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Is the NDP Gov’t too broke for a 2017 Budget Day?

- House of Assembly to meet on Monday December 19, 2016; Still no Budget Day announced
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith is expected to announce a date for the Budget Address during his address to the territory today, December 6, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
Left: Financial Secretary Neil M. Smith. Right: House of Assembly, which convenes on December 19, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
Left: Financial Secretary Neil M. Smith. Right: House of Assembly, which convenes on December 19, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) and Sixth District Representative Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) and Sixth District Representative Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Word around social media, the Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP), talk show hosts and civil society is that the ruling National Democratic Party’s (NDP) raiding of the public treasury to win the 2015 snap elections is still coming home to roost.

Many continue to claim that the country is broke also due to the NDP’s reckless spending, such as a $100 Million Ports Development Project that the public was told will only cost $50M, a small wall around a school costing $1M as well as a $7M bailout of a bankrupt airline with the promise of direct flights from Miami, Florida, USA to the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island.

The taxpayers were promised that the flights will start at the end of October 2016, it did not happen, and then a new date was promised for the end of November 2016. It did not happen and now we are given a new date of the end of December 2016.

Governor Duncan confirmed reckless spending

To his credit, Governor John S. Duncan OBE has confirmed the reckless spending by Government in a series of letters to the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. These letters were obtained by the local news media.

The House of Assembly will convene its Third Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly on Monday December 19, 2016; however, the Budget Address will not be on the Order Paper.

According to a senior NDP source, “we are struggling with putting the figures together but it will happen…” The senior source went on to say “no need to panic we will pass our normal provisional Budget to take us up to the first quarter deadline.”

The source also confirmed that today December 6, 2016 the Premier will address the Territory and will announce a “budget date.”

Spin vs reality

In Premier Smith’s address today he is expected to paint a rosy picture of the economy and spin the hardship felt by ordinary citizens with banks taking residents’ houses, cars and lands at an alarming rate and children going to bed hungry, a fact confirmed by one of his members, Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6).

Gun crimes are up in the Virgin Island with almost a shooting every week as well as young people continuing to say they cannot find jobs or get scholarships for higher education while being fool by the controversial Minister responsible for Youth, Hon Myron V Walwyn (AL), about “all he is doing for the youth.”

