BVI News

Decision to increase the cost of electricity reversed

Less than 24 hours after the announcement that the cost of electricity would increase locally, Premier Andrew Fahie has responded to reverse those changes.

The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) had said in a statement yesterday that, going forward, all customers’ electricity bills would include a ‘Fuel Surcharge‘ cost. It said this surcharge was because the BVI Port Authority Regulations had been amended to introduce a wharfage fee on all petroleum products.

But in a subsequent statement to our news centre today, the BVIEC said there have been new developments that are favourable to residents.

“The Premier, in the exercise of his powers, has advised that BVIEC will be exempted effective immediately from this regulation,” the electricity company stated.

It added: “As such, customers’ June bills will reflect a reversal of this wharfage fee.”

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43 Comments

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  1. Care says:

    Thank you mr primier.

    Like 7
    Dislike 15
  2. LMAO says:

    ALWAYS REACTIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Like 32
    Dislike 2
  3. Captain BVI says:

    Looks like Mr. Fahie did a quick survey of voters and didn’t like what he heard! C’mon, let’s get those prices even higher. We’ve got to stay #1! #1 in the highest price for electricity in the Caribbean! Woo hoo, get a press release ready from the Tourist Board!

    Like 26
    Dislike 5
  4. The voice says:

    Together we stand, divided we fall. Not a political person but we need to stand against any u just government doings no matter which one of the governments. No need to march in the streets as social media holds just as much or even more weight.

    Like 12
  5. TooFastttt says:

    so the question is, DID BVIEC CONSULT WITH THE GOVVI BEFORE MAKING DECISIONS ON THEPEOPLE?

    we need to learn how to avoid all these unnecessary negatives.

    if BVIEC had consulted with the premier before hand, this negativity wouldn’t t of been attached. LEARN HOW TO CONSULT BEFORE CASTING DECISIONS IN THE PUBLIC

    Like 16
    Dislike 12
    • Shorty says:

      You do realize that the Premier has direct oversight of BVIEC after removing said department from under the Ministry of Transportation. Pay attention, all the latest blunders are all under the direct purview of the Premier. He hand-picked all board members and all decisions are sent to him prior to decisions being made. Of course, he knew just like he knew about the port fee increase and the purchasing of the land. These are all departments directly under the Premier office. He knew!!! It is just that everyone is outraged he decided ONLY BVIEC will be exempt from the new wharfage fees. So the price increase will be eminent on all other businesses who aren’t exempt.

      Like 27
      Dislike 1
  6. WEW says:

    Indecision may or may not be the problem

  7. Zeus says:

    Well played Premier! Well played…

    Set up a bogus “stalking horse” and then be seen as coming to our rescue.

    Brilliant! Simply brilliant…

    Like 17
  8. Hmmm says:

    You just cant make this shi… up.

    Like 25
    Dislike 1
    • My neck says:

      Whiplash – a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip. JAH! What is going on in this place.

  9. heckler says:

    Smoke and mirrors coming to the rescue like super man but we all know his tricks….He threw BVIEC management under the bus so he could look good, that’s all.

    Like 38
    Dislike 2
  10. FIRST says:

    PIECE OUF GOOD NEWS FOR THE YEAR

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  11. ... says:

    Doesn’t these Statuary Departments or Bodies communicate or have dialogue with the Government on such Issues? SMDH

    Like 17
  12. lol says:

    Create a problem then show up like hero and fix the problem = Your government working for you!

    Like 39
    Dislike 2
  13. the watcher says:

    you really can’t make this stuff up…is anyone in goverment able to make a decision and stick with it? Maybe it was all a setup so the Premier could ride in on his stallion and rescue us…..?

    Like 31
  14. Just Resign says:

    I was a supporter of the VIP. I was excited for a new day and the mandate the VIP was given by the people of the BVI. It is obvious the VIP team doesn’t have what it takes to affect good governance. It is a hard job with innumerable obstacles but it’s the job the VIP said it could do. It can’t. For all the others who would try to take their place, think hard. You also may not have what it takes. Therein lies the problem. Are there native sons and daughters of the soil that do have what it takes? Even if they don’t have everything are they humble enough to know what they don’t know. Are they wise enough to seek the correct counsel. The bar has been set so low a whole generation has nothing to look up to. Perhaps technocrats need to be brought in just to repair the situation. It isn’t about colonialism, it’s about the “leaders” failing the BVI and themselves.

    Like 31
    Dislike 5
    • @Just resign says:

      There ARE plenty of qualified native sons and daughters of the soil who fit the bill as described. The problem is the voters think this is a popularity contest. They would rather hire someone who is popular who they can personally gain something from rather than someone who is qualified and has the best interest of the country at heart. When voters start realizing that “all boats rise with the tide” (JFK) and electing officials with the same mentality, the BVI will continue to be stuck in this vicious cycle!

      Like 12
      Dislike 1
    • @Just resign. Well said. says:

      I agree 1000%. I will just add people with courage who will stand up against wrong..

      Like 11
      Dislike 1
    • Honest truth says:

      I was open minded to the new Minister of Education, but Lord he failed me and is also failing our youths. What the h**l he did with the programmes at the high school? Look clown business. I mean really man?

