Spending $600K on med school study was ‘common sense’ — Fahie
Current NDP Education Minister, Myron Walwyn (left) and former VIP Education Minister, Andrew Fahie.
By Davion Smith, BVI News Staff
Former Education Minister under the 2010 VIP government, Andrew Fahie, said it was “common sense” that led him to spend nearly 600,000 of taxpayer dollars to conduct a medical school assessment for the BVI.
Back when Fahie was education minister, a company called Effect Incorporated was awarded the near-$600,000 contract to find a suitable medical school, and assist with creating policies for that school to operate in the BVI.
In explaining why it was necessary to seek out those consultancy services, Fahie said: “The medical school consultancy was commissioned … as dictated by common sense. Every BVI citizen inspires for a dream home [but] a dream home cannot and must not be constructed without detailed plans. Those plans set the direction for proper construction of the home. Without them, you must falter and so too will the medical school initiative if a master plan had not been developed.”
Fahie went on to say all the proper procedures were followed when the contract was issued years ago.
He made the statements this week while responding to criticism from the current Education Minister under the NDP government, Myron Walwyn.
Walwyn secures medical school without ‘unnecessary’ spending
Walwyn began criticizing Fahie about the eight-year-old issue this week after successfully issuing an operating licence to an offshore tertiary school called the University of Science Arts and Technology.
“We were able to get to this point successfully without one penny of government resources being spent on anything outside of the ordinary expenditure associated with these types of matters. This causes me to reflect on the near $600,000 that was spent by the previous government and the previous minister for a consultant to tell us what was already obvious – that medical schools would be of benefit to the territory,” Walwyn said.
“This situation raises some questions to which answers by Honourable Fahie should be forthcoming in the spirit of transparency and accountability … Why was the near-$600,000 spent on this unnecessary report that yielded no results for the people of the territory? Walwyn questioned.
VIP was voted out and could not continue
In responding further, Fahie – who is currently Leader of Opposition – said his party lost the 2011 General Election after hiring the consultancy firm in 2010. He further claimed that it was up to the succeeding NDP government to follow through on the plan.
Fahie then pledged to do a ‘full broadcast’ of how and why the monies were spent.
He, however, lunged at Walwyn and the governing NDP with criticisms of his own.
He said Walwyn only dug up the issue to gain political leverage ahead of the upcoming general elections, which are constitutionally due in 2019.
“It is quite curious that eight years later that this topic will now be raised ahead of the Elmore Stoutt High School $1.6 million wall, ahead of a $7.2 million plane that will not fly, ahead of $8 million illegally transferred from the East End/Long Look sewerage project to the ports, ahead of over expenditure of $40 million on the ports project,” Fahie said.
“The cream doesn’t need to push anything down to the bottom in order for it to rise to the top. It takes its rightful position naturally. The Minister of Education will one day learn this lesson.,” he added.
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Pity the same detailed assessment and proper due diligence with meaningful estimates weren’t done for the pier park “white elephant” an over $30m overspend is an absolute disgrace and everybody knows it despite Mr Pot holes recent attempt to justify it which has left him a laughing stock with his ridiculous “pie in the sky” figures!
Anybody with sense would know that nobody can steal 30 million from the government without getting caught so stop the foolishness. But we have a pier park to show and it has created many new entrepreneurs and brings in revenue for the country. Can you show me what has been produced for my 600k please and thank you?
You either live in a different reality or have your head in a hole all the time. check the news buddy, the white collar criminals regularly embezzle amounts in excess of 30 million and becaus their lives depend it they can hire the expertise necessary to pull it off.
it isn’t some bandit pulling up on a scooter smashing grabbing and stuffing his underwear with whatever is in the cash pan.
you stay ignorant if it makes you happy, don’t worry it will make those robbing you feel safer and more confident.
While you are at it see if you can have them account for $7 million airplane and $8 million take from East End Water and Sewer project! They can embezzle $30 million easily! SMH
Well said Gandalf. I am glad that I am not the only Virgin Islanders that hopes for what you so eloquently expressed.
