VG Hospital is in Johnson’s Ghut – PPA charges
Speaking at the Stickett in Long Look on Saturday evening October 29, 2011, PPA At Large candidate Shaina M. Smith said the Virgin Islands economy has not grown in the last three years, but yet leaders seemed to be more concerned with “putting concrete in the ground or giving foreign investors’ concessions while the quality of life for Virgin Islanders slides off daily”.
“Our priorities are all mixed up and we need to get them straight. Quick example: If you think about it, VG’s Hospital is in Johnson's Ghut to a tune of more than $6M. Why? Because of mixed up priorities. If access to health services is a priority for every Virgin Islander then the facilities would have already been in place because money is obviously not the problem.”
Ms. Smith said the PPA has a vision for the Virgin Islands where the economy is diversified through eco-friendly development and Virgin Islanders are in the driver’s seat of that development and enjoy a high quality of life. She said the first thing that needs to be done is to implement financial management reform in the public service. “It is critical that we reduce the wastage of money in order to have funds to spend on what is important. Administrations have spent billions in the last decade and my question to us is where are the billions in results for us the taxpayers? We work too hard to have our tax dollars spent on frivolous projects that only benefit a few.”
According to Smith, Government’s procurement system also needs an overhaul especially the tendering process to ensure there is fairness and transparency in the awarding of contracts.
No borrowing until financial house in order
Noting the need to increase government revenue, Ms. Smith said this needed to be done by reviewing existing fee and tax schemes and introducing new revenue streams. “One idea would be to introduce government bonds. These funds could be used to build medical facilities or school facilities on all islands. Borrowing should only be done when necessary. We are already over $150M in public debt, and we advocate that there should be no more borrowing until we get our financial house in order.”
According to Smith, the issue of borrowing and unnecessary spending needed to be checked as the consequences would be a step backward where the Territory could find itself on budgetary aid after over 40 years of being self-sufficient. “That is not the positive direction that the country needs to be moving in. Sound fiscal policy for both central government and statutory bodies are needed to prevent this to rein in the wanton spending. Statutory bodies need to become self-sufficient so that central government can invest in capital development.”
Ms. Smith also said she was not of the opinion that the United Kingdowm needs to “come in and take over because things are so bad”. “Here is what I say to that: our forefathers had the ingenuity and innovative ideas to bring this country to the point where it is, and we as their successors need to continue their legacy through a new vision and not disappoint them.”
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