BVI News

Don’t focus on mistakes, have confidence in our people to lead

Premier Fahie

Premier Andrew Fahie has called for the public to have greater confidence in the Virgin Islanders’ capacity to be effective leaders instead of continuously dwelling on past blunders.

“I just want people to stop focusing on our mistakes. Stop having others think we are not good enough. This isn’t a knock on anyone, it’s just something I notice that continues to penetrate through the territory that we have to be conscious of to bring it to an end,” Premier Fahie explained.

He said if people continue to doubt the ability of residents, the youth will also lose confidence in local institutions and will eventually shun appointments to the highest leadership positions in the territory.

“We need to start looking at what is right whether we like the person or not. Give them a chance. If I weren’t given a chance to be the representative of the First District, and if the people of the territory didn’t give me a chance to be the Premier, I wouldn’t be here today. I got into politics when I was 28, I made a lot of mistakes but learned a lot,” Premier Fahie reasoned.

Elected leaders have long complained that the public lacks trust in Virgin Islanders’ capacity to lead. They’ve posited that locals automatically favour UK-appointed officials who are seen as more capable.

However, some sections of the public hold the view that elected leaders aren’t trusted because their past actions have eroded public confidence.

To this end, the government has announced that it will pass legislation to improve public trust. The Integrity in Public Life Act is one such bill and Premier Andrew Fahie has signalled that his government will be looking to establish a Contractor General Office to, among other things, help ensure public contracts are fairly awarded.

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45 Comments

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  1. Feeling the heat now! says:

    Weren’t you the same person dwelling on the mistakes of the NDP and even making up mistakes for them and telling the people? Didn’t you say the country was broke but when you got in government you started on a spending spree that hasn’t ended yet? What you don’t want for yourself you must not do to other people. The VIP has no plan for anything so they continue to make mistakes and we have to talk about it as citizens of the country.

    Like 70
    Dislike 3
    • Styler says:

      Feeling the heat don’t be an A**…you see how that last GOV leave this country? You see how the GOVERNOR had them to be such fools and take over our country if they had get back in we all would have bee crying for HELP HELP . I am not one there conies but by the GRACE OF GOD i am still here holding on

      Like 3
      Dislike 12
      • @Styler says:

        How the last Government left the country or how Andrew said the last Government left the country? These are two completely different things. If you want to talk about how the country was left just pull the facts and data. If the country was left so terribly off where did the money come from to pay for Fahie bodyguards, brand new SUVs for ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS, increase in board stipends, consultants everywhere, need we go on? Not everyone is blind or stupid. As many mistakes as NDP made in their 8 years I would take them back in a heartbeat compared to this government right now. For starters just look at the education system?

        Like 20
        Dislike 2
  2. Green plastic bag says:

    We doubt the ability of your government because you don’t have the ability to run the country. And on top of all that you are the most untruthful and inco*****t government ever assembled in the history of the BVI. Remember when you called the NDP the most corrupt government in the history of the BVI? You need to revise that statement because the NDP were altar boys compared to what you guys are doing.

    Like 54
    Dislike 2
    • Rubber Duck says:

      It is clear that the Fahie government puts business , investment and the economy at the very bottom of their priorities. As the tourism business is driven into the ground and finance lines up to follow , Fahie is more concerned with picking a fight with the UK , stirring up unrest and seeking unbridled power through independence.

      That is the major problem.

      • ... says:

        It is clear you care more about the dollars than human life. Tourism is down globally what do you propose Rubber Duck.

        The various legislation have been geared toward improving the economy despite the pandemic.

        • Rubber Duck says:

          St Barths opened to tourists in June 2020. The requirement is to show a negative PCR test on arrival. There is no further quarantine, additional tests or ridiculous tracking devices that don’t work.

          St Barths has suffered about the same number of Covid cases as BVI and like BVI has had one death.

          The tourist business in St Barths is currently booming.

  3. He sickening now says:

    So we must forget all your mistakes while you constantly blame the previous government when you speak. You are really a walking contradiction. Just a very dece****ve person. We are in really bad shape.

    Like 45
    • Shoe on other foot ! says:

      Is Foy the same man that called the NDP the most corrupt government in the history of the Virgin Islands ?

      Like 28
  4. Treasure Island says:

    Idiot that’s the problem ppl don’t have confidence in you ppl anymore
    You are in government for your own selfish self
    You don’t care about the ppl
    Enjoy while it last cause you’re not going back in government

    Like 40
    Dislike 2
  5. Rizzo says:

    It does not work that way. You have to give, to get and so far we have been getting lies. How are you surprised that you are receiving distrust?

    Like 35
  6. YOUTH says:

    I love our Premier and his government’s positive drive.

    Like 5
    Dislike 44
  7. WOW says:

    Inorder to give our young people the best chance to get any significant senior position in government you will have to move that failure from the chair of the PSC first. Too much bad mind.

    Like 7
    Dislike 2
    • hmm says:

      Failure? Sounds like someone who didn’t get her/his way with the Chair who works ethically, and is firm, sympathetic when it is warranted. When you all don’t get you all way the top is always the problem; try go and fix yourself.

