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Unelected Governor fires back @ Premier Fahie

- Gov Augustus J.U. Jaspert posits ‘factual points’ of UK Loan Guarantee after Premier Andrew A. Fahie accused Crown of ulterior motives
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie alongside His Excellency, Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert on February 26, 2019, appointment of the Premier. Photo: Twitter
 First announced under the Dr D. Orlando Smith, National Democratic Party (NDP) government, the United Kingdom (UK) through a recovery and reconstruction package for the Virgin Islands (VI) had promised up to £300 million in loan guarantees and £10 million in grants to support the Territory's recovery after Hurricanes Irma and Maria of 2017. Photo: GIS/File
First announced under the Dr D. Orlando Smith, National Democratic Party (NDP) government, the United Kingdom (UK) through a recovery and reconstruction package for the Virgin Islands (VI) had promised up to £300 million in loan guarantees and £10 million in grants to support the Territory's recovery after Hurricanes Irma and Maria of 2017. Photo: GIS/File
Governor Augustus J. U Jaspert reminded that that RDA is a VI Government agency, established by legislation passed by the House of Assembly for a precise purpose, set out in the Recovery and Development Agency Act, 2018. Photo: GIS/File
Governor Augustus J. U Jaspert reminded that that RDA is a VI Government agency, established by legislation passed by the House of Assembly for a precise purpose, set out in the Recovery and Development Agency Act, 2018. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – In damning allegations, Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in a Saturday, August 17, 2019 statement had accused United Kingdom (UK) officials in the Virgin Islands (VI) of deliberately failing to investigate the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government, leaving the door open for UK imposed policies on the territory’s finances among other strategic plans to control the territory.

Further, Hon Fahie has said there was an air of suspicion regarding the UK handling of issues around financial mismanagement and that for the territory to receive the loan guarantee, the UK would need some control of the VI finances in the hands of the Recovery and Development Agency.

Now, His Excellency Augustus J. U. Jaspert, the 13th unelected Governor of the Virgin Islands, in an August 19, 2019, media release has indirectly fired back at the Premier following his statements in relation to the 300M Pounds UK Loan Guarantee.

“I want to address a number of factual points on the loan guarantee offered by the United Kingdom Government,” marked the opening of the UK appointed Governor’s 1200 word rebuttal.  

Loan Guarantee Conditions Necessary – Gov Jaspert

In addressing conditions surrounding the loan guarantee, the Governor lashed back by saying the UK Government only set conditions around the support to ensure that all recovery measures are accountable and represent value for money and that the additional borrowing is sustainable.

“The conditions are linked to international financial best practice. By adhering to them, the Government will simply be ensuring financing to the RDA is well managed,” he said.

However, according to the Governor, while the loan guarantee does have requirements, “[it] does not take control of public finances away from the Government, nor change arrangements as set out in the Constitution,” like the Premier has warned.

“The UK Government has no intention that control of the management of public finances be transferred to the RDA,” he said.   

The Governor further assured that the UK Government’s loan guarantee offer is a wider part of a package intended to help the VI recover in the ‘most cost-effective’ and ‘sustainable way possible, to benefit all.

Role of RDA in VI  

Governor Jaspert continued by reminding that that RDA is a VI Government agency, established by legislation passed by the House of Assembly for a precise purpose, set out in the Recovery and Development Agency Act, 2018.

However, since its inception, many have seen the RDA as an alternative government set up by the UK due to mistrust in the then NDP Government to overlook the territory’s recovery and by extension its governance.

The Governor said the RDA operates with Ministries, to regulations agreed by the Virgin Islands’ Cabinet, such as those designed to protect and build the capability of local contractors and suppliers.   

“I assented to the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency Act on 12 April 2018, as the Virgin Islands Government’s legal view was clear that it does not conflict in any way with the Constitution.”

He said when guaranteed, the loans would not come from the UK Government directly, rather from institutions like private banks, where “banks will offer BVI lower interest rates, saving BVI vital money.”

See link to full Statement from the Governor on the UK Loan Guarantee HERE

18 Responses to “Unelected Governor fires back @ Premier Fahie”

  • Esteemed (20/08/2019, 09:22) Like (47) Dislike (5) Reply
    The speaker is also unelected!!
    • Opinion (20/08/2019, 10:26) Like (29) Dislike (8) Reply
      Word the speaker is also UNELECTED!!! It’s good that His Excellency has called out
      Donald Trump’s twin. Feed the people with lies and the majority will believe
      • Xxx (20/08/2019, 12:18) Like (7) Dislike (11) Reply
        I really don’t understand what the speaker has to do with this article?????

        Am I missing something ??
    • @ esteemed (20/08/2019, 11:50) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
      Oh no he was elected by the 13 members of the house so go check your facts SEC 69 1 of the constitution

      Set of fools always misleading people
  • Anonymous (20/08/2019, 09:26) Like (13) Dislike (62) Reply
    we believe Fahie anyday over the white man
    • rewrsdffds (20/08/2019, 10:30) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
      FAHIE NEED TO COME OUT AND TELL THE PEOPLE OF THE BVI WHO IN ENGLAND TELL HIM THAT OR SHOW THE PUBLIC THE LETTER THAT WAS WRITTEN TO HIM ABOUT IT. MR PREMIER A LEADER SHOULD HAVE CONCRETE FACTS BEFORE COMING OUT AND SAYING THINGS . I DO NOT NO WHO TO BELIEVE YOU OR THE GOVERNOR THE VOTERS NEEDS TO KNOW THE TRUTH.
    • So (21/08/2019, 19:16) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      It really doesn’t get more racist than
      That, does it?!
  • huh (20/08/2019, 10:53) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Who are you referring to as we?
    • Just saying (20/08/2019, 12:30) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      What’s the big deal the governor is not elected he is a uk civil servant
  • WHAT!!! (20/08/2019, 11:23) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    “Anonymous” on with your racist chat again? Why is everything with you white man or black man. Stop dividing our great country into ethnic groups we can all live together.
    • @ WHAT!!! (20/08/2019, 20:47) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      Sorry to say that you are a very dumb and stupid with your rant, you are the racist not anonymous
  • facts (20/08/2019, 11:52) Like (5) Dislike (24) Reply
    Blacks can’t be racist as they have no power the racist is the slave master
    • Slaphead (21/08/2019, 19:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Since the word “ slave” comes from the word “ Slav” or eastern eauropean,
      The original slaves were white.
      So can white people also not be racist?
      Also, black skates were sold to whites by
      The slaves’ black captors.
      Were they not racist?
  • musa (20/08/2019, 12:21) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    united we stand
  • Now go smoke that (20/08/2019, 13:48) Like (4) Dislike (16) Reply
    At least the speaker is qualified from the educated class and one of we!!!
  • we the people (20/08/2019, 13:53) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
    Fahie we with you
  • free at last (20/08/2019, 19:48) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Let my people go


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