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by pltm
(PLTM) - As Members of the House of Assembly prepare to debate the Virgin Islands Development and Recovery Act 2018 today, March 22, Opposition Leader, Hon. Andrew Fahie has thrown blame at the United Kingdom (UK) for not stepping in earlier to stop the bleeding of the BVI's finances under the National Democratic Party (NDP).
He said had those responsible for tackling the blatant constitutional violations by the NDP government over the years, including no financial audits for $1.8 billion dollars and corruption, stepped in earlier, the BVI would not be in this position.
Hon. Fahie in a statement issued last evening, said that only the people of the BVI is left to suffer when the UK plays ‘give him enough rope and he will hang himself’.
“The United Kingdom through the in-action of the Governor’s Office and that of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to the blatant constitutional violations cited earlier, have played the NDP government to a fiddle. They gave them the rope! They cleared the cliff! They watched them jump! Now the Territory is left to mourn,” he said.
Hon. Fahie continued, “These dangerous games of divide and conquer, let them hang themselves, cannot continue! Those with constitutional responsibilities must perform in their offices. The good names of leaders who are being maligned must be cleared! The people’s confidence in governance must be restored! Only by clearing the good names of leaders can confidence be restored.”
The First District Representative also asked where is the outrage from the public.
He said that the voters and the people of the Virgin Islands are quite aware of the corruption, the conflicts of interest, the unaudited financial statements, and of the gross constitutional violations.
“Some have asked me to stop repeating myself. If I were to stop, more political leaders, civil servants, and employees of statutory organizations will fall from the cliff and the mourning will continue. Where is the public outrage? Why has the public not demanded a higher level of accountability from the NDP government? Why have we not heard from our lawyers, doctors, our business people, those persons who are able to assist in bringing some sense of order to the proper administration of our public affairs?”
He said, “The country needs a fresh mandate. We must now move with a purpose as a people to show that we are serious about our financial affairs. Each of our lives and our way of living will be affected due to the failed leadership of this NDP administration.”
Hon. Fahie said later today in the House, he will vote for what is best for the people and the Territory at this time.
He also mentioned that the push back from the government backbenchers is a little too late.
Full Statement
I extend greetings to everyone in the Virgin Islands and abroad. My message today is intended to be candid and I do not delight in it.
While hurricanes Irma and Maria have created numerous challenges, they have also unsurfaced many opportunities and have offered times for reflection. Time to reflect on what could have been done in the past to improve our present situation. Reflect on what could be done at this present moment to improve our lives and our circumstances in the future. And reflect on what MUST be done in the future to protect and provide for future generations yet unborn.
History will remind us that our parents and grandparents, as political and social activists, agitated and were instrumental in the political, social and economic advancements from which we have benefitted and have prospered. The commencement of the Ministerial System of Government witnessed a three-member Executive Council of three rural residents who were three Methodist lay preachers and made their living as three farmers. Government after Government, elected officials commanded respect and gained the CONFIDENCE of their people. From the early days of politics in the BVI, how much you know or how much you attained was trumped by “How much you cared”. The Constitution and the rule of law were guiding principles that were enhanced and enforced to effect Good Governance.
The questions beg themselves! Where are we in 2018? How did we get here? Where do we want to be in the future? Who best to assist in charting our future?
By 2019 the voters will make that decision but that conversation is for another setting. What we now know is that this NDP Government cannot negotiate in the best interest of the people at anytime because they have been compromised.
Let us agree that at a time when we must rebuild the BVI stronger and better -- all 13 elected officials must work together in the best interest of the people. Post hurricane Irma and Maria, I have requested of the Premier and my political colleagues that we put our political differences aside and concentrate our efforts on working together for a better and stronger Virgin Islands. While there were verbal agreements the reality on the ground were remarkably different. Beginning with the flood of August 6th and followed with the hurricanes of September 6th and 20th it is undeniable that the 2017 calendar year was a year of unprecedented natural disasters.
In the BVI context however, the devastation from natural disasters are just the beginning. In addition to the floods and the hurricanes we are also faced with:
1) An NDP government that is being destroyed by infighting and is breaking at its seam hence compromising their ability to govern. 2) An NDP government that have left the treasury broke and gasping for breath with over 200 million dollars in expenditure to be reconciled and 3) An NDP Government that has lost the confidence of the UK and the People of the Virgin Islands to handle the finances and Governance of the Virgin Islands. NO ONE trust any of them anymore especially with the hard earn money of you the tax payers!
