BVI News

Not giving notice about COI placed BVI economy, families at risk

Premier Andrew Fahie

The presumed ‘economical damage’ local businesses are facing because of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) could have been avoided had the former governor, Augustus Jaspert, alerted the BVI government of his intentions.

Premier Andrew Fahie gave that indication in a recent press statement.

He said: “Local businesses and the welfare of families and individuals were placed at risk by the decision to not provide notice of a planned announcement beforehand.”

His sentiments were shared by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) which recently weighed in on the UK-sanction inquiry. CARICOM said it was “dismayed” at how the COI was established with “no consultation, or prior communication between the UK government and the duly-elected government of the British Virgin Islands”.

CARICOM’s interest in COI is good

Premier Andrew Fahie has described the regional bloc’s interest in the inquiry as “positive; especially their understanding of how damaging the approach taken to the COI’s announcement was for the image and economy of the territory that is based on tourism and financial services”.

On January 21, days before departing office, Governor Jaspert ordered the COI to investigate whether corruption, abuse of office, or other serious dishonesty may have taken place amongst the public, elected, and statutory officials in recent years.

The inquiry’s commissioner, Sir Gary Hickinbottom and his team have now entered the “second stage” of the COI. This stage entails collating further information and documentation predominantly from public officials, including elected and statutory officials.

Overseas Territories also concerned about COI in BVI — CARICOM

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49 Comments

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  1. Listen Sir says:

    IT IS TO EARLY IN THE DAY TO START THE NONSENSE. Why are you so obsessed with what the COI IS DOING? The economy and families were at risk long before the COI STARTED THEIR INVESTIGATION. THE MORE YOUR TALK ABOUT THE COI, THE MORE GUILTY YOU LOOK AS IF YOU ARE HIDING SOMETHING.

    Like 71
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    • 2021 says:

      Somebody @$$ roasting this guava crop

      Like 22
      Dislike 1
    • 007 says:

      When you go hunting you don’t clap your hands.

      Like 19
    • Yup says:

      Foy engages his mouth before his brain. The harm to businesses and the people was caused by Foy and his cronies as he shut the Territory off to the world and [allegedly] dispensed relief money to his family and friends. If a business has been hurt it’s been solely his doing. It is hard to believe that this man tries to conjure up anything that he thinks that the mindless will buy into. Listen up Andy, the people want a stable and successful future for the BVI. This means the [alleged] corruption that you and your friends bring has got to go. Please try and sit quiet for a few days and give your gray matter a rest. You’ll look less guilty.

      Like 19
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      • Huh says:

        Isn’t all the world virtually shut off from one another due to the pandemic. b..a..s you sitting on your head or wah? Lol

        Like 1
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    • Yep says:

      That $360K per month would have fed 100 family’s for a year.

  2. Pandora's Box says:

    He said: “Local businesses and the welfare of families and individuals were placed at risk by the decision to not provide notice of a planned announcement beforehand.”

    Nooooooooooo Brother, the fact you say this I now KNOW for sure something ain’t right in your head!

    This the one and only light at the end of the tunnel that may actual save businesses!

    The disconnect between you and those that voted you in (and those that did not vote for you) widens every day with each word you speak.

    Like 59
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  3. REFERENDUM says:

    CALL ONE NOW, SEE WHAT YOUR PEOPLE SAY TO YOU THEN!

    Like 23
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  4. he crazy says:

    This man must really think that we are idiots. The economy was in shambles before the COI. You and your incompetence has destroyed the economy.

    Like 55
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  5. 123 says:

    For Christ Sake, Really! BVI economy and BVI families were at risk LONG before COI was announced.

    Like 45
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  6. Please explain how... says:

    Liar ? pants on fire.

