Premier says no progress made in talks with SSB to fund gov’t projects
There has been no progress made in recent weeks with a funding request government made to the Social Security Board (SSB), Premier Andrew Fahie has said.
The Premier gave that indication during a press engagement with members of the media last Friday, April 8.
According to Premier Fahie, the Financial Secretary had previously written to the SSB to explore different areas through which the government can receive funding to move its agenda forward.
“We have not had continuous discussions since the last time we had the press conference,” the Premier told reporters. “We were really busy with some other major things that we were dealing with.“
At a previous press conference in mid-March, Premier Fahie had stated that discussions had been ongoing for the government to get loans from the SSB.
“There is no secret, we must get loans from somewhere and if we can have Social Security invest the money locally rather than abroad, then we can ensure that they have a good customer who is paying back,” the Premier said at the time.
“We are waiting on the talks to continue and when they are finished, we will be able to tell the people of the Virgin Islands. It is mostly looking like if we are to get something from Social Security it would be a loan with a favourable interest rate if it comes to that,” Fahie added.
Even before that disclosure by the Premier, his government came under sustained attack by Opposition Leader Marlon Penn for specifically requesting another grant from the SSB, and not a loan as the Premier suggested.
The Premier has largely sought to downplay these criticisms, arguing that it was an example of ‘majoring in the minor’.
The government secured a $40 million grant from the SSB at the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. This grant was largely used to assist with stimulus programmes for the territory.
However, there have been criticisms from the political Opposition and other quarters that the grant was misused and squandered among cronies of the government.
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Leave our monies alone. The VIP government is too red eye. You boast so much about the VIP running the country in good standings. Already gotten 40 mil. Want more to squander?
Make Foy account for every penny of the $40mil before he gets a loan from SSB or any other entity. He is just trying to fill his pockets before he goes.
He will have to sack the board and appoint some more pliable cronies. He has done it before.
Much leaves to be desired of this m**on. How much money had the VIP government already borrowed from Social Security to advance projects, and nothing was done. Look at the condition of the roads, sewerage running in the street. Andrew Fahie where did that $40 million dollars go? … I am appalled that you turned out this way. I really thought that when I cast my vote in your favour I was voting for sound Leadership and a way forward for our beautiful Virgin Islands. You and your government have taken us back 20 years or more. Global blacklist, COI, lost our impeccable standing as the sailing capital of the world. How are we going to catch up? Andrew you brought us to the brink of near extinction. All the destruction that you have done, you are still not finished. You are now threatening what you can do if persons who attended BVI Secondary School don’t come forward and donate money, or if SSB negotiations are not forthcoming, YOU CAN DIP INTO OUR RESERVES. My man, Bully Andrew Fahie. I can afford to donate, but you won’t get a penny of mine to squander. What I can assure you though, is that I will fully fund the campaign of viable serious candidates contesting the upcoming election. I will bare my purse to get rid of you and your government.
He is treading likely after the COI. He bullied the SSB last time to get the 40m grant which should been a loan. We are in a different era now. His cronies at the SSB no things are different now too. The SSB is not the Government personal piggy bank. The entire Board, save for the recently appointed Chairman need to be asked to resign. Especially the Deputy Chair
Please let it stay so; still upset about the last 40M
where is the money he got for covid 19… let me tell you where…
west end thats where his family and friends allegedly got it.
well us the people have to watch him spend off our tax money.
vote him out…