Bottom line is that no matter what Party you choose, the same old stuff happens. The only recycling we see here is swapping out the respective parties when we get sick of there shenanigans only to have the same things happen with the next group. Everyone is talking VIP this, and VIP that, and how great they will be, and what a difference they will make. All it amounts to is a different set doing the same thing for as long as they can get away with it. Then we get fed up, and send the next group in we voted out the last time for the exact same thing. Pretty much the definition of insanity is it not?
One day I hope to get a Government that cares about social services infrastructure, education, communication networks, takes their time to understand offshore finance, focus on of tourism offerings, audit accounts efficiently, and offer some element of honesty and transparency to the people. Things that define countries, and empower their people. There is no way with the money that has come in these last few decades that these islands should not be CONSIDERABLEY further ahead than they are! I am not expecting a Utopia but at least try!
I fear that such hope will never be realized unless something dramatically changes the political landscape here.
What as a people should we do?
No Government can care about what the people themselves don’t care about, think about that deeply! The behavior of the Government match the majority of the people they serve. Think that’s a lie? Ask the politicians how many people/voters come to them about the betterment of the BVI vs something for themselves. The entire place is corrupt and only when we don’t get our way we come out on blogs and social media acting as if we care. Until the mentality and mindset of the people/voters change, don’t expect any politicians or Government to chance, and that’s real! Anything else is just pissing in the wind and vex when you get wet!
FACTS FACT FACTS!!
I couldn’t have said it better. Greed is what have the BVI the way it is now. Look at places like the Cayman Islands, they don’t have a payroll tax, no social security, no NHI and my God the place run and look much better than here at home.
All these politicians want is to get elected to thief the money. The people elected you to serve them not your pockets. I honestly wish the young people would rise up and take possession of our country and send these blasted thief home.
May God help us all.
I totally agree. In saying that you might disagree with my next few words.
I would loved to see the British goverment take over the running of the B.V.I from the thieves that are in both camps.
If the governor is going to be here he needs to do more oversight of these people.
Complaining on one side and overspending on the other side. NDP and especially Prof. Pothole should be ashamed.
Sam Call a spade, we have people seeking to lead us with a background of corruption in both of these parties. If you want to introduce whistleblowing legislations we must expect one of the nastiest elections in the history of the Virgin Islands. Civil Servants of both side of the isles have information. More crap will be told before the year is over. I am keeping my eyes on the best person for the job and have decided to rise above all this nonsense.
Stay on topic Sam! Put away your dislike for the NDP for a minute.
We really want the Whistleblower legislation to be brought forward. But can you really see Fahie advocating for this when these shady dealings? Will Fahie blow the whistle on his administration when he is adamant to tell the people how he splurge the people money? Sorry I meant to write spend the people money.
You can’t ask government to walk the straight line when in fact your record is revealing some very disturbing and questionabe things regarding money matters. DONT JUST SAY WHAT SOUNDS GOOD, We the voters will chose our next leader based on their records.
I agree. $600k for a study. Study what? Pick up the phone and call some med schools around the US and Canada, offer them the hospital free of charge and bring healthcare to the Territory as well as income. It seems the BVI likes to hire consultants to do studies which never come to fruition. I think that it is an easy way to pocket a bit of cash for the local politicians. Once again the politicians and the elite ruling families gain and the people suffer. Shame on you.
So tell us please Prof Pothole, why did your administration not act on this study for the past 8 years.
Prof Pothole, please list your major accomplishments over the past 8 years. Ok, I understand that you must be stuck. Please list your minor accomplishments? Hey, it’s not a trick question. Ok, here is an easier one for you to answer. How many kickbacks did you and your cronies receive over the past 8 years? Prof Pothole, why are you running away? Where are you going? Whats in your large pockets?
The amount of money that gets wasted by politicians around here is a worst than a downright joke. Just imagine how much better off we would be if all that money was spent wisely. The UK would be coming to us for help, instead of us begging them.
