BVI News

UK now wants BVI to hand over control of finances in exchange for £300M loan guarantee

Fahie

The United Kingdom wants local government to relinquish control of the territory’s financial portfolio in exchange for the £300 million loan guarantee it had promised to the British Virgin Islands.

This is according to Premier and Minister of Finance Andrew Fahie in a statement on August 16. He described the situation as one the most crucial the BVI has ever faced.

“At present, what the UK Government is demanding in order for it to provide its guarantee is for the Virgin Islands to basically hand over almost full control of the management of the territory’s finances to the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), which was set up at the request of the UK Government,” Premier Fahie stated.

Demands a result of NDP’s mismanagement

The Premier also said this stringent request from the UK Government is a direct result of what he said are the many mismanaged practices and projects under the previous NDP administration.

Listing some of these projects such as the botched BVI Airways deal whereby the BVI lost $7.2 million, Premier Fahie said the previous administration often violated the Protocols Effective Financial Management agreement signed between the BVI and the UK back in 2012.

“May I say that it is unfair and unjust for the UK Government to seek to penalise the people of the Virgin Islands and this new Government on the basis of the actions of a past government – an administration that the people have rejected and voted out of office – without the UK Government and its representatives having exercised their roles in getting those matters investigated and properly ventilated,” the Premier stated.

He further said: “There is a widespread perception that this failure by the UK officials to act swiftly and to have these matters probed was deliberate and designed to hold the door open for the UK Government to impose certain conditions contained in the high-level framework for UK Support to BVI Hurricane Recovery.”

Meetings to be had

Premier Fahie also assured the public that they will be kept updated with the matter as a number of public meetings will be had in the near future.

The first scheduled meeting is set for 7 pm on Tuesday, August 20 at the Eileene L Parsons Auditorium located at the H Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay.

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91 Comments

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  1. Roam says:

    Clarity please? does the UK want us to turn over the monies generated locally from taxes and financial services or just the monies from the loan?

    Like 18
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    • Blah says:

      Reading is fundamental. They don’t want the money. They want to make the RDA the ministers of finance basically. Why go out to vote just to have people that were not elected making all the financial decisions that affect the territory. The same prejudices that affect government can affect the members of the RDA. Being a member of the RDA does not exempt them from human nature and does not make them incorruptible or flawless.

      Like 27
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      • Jal says:

        @Blah: Because both the NDP and VIP Government have showed little regard for honesty when it comes to the public purse. Meanwhile The fat cats are getting fatter.

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      • belonger says:

        blah, you are talking trash and don’t have a clue, why don’t you just shut the hell up and stop spreading fake news. The RDA is a government crested agency to facilitate the loan guarantee, the government decides what project they want to implement, the Agency goes through a procurement process which is without nepotism, corruption and government influence for fair and transparent tendering process. Since, when that is such a bad thing for these islands.

        Like 14
      • Anonymous says:

        https://www.facebook.com/314449142944/posts/10156832796342945/
        Statement by Governor Jaspert on the UK loan guarantee.

    • Loan says:

      Sounds like loan monies only

      Like 15
      Dislike 5
      • Anonymous says:

        Sorry to say that you are a very dumb and stupid with your rant – If you could do BETTER why didn’t you RUN for the HIGHER OFFICE IN THE BVI –
        THE BRITS ARE LEAVING THE EU – AND TALK IS THAT THEY SEE THINGS COMING THAT MIGHT CREATE A FINANCIAL PROBLEM FOR THE BRITS – SO HERE THEY COME NOW TO COME BACK WANTING TO CONTROL. WHO SENT THEM TO THE EU – THAT IS A CHANGE THEY WANTED, DON’T COME NOW BLAMING BVI – YES THEY GAVE A HELPING HAND BUT THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN CONTROL IN THE BVI. THEY NOW WANT TO PUT THEIR PAWS DEEP INTO THE COOKIE JAR BECAUSE THEY SEE PROBLEMS AHEAD FOR THEM. THEY ARE AND HAVE BEEN BENEFITED FROM WHAT EVER GAINS THE BVI DO AND MAKE. THEY JUST WANT IT ALL NOW – THEY WANT IT ALL THEY SEE SO MUCH GAINS AND THEY WANT IT ALL – WHEN THEY HELPED THE BVI THEY HAD AND ALWAYS HAD THEIR HAND IN THE POCKETS OF THE BVI. THEY WILL NEVER SAY THAT THEY NEED OUR HELP BUT INSTEAD TURNING THE TABLE TO MAKE THEMSELVES LOOK STRONGH AND PLACE A LOT OF FEAR.

