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'These are not the times when only the Governor went to college'- Premier
Premier Fahie made the comments yesterday May 21, 2020, at a COVID-19 press conference, on the heels of statements from Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, who noted there is noting hampering the government from accessing funding.
No hamper to borrowing money - Gov Jaspert
Governor Jaspert suggested at his press conference that the Premier was essentially misleading the public over his concerns regarding the conditions of the Protocols hampering the government's COVID-19 economic package.
"I've not seen any evidence to indicate that they hamper the government's ability to bring forward an economic package for the people. From what I understand the BVI's reserves are in a healthy position, over $80M, according to the budget estimates announced late last year."
He said contrary to what was being suggested publicly by the Premier, that the conditions are a barrier to the government's ability to deliver an economic response to COVID-19, the VI also has the ability to flexibly agree with the UK to breach the protocols and borrow large amounts of money.
Revisit conditions of protocols - Permier Fahie
According to the Premier; however, the conditions 'as is' must be revisited and vague language defined before he can move forward with any plans in his capacity as Minister of Finance.
"These are not the times when only the governor went to college and the people here did not, all of us went to school now, we will respect because I have the most respect for the post and I thank the UK in everything, but there are areas where we have a difference in position and it's for the people of the Virgin Islands"
The Premier continued, "This is one of those areas, we have a lot that we have in common, but I cannot be seen as disrespectful because I am taking a position for the people and the future generation."
At the moment, the government can only borrow about $110M in loans without violating the protocols; however, Premier Fahie said the government has been trying to negotiate the conditions for the past 15 months as more monies could be needed.
UK must define terms in agreement - Premier
He said with the UK's £300M loan guarantee, the Crown reserved rights to implement 'other measures and mechanisms' for spending certain amounts that can violate the protocols; however, has refused to say what those measures and mechanisms will be.
"All I am saying is, I'm not coming off of this position, because those conditions that [are] going to be put in once we go below a level of the reserves, and other things that we have to do... those conditions have to be removed and the language has to be clear," he said.
"When persons are telling you that we can spend the reserves and there's no problem, the money is there... the money is there, we can spend... but everyone is free to do whatever they want to do, but they are not free from the consequences of their actions."
The Premier noted that he will defend his position to the end given the number of catastrophic events the Territory continues to face like COVID-19.
"We are saying that some of the conditions must be more clearly defined and some that do exist have to be removed!"
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33 Responses to “'These are not the times when only the Governor went to college'- Premier”
Why can't the conditions be clarified if the person inking away asks for it?
Same thing in the insurance business. Have one enter into contracts that are leaky. Today, insureds have to engage lawyers (another set of scammers) to obtain loss relief for revenues lost as a result of business interruption due to COVID.
We believe and trust Fahie not the w man
maybe we all need to see or hear exactly what it is that you refer to...ie...what specifically are the protocols and wordings that are suppressing our ability to borrow. publically bring these to the people and ask the govenor to respond...line item by line item why he believes these thigs do not hinder our ability to borrow......end the guesswork for us........ask him to help us see through the barriers, ask him to help us resolve this.
The matter is between the BVI Government and the UK Government. The Gov role is to open his mouth as the Queen and the motherland sees fit.
Get that straight.
If you don’t like it, if you don’t like having a Governor over you the solution is simple! CUT ALL TIES with the UK. Completed cut off the navel string and you can do as you please.
“We do not bite ... us” was written as a general statement. Her majesty is feeding the Gov. and he is not going to bite the hand that feeds him. He will support the Queen. He is not stupid to lose his future meal.
Where in the above blog it says UK feeding BVI. You see why Foy no want to provide the details as to the EM protocols? So he has to give the details himself and will give parts if it, and not all? Because of responses like yours that indicate lack of reading and comprehension skills ....
The Gov is not going to bite the hand that feeds him. The Queen feeds the Gov so her dide he stands by ... the Queen & the UK related ... reading is fundamental ... read between the lines
No where was it written that UK feeds BVI.
Now Mr Gov as the rep of her Majesty can you please assist the Premier and our beautiful islands in getting the UK to address our valid concerns. I think that’s the very least you can do here.