How long are you islanders going to let these GOV’T leaders rip you off like this? First the airline then the new pier now a school— don’t you all work hard for your money and your letting these officials trick you (steal). (Oh but go after the guy who brought in jewelry– gov’t all over that) IT’s all a misdirection play.
I agree with you in principle but I don’t see the school as a rip off. I see it as a sickness of when one government takes over from another when they do not want to use what the previous government was doing and they shelf or discard previous studies, reports, etc. This is where the wastage comes in and this is what has happened here once again.
Walwyn why are our schools broken? Why haven’t you fixed them? You’ve had over a year and what have you done? Nothing, nada, …..
He dried the treasury so he can’t get a thing done for our schools. If it wasn’t for sponsors who contribute then our children would be worse off. He doesn’t have the time to fix our schools because he was busy demolishing the NDP.
Dude are you serious?
Spot the BS to gain political mileage
You probably still asleep from the hurricane. Why don’t you ask Irma that? You must be kidding me. That mek sense?
How was the company for consultation chosen? Was it tendered?
Mr. Fahie we need answers!
This is just another distraction tactic by Walwyn so that he can try to get us to forget about his government’s dismal record especially in regards to our finances.
Some people’s quest for power will push them to sell out our country just to be the premier.
F——- will do it also.
Person like you amaze me because you didn’t ask Walwyn to answer for the $1.7 million dollar wall, nor the $7.2 million plane and plenty more mismanagement of our funds that are factually documented but now you want Fahie to answer based on statements made by a minister who has proven to not be a reliable nor valid messenger.
Walwyn has answered all the questions, brought all documents and supporting evidence to the House of Assembly regarding this wall. When has he been hiding it?
Your answer matches your posting name.
Who is Effort Incorporated? Can’t find them online. Why didn’t Fahie bring forth the findings of the CON-sultancy to the public? Fahie is slinging mud when he has many questionable dealings that require honest answers.
You obviously went school on the weekends. Myron has been the Minister for the subject with the consultancy records for 8 years so if he thought anything was wrong he would have already nailed Fahie. This is just pure politics.
So your really saying because the VIP government was voted out the money couldn’t be account for?? Weak ! You must have a plan to where the money will be allocated.. Come on you can’t hide your skeletons and try to exposed others but yet we take about transparency!! Show us man defend yourself.. Its politics y’all want to be in defend it!
Your point is weak and it should be the other way around. Myron is the Minister for the last eight years and he could have addressed this matter (if it is one) long ago but as usual he only wants to cast doubt in the minds of people about Fahie seeing that it is election time and he’s running against Fahie for Premier. It will not work!!!
If that is common sense then Hon. fahie you should have bought some common sense with that money. This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. 600k for an outside consultant to tell you what local people were telling you for free? How is it then that Hon. walwyn was able to get a university to come in without spending a penny? There is more than meets the eye on this Hon. Fahie. Common sense- don’t kill me sir lol
Cut the bull. No one can look at any new industry and just tell that it will be successful. As a business woman, that is the craziest thing that I have ever heard. Most Caribbean islands that have these medical schools are now sorry they didn’t do their due diligence before because they are not realizing from these schools what they were promised. All you all want to do is jump on Fahie for political gains but although I don’t always agree with him, I do agree with him on this one.
First of all the Minister passed the Higher Education Licencing Act 2015 which allowed for a Higher Education Board to do the same thing that Andrew spent $600K to do with no results. So to think that we needed to spend that kind of money for “due diligence” is down right stupid. Fahie needs to be called out for all the reckless spending during his administration. Race car study – no results. Medical school study – no results. Whatever happened to the neighbourhood project?? Your “due diligence” claim is weak.
Isn’t it interesting that after Diego Penn spoke about politicians not having “Common Sense” all of a sudden Fahie talking about his decision to spend 600K on a consultancy was common sense. This man will say anything that sounds good. lol
When someone is building “their” dream home, they tell the architect what they want in that dream home.its YOUR dream home not the architect’s. What kinda hog wash analogy is this. This man take us for fools? Smh
I think it is the other way around. Myron thinks we are fools. He needs to get on with meaningfully help for we the people and stop trying to create distractors hoping that he makes Fahie look bad and him look good to we the people. We are tired of these old political games. We have real problems that need real solutions.
create distractions, not distractors…
the architect has to prepare the design therefore you have to tell them what you want!! sheesh man, can you design your dream home and submit it to town and country for approval??????