        WHY DO YOU THINK THEY PUT IN PLACE SOMEONE FROM THERE TO OVER SEE THE PRIEMER AND THEY THEN CONTINUE STACKING THEIR PEOPLE IN PLACE. IT IS NO ONE FAULT THAT MARIA/IRMA CAME DOWN ON THE ENTIRE REGION – USVI, BVI AND OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS IN THE PATH OF A DISASTER HIRRICANR THAT TRULY DISTROYED AN ENTIRE CABRIBBEAN ISLAND – NOW WHO IS REAPPING THE BENEFITS IN THEIR COME BACK – WHO WHOLE ARM IS IN THE COOKIE JAR THERE. DIRTY AND UGLY AGAIN TYING THE HANDS OF THOSE NATIVES WHO KEEP THE ISLAND INTACT UNTIL MARIA/IRMA – DON’T BLAME THOSE WHO HAD NO CONTROL.
        JUST WATCH WHAT THEY SAY AND DEFINITELY WHAT THEY DO AND THEIR MOVEMENTS.
        LEAVING THE EU FOR THE BRITS WILL BE DIFFICULT – ITY IS BEING SPOKEN ABOUT ALREADY. IT WILL NOT BE A SMOOTH TRANSACTION – FAR FROM EASY – WHEN THEY ASSISTD IN DISASTER FUNDS THEY HAD A PLAN TO COME BACK WITH IN HOLDING THE BVI’S FOOT TO THE FIRE – JUST ANOTHER ICE PICK.

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        • ROFL says:

          You make no sense at all. The BVI is a cost and complication the UK really does not need right now. There is nothing to be gained by the UK in funding the RDA and then backing up the loans to rebuild the BVI other than trying to make the BVI viable for itself (therefore not a financial liability). Two years on and we have no schools and crumbling infrastructure while the very politicians of the two gangs who have spent all the money that should have been there and that should have provided a resilient infrastructure now try (successfully it seems with some) to pull the wool over people’s eyes for their own political and financial gain at the BVI’s expense.

          There’s no excuse or hiding – we are a tiny population on a tiny group of islands with budgets having been in the hundreds of millions every year – where’s it gone? Clearly not on educations, schools, healthcare, roads, airports, water, internet, libraries, preserving cultural monuments or on public recreation spaces. And it’s not sitting there in the BVI’s coffers.

    • Finally says:

      Finally the Brits are going to take over. Hallelujah !! The African cannot manage money. Only steal it. The Brits want honest and clarity. Those words don’t exist in the Belongers vocabulary. This is a long time coming and is only the beginning. As the Territory losses the financial sector there will be nothing to steal from. Thus the Brits want protection of the loan guarantees. The end is coming fro the African thieves both past and present.

      Like 14
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      • @Finally says:

        The Brits stole human beings, gold, diamonds and ther resources from Africa for centuries and never paid pence for nothing.

        That is a thiefing history to me.

        The Brits stole all of the resources from India and never paid a pence for any.

        That sounds like thiefing to me.

        The Brits stole and kidnapped human beings, trnsported them to the BVI and forced them to work and produce wealth. Tey are yet to pay their offspring one pence.

        They instead built their cities, banking aand investment institutions, economic and military establishments, while leaving the wealth generators to eat shit and drink piss for sustanance. Not a good measure of a human peoson.

        So go on and hope for limey to come back. How dare you place your moral equivalents upon our people?

        Like 28
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      • Optimist says:

        Finally. Your sounding like one of the slave divers who raped and stole from the African Kings & Queens. Wow! Are you serious?…….African thieves? I hope you don’t live in our B.V.I.

    • Me says:

      Sounds like they want to give financial assistance but want to be jn charge of how it is used

      Like 11
    • Hmmm says:

      Premier Fahie you would go down as one of the worst leaders in the Virgin Islands history. You clearly came into office with out a plan and you are blaming the previous administration for everything except your weight. You also have a serious problem with the truth and your credibility is approaching
      a slippery slope.

      I voted for your team and I am not afraid to say I am very disappointed with your approach thus far. STOP the fr…ing blame game and lets get on with the people’s business.

