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HoA had no clue $8M for EE/LL Sewerage Project was redirected- Hon Fahie

- said confirmation received years later NDP illegally diverted the funds to TPP
The Tortola Pier Park (TPP) Project cost Virgin Islands' taxpayers some $85 million-plus, including cost overruns of at least $40; however, according to former Communications and Works Minister, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) the TPP investment was one of the best the Territory ever made. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) far right, at a press conference called by the Opposition on November 13, 2019, said he remains please with the work of the TPP and that it was one of the best investments in the territory. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) far right, at a press conference called by the Opposition on November 13, 2019, said he remains please with the work of the TPP and that it was one of the best investments in the territory. Photo: VINO/File
While in the opposition, Premier Andrew A. Fahie challenged the funding in March 2016 saying that the NDP government’s transferal to the TPP project, some $8 million of a loan from FirstCaribbean International Bank intended for the East End/Long Look sewerage project, was illegal, however, he said he was ‘put down’ and told otherwise.
While in the opposition, Premier Andrew A. Fahie challenged the funding in March 2016 saying that the NDP government’s transferal to the TPP project, some $8 million of a loan from FirstCaribbean International Bank intended for the East End/Long Look sewerage project, was illegal, however, he said he was ‘put down’ and told otherwise.
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has reiterated that the then National Democratic Party (NDP) Government illegally diverted monies from other vital projects to fund the development of Tortola Pier Park Project in 2015.

In total, the project cost VI's taxpayers some $85 million-plus, including cost overruns of at least $40M.

According to former Communications and Works Minister, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4); however, the TPP investment was one of the best the Territory ever made.

Transaction was illegal – Hon Fahie

While in the Opposition, Hon Fahie challenged the funding redirection in March 2016, saying the NDP government’s transferal to the TPP project, some $8 million of a loan from FirstCaribbean International Bank intended for the East End/Long Look sewerage project, was illegal; however, he said he was ‘put down’ and told otherwise.

Premier Fahie, speaking at the June 22, 2020, sitting of the House of Assembly, said: “We have found out now without us prompting the Auditor General, that the Auditor General has flagged it.”

“The Public Finance Management Act says any monies received by loan or whatever the case will be, whereever the monies come from, have to go in the Consolidated Fund, For example, we got the grant from the Social Security Board, and that has to go through the Consolidated Fund,” he said. 

The Premier said the Auditor General, Sonia M. Webster, in her 2015 report revealed that the then VI Government drew down $11.7M under a Hospital Outfitting and Sewerage Infrastructure loan in 2015 of which $8M was for the East End/Long Look Sewerage Project.

According to the Leader of Government Business, the AG report showed that the records stated $8M of the loan was not paid to the government, rather, transferred directly to the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) with ‘no advance warrant’ in support of the transaction.

HoA never told about repurposed funds  

Hon Fahie noted the NDP never acknowledged to the House of Assembly that the transaction was for the TPP project, as such, it was illegal with the conformation now coming almost ‘5 years later”.

“The House had not a clue,” the Premier told legislators, adding that the sewerage woes continue for the people in the Seventh and Eighth Districts with its monies syphoned off to fund TPP.

“This is what happens when we don’t police ourselves," Hon Fahie revealed to the HoA. 

"The people in the Eighth District... and Seventh have to deal with the sewage issues and now it has becomes ours and the people who sat there and let it happen are the ones who now questioning us on when the East End/Long Look Sewerage Project is going to begin,” the Premier said.

15 Responses to “HoA had no clue $8M for EE/LL Sewerage Project was redirected- Hon Fahie”

  • Concern C (25/06/2020, 14:06) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    So that money basically get spent unaccounted for ? Just asking
    • jah (25/06/2020, 14:31) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      Them ndp is some crook you see them is them need to be the jail ASAP
    • Who was in charge (26/06/2020, 01:17) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Who was in charge at the pier park and oversaw this massive overspending? Whoever it is should be keeping his head down, and not shooting his mouth off at every opportunity.
  • Oh Boy.. (25/06/2020, 14:38) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Im just fed up of all these irresponsible and unethical behaviour of our polititians....Its time we have a Special investigative team to look at all these bad spending and tricks with public funds...
  • IT IS OVERDUE (25/06/2020, 14:56) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    Mr Hon. Premier and Mins of Finance. Having seen all that we are seeing and hearing about BVI having money that cannot done, Please, Please Sir. One of the reason why you are were you are today is to help us the people who have been rubbed in high day light by the NDP (No Direction Party) But for God sake they are gone now. I wish the $300,000 or $3 mil you shared among those reps were redirected to replace or make up for that $8 mil and get EE/LL sewage completed.

    Please lt us stop talking about it, we have been talking for too long. Please sir we have covid 19 money, we have SS, we have grants, Our Life in EE/ LL matter. Please let us put some action to play and get the project started to finish. Please oooo.

    You are our rescuer, please rescue us in this 2020. God will continue to bless you.
  • Defunk (25/06/2020, 15:15) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    There will be no coming back for the NDP or whoever is on board with them. That NDP Gang is a bunch of undercover worthless scoundrels.
  • @it is overdue (25/06/2020, 15:37) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    My sentiments exactly, please move on and stop stressing people out with the past. Forward ever sick and tired
  • Big Slick Willie (25/06/2020, 16:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just can't resist. Sometimes it sure resembles Nigeria or Ghana. Damn.
  • next (25/06/2020, 16:22) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    ok this is old news you sick bloggers
  • @next (25/06/2020, 16:48) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Off to jail
  • Challenger (26/06/2020, 02:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    and we wonder why the UK calls us fiscally irrisponsible ?? unfortunately this government is now paying the price for the open season robbery of the past government.
    for the opposition to be demanding when the ee/ ll sewerage issue will be dealt with is so far beyond any logical thought process when in fact it is they who pulled the rug out from under those at EE/LlL...they should be ashamed of themselves. they have caused the UK to doubt our money management ability and noone else.
    shameful.
  • BIG M (26/06/2020, 05:41) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I have seen persons in the BVI gone to jail for taking government money but it appears that the NDP gang are special. I don't trust the COP or this governor.
  • BIG M (26/06/2020, 08:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    u eye open...unlike the rest.!!!!
  • down2earth (26/06/2020, 15:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who of the new members knew about the diversion?


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