Thanks for clearing this up Hon Fahie.
So Hon Walwyn you was his successor in the Ministry. You inherited the contract a year after it was signed. What did you next do with that contract? Did you follow it through? You are the one who needs to report to us and after 8 years you haven’t done so but now throwing lame punches. Craziness.
Why after 8yrs Andrew now grows morals and talks about accountability and transparency? Is it that this matters to him now that he doesn’t have to be accountable and transparent as Minister for Education?
Y’all really want Myron be the premier
Thumbs up if you want Andrew Fahie be the next premier
Thumbs down if you want Myron walwyn be the next premier
We want Fraser
WE need a different thumb sign for Fraser.
You mean a middle finger.
just because he gone left the VIP?
Walwyn just needs to stop. He is just following through on what Fahie started so he needs to be quiet and focus on getting members to run with him. How about that fancy wall tho? How about the schools on the sister islands that been a hot mess before the hurricane?
AVID ALL THIS CONFUSION…VOTE FOR A NEW PARTY IN ORDER TO AVOID ALL THIS IGNORANCE….BOTH THE VIP AND NDP MESSED UP THIS COUNTRY
TRUST is the word
This is much to do about nothing
OFFSHOREALERT.COM
Can’t find anything relevant to BVI. Please, be more specific.
andrew a fahie
enter both of these guys name in the search and see which one comes up
First Myron was bragging saying that he didn’t spend a penny of tax payers money to do this initiative. Now he has peddled back to say otherwise. Myron has to stop always trying to excel through creating confusion.
Obviously delusional and an NDP crone. Not saying that 600k couldn’t have been better spent but that pier park could have been twice the size for the amount of money the stole. Sorry. overspent.
The difference is that we have a pier park that is operational with major cruise lines signing 15 year berthing agreements and calling to our shores, something prior administrations struggled with and couldn’t get off the ground. The pier park is the best thing that happened to the BVI in over 20 years and that is a fact.
I am hearing persons celebrating that a medical school is coming to the BVI but I ask if the school will be an asset to our community and economy like the Minister is saying. My research of the school he has selected has stated otherwise. Which for me validates the due diligence that was done by Fahie in the consultancy contract. It isn’t everything that glitters is gold.
What is concerning is that the person that was doing to consultancy was actually, at the time, pushing for an offshore school that had no credibility and that he worked for. The conflicts of interests are high to say the least. Hon Walwyn put legislation in place, established a Board, of which the Chairman was approved by the house of assembly, and that Board in turn did its due diligence and was able to get a school that is much needed in the Territory. If the $600k consultation was so necessary, then some type of legislative framework should have at least gone to Cabinet for approval.
Let us forget Fahie for a bit and let us ask Myron what took him 8 yrs to do this initiative seeing that when he got in he said he was told what to do and he did it for free. My answer is that he used the same information that was there in the ministry prior and will never admit it publicly.
The only party that ever seems to be ‘for the people’ is the one not yet elected. Once elected, the roles reverse and those they fought for are immediately forgotten in the fight for the anything left in the ‘cookie jar’. Ironic, repetitive, and a not so funny thing!
And it looks like people expect to be elected claiming “I have a plan”, so far I have not heard anything from any side how they are planning to fix the mess we are in.
I don’t believe anything Myron says.
You sound crazy! What would a consultancy really do? Walwyn put legislation in place to deal with the applications, vetting and operations of medical schools, it’s not rocket science and $600K not needed.
The Minister spent his own money because government didn’t have the to pay the consultants so he went ahead and use his personal money and then ask us to find the files pertaining to the first university consultation found it at the ministry of Education and it’s all there it was a choice of spending the or letting it go
It’s concerning that there are more of you on this island. How do we grow, how do we progress when we have so many fools like yourself?
