BVI News

$40M SSB grant channelled to political cronies? COI to investigate

The upcoming Commission of Inquiry (COI) is set to investigate allegations that a portion of the $40 million COVID-19 grant government received from the Social Security Board (SSB) was channelled to political cronies.

The $40 million grant was part of the government’s Economic Stimulus-Response Plan to assist struggling families and businesses that suffered financially when COVID-19 hit the BVI and forced a territory-wide shutdown in early 2020.

But according to a statement released by United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab earlier this week, impropriety was involved in the spending of the grant. Raab said this allegation was among many lodged at Governor Jaspert’s office last year.

The Foreign Secretary’s statement said there were “allegations that funds set aside for struggling families during the pandemic may have been re-allocated to political allies”.

The SSB’s $40 million grant comprised nearly 64 percent of the total $62.9 million Economic Stimulus Plan implemented by the Fahie-administration.

Of the $40 million grant from the SSB, $10 million was geared towards an Unemployment Relief Support initiative for persons who have been either laid off or placed on reduced working time because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Andrew Fahie stated that he had to take the SSB grant because the UK refused to provide financial support when COVID-19 hit the BVI.

Follow BVI New’s coverage of the 2021 Commission of Inquiry on Instagram @BVINewsOnline #TrackingTransparency at www.bvinews.com.

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46 Comments

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  1. vip heckler says:

    Now i see why the vip sent home the lady from social security….

    Like 79
    Dislike 1
  2. @VIP HECKLER says:

    Yessssss, some of us had our suspicion about that. A BIG EXAMPLE HAS TO BE SET. SO BE IT, SEND THEM ALL TO JAIL. OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE SEND LEADERS TO JAIL. THESE ARE NOT SPECIAL.

    Like 66
    Dislike 2
  3. Waiting says:

    My mom is retired and depend on her $500 a month pension to survive. She has bills to pay and rent plus groceries. She applied for assistance and all now my mommy is still waiting! NOthing! But people with big churches getting. The politicians are only helping their family and friends. God help us !

    Like 82
    Dislike 2
    • @ Waiting says:

      My MOM ALSO APPLIED FOR ASSISTANCE AND IS STILL WAITING. BUT, ALL OF THEM TIME IS COMING. I HOPE ALL OF THE CORRUPTION CROCKS SERVE TIME IN PRISON FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. I AM SO THANKFUL MY HUSBAND AND I CAN AND WILL ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF MY MOM WHO HELP PAVE THE WAY FOR THE UNGRATEFUL CORRUPT CROOKS THAT IS RUNNING THE COUNTRY.

      Like 23
  4. Man oh Man says:

    THEY SAT BACK AND MISMANAGED THE MONEY THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO GO TO THE PEOPLE AND TO SHUT THE PEOPLE UP THEY GIVE THEM A BOX OF FOOD TO SHUT THEM UP. THOSE DIRTY SCOUNDRELS IS TRULY EVIL.

    Like 47
    Dislike 4
  5. Citizen says:

    THIS MAKES ME WANT TO SOB. THIS PUT A VERY BAD FEELING IN THE PIT OF MY STOMACH. NO WONDER THEY GOT RID OF THE LADY. SHE SAY IT AND THEY GOT RID OF HER BECAUSE SHE FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. SEND ALL OF THEM TO JAIL OR BETTER YET, SEND THE MILITARY SHIP TO TAKE THEM AWAY SO THAT THEY CAN SPEND TIME IN A PRISON IN THE UK.

    Like 51
    Dislike 1
  6. Not a crony says:

    And applied for two separate businesses with active trade licenses and received grants for each.

    Some folks, especially the elderly, were left out as the Grant was offered online primarily. And if you weren’t able to navigate the system, then how could you receive?

    The government even gave individuals an additional week to apply in person due to the fact that there was a surplus of funds available.

    The UK needs to commission their own government, the millions they have pillaged and the land they’ve stolen for the last hundreds of years before they worry about a few $6k checks that were issued to the people of the land.

    Like 5
    Dislike 47
    • What? says:

      People of the land my **s!

      Like 10
    • Curruption says:

      You were lucky and fortunate and I’m happy for u but unfortunately many cannot speak like u..
      And that is not for lack of trying..and sending in your applications and doing every goddamn thing under the sun that u have to do..and still to this day ..nothing?
      What do u call that? And that is the plight of the majority of people..

      Plain and simple

  7. ? says:

    Oh boy… not good.

  8. Reply says:

    These are serious allegations here that if proven can be criminal. Not good.

    On another note, I am very confused on the Premier’s view of the U.K. On the one hand, he does not appear to want any U.K. assistance.

    Case in point the ship that was turned away that would have assisted with border security, and all of this talk about colonial masters and independence.

    Then he turns around and make a claim such as this:

    “Premier Andrew Fahie stated that he had to take the SSB grant because the UK refused to provide financial support when COVID-19 hit the BVI.”

    Why is he seeking U.K. funds in the first place if he has such distaste for the U.K. to begin and have more of an independent mindset?

    The Premier needs to make up his mind. His actions and thinking is ***. He either wants U.K. help or he does not. He cannot have it both ways and when it suits his purpose.

    At any rate imo if the evidence shows that borrowed Social Security dollars intended to help families and businesses was misused in any manner, whomever is responsible for this needs to be held to account inclusive of some good time up in Balsum Ghut.

