BVI News

NDP and VIP scandals will resurface under Commission of Inquiry

The Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex where the main government offices are located.

Members of the Andrew Fahie administration are not the only ones who will be under scrutiny when this year’s Commission of Inquiry (COI) begins, as the Commissioner has been given the power to focus on the areas or years of his choice.

At the same time, the public should note that the COI will not be examining particular individuals or political parties. Instead, it will be looking to see if political corruption existed in any dealings executed by present and past administrations. 

This means that present and past political scandals which happened under both the NDP and VIP could resurface when the COI convenes.

Some notable scandals which have affected NDP administrations include the BVI Airways scandalPier Park cost overrun and the ESHS Perimeter Wall Project which was investigated by police and handed over to the Director of Public Prosecution for consideration.

Scandals linked to the VIP include the 2009 Neighbourhood Partnership Project, as well as reports of government intimidation, victimisation and transparency concerns. There have also been concerns relating government’s spending such as the $115,600 Cadillac Escalade and the unprecedented hiring of personal bodyguards for the Office of the Premier after the General Elections in 2019.

“The Governor has not asked the Commissioner to look into any specific political parties or individuals. The terms [of reference] have been deliberately drafted this way to ensure fairness. It will be for the Commissioner to determine areas of focus based on initial evidence collected,” a response from Governor Augustus Jaspert’s office said.

The terms of reference for the COI were officially gazetted on January 20, 2021.

The Governor’s Office also said, “there is no specific time period set out in the terms of reference. So it’s up to the Commissioner to decide the areas or years he wishes to focus on”.

Which Governor will receive COI report?

In the meantime, the public has been hoping for clarity about which governor will receive the final report once the Commission of Inquiry ends, as Governor Jaspert is set to depart the BVI soon.

The Governor’s Office has since told our news centre that Governor Jaspert’s impending departure will not affect the COI.

“Once the Commissioner has been sworn in and commences his inquiry, it will be business as usual for the new Governor and his office. The Commission is completely independent of the Governor’s Office,” the response from Governor Jaspert’s Office said.

Follow BVI New’s coverage of the 2021 Commission of Inquiry on Instagram @BVINewsOnline #TrackingTransparency at www.bvinews.com.

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43 Comments

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  1. YOUTH says:

    This is a hit job by Gus.

    Like 3
    Dislike 64
  2. People says:

    Wake up BVI. This man Gus and the UK are using the same play book they used on our auntcestors. They want us to doubt each other so we can cry for them to take over. Do not fall for this at all.

    Like 9
    Dislike 82
  3. OMG says:

    What about beef island bridge, Prospect reef, Hospital, how far back are you going?

    Like 72
    • and more says:

      they forget Bi-Water, the traffic lights by frazer, The 90,000 dollar bathroom up VG, all them half done roads…. they got alot to work with

      Like 53
      Dislike 1
      • Really says:

        Andrews and Cline’s after school program, the greenhouses and the yearly licensing fee for them, the sewage running down the road, the list is endless and will keep the gentleman here for years not 6 month.

        Like 41
    • @OMG says:

      Prospect Reef Hotel belongs to the BVI not foreigners. Go take a peace of UK Crown land pie.

      Like 1
      Dislike 6
    • Lodger says:

      I think the first biggie was the “bridge” aka culvert by ZBVI, which cost $300,000 for basically two big pipes under the road. Remember that?

      Like 11
    • Rubber Duck says:

      The rip offs like the pier, the wall, the non planes, the invented consultants and so on may be the minor questions.

      The big questions may be, is the BVI government under the control of drug gangs and are the BVI courts under the control of drug gangs.

      There is circumstantial evidence of both.

      Like 7
      Dislike 1
      • Hey Rubber Duck says:

        The drug industry, though not legal by western standards, nonetheless is a trillion dollar business.

        Even the high and mighty moralist nation of the earth is and has bbeen deeply involved in making those trillions.

        Anyone who thinks the capitalist will stay out of such a lucrative business is naive. Only the big boys can enter it, but the poor man in the street seeking to make a dollar is the one that bears the horror of law enforcement, and the religious zealot and moralist and other uninformed minds remains opinated withour informed thoughts.

        Some say police gives tips off and assit transhipment in other ways, and people call them corrupt, but they never stop to think that maybe those same police officers who are doing what they think is corrupt are actuall being paid to execute such duties.

  4. REAL YOUTH says:

    This is the best news of 2021. Hold the crooked politicians accountable for their actions as they have been steeling from us for decades.