Very smart!
It seems that Accountability and Transparency is not important to Fahie since he’s no longer holding a Ministry.
Federal Investigation Launched – No answer of what the findings were and if the allegations were basless.
Race car study – Over 100K spent and nothing resulted from it
Medical School Study – Initial Contract $500k. Ended up spending $600K. No report submitted to Cabinet of a legal framework (Which was part of their responsibilities) to entertain an offshore institution. No results
Neighbourhood Projects – Hundreds of thousands spent and some churches can’t see a dime and no results.
All Fahie does is put the blame on the Ministry workers and not himself.
This is craziness. If you demand accountability now, answer for all these things under your leadership.
Obviously you are one of Myron paid bloggers but these gossip and distraction will not work. Everyone that challenges Myron whether his side or not you and others that are brain washed by him are always out in numbers trying to discredit such persons. This will not work this time so save your energy.
If you cannot produce the results of the money spent then you need to be added to the crazy list. Why are we quick to defend Andrew when he screams corruption, but the second he is asked to defend his position on his wasteful spending, then “brainwashed” people like yourself come with some excuse and no answers. Come with the facts and none of these round the world antics.
Myron and his cronies think that they can discredit Fahie but the majority of people knows better. Clearly Fahie is a threat to this NDP gang from retaining their grip on our lives and our money. They are the most corrupt government ever in the BVI.
not against any schooling that benefits the local people. Setting up a medical school for who- for what? that aids the locals how?
How about HVAC, Auto repair, Home improvement, fleet maintenance, cooking schools, police academy and lastly “how to run for office” recall current gov’t officials. Things ALL the people need to learn about.
So why the F you don’t get your a** up and bring one of these schools in? The Government is NOT starting a medical school. They put the legislation in place to accept them operating in the BVI which means revenue for locals in the form of taxis, rentals, apartments, bars, restaurants etc. If their families visit them then even more so. For you to ask how a school catering mainly to wealthy foreigners and opened to locals can benefit us really says it all about you and how small your mind is.
What is government doing about this toxic waste that we are breathing in at Pick Wood Pond? Is the NDP going to let us die? Whose looking into this? How will the medical school help this?
It is sad that we have come to this but let’s not forget it’s Fahie and crew that started this whole thing about corruption and transparency so we cannot have it one way. If we are demanding full disclosure, let’s do it for ALL! Let the chips fall where they may!
That is why Myron was relentless to have the Technical School up and running and was also crucified for it.
Hon. Fahie I am sorry but that explanation is lame. You spent 600k of our money to a consultant to tell you whether we should medical schools here? Even Montserrat have medical school and their volcano erupt whenever it feel like. What nonsense are you telling us that it was common sense to do so? The steps outlined by Hon. Walwyn was exactly what needed to be done. Have be legal framework in place. Put a board with experienced people and they will do the vetting of the schools. Simple as that. Total nonsense.
Stop blogging under different names. We will not fall for this game anymore. Myron has d——— the BVI and the NDP and these political games of his and your foolish post will not work. Tell Myron to go get our millions back including that $1.8 million dollar unaccounted for school wall.
Yes sah! Every time these liars talk about this high school wall it goes up by 200k. Now the wall is at 1.8M. Do I hear 2M, 2.2M,2.4M going once, going twice… and VIP liars? No one?
Did Fahie mean it was common sense or a rip off or ripping us off was common sense? Help me. I confused.
Myron and his cronies thinks that Fahie is like he and them and that wall ———– off the people.
Please explain this to us Mr. Transparency and accountability. And while you’re at tell us about the Neigbourhood project between you and C—— C—- please.
A member of one of the very prominent families which has given this country a chief minister was one of the beneficiaries of that medical school consultancy. Hope it sweeted him.
