BVI News

Anonymous donor gave $4M for ESHS project before Premier’s appeal to businesses

BVI News captured this image of ESHS’s empty Lower Estate campus around minutes to 8am on Monday, November 29.

Deputy Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has said the government received $4 million from a single anonymous donor to help fund the $11 million Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) redevelopment project.

Dr Wheatley gave that indication during this week’s airing of the VIP Let’s Talk radio show.

He said: “We have the money, and in fact, we have to thank our donor, we had one donor – just one donor – who put $4 million into that project,” Dr Wheatley disclosed.

He continued: “So many other donors want to put money into it and we have, of course, local funding dedicated to that project.”

Following that radio appearance, Dr Wheatley clarified to our news centre that those funds were donated before last week’s contract-signing ceremony when Premier Andrew Fahie called on businesses to donate to the project.

“I am challenging 70 companies, especially in the Virgin Islands to each make a donation of no less than $60,000 towards the Elmore Stout High School redevelopment project,” the Premier pleaded at the time.

These $60,000 donations would be in addition to the $4 million the government would have already received from the anonymous donor.

In the meantime, Dr Wheatley‘s revelation about the anonymous donor follows closely on the heels of criticism by Opposition Leader Marlon Penn, that the aid request made by Premier Fahie a week ago, offered no guarantee of funding to complete the project.

It’s like they want the project to fail

During his radio appearance, the Deputy Premier had also accused the National Democratic Party (NDP) of seemingly wanting the ESHS project to flop.

“It’s almost like they want the project to fail, I really don’t know what they are saying, just making a lot of negative comments,” Dr Wheatley argued.

“We’re not gonna let anything stop us,” the Deputy Premier added while assuring that the territory’s recovery is moving forward.

He listed a number of school infrastructure projects that had already been completed or were currently underway during the tenure of the current VIP administration and a number of others that he said were expected to be progressing in the near future.

“So things are moving,” Dr Wheatley stated.

Opposition Leader Marlon Penn had previously said while his party supported the redevelopment project at the high school, he felt the government had not done the necessary work to secure funding for the project.

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42 Comments

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  1. Plesse says:

    Which drug man?

    Like 42
    Dislike 9
    • Tomb Raider says:

      Foy raid B**’s tomb !

      Like 18
      Dislike 2
      • Well Well says:

        “So many other donors want to put money into it and we have, of course, local funding dedicated to that project.”
        why if local funding is dedicated to that project.” Yet you ask for donations from locals. And had this $4.M floating around. wow i wonder.

        Like 7
        Dislike 1
      • Hmmm says:

        WSI . Andrew cronies

    • Man-of-The-Cloth says:

      Hence the reason after the Easter holidays, the Territory will be heading into full lockdown.

      **Remember, ‘I Told You So’

      Like 7
      Dislike 6
    • Hmmm says:

      So the project was $4mil over budget and all of a sudden an anonymous donor appears with $4mil. This is why the COI is so important. All these dealings done behind closed doors and the people herded like sheep to the slaughter. No transparency. All deals never see the light of day. The fact is there is no donation. The project will end up being $4mil over budget and will stand unfinished. Not a contractor in the Territory has ever been held accountable to the contract sum they agreed to. Just pure theft and larceny. Read fast Governor. We need action now.

      Like 58
      Dislike 2
      • Deh Watcha says:

        Exactly.

        How can the government receive donor money anonymously? How is that transparent? What is the unknown cost to the BVI? What was promised to the donor if anything?

        We need to know where this money is coming from.

        Like 34
        Dislike 3
        • Rubber Duck says:

          Where will the money be going is another question. To the house on the hill?

          Like 2
          Dislike 1
          • Yikes says:

            How much did the NDP went over at the pier park and not a swipe from you ph? Where did all that millions go cause it surely not at the park. Which house it went, who’s pocket? How many built or building went up during and after? How is there no request for an official audit release?

      • To hmmm says:

        That 4mil done GONE LOL

        Like 6
        Dislike 1
  2. DO GIVE GOVENMENT THAT MONEY says:

    To the anonymous donor if you want to see the high school build, take the initiative as the later Mr. Haycraft did.
    It pains me to say. Your intent is a noble one, sadly your funds will me greatly miss used.

