Thirty Virgin Islanders were employed by PG Gas at Petrus Plaza last month through the Government of the Virgin Islands 1000 jobs in 1000 days programme.
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie said that the 1000 jobs in 1000 days programme was not just an election gimmick but a strategy to ensure that all Virgin Islanders are gainfully employed and contributing to the economic development of the Territory.
The Premier said, “We promised that every single, citizen who wants to be trained, who wants to be employed, even Belongers who want to contribute to economic survival of this Territory to be able to do so by getting a job through the 1000 jobs programe,” the Premier said adding, “I thank the Petrus team for investing in the 1000 jobs in 1000 days programme, as they have hired 30 persons.”
Speaking to the criticism that the programme had garnered, the Premier said that his focus is on making an impact in the lives of those who are employed through the programme.
“Even if we hire one person, that is one less person who is off the streets, one less person who does not have to worry and one less person who would not have to turn to crime,” he said.
Mr. Allison “Allie” Petrus, Owner of PG Gas spoke about the developmental journey of bringing Petrus Plaza BVI to fruition.
Mr. Petrus said, “Our idea was to diversify our business portfolio and our markets and to be able to make a difference where ever we go. It is something special that we saw about this project as a whole because in the final translation it meant jobs coming to the British Virgin Islands.”
Mr. Petrus added that despite him being a qualified builder in the US Virgin Islands, his decision to hire a qualified local construction company came from the Government’s call for persons to hire locals.
He added, “We understand how economics work, if you want to grow an economy, the economist tells you that every dollar that is in a community circulates about seven times. The best way to have your money circulated is by hiring locals, people who are going to live here and spend their money here, because of the circulation of that dollar is how an economy thrives.”
The 1000 Jobs in 1000 days programme was launched by the Government of the Virgin Islands on August 21, last year. To date, there were about 77 persons placed through the programme.