ROADTOWN Tortola, BVI, April 4th 2011 - Speaking to VINO in an exclusive interview yesterday Sunday April 3, 2011 from his home in Johnson’s Ghut, the first time candidate who is running as ab  independent said he chose to run because he is not pleased with how “things are going in the BVI”.

“Even with the politicians themselves, although there is a group, they have so much bickering and all that. And I don’t think God himself want to see his world running like the world it is going on right now especially a nice place like a BVI,” Mr. Fahie told VINO.

Mr. Fahie who retired from the public service in August 2010 after serving over 38 years, said he believes God would want for the leaders to come together and discuss their differences and come up with viable solutions  - the kind of system he would be bringing to the table.

“That is the kind of thing I would like to introduce the House of Assembly. Things can be done in an orderly and simple manner instead of people going and forcing things down people’s throat. If not the whole of the BVI, at least a forum should be held to include the people to come up with better solutions,” said Mr. Fahie.

The former Stores and Workshop Manager of the Public Works Department said running for office was a long term dream he had.

“When I was working I said it would be my long term dream…when I reach to retirement age I would like to still contribute in this way and I personally feel with the amount of experience I have I think I have something to offer,” he disclosed.

When asked why he did not run as a candidate in his district, District 6, Mr. Fahie said the current representative Hon. Omar Wallace Hodge has been giving a lot of attention to his district regardless of what many would say, and will be hard to beat.

“If something is working just leave it alone. There are other areas I think need ironing out,” he said.

Party system not working, politicians hungry for power

The retired public servant said he chose to run as an independent candidate since for him the Party system is not working.

“I saw last election the people of the BVI went out wholeheartedly and they chose the VIP over the NDP and field 11 candidates and to me the problem they are having is getting along with each other. That don’t make no sense,” he charged.

He recommended that the country would move forwards if there is a group of “good men”, regardless of their party affiliation, would try to bring their country forward, listen to each other and respect each other’s ideas and opinions.

“I would say the main reason for the problems is individual behavior of politicians and I believe a lot of the members are power hungry. Even if I win and I don’t have a seat as such as part of the administration I would still work along with whoever is seated, if they are willing to accept I,t I will do that. But I am willing to contribute in any way,” said the At-Large candidate.
 

The hospital is one of Mr. Fahie's top priorities.

Health and Education top priority

Mr. Fahie said he would be campaigning broad but would give high priority to health and education.

“I would like to see our hospital out there that can’t get finished to be completed.

That I think it should be given the main priority. I myself would liaise with health professionals regardless of which side they sit on for professional advice,” Mr. Fahie explained his approach to the health sector if elected, making mention of National Democratic Party Leader Dr. D. Orlando Smith, Seventh District Rep. Dr. Kedrick Pickering and Fourth District Rep of the Virgin Islands Party, Dr. Vincent Scatliffe.

In outlining an example, Mr. Fahie said with so many persons dying of cancer in the Virgin Islands, he would like to see a research done to establish why there is a high incidence rate of cancer in the VI.

As for education, the Johnson’s Ghut resident said he would like for his children and everyone else’s children to benefit from the opportunity that he did not have, that is to get a sound education.

“We cannot have an illiterate society but right now I would say brother Fahie (Hon. Andrew Fahie – Minister for Education) is doing a pretty good job,” the candidate said.

“I bring my experience in dealing with things and how I have been dealing over the years. Things I am not educated in, I will seek professional help and I think that is the right attitude any politicians should have — be willing to listen,” he charged.

Asked how he would grade the Virgin Islands Party Government (VIP) during this election term, the new politician said he will not go into politics by bashing anyone but would rather want to see plans made for a more positive way forward.

“I tell myself I will not go and bash nobody, what they did that done gone. Let us now worry to make plans and move forward in a positive way and direction,” he added.

Mr. Fahie has no date in mind as yet for his official launch and now joins several candidates on the race for the At Large seats in the upcoming general elections.

Those candidates who have made public declarations so far are Myron Walwyn and Archibald Christian of the National Democratic Party, Preston Stoutt who is so far running as an Independent candidate.

Article taken from Virgin Islands News Online

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