Premier Smith assures contractors of due payments ‘soon’
Premier Smith made the announcement to reporters at a press conference on November 12, 2013. Pressed to give a definite time when the owed contractors will be paid, Premier Smith insisted, “They will be paid soon.”
Blame was again thrown at the feet of the previous government as Premier Smith said most of the delayed payments were as a result of unpaid bills left by the previous Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government.
“What we will also say is that, in 2011 November when we came to office, the remaining balance was in the region of $40M which meant that people were owed in the region of $40M, which eventually were paid,” added Premier Smith.
He said this year the remaining balance is in the region of $17M dollars, which is quite different and means essentially that government has been making up grounds and been able to pay the bills incurred by the past government and by this government, while at the same time trying to get investment into the country to stimulate the economy.”
Many contractors have been complaining bitterly about nonpayment for work done, along with claims of being pushed around constantly by staff of the government treasury. “When you call today they tell you come Friday, when you go Friday they tell you next Friday and they just keep pushing you around back and forth,” One businessman had told Virgin Islands News Online.
Another had claimed that because of the shabby payment scheme of the government his family life was being put under severe pressure. “We are small businessmen, we depend on our monies to feed our families and this nonsense with this government when it comes to paying us the few dollars putting big pressure on us you know man,” said another.
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10 Responses to “Premier Smith assures contractors of due payments ‘soon’”
this man could not find $$$ to pay contractors but could find money to start a none revune park