      Like 39
      Dislike 6
    • Anonymous says:

      Who are you to make such a statement – if you are not from the BVI and feel so bias about these Africans in office then go back to where things can be better. If you are not one of We – Then you need to be shown where to get a boat back to your home and be as critical as you stated but you are still there making money on the backs of those Africans to whom you say can’t manage money.

      Like 4
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  2. My take says:

    BVI needs to come together to secure our futrue from this economic attempt to take us over.

    Like 22
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    • Well says:

      To me the RDA has a role to play but to have them running as if they are saints and only putting a microscope on central government is unfair. The RDA needs more checks and balances and they should not be allowed to monitor themselves as is the case for the most part.

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      • NOT SO says:

        The RDA reports to the Office of the Premier and doesn’t monitor themselves. They have a very stringent, reporting system and their monthly reports are published online for public review.

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      • Hmmm says:

        No one is saying that. THe RDA is only managing the loan guarantee. Not the country’s entire finance portfolio. Once again, you cannot trust the Premier.

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    • Research says:

      Has anyone researched what is happening in the UK and what all has happened? If so you will agree that they are not the one to speak on good governance and accountability. They are using their military power to intimidate us and bully us. We MUST stand up for our rights in the BVI.

      Like 17
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      • @Research says:

        Stand up for our rights in the BVI? People here is to damn timid in the BVI to stand up for their rights. The BVI is all about pleasing who they know and who can do favors for them. No experience but cousin, sister, aunt and uncle getting jobs just cause. No wonder the Country is in shambles. Maybe England need to take for a while.

        Like 31
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      • PROBLEMS says:

        But you still want their money. They are right in what they asked for. I did not trust the past goverment nor this new one.

        Like 10
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  3. PEOPLE says:

    Stay awoke. The UK is in confusion and losing revenue so it will try to take ours in the BVI and every other overseas territory revenues to make up for their losses from leaving Brexit.

    Like 19
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  4. YOUTH says:

    I always had an eye on this governor.

    Like 10
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    • But says:

      You have to be very careful introducing the truth to the Black man, who has never previously heard the truth about him.

      The Black man and BVIslander is so brainwashed that he may reject the truth when he first hears it. You have to drop a little bit on him at a time, and wait a while to let that sink in before advancing to the next step.

      The Black mind of the BVI is not ready to understand or pursue the concepts of self-determination. He is like dog attached to his master. He will always be subservient to his master.

      Many BVIslanders would rather die of suicide before learning to stand up on their own two feet and chart their own course forward without the ropes of their colonial master (UK) wrapped around their necks, except in this case wrapped around their minds.

      Like 8
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  5. History says:

    They left us to be a bird sanctuary in the BVI when they thought we had no future. Now in a modern way they are back trying to take us over for their selfish means.

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  6. strupes says:

    Ah glad!!!! because when he was in the opposition he ANDREW voted “YES” for the same RDA. He played crook and left MITCH, FRASER and DELORES out in the cold by themselves. Those 3 were the only ones that voted “NO”. He didn’t know it would’ve came back to haunt him.

    Like 34
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    • @strupes says:

      I remembered Fahie asking many of the same things that are back up for discussion now and the then Premier assured him that the UK has agreed to address them. Now that Fahie is Premier then he can see for himself that it isn’t so. That is why I respect his move to come back to the people. I am with him on this one and so should most of us.

      Like 6
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  7. One way says:

    We must stick together to fight to keep our BVI in our hands so that future generations can have something to build on.

    Like 11
    Dislike 8
  8. Public Servant says:

    I will drop this here that the same public servants that help destroy the integrity of the BVI in government has been protected by the same people who want to take us over and also give them a promotion to assist them to do so through the RDA.

    Like 11
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    • Not So says:

      You sound bitter. The public officers at the RDA are ensuring the recovery happens to the greater benefit of the Territory. We are one BVI

      Like 15
      Dislike 5
  9. vip heckler says:

    I could recall this same individual voting with the then government in favor of having this RDA board presence here in the BVI. So why is he bawling now????

    Like 38
    Dislike 6
    • Truth Sayer says:

      @VIP heckler: I agree with you that the now Premier voted on the legislation that governs the formation and function of the RDA. Why did he not speak out to the public than?

      Like 12
  10. No joke says:

    This is not about Fahie. This is about the BVI. We must stop this economic take over or all of us in the BVI will be put back into a major form of slavery. Let us come together on this issue.

