‘Country has not been left broke!’ – Premier Smith
The Leader of Government business was speaking on Thursday January 21, 2016 during a press conference held at the Central Administration Complex.
Critics have spoken of the lavish spending prior to the elections, including larger than life billboards, and what was seen as an extravagant launch of the cruise pier project when it accepted its first cruise line after the extension of the pier on April 29, 2015, which had ended in a massive fireworks display.
Then there are the new reports of massive overspending on the very project, which ballooned from about $45 million to almost $83 million and counting.
“First of all the country has not been left broke,” Premier Smith said, adding that every year the Government has discussions with all of the heads of Government departments regarding budgetary spending.
“It is important that we look at budgets clearly and stick to budgets so that we wouldn’t have any difficulties going forward through the year. This is a normal procedure,” he said, when asked about the recent reports of heads of departments being warned about spending.
The Premier made his statement despite reports of schools asking parents to assist with basic school supplies, Festival 2015 performers cannot yet be paid for their work, contractors working around the territory cannot be paid for contracts executed since 2015 and many other reports that have reached this news site.
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