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We’re going to spend ‘every cent’ of the $100m loan- Premier Wheatley

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said 'every cent' of the $100m loan from First Caribbean Bank of Commerce (CIBC) will be spent on developing the Virgin Islands. Photo: YouTube
On October 31, 2024, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), made history by signing the largest loan agreement in the Virgin Islands’ history—a $100 million facility with CIBC. Photo: Facebook
On October 31, 2024, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), made history by signing the largest loan agreement in the Virgin Islands’ history—a $100 million facility with CIBC. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The public can rest assured every penny of the $100m loan from First Caribbean Bank of Commerce (CIBC) will be spent on developing the Virgin Islands.

This assurance was given by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) during the Continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) on January 30, 2026.

Premier Wheatley was at the time expressing his confidence in Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), who he said was unable to get many infrastructural projects done over the recent years due to the lack of funding and the many challenges faced by the territory, such as the hurricanes of 2017, the global pandemic and then the political crisis brought on by the Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

‘We’re going to get the money spent’

The $100 million loan facility with CIBC was signed on October 31, 2024. This pivotal funding is to support critical infrastructure development across the Territory, aligning with the 2024-2026 Medium-Term Fiscal Plan and Medium-Term Debt Strategy.

“And this one-hundred-million-dollar loan is the biggest loan in the history of the Virgin Islands, and some persons question whether we are going to get the money spent, every drop, every drop, every cent, I telling you, we’re going to get the money spent,” Premier Wheatley said.

It is unclear how much money has been spent to date or how much exactly has been drawn out of the bank.

In June 2025, Premier Wheatley confirmed that $10 million of the $100 million loan facility was disbursed to the government at the loan signing in October 2024.

He also indicated that while an estimated $29 million had been scheduled for drawdown in 2025, delays in procurement had affected the pace of spending.

17 Responses to “We’re going to spend ‘every cent’ of the $100m loan- Premier Wheatley”

  • Jelly & cakes and paper hats (01/02/2026, 14:21) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    No doubt
  • bvi (01/02/2026, 15:00) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Bet you are!! all change going into your pocket
  • WHAT!!! (01/02/2026, 15:07) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    And it would be nice if full disclosure of where the money goes is made public, but wishful thinking thinking.
  • Local (01/02/2026, 16:57) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I'm begging for a social home ahyou does build. Thanks
  • That's ok (01/02/2026, 21:02) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Only if you spend any more of it catrlessly as was and is doing, but tyour past spending practices isn't very encouraging, Premier Wheatley. Itcsurely has not been priority spent, neither will the remainder on where it is mostly needed.
  • question (01/02/2026, 21:34) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    The question should not be if you'll get it spent but will it be spent responsibly? I hope the opposition pays close attention to the spending. This is why a strong opposition is necessary but people just interested in Power and position. Let's see how this spending unfolds. Remember tax payers have to pay this back.
  • Onetwothree (01/02/2026, 22:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Premier Centless
  • please (01/02/2026, 22:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    WE HAVE TO SORT THE WASTE MANAGEMENT SITUATION OUT AT POCKWOOD POND!!!!
  • yeah (01/02/2026, 23:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    GOW MUCH FOR PARTIES?
  • Lol. (01/02/2026, 23:27) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    No problem with it being spent at all but Premier for your future as a Politician let it be spent, wisely, productively by that I I mean.. Let some very good rehabilitation to roads be seen. Not just before election,No. Water,etc.
    Just want the spending of the money ($100,000.000) sensible, visible and tangible .
    Get it Premier.
    That will be your campayne platform. Oh.
    Get the retirees set up soon. Let the increase on their pension be noticable. Something for them to feel good about. They all have already made their productive contribution to the developement of these beautiful Virgin Islands.
    Know that you can't please everyone but you surely can please the majority.
  • question (01/02/2026, 23:41) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Will it be for value for money?
  • if (02/02/2026, 01:59) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    If my cabinet will be voted out of power coming next general elections, I want to make sure that the new incoming cabinet will meet none of the 100 $M to use.
    I working. Let tthem to work to aquire money to finance there own projects.
  • BuzzBvi (02/02/2026, 04:26) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    And 10% if we are lucky will end up in the infrastructure of the VI.

    This 100 Million going to disappear into our Elites pockets and the VI will be no better for it.

    The people of the VI will be paying for the loan out of their minimum wage for so many years.

  • YEAH ~ MASTER WEATIE (02/02/2026, 08:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    LETS GET THE PARTY STARTED ???? ???? ????
  • Yeh (02/02/2026, 14:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yeh...spend it on stupid parties and ugly suits to show off at more stupid parties.
  • The Real Hmmm (02/02/2026, 15:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Giving it away is not spending Premier!. Spending is transactional while giving it away has no immediate gratification to the country or its sister islands.
  • Party! (04/02/2026, 22:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    and how we paying it back?


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