    Like 8
    Dislike 21
  11. Hear me says:

    I am asking the people of the BVI not to play politics with this matter but to stick with the Premier or history will repeat itself and not in the favor of the people of the BVI. All this is is a modernized way of the new era of slavery. Becareful BVI.

    Like 10
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    • Derek Gumbs AXA says:

      Henry Steel states that, “the expansion of England – not of English rule alone…but for English law, institutions and culture – is, all in all, the most remarkable achievement of any one nation in recorded history”. This said, is undoubtedly a marvel of the British Empire. However, as we search for a parallel contrast contextually, we sight categorically the suffering and unforgiving merciless depravity of the Blackman out of all human species labeled as the more underachieved of any one human mass recorded in history. As England remains a specimen for our analysis, we have come with great admiration of “this little fog-bound island off the northern coast of Europe that spread its wings across Africa, Asia and the New World. By extension England went along to win over her rivals and extend her power, plant her institutions, impress her character on every continent and the islands of the seas.

  12. Reply says:

    The Premier imo has a tendency to speak in hyperbole. Consequently, one cannot take his word on it’s own when he speaks, and that is unfortunate.

    Is the U.K. really demanding that “the Virgin Islands basically hand over almost full control of the management of the territory’s finances” as in ALL of the country’s finance in order to guarantee the $300 million loan OR is the U.K. insisting as it relatives to the $300 million loan that the management of such funds be handled by the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA)?

    Thre is a significant difference between those two propositions, but the way the Premier is presenting this as a choice between given away our freedoms if the money is accepted, I personally highly doubt.

    Unfortunately, I do not believe a word the way the Premier is spinning this.

    I think what the U.K. most likely told his government that as it relates to the $300 million guarantee, they the U.K. want that money to be under the supervision of RDA. All of this other stuff, I am not buying.

    On another note, I highly doubt the U.K. said to him: Mr. Premier, we are demanding the control of most of the territories finances in exchange for the guarantee of this $300 million loan because of NDP mismanagement. I really highly doubt that was stated.

    I wish I could believe him, but I simply don’t believe him on either counts. That is something I would expect Donald Trump to say because he simply cannot tell the truth.

    While I am not privy to what has been said, my common sense tells me this is all about control of the $300 million dollars solely.

    The fight here is over how that $300 million will be spent. A lot of palms are itching to get their hands on it without conditions.

    There are some who would like to just get the money and spend as they wish, and others who want the RDA to control the spending. I personally believe that the RDA should control the spending of those funds given our government history of financial mismanagement collectively.

    If the RDA does not control how that money is spent, one day we will be hearing /reading about mismanagement of that $300 million.

    If anyone recalls, the previous NDP government, despite their ultimate acceptance, similarly was not trilled to have the RDA control the spending of the $300 million dollars, as they too appear to have wanted to control the spending themselves.

    The Premier should be reminded that the VIP’s hands has not been clean when it comes to mismanagement of the territories finances as it was the VIP own history of mismanagement of country’s finances that led up the requirement by the U.K, for the institution of financial protocols on the country. Some people have selective amnesia, but others like myself have elephant memory.

    In other words, the VIP has no room to point fingers when it comes to the mismanagement of the territories funds as they are equally as guilty.

    Indeed, every minute they needed money to do something they were hitting up the Social Security fund and using it as a piggy bank, a practice the NDP continued.

    Thus, if the U.K, is making demands for its loan guarantee, it is doing so after looking at the way the country has spent money historically under both governments.

    Don’t be hoodwinked people with all this hyperbole and blame game coming from the Premier. I don’t know what the goal here is, but in my view this is a simple matter and not the freedom give away being presented by the Premier.

    Bottom line: If the Virgin Islands want the loan, they cannot demand the loan terms. Beggars can’t be choosers. Our government for years have mismanagement funds collectively, and the U.K. is rightly demanding some conditions in exchange for that loan guarantee, because they know how things go down in these neck of the woods.

    Our government has an option. It can accept the loan, or walk away from the table. The ball is in your court Mr. Premier.

    Now, as it relates the loan itself, the estimated damage to the territory after the storms was some where about $5 Billion. The fact that U.K. only offered a $300 million guaranteed loan says all one needs to know about the way the U.K. feels about their relationship with BVI.

    Unlike our neighbor in the U.S.V.I who were
    similarly affected by the storms, and got federal funds from the U.S. government, our mother country extended a loan than no where approached the cost to the estimated damage to the country.

