Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

'We must be vigilant to protect reputation' of VI- Premier Fahie

'We must be vigilant to protect reputation' of VI- Premier Fahie

With many outside and even inside forces seemingly with an agenda to destroy the reputation of the Virgin Islands, which image is heavily depended on for the success of its financial services and tourism industries, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie has prudently implored for the Virgin Islands to be “vigilant” to protect its reputation.
Be Vigilant


“We must be vigilant to protect the reputation of the Virgin Islands. We must not gratify those who hope we will shrink from the gaze of this Inquiry,” said Honourable Fahie during his contribution to the debate of the Register of Interests (Amendment) Act at the Sixth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at Save the Seed Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola on Thursday, March 4, 2021.

The Commissioner of the Inquiry into Governance in the VI has requested each Member of the House of Assembly to consent to him having access to the part of the Register of Interests that records the declarations of that Member; however, the Register of Interests Act does not permit access to the Register in those circumstances.

Keeping with its promise to cooperate with a fair and just Commission of Inquiry, Government decided to amend the law to allow the Commissioner the information requested from the Register of Interests.

The bill was passed with overwhelming support from Members of the House.

‘VI not afraid of fair, impartial & transparent scrutiny’- Premier


According to Honourable Fahie, we must show that the Virgin Islands is not afraid of fair, impartial and transparent scrutiny and that we ourselves are committed to transparency and good governance, as is evident through the suite of legislation that has been brought to the Honourable House including, but not limited to the Whistle-blower Legislation and the Contractor General Legislation, with many more of the good governance legislation to come.

“But by this Bill, that is in question today, and the Government’s commitment to support the Inquiry’s work, we help to demonstrate exactly that.”

Premier Fahie also reminded that the Government set up the Inquiry Response Unit to ensure that proper and accountable standards are upheld in the Government’s cooperation with the Inquiry and that the Government makes a full and constructive contribution to its processes.

“Nothing could be more important to the welfare of these Virgin Islands than that the Inquiry reaches sound conclusions that are seen to be based on a fair and balanced process, that there is no area that is off-limits to its scrutiny and that no justification can be made for a charge that its work was deliberately impeded.”

Premier Fahie said the Government looks forward to the Commissioner’s work in examining the matters he has been set, both those that are under ministerial control and those that are not.

While some in the Virgin Islands welcome the Commission of Inquiry into governance, many are suspicious about the way it was planned and announced by controversial ex-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert (in photo), who was accused of trying to bully the elected Government of Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and trying to cause a strain between the Government and its people.

Due to the secret nature of the planned Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in the Virgin Islands, both Government and Financial Services, whose success relies on the territory's good reputation, were caught off guard and unable to respond in a timely manner to counter the negative international press that the UK Government and the UK media collaborated on.


Suspicious CoI


While some in the Virgin Islands welcome the Inquiry, many are suspicious about the way it was planned and announced by controversial ex-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, who was accused of trying to bully the elected Government of Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and trying to cause a strain between the Government and its people.

Mr Jaspert and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office kept the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) top secret from the elected Government but colluded with the UK media to ensure it was splashed across international newspapers almost the same time it was announced to the people of the VI.

Mr Jaspert, when pressed at a media briefing as to why he did not inform the Government of his intentions so that it as well as Financial Services would have adequate time to respond in an effort to prevent reputational harm, became aggressive at the person asking the question and could not justify his actions.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×