At Thursday June 28, 2018 Sitting, many of the same questions have returned to the Order Paper. Photo: Internet Source

Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) wants to know from the Premier and Minister of Finance the amount drawn down, to date, from the $65 million Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) loan—approved in the HoA in December 2017—interest expense billed and or paid to date, and the names of the offices or officers empowered or authorised to instruct draw-downs. Photo: VINO/File

Using its majority in the HoA, they would move them on the Order Paper to the last item, provide misleading answers, or at times, outright refuse to provide responses, claiming it’s “a sensitive matter.”

At the last HoA Sitting in April 2018, the questions were moved to one of the last items on the Order Paper. Time ran out before they could be addressed and the sitting was adjourned.

At the Thursday June 28, 2018, sitting, many of the questions have returned to the Order Paper, notwithstanding with some amendments, since they may have been outdated.

The two-member Opposition will question the Government front bench on a number of issues.

 Accountability/CDB loans-Hon Fahie

Opposition Leader, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), wants to know from Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), the amount drawn down to date from the $65 million Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) loan—approved in the HoA in December 2017—interest expenses billed, and or paid to date, and the names of the offices or officers empowered or authorised to instruct draw-downs.

Hon Fahie also wants to know, on behalf of the people, the amount each Ministry and or government entity has expended to date from their respective CDB loan allotments and the purpose for which each entity of government used the funds.

Backdoor policy?

Political Candidate, Julian Willock—who is running At-Large in the next General Elections—had proposed a ‘Citizen by Investment Programme,’ in a national address some three months ago as a means of new revenue generation.

Opposition Member, Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), now wants to know from Premier Smith, if such a programme already exists.

He is to ask the Premier and Minister of Finance whether, government is considering a policy for ‘Residency for Direct Investment,’ and if yes, to verify that amount, and the many ways to achieve residency through the programme.

UK visit & Health professional- Hon Fraser

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), will have to answer Hon Fraser, on how many locals with medical degrees were offered jobs since the salary adjustments were made, how many were hired, and how many locals and non-locals have resigned, since the salary adjustments were made and why.

BVI Airways again!

Both Hons Fahie and Fraser, also have more questions on the scandal-riddled, 'BVI Airways.' They want to know what efforts have been made to date, to get the people’s $7.2M, back from BVI Airways which is yet to start flights between the Virgin Islands and Miami, after it was promised to start in October 2016. Hon Fraser also wants to know if the Smith Administration, is in contact with BVI Airways Executives.

The sitting of the HoA will be carried live on CBN Radio 90.9 FM 'The Caribbean Super Station' and is expected to start at 10:00 AM.