The plight that the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) finds itself in with the budget cuts was used as an example by Hon. Andrew A. Fahie. “Giving them less money without any prior warnings; without preparing them for the cuts; without guiding them how to be more self sustaining; without giving them sufficient time to set up systems that will assist them in becoming more self-sustaining means that in the revising of their HLSCC budget something, some programme, somebody or bodies must be cut. Already this has started as result of the Government’s careless and reckless act in this regard.”

First District Representative Andrew A. Fahie is adamant that the recent budget cuts imposed by the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration of the Virgins Islands will bring undue hardship to its people for which they were not appropriately prepared. Photo: VINO

“Based on the challenges ahead in 2013 we are going to need to rely on the God of our forefathers more than ever before. I continue to ask this Administration to prepare our people for what lies ahead. Some of what is coming could be avoided and some cannot. But no matter the case when you prepare your people for what is coming the better they would be able to handle it,” said Hon. Fahie during a report to his district in Capoons Bay on Saturday January 26, 2013.

He described the cuts to the district allocations as “unjustifiable” and said that it poses significant threat to the survival of service to the people. After the recently concluded budget address he had strongly suggested that Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith “get his prayer warriors in place and active.” He said that based on the challenges ahead in 2013 all are going to need to rely on the God of the forefathers more than ever before.

“The 2013 Budget speech stated that many statutory bodies subvention from Government will be cut. That means that entities such as Tourist Board, Airport Authority and HLSCC, just to name a few, will be getting less money from Government,” contended Hon. Fahie.

The plight that the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) finds itself in with the budget cuts was used as an example. “Giving them less money without any prior warnings; without preparing them for the cuts; without guiding them how to be more self sustaining; without giving them sufficient time to set up systems that will assist them in becoming more self-sustaining means that in the revising of their HLSCC budget something, some programme, somebody or bodies must be cut. Already this has started as result of the Government’s careless and reckless act in this regard.”

It was also noted that the effects of the cut has already taken a physical effect with the HLSCC Road Town bakery closed down with the spin off effects of many persons being thrown in the already long line of persons that are without jobs. “This now places them in an uncompromising position in terms of now having financial challenges that they were not prepared for due to insufficient notice. Such challenges would include but not limited to, difficulties in paying school fees, light bills, phone bills, and bank loans as well as difficulties in being able to provide for their families.”

In the face of those and other disparities of the NDP ruled government, Hon. Fahie had showered compliments on one of its Ministers; the Minister for Natural Resources, Deputy Premier Dr the Honourable Kedrick Pickering, who he said has given the assurance he will not make a move with the Smuggler’s Cove Project without having a public meeting with the people of the First District. This was on the request of Hon. Andrew A. Fahie. 

“He has already shown his commitment in getting the people of the First District involved in the project by hiring one of our many excellent architecture firms here in the First District. Although the Minister has the final say on every aspect of this project I must publicly state that thus far he has demonstrated that despite our political differences in philosophies and methodologies that basic respect for District Representatives can be maintained,” said Hon. Fahie. 

He said that the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour has also assured that he will be working on the repairs to the Towers, West End Dock and lending his support for a combined effort between his Government, specifically the At- Large Member, Minister of Health and myself as First District Representative to get the fisherman’s dock that is being lobbied for in Carrot Bay sometime this year. 

“My people you elected me to represent you and I must report the good, the bad and the ugly to you but at least in this respect this is potentially good news. Although I do not see the monies for none of the aforementioned projects in the budget, I still welcome this good news on behalf of you my people of the First District,” said Hon Fahie.