut up
  • jokes (17/08/2021, 11:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    That money no longer exists, there is no point spending a ton of money that is not there. Even if they win the court case where will the money come from and who is paying the lawyers fees?
  • west (17/08/2021, 15:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope they also get factual info on the badge, fishers,farmers stimulate, vivid security bracelets and on and on!!
  • Secret Bear (17/08/2021, 20:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Of course they have. They've already interrogated those involved in it live on camera. We all saw it. This isn't news.
  • All politicians are practical liars., and mishadlers of money. (18/08/2021, 08:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You should know that by now. So why condemn the actions those that you don't support, and overlooked the actions of those you do?
    The Bible clearly say the all humans are liars, so the politicians have many like-minded equal, we. We all tell lies, and steal too, in one way our the other. So speaking of putting NDP politicians in jail, then we should agree that we all should be put in God's jail.
    Believe it or not, receive or not, dislike it or not, it is the truth. "Let God be true, and every man a liar."
  • 4sure (18/08/2021, 14:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope COI calls the police officer responsible to answer questions about why he admonished police officers for signing a petition addressed to the Governor that brought light to police corruption within also why someone killed another by a night club and the individual didn't even serve a day in prison for possession of a firearm. I would like to know if we have vigilante justice in the BVI.
  • care (18/08/2021, 17:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Family at the top .police currupt.time will tell


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