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VIP Gov’t stuck with NDP Budget for this year—Deputy Premier

VIP Gov’t stuck with NDP Budget for this year—Deputy Premier, Dr Nathalio D. Wheatley. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), is scheduled to, deliver his maiden Budget Address for the coming fiscal year on April 2, 2019. The occasion will also afford the Territory an opportunity to be apprised on the state of affairs of the nation’s finances by the recently elected Virgin Islands Party government. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), is scheduled to, deliver his maiden Budget Address for the coming fiscal year on April 2, 2019. The occasion will also afford the Territory an opportunity to be apprised on the state of affairs of the nation’s finances by the recently elected Virgin Islands Party government. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) has taken over the reins of government in the Virgin Islands (VI) but its spending in the coming year, will be largely dictated by the ousted National Democratic Party (NDP), since it was the NDP that prepared the Annual Budget.

The shocking confession was made by Deputy Premier, Dr the Honourable, Nathalio D. Wheatley (D7), when he appeared on radio talk show, ‘Umoja’ with host, Mr Cromwell Smith aka ‘Edju En Ka.’

Process

The Deputy Premier—who also served as acting Finance Minister while Premier, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) was out of the Territory—disclosed that given the timing of the Election (February 25, 2019), in relation to the constitutionally due, Annual Budget, the process had already gotten underway.

It was explained that the budget process entails months of preparation versus a few weeks, which meant that the Budget had all but been completed by the time the VIP took Office in February last.

In explaining, Dr Wheatley noted, “the election was right before we have to pass a budget so a lot of the budget was already formulated.”

He conceded, “even the process of being able to fight for what you want is a difficult process.”

According to the Deputy Premier, “from a certain standpoint you would like to be able to start with the budget process, I would have hoped that I just would have had a little more time before to be able to shape it (Annual Budget)."

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), is scheduled to, deliver his maiden Budget Address for the coming fiscal year on April 2, 2019.

The occasion will also afford the Territory an opportunity to be apprised on the state of affairs of the nation’s finances by the recently elected Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government.

10 Responses to “VIP Gov’t stuck with NDP Budget for this year—Deputy Premier”

  • Politico Nuevo (23/03/2019, 11:10) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ok. This is another reason why a fix date for election is needed so as to stop playing games as to when an election is held, to level the playing field, to bring stability to electoral process.......etc. The UK has a fix date for election, ie, 1st Thursday of May every 5 years. In regards to the BVI, a fix date can be set for say June; this would provide an incoming government with the time and opportunity to plan, programme and prepreva budget. Further, VIP should have known what the budget cycle was and should have had a budget frame work ready in anticipation of forming the next government. The wheels of government do not stop turning to permit a new government to catch up. Here is a news flash. The honeymoon is over so let’s to governing. The NDP budget is surely not a order of magnitude diffrent from what VIP would have submitted. Get to work tweaking the budget as needed to reflect VIP priorities. Next year VIP will have full ownership of the budget. Stop the wining , for the VIP is batting now and is facing 4 wicked pace bowlers. Hon Premier call a standdown and conduct a territory-wide assessment. Communications, Works and Transportation is forward looking and has a head start.
    • RealPol (24/03/2019, 11:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Real talk. Outside of the fire governing is easy. But when you are in the fire and must make things happen, it is another tory. Barry say you will hear. “Stop the wining , for the VIP is batting now and is facing 4 wicked pace bowlers.” Lol. Sound like the West Indies hostile pace attack of the 90s: Holding, Garner, Ambrose, Croft and Marshall. Teams had to adjust to the relentless, fierce attack and so too government has to adapt and just to the current situation.
  • wet (23/03/2019, 11:52) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    this is sad
  • -------------------- (23/03/2019, 13:11) Like (6) Dislike (17) Reply
    another reason Why NDP will never get back in
  • tretretrete (23/03/2019, 13:57) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    Makes no sense. Are you saying that you would roll out the plans that NDP had in place for 2019? Are you saying that your plans would have to wait another year? The people needs to know how are you planning to meet your objectives with someone else plan.
    • think (24/03/2019, 10:40) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      But correct me if I heard wrong did not the Premier said on a talk show that their was no budget for increment and will need to enclose it. Now the DP is saying that a budget was passed.

      Was not Andrew part of the opposition when this was being discussed?
  • Jimmy smith (24/03/2019, 12:27) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is just me or other citizen are getting concerned about the pronouncements being made by our new premier and his minions. For example, premier says he did not know that the budget has to go to the UK for approval, so when he was touting the protocols , he did not read them. When he said he have start from scratch and the previous government spend the 50 million, he did say what they spent it on ,nor fact that that money is still in the treasury. The minister of education say they taking the NDP budgets to the house,another lie they already add 17 million on to what was there , plus it is now your budget own it. The greatest planner Zoe admitting to cancer in west end opening the government to huge lawsuits, let them keep talking shit.
  • Nonbelonger (24/03/2019, 15:38) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    SMH.... looking on, it is easier to criticize the job being done. Now you have the job that you wanted, please stop making excuses.
  • Nonbelonger (24/03/2019, 15:41) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    I guess you are paving the way for the excuses you intend to make.


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