    Like 71
    Dislike 1
    • @real youth says:

      So partna who told you the politicians robbing for decades? Your grandma? Did she mention slavery while she was at it? Maybe not. I forget that house slaves have selected memory. You will live to regret the day you rejoice over another colonial trial of black people.

      Like 11
      Dislike 56
      • @ @realyouth!! says:

        Please say it again and louder!!! They will rue the day they started rejoicing over this COI. They just don’t know any better. Sigh…

      • Really says:

        So slavery gives our government the right to be corrupt? If that’s the case they better dishing it out to everyone who was affected, and I don’t see that they steal our money and give it back to us. Strupes. Ayo stay confusing issues. I’m pretty sure granny say that two wrongs don’t make a right. It’s time we start standing up for the right things regardless of who brings it to our attention. Just because you don’t like someone, or don’t always agree with him or her, doesn’t mean the person is wrong. This is the nonsense that keeps us from growing as a people and a country.

  5. Concerned citizen says:

    Just looking at the notable scandals, I find it quite odd that the outgoing governor chose NOW to launch a COI. The the difference in scandals are clearly slanted. Why is he choosing to do this on his way out when he will not bear any responsibility or obligation to it? For the sake of the BVI’s constitution, I hope that we get pass this. I’m scared to think what will happen if we don’t.

    Like 3
    Dislike 29
    • @ Concerned Citizen says:

      The reason the COI was brought as the Governor was leaving is pretty obvious…
      It’s been on the UKs radar for some time and better that an outgoing Governor called it rather than the incoming one !

      Like 38
    • Eu citizen says:

      Think about the tons of cocaine that someone tried to transfer through the territory. You are naive if you think the US will allow the BVI to become/remain a hub for that activity. Prison terms are very long in the US…

      Like 17
  6. Good says:

    Investigate the business people that thief out all the hurricane relief that came in from the UK
    I sure if you check some of these business places you will find stuff that ppl who had actually need it would have make use of them
    But these selfish business owners just wicked

    Like 34
    Dislike 4
  7. Don' forget says:

    NHI!!!

    Like 19
    Dislike 1
    • Lodger says:

      Thats partly govt and partly private medical firms. A 300% increase in fees the day NHI started and no govt regulation. Of course half the ministers were doctors!

      Like 43
      Dislike 1
  8. About time says:

    So much corruption here. About time persons were held accountable. The BVI’s GDP shows this country has a massive amount of wealth. Would not know it by looking around though. Government infrastructures are a sad disarray. The gluttonous cast a dark shadow over the true beauty of the BVI and take away opportunity for its people.

    Like 53
  9. island man says:

    blame island people again. all u mouth stick with glue !

    the elephant in your backyard and you jumping on the spider in mine.

    Like 4
    Dislike 8
  10. Sick of it all says:

    IF THESE PEOPLE HAD KEPT THEIR DAMN HANDS TO THEMSELVES ALL THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. SEND ALL THEIR GREEDY A*** TO PRISON. I AM JUST PISSED THAT MY TAX DOLLARS HAVE TO PAY FOR THE F***ERS DEFENSE. ONE SET OF DIRTY MF’ERS.

    Like 30
    • trial? says:

      Basically, the COI can be compared to a search warrant (an INVESTIGATION). Does anyone retain a lawyer because the police knock with a warrant? We have an Attorney General – government’s legal council- ON PAYROLL. Why are we paying a defence attorney and a TRIAL hasn’t started yet? If AFTER the CoI they recommend charges be filed with the courts, THEN and only then is a DEFENCE attorney required and at that time THE ACCUSED should pay for their own attorneys.

  11. Belief says:

    As much as I will like to see any corruption exposed, my humble belief is that not a damn thing will come outta this….IOW not a man going jail. Let’s watch and see. I could be wrong.

    Like 16
    Dislike 1
    • @Belief says:

      The whole World is watching, the BVI WAS EXPOSED. THIS IS SOME SERIOUS STUFF. IF NOTHING COMES OF THIS, THE WORLD IS GOING TO TURN THEIR BACKS AND WILL NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THE BVI. SOMEONE HAS TO PAY THE PRICE FOR STEALING AND MISMANAGEMENT OF THE PEOPLES MONEY.

