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'Budget speech politically charged!' – Hon Fraser

-said it contained nothing earth shattering; slammed Premier Smith for bringing up Bi-Water
November 18th, 2014 | Tags:
In giving an initial reaction to the budget presentation yesterday November 17, 2014 by Premier Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith (left), Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and Representative for the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser RA (right) said that the budget speech contained nothing that stood out. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - In giving an initial reaction to the budget presentation yesterday November 17, 2014, Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and Representative for the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser RA said that the budget speech contained nothing that stood out.

He lashed out at the Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith’s statements on the Bi-Water project, saying that following the 2011 elections, the new Government had enough time to prepare for this and not being prepared is testimony to their incompetence.

“Madam Speaker, the Bi-Water contract has serious implications for our fiscal position,” said Dr Smith during his budget speech, while noting that water rates may increase.

“We are contractually obligated by the previous Government to pay some seventeen point four million dollars ($17.4MM) per year to Bi-Water, whether or not we consume the water, with the consequence of disenfranchising locally-owned water providers who now currently provide this service. We are also obligated to provide Bi-Water with electricity free of charge,” Dr Smith said.

“Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, the dramatic and prolonged impact of the Bi-Water commitment to the Territory’s budget may cause an increase in water rates. Be that as it may, I have honoured the tenets of the Bi-Water contract and I have done so because, doing otherwise, would have been more costly due to the construct of the negotiated contract and because we live in a country of laws--a country where this Government will always uphold the rules of good governance,” said the Premier.

However, Hon Fraser saw things differently and said the Bi-Water issue had no place in the budget speech.

“I think it was highly politically charged, and set out to bring up issues that had been brought up in the past, talking about Bi-Water, which had absolutely nothing to do with the budget. Government had three years to prepare for the eventuality of the [Bi-Water] project,” said Hon Fraser in a comment to this news site.

“The project is essentially five years behind and they are just finding a cover for their incompetence by not making preparation for it,” he said.

“I see nothing…no ‘wow’ in the budget. I see nothing that I would consider progressive…much of the same routine government execution of projects and intended execution of projects. I don’t see anything happening that is earth shattering,” said Fraser.

During the budget speech, Premier Smith had said “my Government has paid off all the bills created by my predecessors, and have honoured the commitments they created.”

However, with regard to the Premier making statements about debt from the previous administration that the National Democratic Party paid off, Hon Fraser challenged the Premier to bring the supplementary appropriation that he has sitting on, “and people would see where he reallocated funds from the various projects that were there in 2011,” he said.

“We would see what he did with the money and what he got in 2011, the $75 million that he inherited from our administration so he will see what he did with it,” said Hon Fraser.

30 Responses to “'Budget speech politically charged!' – Hon Fraser”

  • --------------- (18/11/2014, 08:41) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    i like this match up between farser and smith...my $$$$ on fraser yall
    • @ -------------------- (18/11/2014, 16:07) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      What rubbish! Dr. Smith is no match for Fraser the liberator

  • Observer (18/11/2014, 09:07) Like (6) Dislike (16) Reply
    The matter with the NDP admin, is that they're too inexperienced. I done tell ppl, VIP ready for them backside. Fraser seeing RED (literally) - like a bull ready to charge. P.S, I'm not a supporter of either parties, I'm just an observer.
    • So.... (18/11/2014, 10:08) Like (22) Dislike (4) Reply

      So you think behaving like a raging pitbull is what's needed in the BVI? He can carry on with all the nonsense he wants but the people want solutions and someone with common sense. Who are VIP? Who are they? We have Fraser and Fahie, who are the other 11? At least with NDP we know FROM NOW who and what we have to deal with for the most part. Boss go sit down, he will be seeing Red of course, NDP all the way, that's the red he seeing. Tell me how Fraser will be able to get folks from other districts to rally around him. It will not happen. All he did in his years is take care of his little click down in hog city and now they don't even have a pot to p..s in after all that money. VIP supporters in other districts can't stand the man. When are the VIP delegates going to admit they made a big mistake with putting him as Chairman?

      • @ So.... (18/11/2014, 11:23) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
        I can't stand Fraser either, but for the past few weeks to a month he's been making strong points that should be taken into consideration, and calling the NDP administration out on their set of STUPIDLY made, SELFISH decisions that is currently affecting the territory in a negative way, and will continue to at the rate they're going. Don't let your feelings towards an individual interfere with your reasoning! I don't like Fraser for NOTHING, but what he's saying is true.
        • So...... (18/11/2014, 14:38) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
          @ so... Making strong points like what? I don't have anything personal with Fraser. He has been elected for 14 years. What is his legacy? Tell me what he has done to deserve Premier of the BVI. Don't piss on me and tell me it's raining!
          • Hmm (19/11/2014, 07:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

            The fact is that no one now has or had a legacy. Opportunities are given to make a legacy, and so it will be. It would be the same for you, you can't make a legacy, or a change or any difference if you are not given the opportunity to make a legacy! But you will hear in a while. Try don't p..s yourself off and get stressed out.

          • Well Sah (19/11/2014, 08:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            If you don't see the strong points then you are lost more than you think.
      • Oh Please (18/11/2014, 11:36) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
        Fraser is the man, he already has a team in place paying people to register in his district to ensure a sure win yet again. That is a man who cares for people by giving them money to vote for him, im with Fraser all the way!!!!







