$110M plus approved to keep Government running
While the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith has failed to give the people of the Overseas Territory a spending Bill, the Constitution (Section 105) allows for the Government to seek a temporary spending measure for up to four months in the fiscal year once a Budget fails to come forward.
Who gets the $$$$$?
Of the over one hundred and ten million dollars, the House of Assembly will take some one million six hundred and fifty two thousand, three hundred and thirty three dollars ($1, 652, 333) of the pie. The Deputy Governor’s Office will eat up another one million, six hundred and forty eight thousand, nine hundred and sixty seven dollars ($1, 648, 967).
From the temporary funds, the Premier’s Office will get some five million and eighty nine thousand, seven hundred dollars ($5,089, 700) and the Ministry of Finance will get some two million, eight hundred and forty seven thousand, nine hundred dollars ($2, 847, 900).
The Ministry of Education via its policy, planning and administration division will rake in five million, two hundred and nineteen thousand, nine hundred and sixty seven dollars ($5, 219, 967), while the Ministry of Health and Social Development secured fifteen million, six hundred and eighty four thousand, three hundred and thirty three dollars ($15, 684, 333).
NDP Financial stewardship
The NDP has come under fire over the last four years for their financial stewardship. They got caught in a lie when they took over in 2011 when they continued to preach that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) left the country broke. Information after those claims confirmed that the VIP left some $50 Million in the bank. This is according to a question answered by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith in the House of Assembly.
The Auditor General has raised serious concerns that since the NDP took office in 2011 to current, there have been no audited financial statements, which continues to raise red flags. Senior VIP member Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has often expressed concern that in the NDP’s four years in office (2011-current) four Accountant Generals have left their post, something that is historical in the Public Sector.
Hon Fahie has also labeled the NDP Administration as the most corrupt in the history of the Virgin Islands.
Many in the media, talk show hosts and civil society are now asking the serious question: Did the NDP left the country broke to win the last general elections.
Many departments throughout government, especially those under the Ministry of Education and Culture, continue to cry out for basic supply to carry out their daily duties.
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26 Responses to “$110M plus approved to keep Government running”
Don't worry, you money sure....when they borrow the $55 Million. Who knows they have house and land and promotion waiting for you too!
Choose Jesus, Santa or Satan.
Though the electorate understands that government must deliver services seamlessly, it is not yet clear with no major change in personnel why a continuing resolution or temporary funding is needed to keep the government running. The budget staff had ample time to prepare and present the 2016 operation and maintenance and capital budget. The question is why the regular budget presentation was delayed? Is the delay due to financial challenges? Whatever the reason(s) the electorate needs to know.
The HOA approved a $110M temporary funding measure to keep the government running for the next four months. Without an approved 2016 budget, is this $110M just to fund essential services? The electorate has a need to know up front how much money is being spent, how it is being spent and why it is being spent. When is the 2016 budget coming to the HOA? Delay fuels speculation about the financial footing of the territory? This speculation could impact external investment, the life blood of the economy. Stability (political, social, economic) is vital for external investment.
Undoubtedly, there is a rising demand for services, coupled with rising cost and flat revenue, which may be putting strain on the budget. Government will never have the resources to meet all it needs at once; it has to prioritized available resources. It has a "Bucket Budget." The bucket has a maximum capacity so a change in one programme may mean a change in some other programme. For example, an increase in health cost may result in a reduction in sport. In any event, the people needs to know what is going on sooner than later.