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Hon Turnbull accuses Premier Fahie of taunting CoI & causing 'shackles' to close in

- Second District Representative said territory needs to get its house in order
Second District Representative in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) has blasted Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) as fuelling the VI Commission of Inquiry (CoI) whenever he makes comments that the inquiry has found nothing so far. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) said the leaders of the territory need to ensure the accountability systems in place are working and if not, make the change to make sure they are. Photo: HoA/File
Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) said the leaders of the territory need to ensure the accountability systems in place are working and if not, make the change to make sure they are. Photo: HoA/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Second District Representative in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) has accused Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) of fuelling the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) whenever he makes comments that the inquiry has found nothing so far.

Hon Turnbull made the statements during this morning’s September 9, 2021, 11th Sitting of the 3rd Session of the 4th House of Assembly being held virtually.

Stimulus $$$ placed into the spotlight 

Hon Turnbull’s comments came as he was discussing the Government’s COVID-19 stimulus grants for businesses, in addition to the fishing and agriculture sector, which were both handled by the Premier’s Office and, according to him, were distributed in an inconsistent and paradoxical manner.

Hon Turnbull said while the stimulus grants were a good thing, the execution was not the best.

He also accused the Premier of not answering questions in the HoA, although persons were made to go before the CoI to ‘spill their guts,’

“Mr Speaker, this is the same member and minister who has recently uttered that he don’t know what is the purpose of the CoI, they ain’t finding noting… those type of comments coming from the leader of this territory is what is continuing to keep the CoI and keep us in these shackles that now are closing in on us, Mr Speaker.

“We have to clean up our own house Mr Speaker, put our house in order… this is something I have been saying for years,” he said.

Leaders must ensure accountability - Hon Turnbull 

Hon Turnbull said the leaders of the territory need to ensure that the accountability systems in place are working and if not, make the changes to make sure they are.

“It cannot be ok for members to get up in the Honourable House, ask questions that the people are wanting to know… hear its before the CoI or you get a long answer that don’t talk about to nothing to do with the questions,” Hon Turnbull said.

Hon Turnbull continued, “But then the information reaches to the commission of Inquiry and we are down there stuttering and embarrassing ourselves on a national stage. Mr Speaker, that is the paradox, that is the contradiction that must be addressed,” he said.

15 Responses to “Hon Turnbull accuses Premier Fahie of taunting CoI & causing 'shackles' to close in”

  • Mitch is so correct (09/09/2021, 15:02) Like (104) Dislike (14) Reply
    The constand disrespect and battle he continues to spit out..Its actually fueling the COI and making them more determined to hold him responsible for his wrongs...He needs to adopt a more humble apologetec building relationship approach. Accept his mistakes, be thankful to the COI for bringing them to his attention, accept the commissioners advice and suggestions and commit to put corrective measures in place...Lets move on in peace and hormony doing things differently..
    • Sad (11/09/2021, 21:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Check this out. I hope this sheds some light- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvEGIM0zEgs
  • Hdh (09/09/2021, 15:07) Like (28) Dislike (3) Reply
    Weak and irresponsible people makes bad leaders. The leaders come from the people.
    The bvi lost its vision and ambition. H.L. Stoutt was right.
  • Well Well (09/09/2021, 15:28) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    And he asking the speaker about this? Well well, wonder what was the speakers responds;;
    (aaahhhh) let me write to the AG. She`s not my Lawyer.
  • Capt (09/09/2021, 16:01) Like (26) Dislike (97) Reply
    Mitch PLZ GO SIT DOWN THE VIP FROM MY VIEW DOING MORE THAN NDP DID IN 8 years THEY MIGHT NOT BE DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY BUT THEY DOING SOMETHING
    • Capt is wrong (09/09/2021, 16:21) Like (45) Dislike (2) Reply
      It's better to not touch a glass than it is to break it.
    • @Capt (09/09/2021, 17:00) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
      In case you didn’t notice my friend the COI is not focusing on any particular Government, the come to take down from the VIP to the NDP to the PPP.
  • hot seat (09/09/2021, 16:37) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    EXTRA / EXTRA ! THE BROWN BOMMER WILL BE IN THE RING TUESDAY MORNING .
    • @Hot Seat. No work for me. I want 2 see (09/09/2021, 17:40) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Big Boss against the COI tuesday. Round 3. Cant miss it...L have to see and hear for myself, dont want to hear it from anyone
  • Well said (09/09/2021, 16:57) Like (26) Dislike (28) Reply
    Hon. Turnbull I am so proud of you. At least if the Government be honest and start fixing the mess the COI end result may factor that in and it will give the VIP Government some credibility to at least show that they have acknowledged discrepancies and they are rectifying them.

    Now is the time to start the clean up so that it will be considered when the judgement comes down because it’s coming and heavy to.

    The BVI is naked everything showing. At least grab a little piece of cover to hide yourself.

    The truth shall set you free.
  • Alleluia (09/09/2021, 17:03) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    It's ok, God will take care of it.
  • ? (09/09/2021, 19:35) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    all them born here
  • Imperfect servant/Imperfect memory. (09/09/2021, 19:48) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I attended a series of meetings that was involved various government departments in 2016: Ref: focus on the B.V.I compliance with Accountability standard. At that time the B.V.I and Panama was ranked to be the two lowest of a number of countries in a compliance to the rules of standard expected. At that time, the B.V.I was given to March 2018 to get our Accountability house in order. It never happened. The hurricane of September 6, 2017, Erma, done severed damaged to the government Complex. Many important records were lost, and others were probably schedded, in my opinion.
    The B.V.I for the past 25 to 35 yes has a questionable Accountability problem. This and others reasons are why the CoI is here and ongoing the partially-hated probing of probably political mismanagement of our finances, etc.
  • Thinker (10/09/2021, 00:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ HOT SEAT , AND WE DON;T DONT WANT TO READ IT FROM NO NEWS SITE.
  • Rubber Dick (10/09/2021, 05:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not to worry hon Andrew fahie this to shall pass


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