Public Consultation Meeting on the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 with the Tortola Business Community on Tuesday, 9th July. Photo: GIS

As the Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) led Virgin Islands Party takes to the public for consultations on key policy issues, the premier assured that the views taken from the public are taken into consideration on the way forward. Photo: Facebook/GIS

A member of the public gives his feedback during one of the public consultations by the Government of the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook

Premier Fahie, speaking at a Sunday, July 14, 2019 public consultation meeting at Foxy’s on Jost van Dyke (JvD) said his VIP government cannot be ‘Wrong and Strong’ and that his party recognises the voice of the people, a sign of good and strong leadership.

Public Input

“The proof to the public that we take your input very seriously comes from the first set of public meetings we had on the amendment to the Passport And Immigration Act… with that we saw the viewership on Facebook rise to I think the highest it has even been for GIS,” Hon Fahie said in response to questions on the issue.

Following public backlash to the VIP’s ‘Fast track’ immigration act seeking to regularise eligible expatriates living and working in the territory for a certain amount of years, the Premier said the public had been emailing, writing and raising concerns via Facebook which led to his administration taking a step back to examine their policies.

With the prevailing question ‘Why the Rush’ regarding the Bill, Premier Fahie admitted, “We actually were going to do a heroic act of passing it on the first, second and third readings… one time to get it passed,” Hon Fahie revealed.

“We listened to the voice of the people and we realised as a government, you can’t be wrong and strong so we have to adjust, that’s the strength of good leadership,” the leader of government business implored.

Immigration Reform

“We only did the first reading and we pulled it back out and went for full consultation of the people, and with that, they were able to add into the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act for third-generation BVI Islanders where they are in the world that they can now apply through the fast track programme.”

The premier also noted that third generation Virgin Islanders will also be able to apply after the ‘Fast track’ programme and as part of the Act, due to feedback from the public.