    Like 65
    • Order matters says:

      Firstly they told us no UK money is going to be for COVID he was right to ask. They declined. We used our own money.

      Then came the ship, they wanted to send military because they felt we would run wild in the pandemic them must think we are a set of monkeys but it’s more peace and less COVID than everywhere else.

      They want to send things we don’t need and refuse what substance we request.

      Like 1
      Dislike 12
  9. YOUTH says:

    Another witch hunt based on gossip.

    Like 8
    Dislike 51
  10. Here This...... says:

    Andy gots to go. Again…. Andy gots to go.

    Like 26
    Dislike 4
  11. Something Fishy says:

    I don’t understand. The UK isn’t helping so the government did what they had to do to help struggling families now it’s a problem this whole thing smells fishy. You might not like the government but please don’t let the UK bamboozle you. The previous government did worse than what they are alleging and the governor did nothing. Something isn’t right

    Like 10
    Dislike 54
  12. Lies says:

    The facts will prove that Gus and the UK has lied on the VIP to force a take over of the people’s government. God don’t sleep.

    Like 6
    Dislike 50
  13. Oh Andy..... says:

    Andy you in trouble…. big trouble

    Like 20
    • YESSSSSSS says:

      ANDY IS IN BIGGGGGGGG TROUBLE.

      Like 12
      Dislike 1
      • The ignorance is sad says:

        You political babies who been crying since last election are so sad. Thank God most of us don’t rely on the politicians.

        ANDY is not in trouble WE THE PEOPLE ARE IN TROUBLE.
        Nothing new here – the little black ones collaborating with the masa thinking they will benefit when only the masa and team will benefit.

        Like 3
        Dislike 14
  14. Still no stmulus says:

    That 40 was also to cover the business stimulus. A BUNCH of us are still waiting and being given the runaround by the Premiers Office.

    Like 28
  15. Stinky says:

    If this is true then it’s really shameful. People were and are really struggling due to this pandemic and instead of using that money to help you dole it out to your friends. This really stinks. Bring on the inquiry.

    Like 28
  16. 007 says:

    Allegations without some kind of example of misuse is just gossip. Anybody can allege something but that doesn’t mean that it’s a fact.

    Like 2
    Dislike 14
    • @007 says:

      Shut it dim wit: you think there would be an investigation without evidence? Stop drinking the koolade. The whole BVI know who we dealing with and the records go way back.

      Like 14
      • @@007 says:

        You are an ugly mean unhappy person. You can switch names and type all caps and insult my people and spread rumors but that won’t change the fact that you can’t stand your self. One day you will realize how shallow your life is. Go find a real job.

  17. RESIDENT says:

    I APPLY FOR MONEY FROM SOCIALEC SURITY DUE TO MY CONDITION AND THEY TOLD ME I CANNOT GET WITH SONE SILLY REASON SO I STOP PAYING LIFE IN THE BVI IS GETTING HARD BUT LEAVE THEM GOD IS ON HIGH THE THINGS DONE TO PEOPLE ISD NOT GOOD SO WHST THE BVI GET IS DULY ITS OWN SO TSOCIAL SECURITY YOUR DAY IS COMMING BUT THEM FAMILY MEMBER CAN GET MONEY FOR A FEVER THINGS IN THIS PLACE BAD WHO FOR WHO BUT YOU SEE WHAT HAPENING THE GOVER NOR MAKING HIS MARK MORE TO COME

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  18. exactly says:

    just like he take up God and put him down howhe wants..he really need to stop flip flopping he seriously confused the h**l out of me he reminds me so much of donald trump tbh

  19. Anonymous says:

    All the VIP government want is money nothing more

    Like 8
    Dislike 2
  20. Black power says:

    All VIP government want is money

    Like 4
    Dislike 2
  21. Wise up says:

    I was wondering where these millions went cause for sure my self or anyone I know didn’t received any money not even food during lockdown.

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  22. So disgraceful says:

    That money was enough to give a stimulus check to each person and help out the small businesses. The money would have gone right back into the economy. But no, they took it upon themselves to do what they wanted with the people’s money like it was theirs.

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
    • Deh Watcha says:

      When you hear what some persons who “qualified” got, while those who were “unqualified” got nothing your head will spin off your neck.

  23. The Nation says:

    Seems like one person doing all the blogging on here…they writing in all CAPS. paid bloggers…the majority support the VIP don’t be fooled by the comments on here.

  24. Hmm says:

    Yess some laid off parents who were contributing for years did not received one dime.

  25. people says:

    How do you want to collect if you don’t apply. And if you did there is a process you have to go through and requirements you have to meet. Its the same in America. Thousands of people have apply for their money but was not eligible.

  26. island man says:

    I apply with all other persons working for the same business place we all apply same time we all are laid off. I worked there longer than some yet I never a dollar from tge package but all the others get. I really do not know what happen to my application as no one is saying to me.

    • Jmr says:

      Don’t forget [some] politicians stole after Hurricane Irma.
      East End got nothing…. food containers at the port spoiled.
      Same old , same old

  27. Oh says:

    Government misappropriation of funds? In the BVI? Nah, never happen.

  28. Curruption says:

    You were lucky and fortunate and I’m happy for u but unfortunately many cannot speak like u..
    And that is not for lack of trying..and sending in your applications and doing every goddamn thing under the sun that u have to do..and still to this day ..nothing?
    What do u call that? And that is the plight of the majority of people..

    Plain and simple

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