    Like 36
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  7. Tv says:

    FRAUD LEADER

    Like 28
    Dislike 1
  8. MK says:

    Andrew Fahie what are you talking about? What does the Commission of Inquiry have to do with the Local businesses and the welfare of families and individuals?
    You are blaming everyone on this Commission of Inquiry when you are the one to blame for it. The only families and individuals I see at risk are the past government and the VIP government and their families when it’s all said and done the results will be on you all, You should have thought of that when you were doing your wrong. You paid out 360.00 to a shipping company so they can protect the harbor on a barge with radar, you could have outfitted police and Customs boats with radars for about $30,000.00, and on top of that you turned down the UK navy which wasn’t going to cost the BVI a penny.
    I think you should just hang it up you are to self-centered and c***ked for this job.

    Like 48
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  9. Rubber Duck says:

    The catch squirming on the hook right now.

    Like 28
    Dislike 1
  10. Come on dude says:

    THEY DID NOT HAVE TO GIVE YOU NOTICE OF ANYTHING. DID THE PEOPLE GOT NOTICE WHEN THEY WERE GETTING VICTIMIZED RIGHT, LEFT, FRONT AND BACK? WE THE PEOPLE IS NOT FALLING FOR THE FRIED BOLOGNA. WE THE PEOPLE IS IN FAVOR OF THE COI AND WE WANT AN INTRIM GOVERNMENT FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS UNTILL A NEW ELECTION. WE THE PEOPLE ALSO WANT THE FINANCIAL PORTFOLIO TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE PREMIER’S HANDS.

    Like 40
    Dislike 1
    • AYE AYE says:

      He need to be stripped of the FINANCIAL PORTFOLIO. I THINK THE FINANCIAL PORTFOLIO IS IN THE WRONG HANDS. YOU TURN CHILDREN LOOSE IN A FULLY STOCK CANDY SHOP FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, WITHIN A HOUR, THE CANDY SHOP WILL BE SO EMPTY, YOU WILL HEAR A ECHO.

      Like 17
      Dislike 1
  11. Knock me over with a feather says:

    He is just showing that he is afraid of something and have something to hide. LOL, DEPENDS MEN DIAPERS IS FLYING OF THE SHELVES. EVERYONE IS WALKING AROUND TRYING TO CONTROL THEIR NERVOUS BOWEL MOVEMENT. LMAO. IT IS WHAT IT IS. YOU DO THE DO, YOU HAVE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS. ECONOMY AND FAMILIES LIVES ARE AT RISK? PSSST!!!. WE ARE NOT STUPID, MOST OF US THAT WAS SLEEPING IS WIDE AWAKE BRO. WE ARE NOT AS STUPID AS YOU THINK WE ARE. SIT BACK, WATCH AND LISTEN AND EVERYTHING WILL REVEAL ITSELF.

    Like 27
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  12. Blame Game says:

    There is some truth to Fahie’s statement, there is a risk that some of his family will be locked up

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  13. awa says:

    It will be a blessing if the UK took us over for the next 2 years.

    Like 33
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    • @awa says:

      You keep posting that christobal nonsense daiy, Why.? Black People don’t want to be recolonialize and be back under brutal arparthied all over again. Think, if you can, about what they have experienced at the hands of white people in general, but the Brits in particular over the centuries. Why would you want the Brits to come in rule again.

      Afterall, there are Brits right here in Tortola, who walk on Black people everyday and do not even acknowledge their existence.

      Those are the kinds of people that see Black people as sub-human and will have no problem putting them in chains, subjecting them to the most brutal and vile violence and even murdering them without conscience, as in the past.

      So, what makes you so eager to have the pernicious Brits back in the BVI again?

      Some would rather be ruled by corrupt and or incompetent men that look like them, than by evil, pernecious and wicked men whose history to date has shown they have not a good intention towards the Black man.

      Like 4
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      • BuzzBvi says:

        You are right. Some, but not many, would want to be ruled by corrupt and incompetent men, and fools they would be, unless they would be to gain from it, and then they would be corrupt also.

    • @awa says:

      Nah hell no! For you maybe, but for us it will be hell all over again, just like the days of chritobal then slavery.