That’s the best of Myron and his gang. They think everyone is like them
The facts are NDP never wanted anything that VIP started to go forward or succeed.# Biwater and the Greenhouse. NDP has the record for the number of consultancies and have the audacity to talk about medical school consultancy. Only a fool will allow this to distract them from the fact that NDP during the last 8 years has been the worst government in BVI history. The facts are our Premier has failed us to the point that his own party members have publicly and privately questioned his ability to lead. This is a first ever in the history of the BVI. Facts. NDP have been a huge disappointment just take a look at their manifesto aka the book of lies. This election will prove just how smart or corrupt we are as a people. What have they done to show that they really deserve another term?
Whenever there’s a request from Fahie to explain his record he calls it a distraction. Does this sound like someone who really wants transparency and accountability?
What you need to do is learn to tell the truth and stop posting what was given to you. Myron has never explained none of his millions of dollars especially the wall.
Whenever something that Fahie did comes up he talks about how long ago it was. Really? So if you do something bad it changes the wrong because it happen some years ago? Fahie never explains anything expect coming with some round the world story. Hon Fahie, explain this money l——— story and this 600k story to the public please. Don’t talk about being transformed. We are not interested in that. Come explain and tell the truth. We know the truth part is hard for you but try your darnest. Fingers crossed for you.
Fahie has no files with him when he left the Ministry 8yrs ago so he can only explain from memory. That’s why this is foolishness. I worked with both Myron and Fahie. They are both “go getters”. However Fahie works within the rules and the budget. Myron does all kinds of things —— the office with no s———– nor a——— and then come to the office and informs the technocrats and force them to do things against their —- and ——- to the rules especially the financial —–. I will take Fahie as Premier over Myron every and any day. All Myron is doing here is trying to create doubt in the people’s mind about Fahie but it will not work. The majority of us knows better.
Myron has a few very rude cronies that think that they can swear and intimidate anyone who doesn’t support him but this election those kind of fear tactics will not work. Myron has divided this country forever.
We want a new party…None of the above because they’re both toxic
Gratitude is a characteristic not an item that money can purchased. Common Sense is an open mind not a closed mind. Education is not capitalizing on ignorance it is educating the public without fancy words. The Ministry of Education provided a school for students to learn although not under the best of circumstances-Now can one Minister operate a system. Where is the role of each teacher, each education officer, each administrator, each parent,each grandparent, each student? Teachers were paid full salaries pay was not cut, all civil servants were paid.We need to stop some of the nonsense. Some of us do not function in our role but we pointing fingers.
Who is EFFECT INCORPORATED that did this consultancy work for FAHIE…If Google doesn’t have it. This must be a bogus Company or Fahie people firm who filled their pockets – that rip us off of 600,000 just like BVI airways. If you ask me, NO POLITICIAN BETTER THAN THE OTHER. I don’t care how many scriptures they quote and mention the great God of the Universe.
You are just like M—– speaking without facts just to try to destroy who you hate. If If you read Fahie’s response you would have realized that the process was done independent of the Minister but you are busy trying to win Premier for M—- at ALL cost so your —- plot has no limit.
@ “BVI Born” must be a fool, google the thousands of IBCs in the BVI you won’t find their names but that does not mean that the companies don’t exist.
is this tit for tat going to show us how this so-called Medical school will benefit the BVI (based on regional countries such as SVG and Dominica, they do more harm than good)! If these two want to spar take it to a boxing ring otherwise get on with making the BVI great again guys!
The course of action by Fahie was common sense and business sense because this is more that just bringing a medical school to the BVI. There’s a lot of other factors that must be considered. Medical schools have done more harm than good to many Caribbean islands and they can get your country blacklisted. So I see Myron as an instigator of mis—– but then nothing is new.
You can tell that all these post in Myron favor and against Fahie is a plot. It is the same gang posting and pressing like when it is in Myron favor and pressing plenty dislike when it is in Fahie favor. Clearly this is a stated attempt once again by Myron to try to discredit Fahie so he can try to paint him as dishonest and unaccountable so that we the public can select Myron as Premier over Fahie. But we know better and this will not work.
A hole comments galore. Best of bvi.