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UPDATE: 2016 Budget of $330M passed in HoA

- Government spending Bill includes projected revenue & spending of three hundred and thirty million, eight hundred and forty six thousand, five hundred dollars ($330, 846,500)
April 1st, 2016 | Tags: disrepute HOA Ingrid A. Moses immunity lies
From left: Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith and Financial Secretary Mr Neil M. Smith. on March 31, 2016 the House of Assembly (HoA) passed one of the largest spending Bills in the history of the Virgin Islands. It approved the 2016 Appropriation Act totaling three hundred and thirty million, eight hundred and forty six thousand, five hundred dollars (US$330, 846,500). Photo: VINO/File
Speaker of the House, Hon Ingrid A. Moses (left) has been criticised for allowing the House of Assembly to fall into disrepute. Right: There is a dark cloud looming over today’s, March 31, 2016, sitting as the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith struggles to pass the Budget. Photo: VINO/File
Speaker of the House, Hon Ingrid A. Moses (left) has been criticised for allowing the House of Assembly to fall into disrepute. Right: There is a dark cloud looming over today’s, March 31, 2016, sitting as the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith struggles to pass the Budget. Photo: VINO/File
Member of the Opposition Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), left) expressed his disappointment in the downright rudeness, tone and verbal abuse that have been used towards Members of the Opposition and the public by the NDP administration in the HoA. During the Budget debate Hon Myron V. Walwyn, who built a small wall around the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) in Road Town to the tune of $1M while schools do not have toilet paper and water for staff and students, used his time to spread lies about a private citizen and the officer’s tenure in the civil service. Photo: VINO/File
Member of the Opposition Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), left) expressed his disappointment in the downright rudeness, tone and verbal abuse that have been used towards Members of the Opposition and the public by the NDP administration in the HoA. During the Budget debate Hon Myron V. Walwyn, who built a small wall around the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) in Road Town to the tune of $1M while schools do not have toilet paper and water for staff and students, used his time to spread lies about a private citizen and the officer’s tenure in the civil service. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola VI- In the quiet of the night on March 31, 2016 the House of Assembly (HoA) passed one of the largest spending Bills in the history of the Virgin Islands. It approved the 2016 Appropriation Act totaling three hundred and thirty million, eight hundred and forty six thousand, five hundred dollars (US$330, 846,500).

The Bill must now go to the United Kingdom appointed Governor John S. Duncan OBE to sign off, another procedure of our West Minister System form of Government.

Budget debate was disappointing

The Budget Debate highlighted  a serious split among members of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) as they were not speaking with one voice, most often throwing shots at each other. However, when they were not, they targeted private citizens.

The Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) continues to accuse the ruling regime led by second term Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith of corruption, financial mismanagement and missing funds.

Senior Opposition Member Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) also reported that some $8M was illegally transferred to the controversial Ports Development Project without coming to the HoA.

The Budget Debate also saw the embattled Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn using his contribution to spread misinformation about a former esteemed Permanent Secretary in what all agree was an unstatesmanlike and childish rant.

Hon Walwyn, whose own legitimacy for being in the HoA is still actively being debated as some does not consider him eligible to be there because of the Constitution's interpretation of who is a Virgin Islander, was hiding in the HoA under the protection privilege of not being sued.

Meanwhile, the funds will be ready for use in about two weeks, according to a source close to the Ministry of Finance; however, it remains unclear when Governor Duncan will sign the Bill.

See previous article published March 31, 2016

HoA resumes today amidst dark budget & disrepute cloud!

- 2016 Budget Debate continues as Appropriation Act must be passed by April 30, 2016, while the public & Members feel the HoA has become a place of disrepute

The Seventh Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) will continue at 10:00 a.m. at the House of Assembly Chambers in Road Town today Thursday, March 31, 2016. It will be carried live on CBN channel 51.

However, there is a dark cloud looming over today’s sitting as the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith struggles to pass the Budget.

Many critics, civil society, the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Opposition and the media have claimed that the NDP raided the Treasury to buy and win the 2015 general election, leaving the country broke. The NDP has rejected those claims, saying there is money in the Treasury.

Budget deadline

The Budget, under the law, must be passed by April 30, 2016. The Budget Debate continues today with two speakers left- the Minister for Health & Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton and the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Smith- to wrap up the debate.