      On by one they are all proving that the job is way over their heads. Real talk!!!

  15. Special says:

    BVI is a special place. Good news nonetheless.

  16. yup says:

    up Fahie!!!!!

    Like 2
    Dislike 12
  17. Really now? says:

    The same way they “revised” the port fees.

    Like 16
    Dislike 1
  18. Hmmm says:

    The timing here would suggest a ploy by fahie to get back in our good graces. Probably had everything staged and timed perfectly lol

    Like 20
    Dislike 1
    • @Hmmm says:

      IT WAS A PLOY AND WE CAN SEE PLOY WRITTEN ALL OVER IT. NOTHING THE PREMIER HAVE TO SAY WILL GET HIM BACK IN MY GRACES. TO MUCH SHADY AND UNDERHAND DEALINGS AND THE BLATANT LIES. I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN BID IS GOING TO BE BASED ON. AWWW HA, HA, HA IN THE LATE VINCENT PRICE LAUGH.

      Like 12
      Dislike 1
  19. Resident says:

    The can will kicked down the road until after elections

    • Curious says:

      There has always been a fuel surcharge and it fluctuates according to the price of fuel. They were going to just add .10, now there will just be the increase that is coming with the higher fuel prices we all now feeling….nothing was “reversed”, maybe BVIEC eating the increase in whargage for now, but eventually it will just be added in too the existing mechanism to inflate our electricity rates…

  20. Pandora's Box says:

    What a joke this place has become!

    Do this, reverse that, spend here, take from there, set of moo-moo clowns!

    Who in God’s name is actually running this place?!!!

    Like 21
    Dislike 3
  21. LILIAN says:

    WELL IF CUSTOM RAISE THEN PRICES WILL AUTOMATICALLY RAISE TOO SO PEOPLE CANT COMPLAIN THEN ABOUT PRICES THEN .

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  22. VG Resident says:

    Seems like we have lost our way and just cannot seem to get back on track. It makes me sick to read all of this daily confusing information. Please be sure of what you are posting and save us the stress! Covid has already weakened our minds, then the vaccine, now electricity? What next?

  23. Wow says:

    This government is now unbelievable. Seems they make an announcement and then look to see the public reaction and back down of we do not like it. Just make the right decisions in the first place, this is now way to govern. Election soon come!

    Like 11
  24. Joshua says:

    Do the government have a PR person honestly speaking. Whatever positive effect they were hoping for only back fired. We knew before, convinced now that the Premier is not consulted in most things hence the monotonous reversals. If he is consulted and it is a set up for a come back, then he is taking the electorate for fools, maybe we are. Where is Myron in all this, time to stand out like Saul head and shoulders above the competition. I think you Myron has been humbled by your unexpected lost at the polls. You have sat back longer enough the foy wonder has failed us. Time to prepare to lead us out of this mess. I must agree at first I never wanted you, for was the anointed one. He has now lost favor, mount that stallion king Myron your subjects with great anticipation awaits your arrival. I say it was a good thing you lost, it was just a temporary setback for a glorious comeback. Ride on Myron, ride out Andy.

    Like 5
    Dislike 3
    • From my heart says:

      MYRON, NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR COME BACK. YOU CAN BEAT FOY THIS TIME AROUND. EVERY DISAPPOINTMENT IS FOR A REASON. WE HAVE NOW SEEN AND WITNESSED WHO THE TRUE FOY REALLY IS. MOST OF US IS AT THE POVERTY LEVEL MY 90 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER SAID THE OLD PEOPLE IS DYING OUT IN TORTOLA BECAUSE THEY DON’T WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS WORLD ANYMORE.

      Like 8
      Dislike 2
  25. Tricks says:

    We saw straight through your tricks Premier!

    Like 12
  26. Well sah says:

    I give up, I’ve lost count on the back and forth decision. Dealing with the pandemic already creates uncertainty but dealing with this Govt on top of that….

    Like 12
  27. RUBBISH! says:

    This was all staged, nobody is fooled. The fact BVIEC exemption wasn’t thought of from the initial stages says it all. Can’t wait to see the back of this VIP administration. The Late H.L. Stoutt must be trembling right now!!!

    Like 12
  28. Think First says:

    This Government always in a rush then end up crashing.. They need to take time and think…They suppose to be bright smart people, they are disappointing… They got it right now, but it shouldnt had to come to the point of public outrage stress and anger…

  29. BVIEC for the win says:

    I see what you did there. Good strategy. The Govt finally listened.

  30. Ports Poorly Managed says:

    A lot of this seems to stem from the Port Authority needing to be re-certified, or whatever they call it. I couldn’t figure out why they would add this fee, but then wondered if they’re expected to deal with oil spills. That would require a variety of equipment and supplies, which they likely don’t have.

    If that is the case, then fair enough, there should be a fee on oil products. But that’s just me guessing. Why doesn’t the Port Authority have a plan, and why don’t they communicate what they’re doing? Ultimately it’s the administration’s fault because they appoint the statutory boards.

    Like 3
    Dislike 1

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