Hon. Fahie launches bid for re-election

With the launching of the bid for the re-election of Representative for District 1, Minister of Education and Culture, Honourable Andrew Fahie, the ruling Virgin Islands Party (VIP) has now presented its full slate of candidates to contest the 2003 general elections.

Hon. Fahie, “A Man on a Mission”, held his declaration ceremony this past Saturday night on the Capoon’s Bay field. “You sent me to the Legislative Council as a 28-year old four years ago with a resounding victory…And tonight, I feel comfortable asking for four more years, because I have delivered.”

A year and a half after being elected, he was appointed as Minister of Education and Culture. “In that time, your man took on several missions,” he declared. He lists these to include fencing schools and changing the environment around the BVI High School/Afro Tree.

The Education Minister said the Ministry is following a 10-year education plan to improve and modernize the education system. “Your man on a mission will ensure that this territory has the best education system in the Caribbean.”

Taking a look at his accomplishments throughout his District, the D-1 Rep. spoke of smoothly resurfaced roads and other infrastructural projects, the educational programmes and opportunities he has provided for his young people, the remodelling and upgrading of schools. He said the BVI has already started to implement a new system of wireless computer labs throughout the territory, becoming the first in Caribbean to blaze the trail in this technology. “Another mission engaged and soon to be another mission accomplished.”

“My people, even with a heavy schedule, I have continued serving my community and my church,” he continued. He said he has also continued the sponsorship of several sporting and social organizations.

Hon. Fahie asked his constituents to allow his mission to continue, with a vote for him and his other Virgin Islands Party colleagues on Election Day. He said the mission includes the continuation of projects such as the after school programmes, the cutting and paving of roads in the hills of Carrot Bay, completing the widening and resurfacing of the District’s first main road at Cox Heath, developing reclaimed lands at Carrot Bay and West End for recreation etc. and the naming of the West End Community Centre and the Capoon’s Bay ground.

Other projects he wants to complete include continuing to empower people of the First District by increased scholarship programmes and improving the transportation system, ensuring that the drainage problem in Capoon’s Bay and the fisherman’s ramp in Carrot Bay are fixed and the expansion and improvement of the West End jetty. Hon. Fahie also wants to see the establishment of a national car racing committee, the continued development and implementation of a beautification programme for the 1st District enhancing its already natural beauty and he wants to solve the West End taxi association’s ongoing battle with the Ports.

“Four years ago, you sent me to school, now I’m finished my work in the first grade, on election day, give me my grade, sign off on my report by putting an ‘x’ next to my name, so that I can move on to the next grade,” was what he told his supporters. Hon. Fahie said the people of the territory will hear more from him and the other members of his party as the date, yet un-announced, for the polls draws nearer. He said he believes in running a clean campaign.

General Elections in the British Virgin Islands are constitutionally due by August this year. The last poll was held in May 1999 and returned the VIP to power.