Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Aug 04, 2025

HoA project not 'priority' right now– Premier Fahie

HoA project not 'priority' right now– Premier Fahie

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the House of Assembly (HoA) refurbishment project will get done; however, it is not among the top priority projects of his administration.

Legislators have been occupying the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola since the COVID-19 pandemic struck and in recent times calls have been made to have the original HoA made ready for use by the legislators.

According to reports, some refurbishments need to be done at the HoA building in Road Town before sittings can return.

One talk show host, Claude O. Skelton Cline said it was a national disgrace that the HoA was still being housed at the Save the Seed Energy Centre.

'You have to prioritise'- Premier Fahie


Responding to members of the media during a press conference on Friday, February 25, 2022, he said the limited resources is also an issue.

He said: “With limited resources in the middle of a pandemic you have to prioritise, and you have to decide now, yes the House of Assembly is important but also there are certain projects we had to fast track now since we see that the economy is moving forward to get done.”

Other projects more important


He said this included the building of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS).

“If we did the HoA project as first and leave the children as second then you rightfully will come and ask, “what about those children up there in that mould infected building? Is there no future for them? is there no way you all are going to address that?” he stated.

He said they also had to focus on the Jost van Dyke Primary, which had been destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and Maria and other projects like the East End/Long Look Project completed “once and for all.”

Third District Representative Julian Fraser RA had lamented in the House of Assembly in January that there is an apprehension for Virgin Islanders to move forward, adding that even the furniture in the House of Assembly has remained the same over the years.

But, according to Hon Fahie: “So yes we are going to look at getting the HoA project completed, but at the same time too there are certain things we have to do first to secure our young people in a better environment, to take our people from East End/Long Look from walking in what we call number one and number two whether solid or liquid. And we also have the Carrot Bay, where the sea defence since Irma and Maria has eaten away the shoreline and we are working on getting that also fixed and having it looking like in terms of more modernized coastline.”

Hon Fahie pointed out some other projects that were more urgent like the Frenchman’s Cay Bridge, and the new West End Ferry terminal.

He said those projects are important to improve and protect the lives of residents and to boost the local economy and tourism product.

HoA has its importance


“The HoA, do not get me wrong, has its importance but I think every member in the HoA would understand that we are going to do that project and the members of the public but allow us to do these other projects first.”

“I cannot sleep well in my bed knowing that I put a HoA ahead of bringing back over 1,200 students back to the ESHS, but yet we in the HoA in a brand new environment sitting down and speaking and doing the people’s work when the majority of the people are suffering. That would not be good leadership,” the Premier added.

The House of Assembly had relocated its sittings to the Save the Seed Energy Centre in 2020, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, to allow for social distancing protocols to be observed.

According to reports, some refurbishments need to be done at the HoA building in Road Town before sittings can return.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
OpenAI’s Bold Bet: Teaching AI to Think, Not Just Chat
Tesla Seeks Shareholder Approval for $29 Billion Compensation Package for Elon Musk
Nvidia is cutting prices on its RTX 50-series graphics cards after sales slowed and inventories piled up
Ghislaine Maxwell Transferred to Minimum-Security Prison Amid Ongoing DOJ Discussions
U.S. Tariffs Surge to Highest Levels in Nearly a Century Under Second Trump Term
Matt Taibbi Slams Media for Role in Russiagate Narrative
Pilots Call for Mental Health Support Without Stigma
All Five Trapped Miners Found Dead After El Teniente Mine Collapse
Ong Beng Seng Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case Linked to Former Singapore Transport Minister
BP’s Largest Oil and Gas Find in 25 Years Uncovered Offshore Brazil
Italy Fines Shein One Million Euros for Misleading Sustainability Claims
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
Declassified Annex Links Soros‑Affiliated Officials and Clinton Campaign to ‘Russiagate’ Narrative
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
×