Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), left, and Opposition Leader, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1). Photo: VINO/File

Leader of the Opposition and First District Representative, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), says annual budgetary allocations for his Office do not allow for flexibility in its use and that he has had to resort to expending personal funds in fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities—the ‘Peoples Work.’ Photo: VINO/File

The disclosure came during examination of the draft Budget Estimates for the Virgin Islands for 2018, by the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee.

Hon Fahie told the Standing Committee that while the Office of the Opposition Leader was allocated $30,000 in 2017, he was restricted in what could in fact be done, since the notes in the budget limited what he could do with it.

As such, the Opposition Leader related to the Committee that he has had to pay for his broadcasts and other things from personal funds. 

Discrepancy

Hon Fahie, at the time had to also point out to the Committee that there was no allocation reflected in the estimates for his Office for 2018 and requested that $30,000 allocated in 2017, be included for 2018.

He was informed however, the discrepancy was in fact an oversight and was reassured by Premier, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), that he would have discussions with the Financial Secretary on an agreed amount for running the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and it would be corrected and reflected in the ‘Draft C Budget.’

The Leader of the Opposition and Member for the First District also used the occasion to reiterate that the budgetary notes should be made clear, to allow for some flexibility for payment of broadcasts and other expenses associated with the running of the Office.

There was no immediate commitment made to amend the budget notes to allow for greater flexibility in expending amounts allocated for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.