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2016 Budget still not passed amidst increased hardship for those owed!

- if all goes as planned the Appropriation Act 2016 is expected to be passed on Thursday March 31, 2016
The National Democratic Party (NDP) has failed to pass a 2016 Budget amidst continued claims by the Opposition, civil society and the media that the country is broke due to the NDP raiding the Treasury to buy and win the 2015 general elections. Photo: VINO/File
Senior Opposition Member Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, has called for an investigation of the Budget numbers and missing monies, as he said he does not trust anything coming from the NDP Administration. Left: Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith. Photo: VINO/Provided
Senior Opposition Member Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, has called for an investigation of the Budget numbers and missing monies, as he said he does not trust anything coming from the NDP Administration. Left: Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith. Photo: VINO/Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The National Democratic Party (NDP) has failed to pass a 2016 Budget amidst continued claims by the Opposition, civil society and the media that the country is broke due to the NDP raiding the Treasury to buy and win the 2015 general elections.

After three days of debate that saw a clear division between the front bench Ministers of Government and the backbenchers, the Virgin Islands is still without a spending Bill.

It is important to note that the Budget must be passed by the end of April 2016, according to law.

Three days of debate lacked substance

It was a less than dignified debate over the recent three days in the House of Assembly with backbencher and Jr Minister for Tourism Hon Archibald C. Christian blasting his colleague, the Minister for Education and Culture the controversial Myron V. Walwyn, for not paying local artistes who have been owed from last year.

Hon Walwyn’s only contribution to the debate was spreading misinformation about a former civil servant whose tenure in the service was ended for political reasons and therefore, according to Mr Walwyn, should not serve on a Commission.

Added to that, the debate saw Hons Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) and Deloris Christopher (R5) begging Ministers for help in their districts.

Gov’t owes the people; They need their money

Many residents who have been owed money for land leases, work done on projects from last year, court settlements and building rentals have been told they must wait for the Budget to pass, while many of them face financial hardship due to the long delay.

The House of Assembly (HoA) is expected to be back in session on Thursday March 31, 2016 for the continuation of the Seventh Sitting of the First Session of the Third HoA.

Members of the HoA are also expected to return to the Standing Finance Committee. The remaining speakers are Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith and Health and Social Development Minister Hon Ronnie W. Skelton.

Funds missing! Investigation needed

The senior Opposition Member Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has called for an investigation of the Budget numbers and missing monies, as he said he does not trust anything coming from the NDP Administration.

In his presentation, Hon Fahie blasted the Government for violation of the Financial Management Act and the Protocol for Financial Management, as well as illegally diverting millions of dollars from the Sewerage Loan to the controversial Ports Development Project.

Meanwhile, the longer the Budget takes to be passed the longer Government Departments and Ministries must suffer, the longer the economy- which is not robust- must be at a standstill and the longer ordinary citizens who are owed millions of dollars must wait and listen to all types of excuses, according to residents.

20 Responses to “2016 Budget still not passed amidst increased hardship for those owed!”

  • Guest (29/03/2016, 11:43) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    my my
  • man from the 8th (29/03/2016, 11:54) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Them took Marlon's money ($8 million) and spent it on the cruise pier project.
  • and you could take that to the bank (29/03/2016, 12:01) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    THE NDP IS THE WORST GOVERNMENT THAT WE HAD SO FAR.
  • Yes (29/03/2016, 12:31) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    National Bouncecheque Party
  • watching (29/03/2016, 12:56) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Time for some people in govt to spend some time in jail . Enough already . They have their money. They should not draw any money at all unless all the bills are paid . Many small businesses go to bat for the govt only to get the shaft from them . Pathetic example for young people to see
  • luck (29/03/2016, 12:58) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    The NDP is the luckiest government ever. They can violate any law, policy &/or the Constitution & never be investigated. They just above the law.
    • :( (29/03/2016, 14:55) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      What hurts me the most is to know that we will have to pay their pension until they die.
  • Hmmmm (29/03/2016, 13:02) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is the Governor in the midst of all these illegal acts? The same place he was with the needed but corrupt Cruise Pier Project...running from carrying out his constitutional duties so he can keep friends with the 1st lady & her gang dancing & limboing the night times.
    • Hmm (29/03/2016, 13:25) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      What kind of question you asking ? Them boy is good-partna; in case you didn't realize. He don't see no wrong coming from the red side.
    • voter (31/03/2016, 05:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sleeping in the back of the Range and the other one in the back of the Caddy fast asleep while the gang of thugs violate the constitution. Complicity at its best. Father put a hand
  • clearer now (29/03/2016, 13:05) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is clearer now than ever that those who have the Constitutional duty to investigate wrong doings in government & elected officials is turning a blind eye to the NDP while going after everyone else.
  • rattie (29/03/2016, 13:59) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    NDP MUST GO
  • Open Minded (29/03/2016, 15:21) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    I want to see my country prosper and I agree that the NDP may have made some bad decisions but complaining isn't going to solve the problem. We should start creating ways we can help with the crisis we are facing.

    Please BVI let's do our best to make sure that we can survive.

    If we don't make back the money spent on the pier park soon enough we would have to go through a rescission until we can find ways to get out. What I am going to do is start to save as much money as I can and I would advise ministries and departments in government to cut back on spending so the rest of the money is kept in our economy.

    Ways to make back the money include
    *working close with BVI tourist board
    *small shops that seek to produce creative souvenirs (kenny tees, arawak, crafts alive)
    *The rum distillery in cane garden bay
    *restaurants and bars (pussers, foxy's, the dove)
    *improving beach facilities (CSY improvement)

    At the end of it all the government can do what they want but we to as people have power! I cant do it alone. Join me in my quest to keep my BVI BEAUTIFUL!!!
  • The Reaper (29/03/2016, 17:40) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    UK need too come For All of the Island.We the people work or live with Each other..Sincerely yours...The Reaper
  • ... (29/03/2016, 18:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Broke dem broke so no budget
  • Zone 6 (29/03/2016, 20:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well only Alweera nah say a ting!
  • bob marley (30/03/2016, 00:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    With murder and other crime uncontrollably rampant, the Smith administration has to start somewhere and hurry pass a budget.
    But so far, all dem ah do is offering planning for a plan.
  • Charley Rose (30/03/2016, 17:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This year's budget is very deceptive. The premier read a political speech without any specific mention of the amount of money for each ministry. How will the public follow the allocation of monies for the various projects.


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