Premier and Minister of Finance and Tourism Honourable, Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced a plethora of initiatives aimed at fulfilling his campaign promises of providing 1000 jobs for persons and to raise the economic standing of the Territory. Photo: Team of Reporters

Premier Andrew A. Fahie made the announcements during an event of praise and worship venued at the at the Cyril B. Romney, Tortola Pier Park yesterday, March 6, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters

According to the new Premier(second right), “Our people must come first at all times.” Photo: Team of Reporters

At an event of praise and worship the recently elected Virgin Islands Party Government (VIP), Premier Fahie, announced some of his plans which include youth development, affordable housing, small business development and technology advancement.

The ceremony was held at the Cyril B. Romney, Tortola Pier Park (TPP) beginning in the late afternoon and lasting into the night of yesterday, March 6, 2019.

Fierce Urgency

According to Premier Fahie, “To fix the economy we must first fix peoples’ lives, that why we are determined to retool our people in preparation to take advantage of existing and new opportunities in our economy starting with the marine sector” emphasising too, "the fierce urgency of now, to fix the economy of the Virgin Islands (VI).”

From the new week government officials will begin engaging residents in each of the nine Districts, especially youths interested in having a career in the sector, according to Premier Fahie.

“We believe this is an area of real full potential, training and qualification in the marine sector will be offered to people by their government,” he said.

With youths playing an integral role in the development of the Territory—under a VIP government—the Premier declared that he will ensure that a youth is present as part of the make-up of each statutory board and committees existent in the territory.

“This is not business as usual but business unconventional.”

People First

According to the new Premier, “Our people must come first at all times.”

He added that with the new economic era with his government, “first you shall be.”

Speaking to further economic development of the Territory, Premier Fahie disclosed, that in the initial stage, his government is positioned to invest an initial $1M for the development of small business. “Starting with the development of new small businesses and more money will go into expanding existing small businesses.”

Falling on the heels for the devastating hurricanes which hit the Territory in 2017, Premier Fahie said his government understands the need to address housing as a priority.

“We have already begun exploring how to get a new housing development board going, where we will be able to assist the climbing resistant and high quality affordable homes for low income earners especially.”

He noted however, that for the people of the Territory to take advantage of the new job opportunities that will be created, they have to be prepared.

“The future belongs to the prepared and so training our young people and giving them better access to education especially in technology through coding and robotics, traditional and non-traditional shall be at the centrepiece of our policy going forward.”