    Not only that the previous government, NDP, had to fight for that pittance of cash to begin as the thinking was after the storm on the U.K’s part, was that the country was too rich to qualify for any other disaster funding.

    So, when the powers that be think our relationship with the U.K., they should think:

    1. We are in this position because of our own misdeeds, specifically mismanagement as a country of our finances, and

    2. Our mother country is NOT giving us anything for free.

    Reflect upon that the next time you waive the British Flag.

    Like 104
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    • To Reply says:

      A long post talking piddle. Go do proper research.

      Like 9
      Dislike 62
    • Thorough Assessment says:

      I appreciate the wisdom you brought to this conversation. What you are saying is factual.

      Like 43
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    • Albion says:

      I must admit, what the Premier is saying is pretty hard to swallow. Maybe he should publish EXACTLY what the UK government said (minus all the political spin) and we can judge for ourselves. But the way he expresses it, it just sounds like more “politricks”.

      Like 57
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    • Dman says:

      Sounds like you should be the Premier but maybe you have too much common sense. As to the U.S.V.I., they have a different relationship with the U.S. government. The B.V.I. can’t expect to be independent only when it suits the TERRITORY but it should have control of its own tax revenue. Just one opinion.

      a

      Like 5
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    • Reply says:

      Just to clarify and important fact, that 300 million we speak of is in pounds. Given the current exchange rate, we are speaking of a loan guarantee of approximately $364 million U.S. dollars.

      Like 18
    • Spinning says:

      You don’t b piece the premier or the manner he in which this is presented because you don’t believe the premier. You have no way of proving that what he said is fact you have no way of asking the brits for the evidence but wrote a Long drivel full of your opinions and hyperbole. Then again you may gut be closer to situation than you want the readers to know. And that has been a tactic, strategy that’s common to some who wishes to regain/retain certain control. At present the ?? is at a crossroad and they must make decision for their future. Desperate time demands many demands

      Dislike 14
    • @ Reply says:

      Your comment is SPOT ON.

      Like 10
      Dislike 1
  13. NDP says:

    STOP CASTING BLAME…..THAT IS ALL HE IS DOING SINCE WINNING THE PREMIERSHIP…..SEEMS LIKE HE NEVER HAD A PLAN…..HE THOUGHT THAT SEAT WAS A BED OF ROSES BUT HIS SHIP IS BEGINNING TO TAKE ON WATER…..BON VOYAGE !!!!!

    Like 45
    Dislike 9
  14. I wonder says:

    I wonder how our ancestors got enslaved. Then I realised it was from the slave masters doing then what is being done today. Put us against each other so that they could capture us. All I will say is BVI stay AWOKE!

    Like 6
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  15. No excuse says:

    We need to understand that united we stand abd divided we will fall. The UK is no saint is all I will say.

    Like 8
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  16. Totally agree says:

    I think he is in over his head. He played dirty for the seat, now he got the seat. England is going to get what they demand.

    Like 30
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  17. Can trump buy us says:

    I want Trump buy us instead of Greenland (I know they not selling) but can we be a US territory instead? Complete these Virgin Islands and tell UK kick rocks?

    Like 11
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  18. vip heckler says:

    The VIP wants to control the money so that they could give out no-bid contracts willy-nilly to party supporters

    Like 41
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  19. Facts says:

    Nobody but the Dr. Smith, Mark, Hubert and Myron wanted the RDA. The members of the HOA were being pressured to make a decision based on a tight deadline and desperate situation after the floods and hurricanes. Vote no and miss the deadline and don’t get the much needed assistance that the territory desperately needed or vote yes blindly with little information that only Dr.Smith knew about and lock the territory into the mess we now face. Even NDP members were against RDA but it was desperate times and Fahie and the others buckled under the pressure because the destruction from the 2 hurricanes left us is a vulnerable position. A lot of people were also pressuring their representatives to vote yes because they thought it was only about choosing the best contracts, value for money etc when they could not have known the full terms of the RDA when not even the then HOA knew.

    Like 10
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  20. Edu says:

    What are we missing here? What do they want? What is the long term agenda?

    Why do we need The UK to guarantee, even if the NDP poorly management our affairs.

    Who else is willing to provide Us with loans without the UK Guarantee?

    What is the min, can we function with
    out those loans, can the income generated from tourism/Finances….keep the VI moving fwd.

