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UPDATE: 2019 Budget in final stages; Awaiting Governor's assent

- Total $427.657.383 passed in HoA
With the Virgin Islands (VI) 2019 Budget estimates passed in the House of Assembly (HoA) on Friday, April 26, 2019, to the tune of $427.657.383, the Bill called “The Appropriation Act 2019” is now in its final stage before it can be fully utilised. Photo: Internet Source
The Government of Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has around 8:30 PM tonight, Friday, April 26, 2019, passed the Territory's 2019 Budget which is called the ‘Appropriation Act.’ Photo: Team of Reporters
The Government of Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has around 8:30 PM tonight, Friday, April 26, 2019, passed the Territory's 2019 Budget which is called the ‘Appropriation Act.’ Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – With the Virgin Islands (VI) 2019 Budget estimates passed in the House of Assembly (HoA) on Friday, April 26, 2019, to the tune of $427.657.383, the Bill called “The Appropriation Act 2019” is now in its final stage before it can be fully utilised.

The Bill has been presented to His Excellency, Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert to be assented and Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has thanked all HoA Members for their contribution to the merits and principles of the Bill.

According to a release from the Government Information Service (GIS), with the passage of the 2019 Budget estimates, the Government of the VI is now positioned to move forward with its public programmes and key infrastructure projects.

The release notes that Premier Fahie had emphasised that his Government is taking steps to ensure that the BVI meets its requirements outlined in his budget speech under the theme “Transitioning Towards Sustainable Growth” by the end of the 2019 financial year.

He affirmed that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government remains committed to ensuring efficient use of the fiscal resources, on its path towards a better and brighter Virgin Islands.

See Previous story published, Friday, April 26, 2019

Gov’t passes $427M 2019 Budget

-Passed after two days of heated debates in VI HoA  

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The Government of Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has around 8:30 PM tonight, Friday, April 26, 2019, passed the Territory's 2019 Budget which is called the ‘Appropriation Act.’ 

With a total budget amount of US $427.657.383, Premier Fahie has continually described the budget as a transitional one, ‘massaged’ to meet the needs of the territory as part of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) developmental agenda.

The passing of the Budget before the April 30, 2019, deadline comes after two days of heated debate which commenced yesterday, Thursday, April 26, 2019, in the chambers of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA).

First for Hon Fahie 

This is the new Primer's first Budget following his VIP government gaining power over the tiny British Overseas Territory (OT) of the VI after their success at the February 25, 2019, General Elections in the Territory.

The VIP government current possesses an 8 to 5 majority in a 13 Elected Member seat HoA. Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) will bring the full details of the 2019 Budget once they become available.

14 Responses to “UPDATE: 2019 Budget in final stages; Awaiting Governor's assent ”

  • Xxx (26/04/2019, 22:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yeah yeah
  • zoe (26/04/2019, 22:39) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Time for us to eat
  • wize up (27/04/2019, 03:45) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    foreign investment is an historical fact in the territory however we can no longer thrown out the baby with the bath water: our people should be given back the mantle of development opportunities in the territory: some might recall our folks were the boat builders: our folks work the coal pits: fishing: farming: boat captains; the masters of our own destiny however when one sit and reflect on today’s BVI, things have drastically changed(no disrespect to anyone!!!!!) what’s in it for your grandsons and granddaughters(simple question)
  • Goodsense (27/04/2019, 07:07) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
    Wasn’t the budget that was presented $426 million? They cut out over $100million in Committee?please explain
  • 1 (27/04/2019, 08:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Clap clap clap clap clap
  • Wendy (27/04/2019, 08:25) Like (27) Dislike (6) Reply
    I like how he shut up Marlon and the NDP
    • wize up (27/04/2019, 10:10) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ Wendy: Lord Jesus, mind you get me in trouble but it was really sweet(I tell it to U)
  • E. Leonard (27/04/2019, 11:30) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. Hon Premier (former) D. Orlando Smith set 25 February 2019 as Election Day for the VI. VIP won the election with an 8-5 advantage, defeating the former NDP government. The VI fiscal year budget runs from 01 January to 31 December. The VIP took the reins of government on about 26 February and the fiscal year 2019 budget had to be appropriated by 30 April. Constructing and passing a fiscal year budget in approximately 60 days is a challenging feat. This is another reason why the VI needs fix-term election. Currently, the sitting Premier in consultation with the Governor set the election date, not a constitutionally set date. A fix-term election would 1)level the playing field, 2)remove the uncertainty as to when an election will occur, and 3) bring stability to the electoral process. True, a Premier may not be eager with a fix-term election, for it will remove a tool that he/she can used to his/her advantage.

    Nonetheless, VI fix-term election can be modeled after the UK’s; in the UK, a general election is constitutionally due on the first Thursday in May every 5 years. Further, a general election can also be held if siting government loses a vote of no confidence or by a 2/3 vote of House of Commons. Moreover, a VI fix-term election can be the first Tuesday in June every 4 years with a fiscal year budget being due by 30 November. This would give a new incoming government approx 5 months to work on a fiscal budget. A fiscal budget is a funding road map; it is complex and challenging and needs time to construct and move along the legislative pipeline. A government can be working on 3 budgets simultaneously: past year budget, current year budget and future year budget.
    • RealPol (28/04/2019, 07:34) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Real talk. It is cool and smooth how you connect the budget with fix term election. This is low hanging fruit but in 2029 it wil still be a topic of discussion. Just as you wil not hear BVI politicians discussing their monthly housing allowance (~$2,000) to live in their own house so you will not hear any discussion on set date for election. It is all self serving; despite the venom spewed in public, they are all members of a small club. It is hard to get into but once in there is unity on certain topics. Have you noticed that once in somethings that were so bad does not seem so bad after all. Birds of a feather flock together. Bunch of universally lowly rated hypocrites. For example,if you want to see hypocrisy look at the US Congress. House of Commons and Lords are not too much better. So too are many regional governments.
    • Disinterested (28/04/2019, 09:10) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @E. Leonard, so the next general election should be on June 06, 2023. Sweet. Premier Fahie, mek it happin! Ok. Politicians no more excuses for 11th hour campaign launching.
  • for real (27/04/2019, 15:29) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    @E. Leonard. I second the motion. They need to hire you as one of their analyst.
  • Thank jahova (28/04/2019, 05:57) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ndp must go and they gone
  • ... (30/04/2019, 15:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    that is a lot of money mehson


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