Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

USVI ‘Distressed,’ Gov Bryan says at State of the Territory Address

USVI ‘Distressed,’ Gov Bryan says at State of the Territory Address. Photo: VI Consortium
VI CONSORTIUM

ST. THOMAS, USVI — Governor Albert Bryan delivered his first State of the Territory Address on Monday, January 2019, via a long-anticipated speech as residents and lawmakers alike sought an understanding of how the newly elected governor intends to lead the government, his plans to make the USVI a better place to live, and how he would prioritize the daunting issues the islands face.

The governor wasted no time in laying bare the current state of the United States Virgin Islands, describing the territory as being “distressed,” even as there remains a window of opportunity right the ship.

Growth in some sectors

He mentioned the benefits the USVI realized through the influx of federal dollars after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which resulted in the growth of the construction industry, and spoke of activity at the Limetree Bay Terminals that has boosted St. Croix.

But, the governor added, “Even with the progress in the recovery and the promise of new refinery operations, we are confronted with the truth that our territory is still very much mired in a financial and economic crisis.”

Mr Bryan said he understood the territory’s fiscal conditions before he sought office, and was ready to guide the islands through what he described as “the canyon of challenges ahead.”

He then spoke of the briefing he received from former Governor Kenneth Mapp’s financial team.

Fiscal problems loom

“They revealed to us that the longstanding fiscal problems that plagued our government before the 2017 hurricanes have yet to be resolved,” Mr Bryan said.

“General fund revenues fell drastically after the storms, creating severe cashflow shortages for the Government of the Virgin Islands. Hurricanes Irma and Maria only increased the burden of what was an already growing structural budget deficit.”

“To put the true state of our territory’s financial status into perspective; the Government of the Virgin Islands could not have met its day-to-day expenses over the past 12 months if not for the availability of FEMA community disaster loans,” he said.

3 Responses to “USVI ‘Distressed,’ Gov Bryan says at State of the Territory Address”

  • zoe (29/01/2019, 19:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The bvi is in worse state
  • Diaspora (30/01/2019, 11:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Both the VI and USVI are in dire economic strait. The USVI was fortunate that it had FEMA to offer a life line to keep it afloat. What did the VI get from the UK? £10M grant and a conditional £300M loan. Then £300M requires the VI to establish an RDA, an alternative government. The CEO is allegedly being paid over $300, 000.00 per annum. Both group of islands must be better stewards of their limited financial resources. The UK and US taxpayers are not gabby about keeping the islands afloat.
  • Kingfish (30/01/2019, 17:19) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    As the governor of the USVI, he should be aware that the islands that he governs legal name is the United Stated Virgin Islands and not the Virgin Islands.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.