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Fahie-led Gov't announces 3 months amnesty on electricity bills

- as part of phase 2 of Economic Stimulus Response Plan
As the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government continues to roll out its economic stimulus package in a calculated way, it has now announced that it is collaborating with the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) to offer a 3-month amnesty on electricity bills for 'qualifying' persons individuals and businesses. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), speaking at a press briefing at the conference room of the Office of the House of Assembly (HoA) today, May 21, 2020, said persons will have to prove that they have been impacted financially by COVID-19 to qualify for the amnesty. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), speaking at a press briefing at the conference room of the Office of the House of Assembly (HoA) today, May 21, 2020, said persons will have to prove that they have been impacted financially by COVID-19 to qualify for the amnesty. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- As the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government continues to roll out its economic stimulus package in a calculated way, it has now announced it is collaborating with the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) to offer a 3-month amnesty on electricity bills for 'qualifying' persons individuals and businesses.

This follows on the relaxing of water bills until June 2020 for customers of the Water and Sewerage Department.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), speaking at a press briefing at the conference room of the Office of the House of Assembly (HoA) today, May 21, 2020, said persons and businesses will have to prove that they have been impacted financially by COVID-19 to qualify for the amnesty.

This initiative, he said, will be led and monitored by the BVI Electricity Corporation and its Board.

"Your Government understands the hardship our people are facing during this time, and as promised we will continue to address the major essential needs of our people and local businesses, as much as possible and within the limits of our means as a Territory.

"Thus, in order to assist you in this area, for the months of May, June and July, the Government through the BVIEC and its Board, will be granting an amnesty on payments to qualifying individuals and businesses."

'For the needy not the greedy'

Premier Fahie said; however, this will be on a case-by-case basis as businesses and individuals will have to furnish the relevant information to BVIEC and its Board to show how they were affected by COVID-19 based on the criteria that will be published.

"This is necessary to verify and ensure that the needy gets the needed help, and not the greedy. This is your Government’s mantra in respect to the phased implementation of the economic stimulus response to COVID-19."

Premier Fahie further disclosed that persons who are employed by Government or have not suffered job loss or salary cuts are persons unlikely to qualify for the amnesty.

The amnesty on electricity bills will be part of Phase 2 of the Economic Stimulus Response plan for rebooting and reawakening the VI economy, following the initial mitigation measures for containing COVID-19.

Government will be launching Phase 2 on May 28, 2020.

25 Responses to “Fahie-led Gov't announces 3 months amnesty on electricity bills”

  • Wellsah (21/05/2020, 15:37) Like (11) Dislike (37) Reply
    Not for island people only locals and belongers
    • STRUEPS (21/05/2020, 16:21) Like (73) Dislike (1) Reply
      I believe it must be somebody paying ayo to blog hate all the time man! This cannot be your state of mind, ALL THE TIME! Ridiculous!
    • Well Sah (21/05/2020, 17:30) Like (25) Dislike (6) Reply
      He said, "persons and businesses will have to show that they were impacted financially by the COVID-19 to qualify for amnesty." So we create more red tape for the citizens of this country. The place was shut down?! No one was able to work save for the Supermarkets and the garbage collectors! What else we need to prove, you Premier, fully well knows that and now you want the rest of us to prove ourselves to qualify?? What kind of BS is this? You either giving us a stimulus or you aren't!