What is the BIG DEAL you may still ask!!
In the rebuild of the territory the NDP Government has determined that due to the enormous damages from the flood and hurricanes, loan funding is critical. Notwithstanding that most of the current NDP members did not support loan funding after the floods of 2010, they are indeed correct, the damages are enormous.
Today the British Government is offering loan guarantees of over $400,000,000.00 but to access these funds the House of Assembly is being demanded to enact the “THE V.I. RECOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ACT 2018”. It is being speculated and may well be correct that this Act will cede the authority for the administration and distribution of these funds into the hands of a management board and agency. More important, it would distance the NDP Government from their fraternal access to this pool of funds.
In addition, the British Government have embedded their authority in almost each government and statutory body so as to take a full assessment of their operations and of their relevance. More over the British Government seems to be making additional demands that are seemingly unrelated to floods and hurricanes. Or are they?
In recent years I have shouted from the valleys and from the mountain tops that “if we fail to police ourselves then we would be policed by others in a way that none of us will like or appreciate”. The time is nigh! Or is it?
You know the recitation: -The NDP government has failed to provide audited financial accounts for over 1.8 billion dollars collected and spent over their 6 years in office from 2012 to 2017. Yes! 1.8 billion dollars! [300 million dollars annually for six years]. Presenting annual audits to the House of Assembly is Constitutional. Her Majesty is represented in Cabinet by the Governor and have done NOTHING to correct this Constitutional violation. Or have they?
-The NDP government cruise pier development project that was approved in the House of Assembly for 55 million dollars but over 90 million dollars and climbing have been spent on this project. The auditor general has called for an independent report! The public accounts committee has called for a commission of inquiry! Her Majesty is represented in Cabinet by the Governor and have done NOTHING to correct this Constitutional violation. Or have they?
-The NDP government Peeble’s Hospital development project was approved in the House of Assembly for 65 million dollars but over 110 million dollars have been spent on this project. This has been filed under “TO BE CONTINUED”.
-The NDP government illegally transferred 8 million dollars in loan proceeds directly from CIBC First Caribbean to the BVI Ports Authority. This money was approved by the House of Assembly to correct the sewerage issues in 7th and 8th districts but was diverted without outrage from the 7th and 8th district representatives. Not a dime was received by the consolidated funds but it was transferred to the Ports Authority. Her Majesty is represented in Cabinet by the Governor and have done NOTHING to correct this Constitutional violation. Or have they?
-The NDP government poured 7 million dollars that was not approved by the House of Assembly into a broke airline and cannot tell you how it was spent and where is the location of the planes. Cows will fly over the moon before these planes fly to America on behalf of the BVI. Her Majesty is represented in Cabinet by the Governor and have done NOTHING to correct this gross misappropriation of public funds. Or have they?
-The NDP government has spent over 8 million dollars in consultancy fees to study the extension of the TB Lettsome International Airport inclusive of fees to my favorite infamous consultant. The jury is deliberating this project; they have called for files on the hospital project and they have called for files on the cruise pier development project to predict whether or not the Protocol rules will be followed; and, if approved, could it be constructed within budget. What can the public expect? My people, might I suggest that the NDP’s track record suggests otherwise.
-16 million dollars from the Social Security Board for elections 2015 road projects. No audited reports of how the funds were spend and numerous voters holding contracts that were never started or will never start. A true elections gimmick that was funded by the voters!
-1.5 million dollars for an elections 2015 school wall that is under investigation.
-Ministers with major contracts that were not approved by the House of Assembly. Unapologetic conflict of interest by Ministers of Government that has seemingly gone unnoticed. Or have they?
-Major over-runs on every capital project! Everyone!