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    • @awa says:

      IT SURE WOULD BE A TRUE BLESSING IF THE UK TAKE OVER FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS. SICK AND TIRED OF THE GOVERNMENT DIPPING INTO MY HARD EARNED TAX PAYING DOLLAR AND SPENDING MY MONEY LIKE IT IS FREE FOR ALL. WHEN IT IS TIME FOR ME TO STOP WORKING, THEY BETTER HAVE EVERY DIME THAT I PAY INTO THE SYSTEM WHEN I REQUEST IT OR SCOTLAND YARD AND LONDON BRIDGE WILL COME A CALLING.

      Like 19
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  14. EARTH TO PREMIER says:

    NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY, WE THE PEOPLE KNOW THE GAMES THAT WAS PLAYED ON US. THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO FOR US IS VACATE YOUR OFFICE AND LEAVE US THE HECK ALONE. WE DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT REQUIRE YOUR SERVICES. YOU ARE FIRED. WE GIVE YOU A JOB AND YOU BLEW IT. YOUR SERVICES IS NO LONGER REQUIRED. PLEASE TURN IN YOUR KEYS AT THE FRONT DESK RECEPTIONIST AND KINDLY EXIT THE BUILDING.SECURITYYYYYYYY.

    Like 20
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  15. MK says:

    @Pandora’s Box, I was thinking the same thing he needs to see someone for his head, he has a problem with the truth. He wants to not think about the investigation so he will try everything to try and take our minds off of it.

    Like 15
  16. Nick says:

    Keeping the bvi close is what is killing the local and tourism business.

    Like 18
  17. To Late says:

    TO DARN LATE IN THE GAME TO BE CRYING A RIVER SIR. YOU STARTED THE MESS WHEN YOU WERE RUNNING TO THE GOVERNOR DRY SNITCHING EVERYONE OUT. NEVER TRUST A DOG THAT BRINGS A BONE BECAUSE HE WILL SURELY CARRY A BONE. YOU SET A SNARE FOR SOMEONE, YOU WILL ALSO END UP IN THE SNATE THAT YOU SET. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DRY SNITCH ON OTHERS TO BETTER YOUR SELF. GUS PLAYED YOU AT YOUR OWN GAME.

    Like 18
  18. KLM says:

    Premier Andrew Fahie, This investigation, by all means, is not damaging to the people of the BVI, It not damaging to businesses because of the approach taken by the COI’s announcement.
    The image and economy of the territory that is based on tourism and financial services are not damaging because of the investigation You are the one who did the damaging. You have no respect for the UK, the taxpayers’ money, and the governor. I think that the financial services will do a lot better if this investigation has a positive end. The tourist industry will do a lot better if you use some common sense and open the port and keep the protocols in place you are killing the BVI and you don’t care. This BVI love you came up with sucks and to make it worse you dont show any BVI love.

    Like 28
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  19. Seriously? says:

    Please explain how the announcement would have helped. I mean, other than giving you time to destroy evidence. I’m listening. I know you read the comments, you previously mentioned that they don’t bother you. So please, explain how advanced notice would have changed the economic impact on families. I ask because this feels like yet another attempt to point fingers at anyone other than the guy in the mirror. I wonder if the supposed economic impact on families of the announcement was less or more than the economic impact on families of embezzling the COVID relief funds. Just curious.

    Like 29
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  20. SMI says:

    Andrew Fahie what are you talking about? What does the Commission of Inquiry have to do with the Local businesses and the welfare of families and individuals?
    You are blaming everyone on this Commission of Inquiry when you are the one to blame for it. The only families and individuals I see at risk are the past government and the VIP government and their families when it’s all said and done the results will be on you all, You should have thought of that when you were doing your wrong. You paid out 360.00 to a shipping company so they can protect the harbor on a barge with radar, you could have outfitted police and Customs boats with radars for about $30,000.00, and on top of that you turned down the UK navy which wasn’t going to cost the BVI a penny.
    I think you should just hang it up you are to self-centered and c***ked for this job.

