Gov’t threatens weekly ‘fact sheet’ in face of mounting criticism
Premier Andrew Fahie has promised to release a weekly ‘fact sheet’ of his government’s achievements in the face of continued criticism it has received.
Speaking in the House of Assembly recently, Premier Fahie said he was not inclined to sit down and let his detractors define his government as ‘talk’, especially in light of all its achievements.
“That is why we have come up as a government with the fact sheet – just the facts,” the Premier stated.
He suggested that the ‘fact sheet’ will continue to be released from now until his government has decided to call the next elections.
“We have enough to put out every single week that are just the facts,” the Premier charged.
And while speaking in defence of his government’s ‘good name’, the Premier also sought to uphold his own personal integrity.
I didn’t get any kickbacks from COVID stimulus
He denied that he ever received kickbacks for any of the stimulus funds doled out by his government in the recent past and accused Opposition members of telling the public otherwise.
I ain’t have a dime for a soul,” Premier Fahie said.
“I tried to help the people of the Virgin Islands with my government and not one of them who get a stimulus could tell the people of the Virgin Islands that they come back and give Andrew Fahie no kickback, because that’s what the fifty percent of the Opposition are out there saying on the streets,” he added.
Criticisms and scandals against gov’t
The Andrew Fahie-led government has been slapped with heavy public criticisms after a series of apparent missteps over the past months.
Government received tremendous blowback after it was discovered that more than $6 million of its COVID-19 stimulus had been distributed to farmers and fisherfolk with little, if any, oversight of the process.
The distribution was flagged by both government’s internal auditor and the Auditor General. Many persons who received stimulus funds were found to have never registered as either farmers or fisherfolk.
Several of these payments were also found to have been grossly inflated by the Premier’s Office, which was responsible for distributing the monies.
Barge and border security blowback
The Premier was also criticised for his handling of border security issues – more particularly during the early stages of the pandemic when it was revealed that he unilaterally contracted a barge to assist in patrolling the territory’s waters.
The move was made after an earlier refusal of an offer by former Governor Augustus Jaspert of a UK Navy vessel to conduct patrols, reportedly at no cost to the territory.
Controversial political adviser hires
More recently, the government was heavily criticised for its decision to hire ministerial political advisers at a proposed cost of nearly $1 million per annum – a figure which the Premier has also roundly contested.
In its defence, the government said the funds for the advisers had already been budgeted in its consultancy allocation and argued that remuneration for its consultants was not coming from any “new monies”.
The government has also been under the watchful eye of an ongoing Commission of Inquiry (COI) that former governor, Augustus Jaspert, instituted to establish whether there is evidence of corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty in public office in recent years.
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Tired of all this BS. We need focus on building Our Communities in Place. We need to see the Territory going forward instead We are here lagging indulging in children melee. Let us unite for the sake of Our Future Generations. Our Ancestors must be weeping in Shame. There will always be Nay Sayers! Forget them and focus on the rest of Us who are trying to make our Territory liveable and productive. All this back and forth bickering is darn ridiculous. Grown Folks acting worst than spineless jackasses.
Agreed. For a start liaise with the private sector for a roadmap out of this mess. Looking in the rear view mirror means you can drive over a cliff. Stop covering backsides and come up with a strategy. Time is running out.
Why has he started to speak pidgin?
THE PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY DECIDED THAT THESE GUYS ARE GOING AND ARE EVEN PRAYING THE GOVERNOR STEPS IN AND THTROWS THEM OUT: THE BEST THE VIP CAN DO IS CONDUCT AN INTERNAL PURGE OF ALL THE STUPOIDNESS. THIS IS THE WORST GOVERNMENT IN LIVING MEMORY
THEY CAN’T DECEIVE ANY LONGER WITH THE LIES AND DECEIT
no lies detected these are pure facts
Stop with the nonsense. The online work permit system on the last list and it doesnt work. nothing to be proud of
Awesome. Can’t wait to see the achievements.
The one at the very top of the list should be which government workers showed up for work and actually performed their job.
What a bunch of misfits
The country made a big mistake
Just look at the set of clowns we have running our country at the most difficult time in its history.
The Seventh Day Fibber
The Weekly Liar
Far Too Often Falsities
Fahie’s Falsities
Fahie’s Fake Facts
So many options. Better hire one of your cronies to chair a committee to explore the possibilities. I’m sure there’s some hurricane or COVID relief money laying around you could use for this.
Take a proper gander at the propaganda
What a circus show!
Can I be the fact sheet consultant please?
WOW! Look at my kid cartoon characters. So proud of you all f’ing up this beautiful Territory!!!
Just look at that set of charlatans. Can’t run a candy store to save their lives. Just pathetic.
why they all look so guilty, they can’t even look at the camera! hopeless
This sounds like something China or North Korea would do. Andrew is petty he and the wig man will be the VIP downfall.
Fact checks more like FAT CHEQUES
This newsite definitely is against the government
What a bias newsite.