My motion of NO-CONFIDENCE in the Minister of Finance and my repetitive recant of the Constitutional violations are rooted in five (5) primary documents: 1) THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CONSTITUTION ORDER 2007 – Enacted by the NDP Administration 2) PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT ACT, 2004 (No. 2 of 2004) - Enacted by the NDP Administration 3) PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS, 2005 - Enacted by the NDP Administration 4) PROTOCOLS FOR EFFECTIVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT - Enacted by the NDP Administration 5) PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT ACT 2012 - Enacted by the NDP Administration
These primary legislations were all introduced and passed by an NDP Administration to ensure accountability, transparency and good governance in the administration of our territory’s financial affairs.
Can I inform you my people that the NDP Government has not adhere to any of those documents they passed! The tenants of these documents are to be followed by any government at all times. If these documents are to be followed by the gander then they must be followed by the goose. However, at this time the goose and the gander seem to be on two different tables which is a contradiction to what we have learned that what is good for the goose must be good for the gander.
The Premier has failed or has refused to BELL HIS CATS and now the chickens have come home to roost!
The United Kingdom through the in-action of the Governor’s Office and that of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the blatant Constitutional violations cited earlier have played the NDP government to a fiddle. They give them the rope! They cleared the cliff! They watched them jump! Now the Territory is left to mourn! These dangerous games of divide and conquer, let them hang themselves, cannot continue! Those with Constitutional responsibilities MUST perform in their offices. The good names of leaders who are being maligned MUST be cleared! The People’s Confidence in Governance must be restored! Only by clearing the good names of leaders can confidence be restored.
I cannot exempt our people! The voters and the people of the Virgin Islands are quite aware of the corruption, the conflicts of interest, the unaudited financial statements and of the gross Constitutional violations.
Some have asked me to stop repeating myself. If I were to stop, more political leaders, civil servants, and employees of statutory organizations, will fall from the cliff and the mourning will continue. Where is the public outrage? Why has the public not demanded a higher level of accountability from the NDP government? Why have we not heard from our lawyers, doctors, our business people, those persons who are able to assist in bringing some sense of order to the proper administration of our public affairs? The country needs a fresh mandate. We must now move with a purpose as a people to show that we are serious about our financial affairs. Each of our lives and our way of living will be affected due to the failed leadership of this NDP Administration. YES! LEADERSHIP MATTERS!
Today we are without vibrant and assertive representation from ANY of the NDP Cabinet Members. NONE! They have been compromised! They are being held hostage! The contents of most documents signed by the Premier are not in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands. However, the Premier is compelled to sign every document brought before him; WITH OR WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE AND INPUT OF HIS CABINET MEMBERS MUST LESS THE POOR BACK BENCHERS.
The poor back benchers are now calling for changes at the top. Too little! Too late! Staunch NDP supporters are calling for changes at the top. Too little! Too late! The general public is now calling for change. You will get your chance by 2019.
The million-dollar question is how will Fahie vote on Thursday?
The storms have caused immeasurable and costly damages!
The NDP Government has lost the confidence of the UK and of the people to handle the finances of the country at any level!
The people has lost confidence in Governance!
The UK has played the NDP Government to a fiddle!
Roads however must be repaired!
Ports however must be repaired!
Schools however must be repaired!
Clinics however must be repaired!
Fire stations however must be repaired!
Police stations however must be repaired!
Custom facilities however must be repaired!
Government administration buildings however must be repaired!
The NDP, our local version of “El Chappo”, has seemingly dug a tunnel to the government’s vault and it is now dry!
How will I vote?
Well before I vote I intend to try to strip the proposed legislation of those sections that will seek to restrict our autonomy. And I will also seek to maximize the inclusion of our local involvement at all levels. Gone are the days when only friends and family would benefit while the majority suffer.
I WILL VOTE FOR WHAT IS BEST FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE TERRITORY AT THIS TIME!
If this proposed legislation is a mandate of the UK that has been agreed by the Premier and cannot be amended, then it is the responsibility of the Governor and the Premier to inform the people of the Virgin Islands exactly what has been agreed. If and when approved the next government must be given some flexibility to meet agreed benchmarks and alter those terms and conditions as well as other restraining legislations that may be unattainable, unrealistic and not in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands. Confidence in Governance must be restored and the journey must begin here and begin now!
My people, the future of the Territory is at hand. Where there is no vision, the people perish.
As a people, we are now forced to sleep with our eyes open.
May the favor of GOD be with us as we seek to rebuild our Virgin Islands better than ever.
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