    • Ok says:

      Mr. Donald J Trump of the BVI, YOU CAN START BY PUBLICLY REMOVING THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE ***. IF IN AGREEMENT, PRESS THUMBS UP, IF NOT IN AGREEMENT, PRESS THUMBS DOWN.

  8. My take says:

    I know a fews don’t like Fahie but I love him because he reslly cares about the people and the Territory and he is not afraid to tackle the tough issues that most leaders avoid hoping to stay politically correct.

    Like 3
    Dislike 26
  9. This ah crazy man says:

    So we must just put confidence in people who have shown us for the past two years that they don’t know what they are about. Look at the economy of our country. The tourism sector that keeps most of us alive is in ruins largely because of your mismanagement of the situation but yet we must have confidence in you? You serious boss? Your only plan Forbes is is to have us planting marijuana up paraquita bay.

    Like 32
  10. Styles. says:

    Hi Andie Fooooooi

    How can we stop focussing on your blunders if on a regular basis you keep making them?

    Like 23
  11. MK says:

    Fahie you need to change stop the fighting with the UK and the governor, Stop telling the people l**s.

    The people gave you a chance to be Premier but you have let the people down, you have done some good but you are like a cow that gives a good pail of milk and then kicks it over.

    You need to change your coast then people will have more respect for you and other officials if you don’t change you are going to be a one-term Premier just like Trump.

    Every week you have something to say about the UK there is no respect there at all; you can discuss things without trying to bully the UK, What you after the people don’t want it the sooner you realize that will be better for all of us.

    Like 31
    Dislike 4
    • @MK says:

      Why do so many people think that what they are thinking everyone else is thinking the same? Their opinions are a fit for everyone else? Only their opinion matters or is right? Why do some people think that what they don’t want, all people don’t want?

      Speak and write for self. Can never speak for other or a whole population.

      While some of the issues that are being projected may not be pupolar, does not mean that every mind out here is thinking the same.

      For example, some prefer to be aligned with the sons and grandsons of their former slave master, while others prefer not to.

      Unfortunately, many Black minds are existing in the 12th-20th century. Some have evolved into the 21st, but most are perpetually existing in post slavery stage of mental and intellectual challenged world dissonance.

      Like 2
      Dislike 2
  12. Bob says:

    It is hard to have faith in someone who continues to l**.

    Like 23
    Dislike 11
  13. PEOPLES SURVEY says:

    PLEASE PRESS THUMBS UP IF ANDREW AKA BVI TRUMP SHOULD BE IMPEACHED.
    PLEASE PRESS THUMBS DOWN IF ANDREW AKA BVI TRUMP SHOULD NOT BE IMPEACHED.

    Like 29
    Dislike 15
  14. What if says:

    Must we forget that you have ex jail birds in some of the highest positions? Is that a mistake or deliberate. Asking for a friend.

    Like 33
    Dislike 1
  15. OHOOOO, OKAY says:

    Now you want to make nice, nice after you got caught and called out in your l**?NAWWW BUDDY, IT IS NOT THAT EASY. YOUR SELF PITY PLOY IS NOT GOING TO WORK THIS TIME. NO ONE LIKES OR TRUST A L**R.

    Like 15
    Dislike 2
  16. The thing is says:

    The people does not have CONFIDENCE IN THIS ADMINISTRATION. TO MUCH L**S.

    Like 16
  17. The thing is this for me says:

    Mr. Premier, there are a lot of smart young EDUCATED MINDS IN THE BVI THAT DESERVE A CHANCE. WHY IS IT THAT ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILY IS CONSTANTLY BEING PLACED IN CERTAIN POSITIONS. DON’T GET MAD WHEN MOST OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION LEAVE FOR COLLEGE AND THEY DON’T RETURN.

    Like 13
  18. Reality says:

    Andrew Trump at it again! His reign will end just like Trump’s did. Don’t believe me, just watch!

    Like 15
  19. MK says:

    @MK You are speaking for others the ones that think the same trash as you.

    • Not at all says:

      The DONALD TRUMP OF THE BVI IS LOOKING FOR PUBLIC FORGIVENESS. LITTLE TO LATE. MR. BVI DONALD TRUMP, IT IS TO LATE. THE PEOPLE IS GOING TO SEND YOU AND A WHOLE LOT A VERY STRONG MESSAGE NEXT ELECTION. THE PEOPLE IS GOING TO CRUSH YOU AND YOUR ADMINISTRATION NEXT ELECTION.#NOEXCEPTIONS.

  20. @The thing is this for me says:

    Nothing has changed much sincce we started looking after our own affairs, post bondage horror era.

    The same complaints have been echoed for generation in generation out to today.

    There is still no judgement and accelleration through lfe based upon merit alone, never has been.

    There is always a very strong infusion, who yo for, what surname you carry, how light or dark you are, normal, pretty or handsome you may or may not be. You should or not get that job or position, and even more envy.

    A whole myraid of conscious and unconscious tools we still use to judge and keep each other where we want them, up or down.

