Alvin Christopher wants debate on financial protocols
Second District Representative, Hon. Alvin Christopher, on Thursday May 10, 2012, informed the House that while the Protocols were crucial, he believed it will have an impact on the VI people, hence the need for an in-depth discussion.
“We owe it to the people to set a date where we debate this document so that people of the VI can have a very good understanding and hear all sides of what the Territory is up against as referred to this document,” Hon. Christopher said during “Other Business”.
On April 23, 2012, Hon. Smith and Minister for the Overseas Territories, Henry Bellingham MP signed the Protocols for Effective Financial Management - an agreement between the VI and UK, which will allow the VI to better manage it affairs and share information. The Protocols were laid in the HOA on May 10, 2012.
However, the 2nd District Representative pointed out that although “it’s a good document” there were complexities in some areas including the Territory’s ability to borrow.
“...so there is a need to talk about it properly so people can understand where the VI is going from a financial management perspective. The document in its present form is going to have a heavy impact on how we go ahead and develop the airport and any development as it refers to borrowing.
“I think some decisions will have to be made in reference to many of the major projects Madame Speaker that we are thinking about embarking on in the future...The whole aspect of borrowing and our ability to borrow would have also impact the major projects that we would be able to challenge in the future,” Hon. Christopher said.
In light of this, he told HOA members that as soon as possible he will be seeking to get an appointment with the Speaker of the House, Ingrid Scatliffe-Moses to have a date set to debate the document.
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