2016 Budget still not passed amidst increased hardship for those owed!
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!”
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!!!
But so far, all dem ah do is offering planning for a plan.