Gov’t deepening ties with region to position BVI for disaster assistance, development
Government is focused on deepening ties within the region as part of their goal to better position the territory to receive assistance during times of need.
This is according to Premier Andrew Fahie who was delivering his budget address in the House of Assembly on Tuesday.
“Our association and the deepening of the bonds through the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and CARICOM systems — as well as through the Association of Caribbean States and such related bodies — will open us to assistance in disaster management and mitigation, educational and training services, coordination of public health initiatives, justice reform, small business development, and many more,” the Premier said while noting that his administration has already made moves towards that ambition.
“In one short month since we came into office, your government has signalled its determination to strengthen our links to the region. We believe that this is important for philosophical reasons, but also for developmental purposes,” he said
Premier Fahie believes a stronger relationship with some of the region’s major governing bodies will assist in developing many sectors in the BVI
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Premier, Please thread lightly. Many of these islands need help themselves. I am concerned that you will sell us out in your misguided passion for unity and diversity. Lets build up our own financial coffers so that we can get ourselves back on our feet after disasters.
YES – PREMIER – WORK ON KNOWING YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE BVI. LIKE STATED ABOVE WORK ON AND BE CONCERNED THAT YOU DON’T OVER EXTEND YOUR HAND AND SELL OUT THE BVI. YES WORK TOGHETHER DURING TIMES OF DISASTER WHEN IT COMES. WORK HARD ON LESSING THE NEED OF OTHERS – WORK ON BRINGING BACK YOUR BELONGERS BRING THEN BACK – GIVE THEM A PLACE TO COME HOME TO. WORK ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE AMONG THE OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS. WORK ON BUILDING UP THE BVI – REMIND BELONGERS THAT THEY STILL HAVE A HOME TO COME BACK TO. WORK ON BRINGING THEN BACK TO THEIR ANCESTORAL HOME LAND.
This is a positive move. Good job on this one.
The region from the Bahamas to Trinidad and Tobago to Barbados to Jamaica is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, ie, earthquakes, hurricanes……etc. Hurricane season runs from June 01 through Nov 30 every year. Every year some island(s) in the Caribbean area is hit by a hurricane(s). For example, in 2017, hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated Dominica, Barbuda, St. Martin, VI, Puerto Rico……etc. Most of the islands are in various stages of recovery. Typically, recovery from being decimated by a disaster is a challenge for the impacted island(s). The islands must pool resources to mitigate disaster damages.
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) should be well-resourced to equip it to provide a quick response to disasters as FEMA does in the US. Each island commensurate with its size and population should contribute resources, ie, cash…etc to the CDEMA operation. For example, during an impending hurricane, assets should be pre-positioned outside of the projected hurricane path for quick deployment to the affected area after the storm passes.
Moreover, the region is small with limited resources. And the region should pool its limited resources to deliver maximum/most services to the greatest number of people. Disaster planning, preparedness and management is a good start. Other areas can include education, medical, economic growth and development, insurance, sports……etc. The West Indies Federation collapsed, lasting from 1958-62. Another unification effort needs to be pursued; unification works for US, Canada, EU, Australia, and UK(?). So it can work for the Anglophone Caribbean countries.
WATCH HOW WIDE YOU WISH TO OPEN YOUR BOARDER – BRING BACK YOUR BELONGERS TO THEIR ANCESTORAL HOME LAND. WATCH HOW YOU HAVE SHUT THE DOOR. THEY WILL COME BACK WITH LOTS TO OFFER THE BVI IN THE FUTURE. BELONGERS FOR THE BVI. ALWAYS KEEP THE DOOR OPEN TO THEM.
PREMIER LISTEN – LISTEN THE ABOVE ARTICLE IS WRIGHT ON POINT. I COULD HAVE NOT MADE MY POINT ANY CLEARER THAN THAT PERSON’S ARTICLE.
POINT WELL STATED. FIND THAT PERSON WORK WITH THAT MIND.
@E. Leonard, real talk on CDEMA and regional unification. The people of region would have been in a better economic position if the Federation was given a chance to mature.Instead the big islands derailed the Federation over the sight of the capital, fear of freedom of movement from small islands to big islands…etc. 1 from 10 leaves 0 (nought); some new math. How ironic is it that migration now is from big islands to small islands.
With the break up of the Federation, Jamaica on 06 August 1962 started the independence parade among former Anglophone countries. Except for Montserrat, Anguilla, VI, Caymans, and TCI, every other dot dotting the Caribbean Sea is independent /going it alone. Most transitioned from a mono-crop economy to now a mono-service economy, ie, tourism; Trinidad and Tobago may be the exception. Many countries have a high debt to GDP ratio. strangling growth. Even with independence, life is still a hustle and daily struggle for the masses. A small % of people is doing well while the many is catching hell.
For the personal well-being of the masses, the masses must demand change. The politicians are in a small select group so they are not going to advocate for a real change. Most do not want to give up the title of Prime Minister/Premier/Chief Minister.The masses must agitate and advocate for regional unification. Without serious and effective unification, many countries will continue to stagnate.
“A small % of people is doing well while the many is catching hell.” Real talk.
Great move Premier.
PARTNERSHGIP IS GREAT BUT – THE BVI NEEDS TO BE AWARE WHO COME IN AND OUT OF ITS PORT OF ENTERY. THE BVI NEED SUPPORT FROM THE OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS BUT WE DON’T NEED TO OVER CROWD THE BVI AND TAKE ON A BURDEN. TAKE YOUR TIME – TAKE YOUR TIME. WORK ON BUILDING UP YOUR HOME FIRST. WORK ON BUILDING UP THE BVI. WORK ON PREPARING THE BVI TO BE HURRIANE READY. NO MORE VIOLENCE IN OUR BACK YARD. DON’T OPEN YOUR DOORS TOO FAST AND TOO SOON. WORK WITH WHAT YOU AND WHO YOU HAVE ALREADY LIVING THERE. PLEASE DON’T OVER CONJEST YOUR BEAUTIFUL HOME. WORK WITH WHO AND WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE.
Premier The article above must be studied and focus on what has been stated. Every word was spoken like a TRUE BVI-ISLANDER. This individual is a LOVER of OUR SOIL. All words in above article written by E.Leonard are STRONG in the direction of keeping what his Ancestors work hard to put the BVI on the MAP along SIDE of ALL Caribbean Island. What we have is very special share but don’t GIVE IT AWAY SO FAST NOR SO EASY. REMIND BELONGERS THAT THE BVI WILL ALWAYS BE THEIR HOME.