    Like 60
    Dislike 3
  3. lies damn lies and statistics says:

    I don’t believe a word of this baloney………..he used to have integrity but now seems to have learned the art of deception from his leader who is a master of spin. If in fact someone did give a $4M donation what did he/she get in return ?
    Stop these political games and it’s draining and treats us as if we are all idiots.

    Like 56
    Dislike 2
  4. Concerning says:

    It is quite concerning that the sitting government can feel ok with the use of the word ‘anonymous’ in relation to a 4 million dollars ‘donation’. Where is the transparency and accountability to the People?

    Like 68
    Dislike 2
  5. really says:

    AND WHY THIS HAS TO BE KEPT A SECRET. SHADY GOVERNMENT

    Like 43
    Dislike 1
  6. well done says:

    to the anonomus donor I applaud you , not everyone wants to be on facebook for likes and praise .

    to the naysayers that they must want something in return, that is yourself you are talking about

    Like 21
    Dislike 11
  7. who is this donor says:

    A drug dealer? a terrorist? a loan shark? will we need more bodyguards?

    Like 11
    Dislike 4
  8. GREATFUL says:

    THANK YOU TO THE DONOR. WE APPRECIATE YOU

    Like 11
    Dislike 6
  9. Bridges says:

    It’s like they want the project to fail

    Meanwhile, the Deputy Premier accused the National Democratic Party (NDP) of seemingly wanting the ESHS redevelopment project to fail.

    This is just CHILDISH AND STUPID! You announce millions in contracts but also confirmed that you are short by MILLIONS. Isn’t that a valid concern? Share your plans, do the work and stop the f**king whining every minute. Asking questions and being concerned does not mean they don’t want the project. Who in their right mind would be against building a school? Petty f**king i**ot!

    Like 21
  10. Shameful Shameful says:

    Shame on Government for not self-funding the future of our children and instead paying out for airport expansion studies, inflated salaries, over staffed Government, race tracks, and more and then begging money from local businesses for what should have been done and done by now. In what world are we living that priorities of a Government are so backward. You supposed to be for the people. Since IRMA, no high school building – 5 years gone by. 5 YEARS. Pathetic. Sad. Thanks donor. Good person in all of this. HOpe you keep track of how your money is spent.

    Like 27
    Dislike 2
  11. Mr Shovels says:

    Not everyone wants notoriety for doing something noble. Some of you don’t seem to understand that…

    Like 9
    Dislike 12
    • @ Mr Shovels says:

      By allowing anonymous donations from potentially illicit sources, it opens up the danger of money laundering

      Like 16
      Dislike 1
  12. Son of the Land says:

    The big question is “What happens to all these shenanigans after the COI report?”

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  13. Mathematician says:

    $60,000 x 70 donors = $4,200,000. Interesting!

    Like 11
  14. COCAINE HAS TAKEN ROOTS says:

    THAT BLOOD MONEY ? ? IS GOING TO CONTROL A LOT OF YOUR MINDS BODY AND SOUL , ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN

    Like 3
    Dislike 2
  15. Jah Know says:

    This smells fishy. I bet that 4mil was already in the works before the Primer announced asking for donations.

    Like 12
    Dislike 1
  16. Pope Richard says:

    Guess we’ll have to wait until the rename it.

  17. Negrito says:

    West Bank High School?

    Like 7
    Dislike 1
  18. BuzzBvi says:

    BVi F—.

  19. The Nation says:

    Richard Branson and all the other billionaires who call BVI some kinda home should also pump in the rest. That’s the least they can do. Richard Branson need to give at least $5M for what he trying to do to our financial services with the public register nonsense.

  20. Sam says:

    People in the BVI are really small minded. They are quick to judge. Geez. So they assume the donation is I’ll gotten gain. The BVI will always lag behind BERMUDA AMD CAYMAN. The crab in a barrel mentality. Pity

    Like 4
    Dislike 3
  21. Sowande Lie says:

    The 4 million was always on the table. The govt budgeted 3 million. Together that’s 7 million. The project still 4 million short. That’s why they want 60 donors at 70k. Tell them stop lying!!

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