Some department heads and statutory bodies have been appearing before the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee to make a case for more funding. Photo: VINO/File

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) announced in his 2018 Budget that their is a shortfall of $50 million. Photo: VINO/File

While the Committee which is made up of Members of the whole House struggles to have a quorum which is seven, some department heads and statutory bodies have been appearing before the House of Assembly (HoA) to make a case for more funding.

No money there

While answers to questions in the HoA have already confirmed that the government is broke or as Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) puts it “we have cash flow issues” the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) is going through the formality.

The Ministry of Education and Culture is expected to make their case on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, and by tomorrow April 11, 2018, the Ministry of Communications and Works may be the final body to appear before Legislators according to someone familiar with the process.

Who do you trust with the $$$$?

Following that is the debate on the Budget which is the Appropriation Bill 2018. Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) has already announced that his 2018 Budget has a shortfall of $50M.

There are also grants and other financial gifts being donated to help the Territory following the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria but there has been a deliberate attempt by donors and the British Government to keep this money away from National Democratic Party (NDP) politicians.