      Like 14
      Dislike 4
  12. open your darn eyes says:

    If any of us think that the UK has our best interest at heart then we are sadly mistaken. Look at how quick we are condemning our own without anything proven because some UK people say so. Step back and look and at all this what is going on. A lot is not adding up.
    It is a carefully orchestrated plot and they are using us locals as a part of it. When they get their hands on the BVI and life start to get hard for us maybe then some of you would understand. When they dismantle the financial services sector then we will feel it. why are we soo blinded by hatred for our own that we can’t see? And have you noticed that they have own people pressing dislike on any anti Governor comments that is blogged?

    Like 4
    Dislike 30
    • Are your eyes open? says:

      Perhaps, you should “open your darn eyes.” Reasonable minded citizens of the BVI know that this COI has nothing to do with skin tone. Before Jaspert even stepped foot in the BVI, Fahie campaigned on “draining the swamp of an allegedly corrupt NDP administration.” How is it that it was fine for Fahie to taint the BVI with the corruption brush when it suited him, but now it’s so wrong that the Governor is actually looking into whether there is any truth to the allegations?

      Sorry to break it to you, but BVI citizens are not condemning our “own” because of anything the UK said. It is the lack of transparency, cronyism, victimisation, mismanagement of public funds, lack of value for money with public projects etc by both administrations FOR YEARS that’s left a bad taste in the people’s mouth!

      You’ve mentioned our financial services sector so you should know that FS has been under threat for the last 20 years. We were warned time & time again that we should perhaps not continue to hold “the golden egg” in one basket, but we were to busy squandering our riches to take heed and proactively take steps to diversify our economy! Again, this one is on us, not the UK!

      I beg you to see past black and white. The BVI simply could not afford to sustainably continue on the path that we were on! Hopefully this COI is taken seriously by us all, and is used as a stepping stone to effect the good governance that the people of the BVI have been longing for.

      Like 31
      Dislike 2
    • Pam says:

      Just remember Fahie called the BVI government the most corrupt just a few years back. His words have now born COI http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/ndp-is-corrupt-hon-andrew-a-fahie-r1

      Like 12
      Dislike 2
    • @open says:

      We don’t even have our best interests at heart, why should other people? I have never in my life dealt with so much BS from a group people as here in the BVI and I born here as were my parents and their parents. And half of you acting as though none of this and worse happens here. So carry on with the denial while the BVI is reaping what it has sown.

  13. Guest says:

    Let’s also examine NHI and whether rates were left open.

    Like 14
  14. crown lands says:

    Gus please put the crown land sales on the investigation list. P.S in Natural Resources (past one) and how some stuff went down. Call me

    Like 14
    Dislike 1
  15. NEWS says:

    WHYYOUAL THINK THAT THE COMMISSION S BEHIND ANDREW FAHIE HELL NO IT IS BEHIND THE NDP THE TRUTH IS COMMING OUT OURPEOPLE NOW SEEING THE STARS THEY ARE SHINGING BRIGHT THE NDP BETER GO TO THE WITCH OF ENDSOR TO CLEAR THEM STOP POINTING AT THIS GOVERNMENT IT IS NOT VIP IT IS BIG TIME NDP BOY YOU ALL WILL SOON SEE THE PAGES FLYING ALONG THE ROAD/ THE NDP BROUGHT THIS COUNTRY TO A WRECK ANDREEW WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOU WILL SHINE DR SMITH YOU HAVE YOUR SURGICAL EQUIPTMRNTS READY TO DO THE MAGICAL SURGERY ON THE NDP MEMBERS YOU MIGHT HAVE TO SEND SOME TO OTHER HOSPITALS FOR RECOVERY SURGERY ENGLAND IN HERE SO SEE IF YOU CAN FIND A WARD AND PLAY INSAANE.

    Like 1
    Dislike 3
  16. E.Snowden says:

    Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm………. ?…..I…C….U……. see why no whistleblower legislation…..QE2….why we not good enough for it? QTNA…slurp…

  17. Haycraft says:

    We really need this. For too long our people getting played by these crooked politicians. I will be giving all the information I have to this commission. Let this commission begin.

  18. Pat says:

    We support the vip for life

  19. Joshua says:

    No sir this COI can not be about both administrations. We are out to get Fahie only. According to his simple rhectoric this is Gus way of getting back at him. How simple minded. It should really be all about him. Personally I think 6 months is not enough to investigate Fahie along much more the cronies. Yes I said it. You all can’t victimize me, tola belongs to Briton.

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  20. Beach Bum says:

    Anyone have a total on the Brandywine beach project?

  21. Yes EYE says:

    Some ppl like dem $hiting their pants. People simply want to know where the money deh long time.

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