Premier announces stay on port fee increases for 2022
Premier Andrew Fahie has announced that the promised port fee increases at the BVI Port Authority (BVIPA) will not be implemented next year as previously promised.
“May I inform all, that the fees that the government rolled back until January [2022] will not be implemented in 2022 by the ports,” Premier Fahie said during his budget speech on Thursday.
In addition to this, the Premier promised several fixes to the infrastructure and technological capacity of the BVIPA.
In announcing measures that would allow the BVIPA to ensure it continues to meet international codes and standards, Premier Fahie said the International Ship & Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) prescribed fencing is being installed at all ports.
He said there will also be proper lighting of facilities and other electronic measures to improve surveillance at all local port facilities.
In addition to this, there will be continued maintenance and upgrades of navigational aids to provide for the safe operation of vessels within the BVI’s designated harbours, the Premier assured.
COVID-19, the Premier said, has delayed the rebuilding and improvement of the information technology infrastructure which was damaged during the 2017 hurricanes.
As a result of this, most of the planned improvement of service offerings such as port management software to get cargo processed efficiently, online billing and payments, online notification of availability of cargo for collection, improvement on surveillance and establishing resiliency of port data and operations should be completed in the fourth quarter of 2022.
The BVIPA’s most valuable resource
The Premier assured that employees remain the Port Authority’s most valuable resource, especially as it strives to improve the range and quality of service.
To this end, the continued professional development of the employees is a priority in 2022, Fahie noted.
The Authority had initially cut the working hours of some lower-level staff at the onset of COVID-19, but later restored normal service after protests.
“While COVID 19 has created some financial and operational challenges, the Authority is determined to continue to facilitate domestic and international cargo and passenger services,” the Premier stated.
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But he didnt roll back the port fees.
They were implemented. All the BIG ones – wharfage, container surcharge, port storage.
Lies, lies lies
And people wonder why prices have gone up.
That is the truth, the warfare is now 2%, it use to be 1% but this Government has double it.
How the leader of a Territory could l** so easily without even thinking about it is totally beyond me! All the major port fees have been increased already, hence the current price crisis in the Territory. The fees he is talking about rolling back are minimal and would not severely impact imports. This is the usual play on words from a man who claims to be a praying person and love the people of this Territory. The BVI is in a really bad place when this is the type of leadership we have selected to take us forward.
Any time they wants to get over people they try to use God name as if God is foolish like them, is truly sad they choose to use God in there deceitfulness. Even the devil does pray.
We would like to receive all our monies that they took from us during the pandemic…..and our increments and back pay. please and thank you…..since you are in the mood of talking good…..jus say the word
Typical mind games played by Foy once again
He needs to stop l**ng and stop allowing the managers at the Port to play politics with the staff salaries.
Fahie I sorry I vote ayo mehson and tell ms whale we need our money back and increment and stop moving staff all over without paying them what they deserved.
Why is a special fence required? Had the existing fence been a problem? What is being this new global retirement? What is meant by ‘other electronic measures’ for surveillance? Why do small islands have to have big expensive fence to participate in international trade?
You all need to be asking questions. Closer to independence or closer to one world government?
R****ay supermarket price is touching the sky and you did not increase the fees. Check out that supermarket. Too expensive.