Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

COVID-19: UK commended VI for ‘exemplary’ use of resources - Premier

-Hon Fahie says local Gov’t pleased at how economic stimulus $$$ were put to use
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) says that in recent correspondence with the UK, the territory was hailed for its use of limited resources to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: GIS/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie said, what the territory has been able to achieve with its limited resources is exemplary and that the Government was hailed for its resourceful management of the pandemic by the UK Minister for the Overseas Territories. Photo: Internet Source/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie said, what the territory has been able to achieve with its limited resources is exemplary and that the Government was hailed for its resourceful management of the pandemic by the UK Minister for the Overseas Territories. Photo: Internet Source/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) says that in recent correspondence with the UK, the territory was hailed for its use of limited resources to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Premier made the announcement on Thursday, December 24, 2020, in a statement on the territory moving forward from the pandemic.

Putting limited resources to work – Premier Fahie

“Your Government believes in the strength of our local businesses and the strength of the people of the Virgin Islands. We Virgin Islanders are the ones who must control our own destiny, as we have been doing for generations,” Hon Fahie said.

Further, he remarked, “What we have been able to achieve with our limited resources is exemplary – and your Government has been told this by the UK Minister for the Overseas Territories in recent correspondence.”

The Premier congratulated all the businesses and individuals for being able to meet the requirements for Government’s business stimulus packages and said that he was pleased that many people have been able to benefit from the economic stimulus. 

“We did our best with the funding that was available to ease some of the financial strain on you our people and businesses during this challenging time. Indeed, these are challenging times for economies around the world – large, medium and small,” Hon Fahie underscored. 

Gov’t being held accountable with SSB grants – Premier Fahie

According to the Premier, the government was able to make available the COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Grant which were issued in accordance with strict guidelines and conditions from the local Social Security Board so that the monies were handled in an accountable manner. 

Hon Fahie said Government remains pleased that people and businesses continue to put the stimulus funds to good use while abiding by the terms and conditions of the grants.  

13 Responses to “COVID-19: UK commended VI for ‘exemplary’ use of resources - Premier”

  • Really (28/12/2020, 09:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good ole UK validation, sounds about right.
  • Windy (28/12/2020, 09:33) Like (12) Dislike (10) Reply
    we the people trust the VIP to manage our money NDP must never be allowed to governed this country again
    • @ Windy (28/12/2020, 11:52) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      And the ndp think them getting back the launching in February thing to talk
  • taxpayer (28/12/2020, 11:02) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    We thank the expats who left the territory and not claiming the money they saved in SSB, and that is the bread of us today! God bless all who came here and contributed to our wellbeing.
  • watcher (28/12/2020, 11:53) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    Thank you Hon Fahie you done well for your people in 2 short years
  • Dancing in the sunshine (28/12/2020, 12:24) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    God blessed the Virgin Islands for the tremendous work that they did to ensure the territory remains viable. Despite all the negatives from the opposition party the Premier was able to keep the government together. It is very unpatriotic for those persons who are misleading the public with silly comments. For all those persons from overseas who worked in the Virgin Islands and contributed to the Social Security Board over the years and reached the age of retirement, the SSB will make payments to them. Whether it in the form of a Social Security grant if they do not qualify for a pension. Further they will receive a pension once they attained the age of sixty five years of age and make at least five hundred contributions to the board. Also their survivors, wife or children under the age of eighteen years will obtain survivors benefits as well as funeral grant of funeral benefit.

    However for those persons who are returning to their home country, such person must finalize arrangements with the SSB before leaving the territory. To those persons who are spreading false information about persons leaving their benefits and return home, it is about time people stop spreading foolish information. It is time for it to be stopped.
  • Rubber Duck (28/12/2020, 14:32) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Strange, I thought Mr Fahie despised the UK and wanted independence as soon as possible. Now he basks in their praise.
  • Knowlege (28/12/2020, 15:03) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    I know of many persons who have returned to their homeland receiving their monthly payments and look forward to it. Therefore, when I read these blogs it realy hurt me to see how some people are lying about the Virgin Islands and ecouraging hate it is terrible. I am an expat and I think that any expat who live in the VI and hate it they are free to leave. The Virgin Islands has been good to me. Stop the hating and blaming the locals.
  • james (28/12/2020, 16:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hail up to the members of the opposition especially the ones from # 2 & # 8 they always no much things to say during meetings of the house: the very same 2 that railroad this territory for 8 years.....
  • Sombody answer (28/12/2020, 17:37) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    What's the use of this waste of time curfew
  • Mistaken interpretation? (28/12/2020, 18:51) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think the comments made by the UK are being misunderstood. Anyone with a smattering understanding of British diplomacy would recognise what is being inferred in the commendation. The BVI government had gone cap in hand to the UK for financial support. This was rebuffed. Thus the UK is saying implicitly "look you did not have to come begging. You had the resources all along to do it." British diplomacy
    • @mistaken interpretation? (30/12/2020, 21:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Is that you Gus?
      • @mistaken interpretation (31/12/2020, 18:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        This is a BV Islander who can think and does not have to fall for Andrew's flack.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.