$323M budget presented; Disappointing says Hon Fahie
Government expects to generate some $323M in revenue, with tax increases being one of their sources, and has estimated a recurrent expenditure of some $277M.
The budget, known as an Appropriation Bill, has already been described as one of “disappointment” by Opposition Member Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1)
“I can safely summarise the 2017 budget which ironically is entitled "CHARTING OUR COURSE: Positioning the Virgin Islands for the Future" as one of disappointment. The requirements of the Constitution CANNOT and MUST NOT be subjectively complied. Not a single substantive statement has been made by the Premier with regards to the effects of not presenting, in accordance with Section #109 of the VI Constitution, to the House of Assembly the audited financial statements of 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and now 2016. Our current Financial Secretary has been engaged in his post by the National Democratic Party since 2004,” stated Hon Fahie in a press release sent out shortly after the budget presentation that lasted just under 1 hour and 20 minutes.
The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Chairman further said that in order for anyone to chart the course forward for any future destination they must be clear of their present position.
“The people of the Virgin Islands are tired of fancy speeches with some well-intended goals but void of transparency and accountability. We cannot continue to put on put. This is now eleven budgets totaling approximately $3.3Billion dollars with absolutely no accurate account of how the people's money has been spent for the last ten budgets and now adding an eleventh one. This is a clear definition of non-transparency and the abuse of power.
More details to follow.
22 Responses to “$323M budget presented; Disappointing says Hon Fahie”
DEMOCRACY as we know it is being eroded.
Are they suppose to get the okay from a government agency or a particular minister to get them done?
If not then we should be looking at the agency of the Auditor General.
Please clarify
Thanks
Thanks!
Then, the staff are some arrogant bitches who believe they are the moral authority. If they say it is $10,000.00 you must fork out the money and pay. I think this practices of cheating out of their hard earned money should be investigated.