28 Responses to “Is the NDP Gov’t too broke for a 2017 Budget Day?”

  • cay (06/12/2016, 09:56) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sah ting to talk
    • Hmm (06/12/2016, 11:04) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      The DOGS LASHING them with lyrics this Christmas season too! Hahaha! #Ting2Talk
  • garrut (06/12/2016, 10:07) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    I AM NOT HAND-TO-MOUTH
    • @ garrut (06/12/2016, 10:33) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      How could you be after so much kickbacks? Wall & mold
    • @garrut (06/12/2016, 17:04) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Im hand to mouth and proud of my status. Its a shame because I cant go past the round about from now until mid January 2017, if life lasts. My golly, everyone selling and forcing themselves in my small purse. The place is hurting and badly.
  • Sawda (06/12/2016, 10:38) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    The chicken come home to roost in the day time,what lie will the people hear tonight?Our we will hear double pay for civil servants and special custom duties for XMAS, or we will hear about more taxes to come ..Stay tune let's wait and see what the Misleaders cook up,we watching you Premier come clean..You can't hide any longer, your excuses already ran out..
  • wize up (06/12/2016, 10:39) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wont like if government was broke because them owe me a few pennies and i just can NOT get paid(thank God the government is not broke) having said that i am not the only person standing in line to be paid after providing a service( understand this we are not asking the authorities for a loan we already did the work and need our payment)...is there hope????
    • country broke (06/12/2016, 17:00) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      @wize up. Sorry to hear that they owe you and others because it's going to be some time out before you see any of that money. Keep in mind they have to keep their cronies and crony consultants fed before you. If you're not part of the in-circle, consider yourself at the end of the food chain. Good Luck!
      • wize up (06/12/2016, 17:57) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ country broke: thank God for Jesus(3-more years because there will be no snap election this time around)
        • brent (14/12/2016, 00:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          So you waiting for VIP to save you? Do you remember that is why NDP in in office because VIP were acting like Mafia and if you were not on their side, you got NOTHING? People were afraid of these Henchmen, so now you want to bring them back? Boy, how soon we forget. Just wait and see when they get in again, you will be singing the same old song. I can bet money on it!
  • Welsah (06/12/2016, 11:50) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a ting?
  • CD (06/12/2016, 12:21) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Get forbes new cd it says it all and its facts
  • ha (06/12/2016, 12:49) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    We got the government we deserved. The people of the BVI cannot think critically. They have to be spoon fed like babes. Whatever lies the NDP fed them, they swallowed them. People of the BVI, you are falling like an army in battle. You will soon have to surrender everything your forefather left for you. Remember. you don't have anyone to look out for your wellbeing. One of the ministers is buying all the properties you forfeited. NO money so the banks are selling like crazy. Your eyes are too long. Tak tha. They promised the moon. WHat did you get? Bankruptcy right left and center. Thing to talk. I am laughing like a hyaena.
    • wize up (06/12/2016, 14:56) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ ha...stop talking like that!!! Because i voted NDP all the in 2015 and like most of we did so in good faith so stop beating up on us; please!!!! I actually done jumping ship from motor vessel NDP to MV VIP(work with me)......
  • not enough (06/12/2016, 12:57) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Govt ain't broke enough that Picko could not go to Mexico
  • Rev.Al (06/12/2016, 13:47) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    We got you Premier Misleading us again! !
  • tell me (06/12/2016, 14:02) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    when will I wake up from this nightmare?
  • Dandy (06/12/2016, 14:14) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Budget delay probably due to a big fall in company figures.
    No one is asking why these figures are not being released as they are available.
    Come on VINO push for the latest stats from FSC!
    These will provide many answers and indicate how broke the country going to be.
    • @ dandy (06/12/2016, 14:53) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      Why vino has to do it where is the opposition?
    • @Dandy (06/12/2016, 15:27) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      You're on to something there. They cannot even present us with their own self-auditing report of the pier park project because they are fully aware that if they did, this country will go into a state of panic with the condition we find ourselves in today. Everything is being held tight. This is the worst gov't-we the people-have ever voted into public office.
  • smoker (06/12/2016, 14:16) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't want to hear nothing this boy has to say.
  • rock city (06/12/2016, 15:52) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pure lies
  • strategy (06/12/2016, 17:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Since the new chairman for the VIP,this can very well be a strategic move to tell the people more of what?
  • See (06/12/2016, 19:02) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    As for the local businesses who are owed money ... some of you also double and tripled your prices thinking the govt gravey train would just feed you . Sometimes streets go both ways . Not at all saying the govt hasnt stolen the peoples' money however . A second year accounting student could put together the financial report .....if the powers that be actually wanted it done truthfully . Do any of our citizens ever run for government to actually serve the voters ?? Look at them in churches on the weekends . Nice message ...and we ask whats happening to our young people with crime. ???
  • VG Realist (06/12/2016, 19:18) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    The budget debate is set for January because they are waiting for the licence fee revenue for the second half Companies which were due the end of November from the FSC. So this farce of a speech is a mockery of people's intelligence.
  • facts man (07/12/2016, 04:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Uk must also approve the budget
  • Mr Premier. my input. 4 Suggestion. (07/12/2016, 06:39) Like (1) Dislike (10) Reply
    Mr. Premier. Suggestions. 1/ Eliminate Work Permit exemption, have all those with exemption pay a fde base on their income 8 to 12 hundred to be transferred to resident status. 2/ Make resident Card holders pay 3 hundred dollars every 5 yrs to get a new and updated card with a look a like picture some people picture just don't look like them because they had their card so long... 3/ increase taxes on Medical providers that signed up with NHI. They need to give back something that they are robbing / Making.. Remember no friendship in business. 4/ Take 5 Million dollars abd build a 4 Storage government building on your land next to quomar, Money well spent. Cut back on that amount of rent we can use that rent money to pay our loans. As a matter a fact the 7 million dollars u all gave to that Airline would have better spent building that complex.. Jobs Materials..Come- U all actinh like leaders without brain.. Don't worry people will get theie building tented. Ur first obligation is to the people..The country need funs to move forward in a progressive way .
    .
  • W*F (08/12/2016, 09:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. Smith and his NDP government should be jailed. If the governor looks close enough I am sure criminal activities, and violations of government procedures will be found that NDP has committed. It will be very interesting to see if NDP gets a single vote next election, and the reason why anyone voted for them. Fellow BVIlanders, we cannot and must not follow the old adage, "we know what we have, but we don't know what we will get". Sometimes change is necessary, and it never been more evident, than right now. NDP has got to GO. Let us give our children and grandchildren something that they can count on. NDP is not working.


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