        Can i be paid for my comment now please? thanks....
        • Hmm (18/11/2014, 11:58) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
          Hoping this was a sarcastic comment, well obviously... well, I hope so.
  • lmao (18/11/2014, 09:37) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hon. Julian "Don't bring up my past" Fraser. HAHAHAHAHAH!!!!
  • OhKala (18/11/2014, 10:12) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
    The NDP has no ideas left
  • BVIEC (18/11/2014, 11:53) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    Yes, Mr Fraser, Biwater has a place in the Budget speech because of the major implications you did not address when signing this farce of a contract. It has severely affected electricity corporation, as extra generators had to be rented, at a cost of some $5m per year. If you hadn't promised free electricity or at least started phase 5, things might have been better. Biwater will be a huge financial liability.

    Gov, you will have to step up your game and collect from everybody who has a water meter.
    • . (18/11/2014, 12:27) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      If aryo had allowed the man to purchse that generator way back when, we would not had to rent one now.
      • BVIEC (18/11/2014, 14:49) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        That comment isn't true.
        In any event, Fraser was the minister in charge, if he wanted to buy a generator he could have, just like he signed the contract.
      • Yes (18/11/2014, 18:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        The record will show that Fraser give electricity the money long time ago to buy the generator to provide electricity for Biwater, but the damp politics NDP people play to stop it from happening now catch up with them. Anyhow them had 3 years to buy a darm generator why them ain't buy it?
        • BVIEC (19/11/2014, 15:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          What do you think phase 5 will do?
          Biwater is just a bad contract.
    • David (18/11/2014, 22:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I wonder if the premier will ever tell the people the truth?

      Biwater will produce 2.8 million gallons of water per day at $16 per every thousand gallons.

      Ocean conversion produces 800 Thousand gallons of water per day at $25 per every thousand gallons.

      Government pays Biwater 13 million per year for water plus 4 million per year for electricity.

      Government pays Ocean Conversion 12 million per year for water plus 3.1 million per year for electricity.

      Also, Ocean Conversion has a Water Plant in East End. Ocean Conversion leases the land from Mr. Doll Penn. The Lease for the land per year is $750,000.

      Government pays this amount as well.

      So you tell me which deal is better?

      And also who will supply more water for less?

  • sorry (18/11/2014, 12:39) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Free electricity? Who you think paying for the electricity Ocean Conversion use. Hint, you paying it to government and government paying it to them. (So them getting it free to). RIGHT?
  • Prophet (18/11/2014, 13:13) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    I now see how really blind Mr. Fraser is. How can the agreement with Bi-Water be left out when funding the contract will cost the tax payers. Thus, it would have to reflected in the budget. It tells me now that you Mr. Fraser is not worthy of leadership of this territory if you can't look at the entire picture. Yet you make statements about unemployment and repossessions of houses not taking into consideration that you were are the helm of creating this monster.
  • weed (18/11/2014, 13:42) Like (5) Dislike (11) Reply
    I fear worse to come. I am sick at heart with the NDP one issue on Biwater olde tire news NDP must go!!!
  • vi (18/11/2014, 13:48) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    Just to be clear, I am completely in agreement with what Hon Frazer says
  • To Sorry (18/11/2014, 14:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ocean Conversion's rate for water includes electricity. Biwater's rate does NOT include electricity so it means we pay their bill whether it goes up or down, that's a big difference especially when doing budgets and financial planning. Bitwater could care less what they do as it relates to equipment etc. because they don't have to pay for electricity. You are trying hard to defend it but that is impossible my friend. Shit is still shit even if you spray perfume on it.
    • fool (18/11/2014, 17:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Fool, whether it included in rate or government pays it directly to electricity, government still pays it. You don't customers do not pay water companies government does.
      Besides, every time electricity rates go up water companies adjust them rates. So government has to pay as well.
  • joe (18/11/2014, 14:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    to long these so called leaders have been taking kick back from contractors some have even opened companies in their relatives name so they can get state brief very soon the bvi will join some other Caribbean island as a country with no accountability just spend spend spend don't worry when the crap hits the fan we will take it out on the tax payers
  • Plank. (18/11/2014, 18:24) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    BVI will be fine. Don`t make it sound so bad, we will be ok. lets us all be positive and optimistic, we are still amongst the best. Our leaders have good intentions.( VIP or NDP, Its life, when people against us, seems like we can do nothing right. I am sure you have that same experience. Lets rally around our leaders. express our views in a polite and respectful manner. let us Hope, help and pray for a better tomorrow.
  • lil man (18/11/2014, 20:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow, Fraser made me feel for a second that things was better with the VIP! May SCB families not all for sure. I can clearly hearing them declaring the roughness of the times and that the Global financial crisis hit our shores. The roads wasn't any better, we had water woes, millions was wasted, they been disrespectful to the opposition docs as it was just the 2 literally demanding them to shut up because they have numbers. Government employees who knew the scoop was scared that this is time we wouldn't be paid. The list can go on and on and on a whole lot more. The VIP You had your Style, egos to Maintain, families to sort out financially everything! I just don't get you! Then if you get in next election you gonna be doing the very same thing in your way. Talking how rough things are and stay blaming the NDP for the hard times like you aint had shhhhh to do with it. Tola is a old school place and people endure the VIP because in actuality you are who they know Lavity Stoutt and so. They were great stalwarts, they are gone what about you? To me it's like JamBand without Friday! However the NDP is not perfect i hate tax increase and the likes. But Crystal Clearly I have seen many Awesome changes in the BVI in the past 3 years, i am glad to call this land my Home as i still await BETTER TO COME!
  • apple pie (18/11/2014, 23:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This budget by dr. smith could have been a legacy-defining issue where one’s position signifies whether they are standing up for or against the next generation but he failed us again and I must give the croen to Fraser
  • wet well (19/11/2014, 21:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe one day we will have a free press in BVI telling us what really happened to we $$$$$$$


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