NDP racks-up over $4M in advance warrants in 1 year!
At the Third Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second House of Assembly held on February 17, 2015 a question posed by Senior Member of the VIP Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) unearthed that close to $4. Million USD was spent but was not brought thereafter to the House of Assembly (HoA) to be regularised in a timely manner via a Supplementary Appropriation Provision (SAP) according to law.
Big Question
Popular First District Representative Hon Fahie asked the Premier and Minister of Finance to "please inform this Honourable House whether or not there were any advance warrants issued for the period December 2011 through December 2012 and, if yes, please state the grand total of all advance warrants issued for this period and further provide a detailed listing of names, amounts, purpose and budgetary heads and sub-heads for each warrant?"
To this Dr Smith, who has been the Minister of Finance and Leader of Government Business for three plus years, told the HoA in his response that "Madam Speaker, there were a total of 135 advance warrants issued for the period December 2011 through December 2012. The total sum of all advance warrants issued for the period December 2011 through December 2012 is three million, six hundred and sixty five thousand dollars ($3,665,000)."
“Madam Speaker, a summary listing of the advance warrants is provided for all Honourable Members at Appendix A. Unfortunately the media is yet to obtain a copy of the said Appendix to keep the public informed,” the Finance Minister said at the time.
According to him, "the sum given represents loans or salary advances issued to public officers by Government totalling $1,075,959.71 and the other warrants will be regularised via a Schedule of Additional Provisions for the period. The sum does not include advance warrants for travel."
With the other advance warrants for travel not accounted for, this sum could top five million dollars.
Opposition accuses NDP Gov’t of corruption
Meanwhile, Hon Fahie has accused the NDP government of using the national treasury as its personal piggy bank and not adhering to principles of good governance.
During the delivery of his First District Annual Report on Saturday January 24, 2015 at the Capoon’s Bay Recreational Grounds, Hon Fahie said “They only adhere to the rules when it benefits them and theirs. After all, Crafts Alive was well over a million dollars and no tendering was done for that project; Spooner Estate roads and walls was well over a million dollars and no tendering was done for that project; Georgie Hill road project was well over a million dollars and no tendering was done for that project. The list can go on and on.”
Meanwhile, Hon Fraser had said the NDP must address the issues Hon Fahie raised as he noted there is enough evidence of NDP corruption.
“Because I am convinced, that it is that corruption that is responsible for the Premier Dr Smith's failed economic policy of austerity. It is that corruption that is responsible for France blacklisting the Territory. It is that corruption that caused the flight of companies from our shores,” said Hon Fraser.
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15 Responses to “NDP racks-up over $4M in advance warrants in 1 year!”
Two things: First, there is no doubt that the NDP must be held accountable for their financial mismanagement. And secondly, Mr. Fahie must be held to the same standard from when he allegedly abused the same treasury by running radio ads right before the last election paid for by tax dollars. http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/update-hon-fahie-should-repay-out-of-own-pocket-stoutt-
The citizens need to hold both party's feet to the fire.
That is why the Departure tax was raised to prevent us from going to STT. What a Government.They must go.