After the speakers, the law making body is expected to return to the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) to finalise the Budget. It could be passed today March 31, 2016, if not by tomorrow.

NDP civil war

Much of the debate has been spent like a civil war among members of the ruling NDP, with Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) blasting his own front bench colleague, Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) for the lack of progress on the East End/Long Look Sewerage crisis, and Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Archibald C. Christian harshly criticising the controversial Education and Culture Minister Hon Myron V. Walwyn for not paying local artistes while overseas ones were paid in full.

HoA has lost respect; People are ashamed 

In addition, the intellectual and business class, as well as the media, continue to be disappointed that some elected Members disrespect the House of Assembly, an important institution to our young democracy, and their only contribution is to insult and spread misinformation about residents.

Additionally, senior Member of the Opposition Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) also expressed his disappointment in the downright rudeness, tone and verbal abuse that have been used towards Members of the Opposition and the public by the NDP administration in the HoA.

During the Budget debate Hon Myron V. Walwyn, who built a small wall around the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) in Road Town to the tune of $1M while schools do not have toilet paper and water for staff and students, used his time to spread lies about a private citizen and the officer’s tenure in the civil service.

The citizen has fired back with facts and has also written the Speaker of the House Hon Ingrid A. Moses about the sad state of the law making body.

Meanwhile, the longer the Budget takes to be passed the longer Government Departments and Ministries must suffer, the longer the economy- which is not robust- must be at a standstill and the longer ordinary citizens who are owed millions of dollars must wait and listen to all types of excuses, according to residents.

35 Responses to “UPDATE: 2016 Budget of $330M passed in HoA”

  • wow (31/03/2016, 10:57) Like (58) Dislike (3) Reply
    Many things that were done in the dark are now coming to the light, it is shameful to see those who were given the public trust betray that trust so flagrantly
  • cay (31/03/2016, 11:05) Like (32) Dislike (3) Reply
    Only some eating ndp no good
  • wize up (31/03/2016, 11:41) Like (4) Dislike (42) Reply
    Long live the NDP
    • kelo (31/03/2016, 12:01) Like (29) Dislike (7) Reply
      Thats what happen when you put a bunch of low life island man in your house o congress
  • af (31/03/2016, 11:46) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply
    "no matter how fast moon light run, day light does ketch it"
  • chad (31/03/2016, 11:47) Like (9) Dislike (46) Reply
    The speaker looking sweet....Those lips....Uuuuhhhh!
    • allisee (01/04/2016, 11:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      is that mole
    • ha (01/04/2016, 11:31) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
      You must be out of your blasted mind. Looking sweet? The weave needs an upgrade, the lipstick needs touching, eyebrows needs a good waxing or threading and she needs the proper foundation.
      • Oh Please! (01/04/2016, 11:57) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
        Jealousy does not become you!
        • q (01/04/2016, 18:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          @oh please, there is nothing about her or nothing she has that anyone is jealous about. Further more no one has time for the jealous parade.the truth is the truth, she is in need of a makeover so go marinate on that. Jealous LMAO.
      • please (01/04/2016, 14:54) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
        Some people do have their own natural long hair. Look good, it's not a weave. Or are you too jealous to notice...?
  • Scary Mary (31/03/2016, 11:57) Like (56) Dislike (0) Reply
    They can debate the budget as much as they like but the sad fact of the matter is that with the majority of votes being on the NDP side of the House, it is all a huge waste of time. It will be passed and that is a fact we must all live with.

    What concerns me far more is that the budget will be passed summarily, DESPITE the fact that there have been no financial statements since 2011. We are talking about passing the budget for 2016, yet we still don't know where the monies were spent in 2012, 2013, 2014 or 2015! How is this possible? Is it even legal? I wish someone (in the know) would let us know where we the people stand in this matter. Should the Governer or FCO be doing something about this?

    Seriously, where else in the world could ANY government get away with this? We blithely accept this as the norm (which I assure you it is not) and go about our daily lives, having no concept of the damage that may have been done.

    When will we demand accountability from our government? What will it take before we find the gumption within ourselves to stand up, be counted and DEMAND that our government provides us with proper fiscal reporting and accountability?

