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by pltm
(PLTM) - The Opposition Leader, Hon. Andrew Fahie has reasons to believe that the United Kingdom (UK) is strategically placing persons in government departments to keep an eye on the spending of funds during the recovery stage.
Hon. Fahie told BVI Platinum News that while the discourse continues over the proposed Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency Act 2018, all that should be happening under that agency is already in action.
The proposed bill, which is set to be debated on Thursday, will bring into law the UK’s fiscal framework, allowing for the establishment of the BVI Recovery and Development Agency.
Hon. Fahie suggested that a Financial Advisor from the UK is expected to arrive soon, to work at the Ministry of Finance, which is headed by Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith.
“It’s happening already…We are seeing persons coming from abroad. Seems like they are from the United Kingdom or organization from the UK inside different government departments and statutory boards. You do not know if all of this is connected,” he charged.
He added, “There are persons in Public Works (Department), at the HLSCC, Ports Authority, at the Prison, and one soon to come as Financial Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, we are made to understand. The public doesn’t know these things. The question--were all these things agreed upon as part of the terms and conditions? We do not know.”
He believes that the sanctions attached to the $400M loan guarantee and grants from the UK is because the National Democratic Party (NDP) did not display restraint with the finances over the last six years.
“As representatives of the people, you cannot pass something because it sounds good, you have to know the repercussions; pros and cons. And the Premier has hid that from majority of persons in the House of Assembly, which I find to be very deceptive,” he expressed.
The First District Representative said that Premier Smith could have received all the support he needed, including from his members in the backbench, if he had only been honest from the outset.
“I am telling the Premier that he could have gotten a lot more done had he involved everyone from the initial stage last year…He never called a meeting with all 13 elected officials…although I have been calling for it,” according to Hon. Fahie.
He added, “It is only being called now because the Premier is in a jam and he needs the numbers to get this (legislation) pass for the UK.”
The Opposition Leader wants the public to pay keen attention to what is unfolding.
“I think that they should be concerned if they are following what is happening. Because if this is not a done in a manner that allows them to participate in a meaningful way of the economic spin off…,” he said.
Hon. Fahie continued, “Then what will happen now, we are going to lose our strength as people in the BVI and eventually lose everything because those who have the money are going to call the shots…We are in this jeopardy because of the poor negotiations.”
The UK has given the BVI government an April 1 deadline to have the legislation in place to access the loan guarantees.
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