Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Hon Turnbull chided for trying to put barge owner’s name in ‘mud’

- insists that barge owner was collecting $17K barge fees
Without presenting any evidence to support his claims, rather only what he heard, Opposition Member and Second District Representative Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (inset) has maintained that the Government of the Virgin Islands was issuing some $17,000 per barge, per day, for three barges to assist in border patrols. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), in photo, has called on Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull to be more responsible, stating that he should not come to the House of Assembly to mention something that was ‘never factually dealt with.’ Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), in photo, has called on Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull to be more responsible, stating that he should not come to the House of Assembly to mention something that was ‘never factually dealt with.’ Photo: VINO/File
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- Without presenting any evidence to support his claims, rather only what he heard, Opposition Member and Second District Representative Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull has maintained that the Government of the Virgin Islands was issuing some $17,000 per barge, per day, for three barges to assist in border patrols.

His remarks were made during the Fourteenth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.

“Just as I did in the press conference, the number that I said then was renegotiated to what it is now. It was $17,000, that was the original number, and it was renegotiated down to $4,600 per barge,” he remarked, referring to the August 28, 2020 press conference where he originally claimed the exorbitant fees were being paid.

Following his statement at that time, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had countered that Hon Turnbull’s statement on the price was simply not true.

The Opposition legislator Turnbull; however, insisted that he was simply repeating what he was told.

Not factual!

Premier Fahie again made his position known following Turnbull’s statement last night.

“I really don’t want to get up, but I don’t what to let that slide because it is not true. Mr Speaker, it was always negotiated for the $4000 and change per barge. As a matter of fact, there were extra things in there, so he even got more for the price because we got more barges for a certain time. So factually that is not correct.”

He then called on Honourable Turnbull to be more responsible, stating that he should not come to the House to mention something that was ‘never factually dealt with.’

He added: “There was nothing finalised. So whoever it is gave the member this information obviously was not accurate. So I cannot stay here and let the businessman’s name go down the mud with something that was never to that level.”

The Premier noted there was a formal submittal because there were quotations from different barges that HM Customs organised “and they brought in their different amounts, Mr Speaker, so if something else happened that is not on the file, I’ll have to find out.”

The increased sea patrols were as a result of the human smuggling taking place between the US Virgin Islands and the VI despite the borders being closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

23 Responses to “Hon Turnbull chided for trying to put barge owner’s name in ‘mud’”

  • help us (30/09/2020, 07:59) Like (18) Dislike (11) Reply
    So these are the people that was elected to represent? Even my pet cat knows you don’t throw something out without the actual facts. No joke, he have to be voted out next election. Waste of time.
    • Slow your roll.... (30/09/2020, 08:42) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
      There is a bit of truth in every rumor. His information may not be spot on but there is some truth to it.
      • @ slow your roll (30/09/2020, 16:14) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Unfortunately “ a bit of truth “ isn’t enough when going before the house. You need full proof to support your claim. Sometimes I wonder if some of you are right in your heads. “ a bit of truth” will not suffice dummy!
    • Absolutely (30/09/2020, 09:07) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
      You just can’t do that. Present us with facts that it was $17000 per boat Turnbull. How can you go in front the house with no facts? Very bold of you. You need facts. Not this heat and say. We have seen where that have got us. Oh my ... Turnbull hmm.
    • help me (30/09/2020, 09:36) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
      simply as a point of information: how many hundreds of millions turnbul allowed to pass through his fingers for 8 years
  • blah (30/09/2020, 09:04) Like (20) Dislike (8) Reply
    We need better representation in the 2nd district he too cocky
  • Ghost (30/09/2020, 09:05) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    Shame on you Hon. Turmbull for bringing Disinformation to the house.. you’re really going on “school-children” malay?..any info presented to the House should be factual and you know this.. stop being misled.. Integrity, Honesty and Accountability (in “All” things) are some of the qualities of a good Leader.. food for thought..
  • BVI (30/09/2020, 09:19) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mitch was only been rational because when u look at today's cost of operating a barge the $17, 000 a day per barge is the lowest minimum cost. Anything less the business will be operating at a loss. Claude put himself on same level with Trump aint that a Shame?
  • Envy (30/09/2020, 09:44) Like (20) Dislike (6) Reply
    Mitch if it was the moorings or some other foriegn company you were not going to even comment on it but because it's a local making the money its a problem. Jealousy and envy.
  • one eye (30/09/2020, 09:45) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    mich is a bad mad maybouy he stick to his script
  • I’ll say (30/09/2020, 10:08) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    The short man complex syndrome is kicking this week. You can’t base something on I heard. You must have the facts. All he did was make himself look embarrassing in front of his colleagues. Calm yourself down Mr. Turnbull, that cocky, don’t you know who I am? arrogance behavior is ugly and distasteful.
  • joes hill (30/09/2020, 10:08) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Turnbull stop tslk what you cannot make plain where is tge money that was given to you to hand out you only give your big friends and leave the half poor man in the ditch but come election time do not come to my house you will get it from me, Only some people in the second district is who vote for you Next election will tell
    • he (01/10/2020, 00:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      U say it best next time around he out
    • True D2 (01/10/2020, 08:04) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      He only give out to certain people and kick certain people to the curb. I keep telling you people Mitch is not fit to run the District. He is just plain out disgusting, cocky, rude , obnoxious and disrespectful person. Can’t stand his ways. Same way he treated some of us, he will be treated come next election. SWIFT KICK TO THE CURB NEXT ELECTION.
  • facts (30/09/2020, 11:08) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    oh boy....Andy say TT was presenting information without fact checking.... all I can say is "pot calling the kettle black"
  • MITCH NEEDS TO STOP (30/09/2020, 11:16) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Mitch needs to stop and represent the people of his district that’s in shambles!!! He has no respect and whoever is advising him with his bully tactics should be shame. Calling down his cousin, it’s politics for God’s sake, you tearing down such a beautiful family for what!!! Madness!!
    I don’t see one of those preachers get up and say anything about NOTHING.. Pastor Cline is the only one and he’s trying to tear him down.
    • SHAME (30/09/2020, 12:02) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      Shame on you Mitch, shame on you. Your cocky, egotistical arrogance behavior is going to be your down fall in Politics. You will alway stay at the bottom of the TOTEM POLE IN POLITICS. IF YOU DON’T have solid facts, it’s best to keep your mouth shut. Show me what facts you have on paper to support WHAT YOU HEARD.
      • Im with Mitch. (30/09/2020, 12:40) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
        Boss do your Job.... Dont let these selfish, greedy people, bossy you and intimidate you...Let the attack Frazer blacantly say they are a waste of time and tax payers money because smuggling still goung on all around them, and we all know that, Tbe governor knows that also.....
  • wow (30/09/2020, 11:30) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    IF THE VIP TELL US THE TRUTH FROM THE BEGINNING WE WONT HAVE TO SPECULATE
  • 1st District (30/09/2020, 14:34) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    He right, now he has TRANSPARENCY!! Ain't them the same people who SOLD supplies that was given in Puerto Rico for us after Irma?? What ah ting to tell the king!!
  • Help (30/09/2020, 14:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    HMS Medway is for free, good solution or not?
  • Hmmmm (30/09/2020, 16:27) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    No Debate, The Chair of the Public Accounts Committee can get this information. Don't see a need for argument. The bigger picture, When he was in Government what did they do to protect the border? Anything? birds chirping........ . Elections must be near this is why the crap talk....


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.