      This piece patchwork crap is not going to cut it. The "tri-party opposition" as you are now referring to them as looking better and better.
      • Ah (22/05/2020, 19:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @well ash STFU use that money you’re planning on doing hair with and pay your darn bill. You’ll complain for everything. You’ll like too much hands out. The government doesn’t have to do that for anyone for the government didn’t tell ah you ratchet self go to Friday night turn up - Saturday night shell down and Sunday nite lit every darn Sunday. Save for rainy day’s. This Is rainy day’s
    • ? (21/05/2020, 17:33) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Welsh island people going to make your blood pressure kill your ass soon if you don't leave them alone old MOMO.
  • wow (21/05/2020, 16:36) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    why you didn't say that when you wanted the people to give free?now it in your court to give free electricity you putting all kind of stipulations to it.
  • True (21/05/2020, 16:36) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    how can they tell? they want us to produce what? if its usage, useage would of gone up for most people as they in house 24/7 and all the restaurants have fridges freezers full ready for spring break and easter so hope its no useage,
  • The TRUTH (21/05/2020, 16:42) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    here we go again with the favoritism, if you not going to do it equally dont do it at all , you picking and chosen who you want to help is not cool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • tri party opposition (21/05/2020, 16:49) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Foy need to gee back kye he portfolio
  • Hmm (21/05/2020, 16:58) Like (22) Dislike (7) Reply
    That make sense? It should have been for the time everyone was home consuming more than usual. Come on man.
    • $$$ (22/05/2020, 10:59) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      I don't see what the big fuss is about. The people who are out of work will get the break and the people that have jobs and are still being paid will pay their usual fees. That is fair and not hard to understand. Stop looking a free ride at every corner. I think that the premier made a great decision.
  • Bambi (21/05/2020, 17:20) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    How to apply ?
  • Quiet Storm (21/05/2020, 17:25) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good temporary assistance for resident affected by Covid-19. Nonetheless, the amnesty kilowatt hours consumed should be aligned with the customary/average usage. For example, if the average consumption was 100kwh and during the amnesty period 200kwh were consumed, only 100kwh should be free to the consumer.
  • No Mask No Service, No Vaccine No service (21/05/2020, 17:32) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Our economic fall is gonna be off the charts, just wait on it... you think people stressed right now just wait until they tell you what’s going on with the food shortages in the U.S, wait until you hear the truth about the effects of this plandemic...
    • See (21/05/2020, 20:50) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      There are no food shortages in the US . Do some homework besides CNN .
      • @see (21/05/2020, 23:16) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        Not wasting my time with you, everything will come to light
      • US (22/05/2020, 08:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @see, so if the slaughter house and the poultry houses have to destroy the animals because the workers were coming down with the virus isin’t that a shortage of food? Milk farmers have to dump thousands of gallons of milk away because there is no one to milk the cows. This is not about CNN, we also have local news that you guys don’t have access to.
    • eyes (22/05/2020, 20:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's not food shortage it's short staffing
  • Should (21/05/2020, 21:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Only be for the people that is truly in need.
  • Lives in the US, From BVI (21/05/2020, 21:33) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
    There is a meat and chicken shortage in the US. I paid $12.00 for a pound and a half of ox tails, $15.00 for two pounds of ground chuck and damn near $10.00 for six chicken wings in a pack. Food is extremely high in the US. We are going through the same things you guys are going through. A lot of people jobs was cut down from five days a week to three days a week. Lots of people is getting unemployment insurance but unemployment only pays half of what you make weekly or bi-weekly. All one can do is try to hang in there and do the best that one can do. Try not to let the situation stress you to the point where it affects your health.

    • Another Islander, US (22/05/2020, 08:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      So true, everyday you go to the Supermarket, the prices jump a bit. Yes guys, we have it just as hard as you guys. Believe it are not, you have elderly people eating can cat food because after paying their rent and lights they hardly have enough from their monthly social security to buy food. Stress is a silent killer and it will take a great affect on your health, try not to let it get to you and deal with each day as it comes.
  • nada (22/05/2020, 06:21) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why is it not done like water and sewage; imagine no package in place for us; tons of people either laid off or permanently unemployed; and this is the best they can come with; apply when everyone was lockdown for 1 month plus; well then just give everyone 2 months free....
  • VG Living (22/05/2020, 09:19) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    How is anyone mad about this? Seems like a great thing.
  • Hmm (24/05/2020, 10:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    labour department have the records (names) of all workers that are presently laid off. The government can help those persons especially if they have school age kids.

  • EVERYONE (26/05/2020, 22:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Instead of giving one person three months why not just give everyone a month. If who can afford it turns down the one month oh well. But I think everyone should get a one month break instead of one person getting three months


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