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Bishop Cline commends Premier Fahie for being a good listener

- Gives the VIP Gov’t a ‘B’ in their first 100 days in office
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, has been praised for being a good listener by man of the cloth, Bishop John I. Cline, left. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) addresses residents of Virgin Gorda during one of his many consultation meetings on regularisation in May 2019. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) addresses residents of Virgin Gorda during one of his many consultation meetings on regularisation in May 2019. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government continues to get good reviews for their first 100 days in office.

And Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has been praised for being a good listener by man of the cloth, Bishop John I. Cline.

Appearing on his “My BVI” radio and social media talk show last night June 11, 2019 Bishop Cline opened up by rating the government on what he evaluated as the two most prominent issues- the regularisation of persons and infrastructural development.

“So far I would say I give them a pass because I know how the political landscape is. It takes time, some time to deal with certain things.”

A good listener

Bishop Cline said he was very pleased to see Premier Fahie listening to the people on the issues of immigration, particularly the regularisation of expats, letting the voices of the people be heard, “and then the Premier’s ability to listen and make some necessary adjustments.”

Complimenting Premier Fahie for his ability displayed in listening, Cline said, “I think that was good on the Premier’s behalf that he did admit that he wanted to do something that he thought was necessary and then realise that everybody felt that he hadn’t consulted well with the people.”

“He went out he, listened and he made some adjustments. I think he said emphatically from the very beginning that this is not an option to do nothing but once you do it, how you do it, would be considered and I heard that,” Bishop Cline said.

The Bishop noted such ability sets Hon Fahie apart from other leaders, “And I think that is commendable because not all leaders listen, they just go.”

Premier Fahie had boldly rolled out an initiative to fast track the regularisation of eligible persons residing in the territory for 15 years and above with the goal of “uniting” the Virgin Islands; however, it was quickly met with strong resistance from locals and some Belongers.

The initiative was then put on hold to facilitate many consultations, both public and private.

VIP passes with a ‘B’

Meanwhile, Bishop Cline said he rated the Government as having passed with a ‘B’ for their first 100 days in office.

Acknowledging the paving of roads across the territory as one of the positive executions of the VIP administration, Bishop Cline said there needs to be more planning into the works.

“Although I think that it lacks design and paving roads with proper context with drainage and so, so we don’t have to do it after the heavy rains falls. I still see that happening and I would like to see better planning of that.”

Bishop Cline added that while he understands the new government is trying to make a really bad situation better in the short term, while doing some long term planning, “they have to do some short term fixes because it had become so severe that while they get the long term plans for drainage and proper roads infrastructure in place they [can] do some short term things in the meantime.”

Mr Cline also believes there should be some tangible development of the road infrastructure in the territory for the next two years.

Prior to Bishop Cline sharing his opinion, co-host Dr Albert L Thompkins said he gives the government a pass while Angelle A. Cameron said Premier Fahie deserves an applause as she too said, “I give them a pass,” but with “a warning”.

10 Responses to “Bishop Cline commends Premier Fahie for being a good listener”

  • facts (12/06/2019, 11:19) Like (29) Dislike (13) Reply
    Boss they deserve an A
  • Thumbs (12/06/2019, 11:24) Like (25) Dislike (11) Reply
    Gotta give Premier Fahie his props. He is a man on a mission with purpose. The same ppl bashing him now will love him lata. We aall are not long sighted
  • trrefdrfds (12/06/2019, 11:26) Like (29) Dislike (9) Reply
    The good Bishop is being reserved in his grading. We know he wants to give an A but don't want it look like he sucking up. VIP gets an A...most dynamic govt after lavity
  • tretretrete (12/06/2019, 11:28) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    de man of d cloth not been drivin bout in his fancy rides lately. Road smooth like glass!!!!
  • legal team (12/06/2019, 16:51) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    While I wish agree with the bishop to give the premier his accolade for 100 days in office,I will continue as an advocate of the law and the VI Constitution to ask the following question:-

    ["Where is it written in the Constitution or in the Immigration law that the premier must consult with the public and listen to the views of the public, before taking a bill to parliament?"]

    Bossman, we vote for and to put a competent and able Government in office.Let the elected members do their job.

    Power to make law:

    Section 71 of the VI Constitution states, "subject to this constitution, the LEGISLATURE shall have power to make laws for the peace order and good governance of the VI.

    Section 79 of the VI constitution states,

    ["(1) A bill passed by the HOA shall become law when-
    (a) the Governor has assented to it in Her Majesty's name and on Her Majesty's behalf and has signed it in token of such assent..
    (b) Her Majesty has given Her assent to it through a secretary of state and the Governor has signified such assent by proclamation published in the gazette"]

    We like to talk about constitutional rights and rights as belonger, ok.

    Where is it written in the above constitutional law that the legislature must first consult with [EXPAT HATERS] and listen to the expat haters in the BVI before amending the Immigration laws to fast track belonger status and residency for expat?

    Premier fahie did not act unconstitutionally, when he informed the nation that the amendments were on the order paper.

    BVIslanders became upset because it was a law to favour expats and obviously expat only.

    After hurricanes Irma and Maria, under the NDP government, immigration introduced a POLICY that all expats whose accommodation was destroyed by hurricane must leave the BVI. [A disaster struck,but conscience]

    No group of belongers wrote any petition to stop this human cruelty toward expatriates.

    But because the new government decide to treat expats with dignity,the expat haters pressured the government to listen to them and re-consider some areas of the bill?

    and the government listened? That is the only reason why the bishop is praising the premier,because the premier listened to French-woman, cindy ROSAN

    Absolute nonsense!!!!


  • rattie (12/06/2019, 17:41) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    I just happy we rid the country of the ndp hallelujah
  • Bishop Cline (12/06/2019, 20:18) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    I am completely disappointed in you. You are as contradictory as our leader of government business; but then again you are the uncle of the government overpaid knows nothing man of the cloth consultant! Six of one half a dozen of the next!
  • Totoglo (12/06/2019, 20:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Legal team you ON. You On. Them all are hypocrites and wicked people.
  • 911 (13/06/2019, 00:50) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    One thing we know is they have not steal any money yet and we are seeing transparency

    THE BEST THING THOE IS WE GOT RID OF THE CORRUPT NDP TO THAT I SAY AMEN AND AMEM


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