Joint-Agency Task Force decided to hire barges, not gov't – Premier

- as critics continue to pile on pressure on Gov't despite admirable efforts with handling pandemic

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While the Andrew A. Fahie-led government has received much praise on the regional and international scene for its handling of the pandemic and their foresight, a prophet is 'without honour' in his own territory, as fierce critics of the government- in order to create a picture of distrust and contention- have looked past the positive results of the surveillance platform and have falsely insinuated that the government was solely responsible for the hiring of the barges. Photo: VINO/File

Premier and Minister for Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has stated that it was the Joint-Agency Task Force (JTF) consisting of Police, Customs and Immigration officers that decided to hire the services of EZ Shipping Limited to be used as radar platforms from December 23, 2020, to January 22, 2021. Photo: Facebook

The Virgin Islands (VI) Government had turned to the barges to boost border security following a spike in COVID-19 cases linked to human smuggling into the VI back in August 2020. Photo: VINO/File

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While the Andrew A. Fahie-led government has received much praise on the regional and international scene for its foresight and handling of the pandemic, a prophet is 'without honour' in his own territory it seems, as fierce critics of the government- in order to create a picture of distrust and contention- have looked past the positive results of the surveillance platform and have falsely insinuated that the government was solely responsible for the hiring of the barges.

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has stated that it was the Joint-Agency Task Force (JTF) consisting of Police, Customs and Immigration officers that decided to hire the services of EZ Shipping Limited to be used as radar platforms from December 23, 2020, to January 22, 2021.

The barges, as they are referred to, was critical in preventing illegal entry and smuggling into the territory during that period and also played a huge part in curbing the importation of COVID-19 into the Virgin Islands.

The VI Government had turned to the barges to boost border security following a spike in COVID-19 cases linked to human smuggling into the VI back in August 2020.

The decision for the payment of $360,000 to EZ Shipping for providing sea patrols for one month was made on February 17, 2021, during a cabinet meeting chaired by His Excellency, the Governor Mr John J. Rankin, CMG.

The post-cabinet meeting report released on Thursday, February 25, 2021, said Cabinet "Approved: the continuance of works with the issuance of a new contract agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and EZ Shipping Limited to provide two barges to serve as radar platforms for the securing of sea borders for a further one month, with effect from 23rd December 2020 through 22nd January 2021 in the amount of $360,000."

The report had also stated that the previous contract with EZ Shipping Limited "has resulted in improved border security measures that are quantitatively successful in deterring illicit border activity; effected a marked reduction in marine traffic and that the BVI is working assiduously towards finalisation of a Sea Border Protection Plan to include long-term solutions."

Not a gov't decision

“It was not a decision made by government but – in terms of the payment – when they brought it, we agreed because of the procedures and all they went through,” Premier Fahie said during a press conference held on Thursday, May 20, 2021.

Premier Fahie noted too that the cost to hire the barges pale in comparison to what would have been the projected losses and expenditure had COVID-19 been able to penetrate the borders due to human smuggling and illegal entry.

“The JTF was who made the decision to that (hire company), and they reported that felt that they paid extremely great dividends.”

The Premier added that the JTF is a team that he has respect for, “and if they made the decision and brought it to government as a solution, I’m more than happy to support my law enforcement team.”

He also mentioned that the company was hired because the territory didn’t have any radar platforms “to that extent.”

15 Responses to “Joint-Agency Task Force decided to hire barges, not gov't – Premier”

apple pie (25/05/2021, 10:45) Like (20) Dislike (5) Reply
Keep pushing Fahie
Wtd (25/05/2021, 11:17) Like (32) Dislike (15) Reply
Asking for a friend. Is the joint taskforce a group outside of Govt.
- HAHA (25/05/2021, 13:22) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
  Technically it's not but the police is under the Governor's portfolio and serves the Queen and is not controlled by the Government. The Government meaning the elected representatives were not a part of the task force.
- gfdfdggfdgfdgfdg (25/05/2021, 14:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
  Thats what I am trying to figure out.
- lololo (25/05/2021, 16:05) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
  and he is the one who has to signed off on money spending lol bull
hmm (25/05/2021, 11:35) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
THE GOVERNMENT HIRED SAND BARGES {pictured} TO DO SECURITY? NO WONDER SO MUCH DRUGS AS ABLE TO PASS THRU
Interested (25/05/2021, 11:36) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
May I ask who the members of the joint task force are ??
- Yes I (25/05/2021, 13:32) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
  That my friend is the right question? Perhaps when we know who leading the JTF we will know who is the mastermind. Straight under the bus buddy......
@ interested (25/05/2021, 13:30) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
SURE ~ THEY ARE INVISIBLE AND PLUS THE DON'T KEEP RECORDS
schupes (25/05/2021, 16:04) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
you still have the final say as it comes to money being released what hog wash is this
RedStorm (25/05/2021, 19:27) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

Lets examine the hirerahy of things, the police, immigration and customs has their own governing body , but when they want to pay a bill the premier will sign off on it. I like to hear hogwash from school children it only makes me laugh, but I don't like when government is playing. I have to still respect their decision. As when it comes to the voting the government will respect the people decisions.
Deh Watcha (26/05/2021, 14:06) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
Drain the swamp..

Drain the swamp..

Drain the swamp..
My Take (26/05/2021, 23:12) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
Fahie don't mind the noise. This witch hunt will fail.
Windy (27/05/2021, 12:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
Fahie says the barges are saving 100s of MILLIONS of dollars a day ! Lets see the contracts , names & numbers.
gfdfdggfdgfdgfdg (28/05/2021, 11:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
pure lie

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Joint-Agency Task Force decided to hire barges, not gov't – Premier

15 Responses to “Joint-Agency Task Force decided to hire barges, not gov't – Premier”

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