    Why are the UK/EU interested in the VI.

  21. History says:

    The BVI Governments – BOTH NDP and VIP have mismanaged the money for 20 years or more. If they hadn’t the country would have a healthy surplus. I am guessing (as there isn’t enough details in the press release) the U.K. would like oversight to make sure the BVI can pay back it’s loans with its dwindling income and the income is not wasted by people with sticky fingers.
    Personally I think the statement is ambiguous and designed to fan flames of us and them whilst not taking responsibility for why the request is being made.
    The whole BVI government needs a forensic audit and those shown not to be acting in the interests of its country should be fired.

    Like 25
    • Blah says:

      NDP signed the laws for good financial governance that were agreed with the UK then turned around and broke the same laws. Fahie and Fraser brought this up many times during the 8 years on opposition. NDP never listened and only got more stubborn when the people gave them that second term. Before NDP divided into 2 parties their members challenged Dr Smith publically to hand over the ministry of finance position because he wasn’t doing a good job. It wasn’t only biased VIP supporters that saw the ship sinking. The former governor spoke out about the mismanagement publicly before he left. The UK reps warned the NDP in leaked letters. This isn’t a new story this was happening under NDP’s watch and the opposition spoke about it for years so don’t act like This is something Fahie pulling out of thin air after it is well documented.

      Like 3
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  22. RDA is very expensive says:

    The RDA has a big personnel and salary base and to my knowledge has completed no significant projects since Irma. The huge overhead that is the RDA could be more expensive to the BVI than the usual ‘nepotism’. How much of the UKP300m be RDA overheads rather than projects? ie the BVI taxpayer will end up paying back a loan for salaries and administration!

    Like 7
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    • UK paying says:

      The UK is frustrated that the Recovery of the BVI has been blocked by Smith and his cronies and now Fahie and his. The RDA is set up to get the BVI going again, using better more resilient methods and to stop the procurement fraud of the past. BVI contractors and business could be already making money and getting proper training but the while thing has been held back by ridiculous innuendo and politrics.

  23. ??? says:

    I see nothing unreasonable about the UK’s request. If your son lives in your apartment and has been wasting tons of money, then comes to you for help when he goes broke, would you give him more money without conditions?

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    • @??? says:

      Dumb reasoning. Our economy is ours, built by us. It belongs to the UK not. They did not build our economy for us, we did it ourselves. Go study.

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      • UKtaxpayer says:

        BVI is your country and economy That has been troubled by corruption for years yet you want my money without any checks and balances is that correct? pass go find the money elsewhere

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        • @UKtaxpayer says:

          Look at the history of your country and there you will find all the corruption and ills of human.

          Your country and its inhabitants taught the world corruption. You are the pioneers of corr.uption thief and cooption..

          So we got yah!

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  24. Robert says:

    An Independent BVI is an option.

    Dump British Colonialism.

    Like 6
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    • Anonymous says:

      You have to be very careful introducing the truth to the Black man, who has never previously heard the truth about him.

      The Black man and BVIslander is so brainwashed that he may reject the truth when he first hears it. You have to drop a little bit on him at a time, and wait a while to let that sink in before advancing to the next step.

      The Black mind of the BVI is not ready to understand or pursue the concepts of self-determination. He is like dog attached to his master. He will always be subservient to his master.

      Many BVIslanders would rather die of suicide before learning to stand up on their own two feet and chart their own course forward without the ropes of their colonial master (UK) wrapped around their necks, except in this case wrapped around their brains.

      • Please says:

        Total nonsense do you see us begging the UK for anything. We are a proud people who have built a strong heritage of hard work and progress. But with bad leadership in recent years, we are been undermined.

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  25. Both says:

    Both NDP and VIP is to blame for our financial mess. Actually VIP have been in power longer than NDP so I give them more responsibility with their ‘hand in the cookie jar mentality ‘.

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  26. Anonymous says:

    Tell the UK to go h**l

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  27. Well Sir says:

    I often wonder if you get a good night sleep after you were elected Priemer. You are now the leader of the Country and you are responsible for everything that goes on in the Country.

    Like 10
  28. AMH says:

    So really what is it? One news site says, “Control of the RDA funds”. Another says,” full control of the territory’s financial portfolio”.
    Is it so hard for one to say exactly what it is? Or is it like when a shot in the foot turned into knocking on death’s door? LOL

  29. No says:

    Independence.