    Other than that of the so called Island person vs the Tolian/BVIslander, wondering if regional discrimination is still with us. There was a time when certain parts of the country were prime targets. The folk from North Sound, for example, use to catch pure hell for decades.

    But the point i really wanted to remind our readers/people of, is the following: The spectre of brain drain in the BVI is old and continuing.

    One major. reason is economics. The salary earned. We do not give our own what we give to others. That is fact. Even the white expat is remunerated better than a local for doing less.

    The second and third are: Respect and treatment. We simply do not respect our own people or treat them with the same care and honor we administer to others.

    We are very quick to voilate our own human rights. We are more prone to subjugate our own to various means of prolonged victimization.

    We are our worst enemy.

    Many fore went the option and lure of higher salary and good living overseas and choose to come home, because they wanted to contribute to their homelad instead and work insteadd.

    For many, and to this day, after decades, it remains the greatest personal and professional mistake they have made in their entire lives.

    Thses are the core problems that our people, not government, must change. Our own people hate each other more than our real enemis hate us. That is fact.

  21. HIP-O-CRIT! says:

    This wasn’t the same man say he own ppl ain’t qualified to be TOP? Boy Andrew if you don’t pick up your twisted ice tea tongue and iron it out. We going have a problem.

  22. SMI says:

    @Not at all and I know you speak for most people

  23. Deh Watcha says:

    Why do we need another (third) office dealing with contracts?

    1 – Procurement Unit of Government
    2 – RDA
    3 – Now another one being proposed.

  24. Sad, but true. says:

    See, there is a deep. well in government. You just have to learn how to run your fancy named blindflod the masses pipe to it, and the money is there to be gone.

  25. Quietly Watching says:

    I find myself chuckling, because I believe that bloggers did not understand the Premier’s words. When he mentioned not focusing on each other’s mistakes and giving each other a chance, I believe he was speaking about BVIslanders in top positions etc, not him and his Government. The Hon. Premier doesn’t feel he is making mistakes and not at all asking for your confidence in him and his Ministers. He is sure that he has that. He truly feels that only nine persons blog consistently when disagreeing with him and his decisions. He says it everyday. He is so sure that everybody is happy with him that if you even decide to retire after long years of service, he refuses to let you work your last six months and tie up loose ends and leave with dignity.

  26. Point blank says:

    A country that is divided can not stand. We the people will not stand for the non- sense. You had your chance VIP.

  27. Choops says:

    So far you and your administration have been our biggest mistake. Vote no confidence!

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  28. Blunders says:

    We are not focusing on past blunders, we are focusing on current blunders

  29. L is for Lynette says:

    Dear Honorable Premier; so very glad you speak today about leadership and trusting those in government to lead the territory. It is with this in mind that I must bring to your attention the wonderful and dedicated individual who has spent countless hours since the onset of the on-line portal striving to help incoming individuals to the territory.

    Honorable Sir, it is my honor to introduce you to Lynette Harrigan; yes you say you already know her, but do you really KNOW her. Yes, she is a government employee, but Sir, she is much more then that. Lynette is the heart and soul of the BVI online portal. She has strived many countless hours (both day and night) to ensure that individuals who applied to come into the territory actually made it through the marage of this portal experience. She alone was on the other end doing what technology failed to do. She was the life and love at the end of the line for persons stuck mid flight without portal access. Mr. Priemer, Lynette has made your government, the steering committee, your tourism board and the goverence bodies in general look stellar and supreme. Sir, L is for Lynette and that “L” is the “L” that is in BVI LOVE; fore without Lynette, there would be no BVI LOVE. Humbly Sir, I ask that if there is an honor to be availed and bestowed to individuals such as employee or citizen of the year; please know that the honor should rightly go to Lynette. She Sir is the saviour of the BVI and your government.

    I thank you in advance for your attention to this posting and pray you will look inwardly and understanding Lynette’s significant contribution.

    Like 9
    Dislike 3
  30. Concerned says:

    Campaigning has started. VIP screwed us up good. Jaspert tried to help this Premeir who promised what was right. The Premier got jealous, followed his own agenda (which was as c**++pt as the VIP ) and now we start all over. If only someone ran who IS honest.

    • @Concerned says:

      There were honest candidates in the last election. Alas ‘honesty’ was not what the majority wanted. They knew what they would get with the VIP Administration. They wanted the gravy train effect. They wanted or preferred persons who talked a good talk but not truly interested in walking the walk. The excuses for not voting for honesty were many and varied and I feel no need to regurgitate them. So when you get what you vote for, complaining is seen as just a nuisance. What can hel is to publicly address the issues, one by one that we are unhappy about so that our Leaders know that we are not pleased with certain aspects of their decisions as a populace. For e.g. revisiting he Airport Project in this COVID-19 era while our roads are worse than they have ever been. And after that just wait patiently for next election and pray so God can lead us to what honesty is. I do believe in this Territory we sadly started looking for who will do the most for us on an individual basis and not the country as a whole. We have to move away from that level of thinking and our choices will be clearer.

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