$1.8 million spent on Emancipation Festival
The BVI spent just under two million dollars in executing this year’s Emancipation Festival, a feat that was celebrated by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley and described as a tremendous accomplishment, especially when compared with what transpired in previous years.
“I don’t remember a time when we’ve been able to have a festival and we can say that we’ve accomplished our objectives and we have money, which is left over. That is a tremendous accomplishment,” the Premier said.
He noted that previous governments have had to do huge supplementary appropriations in the House of Assembly following festivals in the past.
Vice Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festival Fairs Committee (VIFFC), Birchfield Lettsome, told reporters yesterday that based on the preliminary figures that were examined, just about $1.8 million was spent so far on the festival’s expenses, inclusive of the $1 million subvention given to the Committee by the government.
Some of the spending, Lettsome explained, came from ticket sales, private sponsorship and partners, as well as fundraising activities and other sources.
The Vice Chair noted, however, that a full report outlining the current standing of the VIFFC’s accounts is expected to be released at some stage; giving more details of the spending that took place.
That report is expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development before being sent to the House of Assembly where it is expected to be passed and released to the public.
Premier Wheatley, in the meantime, lauded the Committee he appointed and said they exceeded expectations on the objectives he had set out for them — namely in managing the finances of the festival responsibly, giving a platform to local artistes and also ensuring the celebration of the BVI’s emancipation, heritage, and culture.
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An acti b ity that no longer serves the purpose for which it was intended.
It has been culturally hijacked and degraded by the imported parasitic and criminal dregs humanity.
Nothing new. This is the cost of festival, which includes all areas and events, for the last 30 years. The positive economic domino effect on the economy is even more significant.
expensive nsive activity that no longer serves the purpose for which it was intended.
It has been culturally hijacked and degraded by the imported parasitic and criminal dregs.
So nobody ask how much money was made and what’s going to happen with it? Will it be put towards festival next year?
What a waste! Meanwhile the infrastructure is gone to hell, the schools are in bad shape, etc etc etc!
What really is the return on investment on this nonsense? A full report on this fiasco please Madam Auditor General.
More free nights..
@ Rush More.
Well said.
And the rest of civil servants can’t get their increments! This is sad!
Is this really a priority? What a waste of time and energy spent on a celebration that most of our residents leave island for, and a bunch criminals come and profit from. Why can’t our leaders clean up this shithole.
I am retired from the education classroom now years, and i am very disappointed that i have not received my outstanding increments.
The idea that retirees, especially education retirees, have to wait until the day of never to be paid is cruel, inhumane a crime against their humanity. Been years now…
Such does not engender good health, a stable mind nor good psychological health.
wonder who pocket all that money went it cause it have a lot of thief right here in the VI and they love money
Not one question about free entrance especially knowing they ended up with a surplus…Also not one question about getting local brass band and steel pan band on stage for the 70th. Not one question about relocating the Calypso show to either Carrot Bay or East End..
we can waste money on this but can’t fix our roads, power outages, sewage etc this place is a bad joke
Please publish the report with figures. We no longer taking talk without evidences. Please and thanks
It’s sad we have such an incompetent Government. We need to do away with festival as it is currently. It’s a waste of tax payers money. It was pitiful to watch all those loose women wearing little or no clothing. This is not BVI culture.
Celebrating emancipation is not a waste but a fiscal cap can but put on it.
how many days of fedtival divide into $1,800,000
dont they say $500,000 for festival
so is $1,300,000 more
dont make no sense
As the DUMP STILL BURNS!
A lot died waiting on increments. Some cannot enjoy it because they are suffering from Dementia and other issues.
I refuse to participate in festival in the BVI because it is too expensive. It should be set up like St. Thomas own where you can go at anytime to buy food alone. Not everyone want to listen to the music or hangout but they want to support the vendors.
How much was it when East End was included?
That is still a lot. what did they do with it???
1.8 million on festival! How much is going to spend on east end road where the water pipe break? Every day the premier see it and yet nothing cannot be done,it’s like the everyone turning a blind eye on projects that urgently needed to be done.
SHANNON, For years me and some colleagues were dropping that hypotheses, that it appears a calculated plan by government not to pay increments, especially to retirees
Why else could people explain going all 12 to 20 years without being paid their increments?
Where is the teacher’s Union on this issue? Why are its officials not working on behalf of its retirees?
How many retired teachers will die before they are paid their earned monies?
Is this not an already determined strategy by government? It appears so.
How much is spent in the USVI? How much do we need to spend to make it free like there?
Well this is what they do, just give us half…no, quarter the information and leave us wondering. They can’t give a break down of the money and won’t say how much was made with that high entry price.