    I for one believe it is outrageous that the biggest budget in the history of the BVI will be passed by the same government that hasn't bothered to account for THE TERRITORY'S MONIES for the past 4 years! Cash reserves in the consolidated fund reportedly fell to less than 7 million at the beginning of this year, yet our monthly expenditure is nearly 30 million. I fail to see why anyone would believe this government is capable of handling our finances given their track record and our absurdly high national debt which is growing daily.
    • wondering (31/03/2016, 15:40) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      With this record now in his association, would our FS be able to get an international job? Or has he allowed the government of the day to spoil his professional good name with their less than sqeaky way of running government.
  • virus (31/03/2016, 12:02) Like (104) Dislike (1) Reply
    The NDP are a bunch of genetically modified politicians created to kill the BVI.
  • voter (31/03/2016, 13:50) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
    look at Doc hair. Looks like he was sleeping in the back of the Caddy again while his buddies run wild
  • Greed is the Forerunner (31/03/2016, 14:03) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    A birdy pick me on the shoulder and told me that the NDP government is spending the tax payers monies in their own self interest hence that lack of information provided to the public. The civil servants that are aware of what's going on isn't saying anything because for one they have signed an oath stating that the information they acquire is to be kept confidential and secondly for the simple fact that they don't want to loose their jobs.
    • Boo (31/03/2016, 19:56) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hmmm. When the axe fall lets hope we don't end up like TCI and our birds camping out in Brazil or somewhere to escape extradition.
    • GREED (31/03/2016, 21:37) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      When they sign up for the job they knew zip mouth tell no tails so keep it zip.
  • STOPIT! (31/03/2016, 16:29) Like (3) Dislike (28) Reply
    Can any Government please the babbling bloggers? VIP was there, they put them out, put in NDP and the same phrase keeps surfacing NDP bad for the country. Well, tis you put them there. See if you can take them out and put your team, and the story will continue. There are those watching on the side waiting for us to fall, remember like MX said, they will offer solution and then pick up the spoils. Virgin Islanders, think about the future of our country and the fate of our grand children. Close your door and lick the child if it needs licking. Mine Eh!!
  • W*F (01/04/2016, 12:00) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Neil and Dr. Smith look so embarrassed.. As a fact, Neil looks like he is crying. The budget pass HUH?
    • affected (01/04/2016, 18:57) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      WTF====Yea budget pass BUT. still no money
      Problem Government broke. There is NO cash flow
      We all waiting for the next two weeks. Hold ur breath
    • @wtf (02/04/2016, 15:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Tears of joy for a job well done. Confidence in the current Gov is what the successful passage of this budget demonstrates.
      Eat your heart out naysayers..kudos to NDP!!!!!!
  • Myo (01/04/2016, 12:05) Like (1) Dislike (39) Reply
    Say what you like, NDP is still the best hope for this country.
    • Scary Mary (01/04/2016, 14:44) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      "Say what you like, NDP is still the best hope for this country." ... said the spider to the fly.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EJDP6va9uc
    • @ myo (01/04/2016, 15:12) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ok funny man
  • crazy (01/04/2016, 14:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ironic given our dependence on the financial services industry. As you reap, so shall you sow. The money has to eventually run out. It always does in any pyramid scheme.
  • Money time. (01/04/2016, 16:14) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice. We will collect our festival check on Monday. All of us. So don't try to pay your favourite and leave the rest behind. Pay all of us..
  • !!!! (01/04/2016, 19:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Man Doc, buy the time election rolls back around you are going to be wearing a toupee. Your political buddies is going to cause you to loose every strand of hair.
    • Queen Mary (02/04/2016, 19:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      At least the country will have much to show for his efforts. With his toupee he can smile and be contented for a well deserved rest and a job well done. At the end of a life,s journey ,we should all be so fulfilled.
  • wow (01/04/2016, 21:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fahie warned ya'll but no one listened.
  • swod & sheild (01/04/2016, 23:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    now that the budget passed I am sure the consultants give them some new excuses to fool we the people
  • wize up (02/04/2016, 07:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    over 40 years of VIP and they could not bring this type of budget to the table.....the territory needs proper legislation that regulates government spending; guidelines on how to adequately deal with the tax payers money...


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