Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Penn: Trouble Getting Recovery Funding; We’ve Lost Sympathy

Penn: Trouble Getting Recovery Funding; We’ve Lost Sympathy

The BVI is going to have trouble securing loans for its recovery because the sympathy stage towards the territory has been lost, according to Hon. Marlon Penn.
The opposition leader said that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration needs to get along with the recovery which has been further slowed by the recent resignation of Paul Bayly as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA). He said that it has been over two years since hurricanes Irma and Maria hit the territory.

“We are falling behind significantly as it relates to the issue of grants, the issue of support from donor nations around the region for support for our recovery. We have lost the sympathy because we have had the issue with the Bahamas, and recently all the different territories who were hit; Puerto Rico just recently with the earthquakes,” he related to journalists at a recent press conference.

He added, “so the sympathy towards the BVI in terms of our recovery now almost three years out is gone. So, it says that it’s on the backs of the people of this territory, back on the leadership of this territory to ensure that the funding is made available to facilitate the recovery of our physical infrastructure, sewerage infrastructure, water infrastructure, and most importantly for the recovery of our economy.”

Penn further lamented that the pace of the recovery efforts is worrying.

“I am concerned, I know the Members (opposition) are concerned with the pace of the recovery. We haven’t finalized the loan guarantee which will underpin the actual recovery process for the territory. The loans ultimately have to be approved by the UK and it has to come to the House of Assembly for approval,” he stated.

“We have a budget currently of $49M plus of loans that need to be approved in order to carry out the government’s agenda as it relates to the recovery. That doesn’t speak to the actual loans that is necessary for the RDA to carry out their responsibilities. So, this is a blow (CEO resignation) for us in our recovery, I think it stalls the process,” the Opposition Leader bemoaned.

Penn assured that the opposition intends to hold the government accountable for the recovery even though the territory is in a very uncertain place.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×