    Like 13
    Dislike 1
  21. Mr. Premier says:

    For the best interest of the Country, please step down. Curious to know if you get through the next two years in office, what is your CAMPAIGN SLOGAN GOING TO BE ABOUT. WHO IS GOING TO BELIEVE WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY? HOW ARE YOU GOING EXPLAIN AND CONVINCE THE PEOPLE TO GIVE YOU ANOTHER CHANCE?

    Like 15
  22. Something to think about says:

    To the NERVOUS ONES, FORMER FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY WAS SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR CORRUPTION AND INFLUENCE PEDDLING. WHO THE CAP FIT IN THE BVI, LET THEM WEAR IT.

    Like 11
  23. Please says:

    Not opening the ports and constant late announcements of the delays is far more damaging to the economy than the COI

    Like 16
  24. Curly says:

    I think the premier is doing a good job at bringing the economy to its knees at the moment with regards to Covid and no plan? Pot calling….. hmmmmm and why are you protesting so much.

    Like 13
  25. Westman says:

    fahie gah we

  26. Common Sense says:

    Our Premier needs to keep quiet at this point. The more he opens his mouth the less competent he sounds as a leader . Who can he fool? Certainly not the people from 18- 52 years . Perhaps that is why he is dropping Education on its head and leave ESHS is such a mess physically and academically. Far too much educated people in the territory now to spew such venom…

  27. COI says:

    Andrew please focus on what’s important…getting our education system running properly and these kids back in school. Start my getting rid of that G***** woman she is a hindrance. She is no use. Almost 4 years later there is not a decent high school. Wheatley is too busy passing marijuana bill..when he should be focusing on education. All this COI talk got you going crazy.

    Like 6
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  28. Huh says:

    Am having the idea that lots of these post are politically motivated. Some partisan hacks looking to have influence again and it don’t seem local.

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  29. This man is a i***t says:

    Why are you blaming the COI????
    You are the person destroying the local businesses in the bvi
    You are using coronavirus as an excuse now you trying to use coi my god how much low can you go
    The ppl are not crazy the are seeing what a wicked person you are
    You and your circus are the only ppl afraid of the COI
    So stop your nonsense

  30. IS HE? says:

    The only risk I see for families in the BVI is innocently getting gun down in the streets.

  31. Hey @@awa says:

    Just so you know, you are talking hog excrement. I don’t know a single white person that wants to do that.
    Some might think they are better, just like so many black folk think they are better than each other.
    Your effort to make readers actively hate white people by spreading this crud is dangerous and just plain wrong.
    (And no, I do t know any whites that doesn’t think slavery and structural racism are pure evil legacies, but not do I know any that feel like they chose it or caused it.).

  32. once before says:

    once before COI the BVI was never in shambles, the non rebuilding of homes after Irma & Maria, the Best covid fear mongering management, there was never persons who can’t pay rent, there was never any schools looking the way they are today, there was never any crime problems, no immigration task master. The country was super “fine” until COI..when u madda left the pot a tell u nuh go inna it until..but u go inna it she come back and start ask d others who went in the pot, u start worrying u start sweating, u belly hurting, all pary a u body in aches, just to change the topic, but she never did and den dem find out seh a u go inna d pot…the moral is, if u not guilty, wah u shuffling fah, continue as once before..

  33. Save us from ourselves says:

    NDP and VIP governments are no difference from
    Each other. They all only look out for their family and friends. Most of the people who vote for these politicians rarely get the support they need. This country needs NEW leaders who can put the people first. And also Fahie please open our seaports. By now everyone know they need a negative test. We can open safely with protocols. We need to be set up to test people on arrivals and have results in minutes. If they are negative, keep it moving. If they are positive, they go in quarantine. Tourism sector and people livelihoods are suffering.

  34. Noway says:

    These comments are not local. They are blank shots. Since you all have all the evidence why you screaming so loud? You certainly donot seem happy with the info you have.

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