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  30. Anonymous says:

    Belief by us that the European has a divine duty to tell us what to do, and we have the divine duty to accept what they say is one of the problems that we have.

    And until the day we decide to liberate ourselves, to decolonize our minds, we are going to continue to embrace the kind of politics that have birthed the RDA,, which is an external political economic instrument of the UK , which will only perpetuate further external rule of our affairs, financial and others, by the United European Kingdom.

    The UK does not have the moral or universal right to take over our economy or any other part of our existence.

    We must stand up to them and defend our rights to be and remain masters and controllers of our own destiny. This is our inalienable God given right to do so. They are not our supreme rulers. Such thinking is puritanically out dated.

    Historically, for the last century and a half since they left us to eat rock stone and sand for breakfast lunch and dinner, while they ran back to England with their blood and death stained riches.

    We built, without their assistance, this economy from the dirt up to where it is today. How dare you come now to claim and control as yours?

    Unfortunately, many of our colonialized minds are giving them the go ahead to take control of our economy and political sovereignty. We must not allow that.

    • @ Anonymous says:

      I know it is a serious matter, but your line with .”..left us to eat rock stone and sand..” had me laughing out loud. If we ever get around to creating a VI nowel prize you deserve an award.

      • #@@Anonymous says:

        Loll. You’ll find me when you do. People do not want to see or realize the insidious pernicious evil that are facing us.

  31. Anonymous says:

    We must warn ourselves. We must no delude ourselves. The earthward colonial master is alive and well, subterranean and pernicious to the core. Don’t delude yourself current BVI leaders.

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  32. Boy Andrew says:

    You got your hands full with the problems.You are just a local boy up against the big boys in the UK. If the UK want, they can take over the BVI lock,stock and barrel. The UK have the power to change the American dollar back to the British pound.I can almost bet they are going to get what they are asking for. Remember,the UK and America is allighs.

    Like 5
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    • To Boy Andrew says:

      No, they are not going to get what they want. You might be scared but we VIslanders are not. We made it this far without help from the UK, and we will continue to make it. UK need to look about their alimony from the EU, that’s what they need to be doing and stop bullying the BVI relentlessly. And then either recall or recuit you back to the UK, since you like to be up under them so much.

      Like 5
      Dislike 2
    • To Boy Andrew says:

      No, they are not going to get what they want. You might be scared but we VIslanders are not. We made it this far without help from the UK, and we will continue to make it. UK need to look about their alimony from the EU, that’s what they need to be doing and stop bullying BVI relentlessly. And then either recall or recuit you back to the UK, since you like to be up under them so much.

      Like 3
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  33. Eva Town Rebel says:

    The same stick linking the wild goat is the same one licking the tame.

  34. Anonymous says:

    The UK does not have the moral or universal right to take over our economy or any other part of our existence.

    These are not the times when nations, UK, EU. IT. SP. FR. BE. SS. with the means went around the world taking and claiming lands hence (the BVI), and exterminating the people they met on them (the Caribs and Arawaks).

    Pople are not going to allow themselves to be taken over and openly ruled by anyone again.

    Further, should such doctrines show their ugly heads, there are alternative means to avert such, including revolution.

    Like 7
    Dislike 1
  35. Hmmmm says:

    We will have to go it alone and one building at a time. Let them keep their guarantee. We borrow limited amounts and seek donors for a full rebuild. Let us take our time and rebuild. We should get small loans. This assignation attempt by the NDP will die a slow death.

    Like 5
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  36. Unknown Sailor says:

    NO MATTER THE COST. THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT GO THROUGH WITH THIS DEAL!!!

    INTRICATE FUTURISTIC PLANS ARE IN PLACE TO PROVIDE A SELF SUFFICIENT PILLAR OF ECONOMIC INCOME FOR THE VIRGIN ISLAND PEOPLE BY ***********

    THAT PLAN WILL BE THWARTED BY THOSE COLONISTS IF THEY ARE IN CONTROL OF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR.

    WHATEVER YOU DO PREMIER. DO NOT FOLD!

    Like 3
    Dislike 3
  37. Hmm says:

    My problem is that it seems allegedly that the RDA is comprised of many persons who cause the board to be created in the first place.

    But you and your ministers who for the most part most of them are weak should have been able to work a compromise.

    But the smart people once again made elections a popularity contest and did not choose those who can stand on pillars of integrity and represent us.

    So we must all pay because majority rules. Both NDP and VIP of the past and some of the present is to blame for this predicament.

  38. Derek Gumbs says:

    Henry Steel states that, “the expansion of England – not of English rule alone…but for English law, institutions and culture – is, all in all, the most remarkable achievement of any one nation in recorded history”. This said, is undoubtedly a marvel of the British Empire. However, as we search for a parallel contrast contextually, we sight categorically the suffering and unforgiving merciless depravity of the Blackman out of all human species labeled as the more underachieved of any one human mass recorded in history. As England remains a specimen for our analysis, we have come with great admiration of “this little fog-bound island off the northern coast of Europe that spread its wings across Africa, Asia and the New World. By extension England went along to win over her rivals and extend her power, plant her institutions, impress her character on every continent and the islands of the seas.

  39. Belonger says:

    The UK conditions do not mandate that Government’s fiscal management (revenue or surplus), nor money from insurance settlements, must be deposited in the Recovery and Development Agency Trust.  Government fiscal management and proceeds from insurance and other government revenue is for the Government of the Virgin Islands to decide how best to spend.  The UK has only specified that investments and contributions (borrowing and donations) for recovery are financially managed by the RDA.   This is clearly reflected in the Recovery and Development Agency Act, 2018

  40. Belonger says:

    Governor debunks Premier’s claims that UK wants RDA to control public purse

    Governor Augustus Jaspert has debunked claims by Premier Andrew Fahie that the United Kingdom wants the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) to have virtually full control of the territory’s finances in exchange for the UK to fulfil its offer of granting the BVI a recovery loan guarantee of up to £300 million.

    “The UK Government has no intention that control of the management of public finances be transferred to the RDA,” Governor Jaspert said in a reactive statement late Monday, August 19.

    “Both (UK and BVI) were clear that the government of the Virgin Islands retains management of the territory’s finances and the policy direction of government as per the Virgin Islands’ Constitution. There is no change to this,” he added.

    Governor Jaspert noted that that the RDA is an agency of the Government of the Virgin Islands that was established by local legislation (the Recovery and Development Agency Act of 2018) for a precise purpose.

    He further made it clear that the UK’s conditions do not mandate that government’s fiscal management (revenue or surplus) or monies received from insurance settlements be deposited to the RDA.

    “Government fiscal management and proceeds from insurance and other government revenue are for the government of the Virgin Islands to decide how best to spend. The UK has only specified that investments and contributions (borrowing and donations) for recovery are financially managed by the RDA. This is clearly reflected in the Recovery and Development Agency Act, 2018,” he insisted.

    Other conditions are necessary

    In the meantime, the Governor said any other conditions set out by the United Kingdom for it to become the territory’s guarantor is necessary.

    “The UK Government set conditions around such support to ensure that all recovery measures are accountable and represent value for money and that the additional borrowing is sustainable. The conditions are linked to international financial best practice. By adhering to them, the government will simply be ensuring financing to the RDA is well managed,” he stated.

    “Similarly, any banks offering loans will want to set conditions on their use and repayment. This is good financial practice, ultimately ensuring value for money, accountability and transparency for the people of the Virgin Islands,” the governor reasoned.

    UK guarantee is a win for the BVI

    He also said both the UK and local government had already acknowledged that any new borrowing could cause the central government to remain temporarily out of compliance with the existing borrowing ratios under the Protocols for Effective Financial Management.

    He further said it was already been made clear that there are already arrangements facilitate this temporary breach and to get government back into compliance.

    “As the two year anniversary of Hurricane Irma approaches, whether the Government of the Virgin Islands decides to take, or not, the offer of a loan guarantee, I am pleased that the Premier is prioritizing the resolution of this issue.”

    Meetings

    The has been much public chatter since the Premier’s statement that the UK was fishing to give the RDA control of the public’s purse.

    Public meetings on the issue will begin on Tuesday (today) at 7 pm at the Paraquita Bay-based H Lavity Stoutt Community College.

  41. Interested says:

    Read the Governor’s response. In addition, the gentleman voted for the bill in the house of assembly. As I recall, at the time the only objectors were Hon Christopher, Hon Turnbull and Hon Fraser. I don’t want to hear him now.

  42. Anonymous says:

    GOOD FOR ARYOU NOW ARYOU KNOW IT’S NOT YOUR LAND

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