$20M budget blunder not being investigated
Territorial At-Large Representative Lorna Smith revealed that no investigation had been launched into the $20 million budget error disclosed by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley in August this year.
Speaking in the House of Assembly on Monday, Smith disclosed that despite assurances from Premier Wheatley earlier this year, no formal inquiry has been initiated to address the financial discrepancy.
“Of greater concern to me… is that the Minister of Finance stated on more than one occasion that this matter is being investigated. We found out… that nothing, I repeat, nothing is being investigated,” Smith said.
The matter of the budget resurfaced during Standing Finance Committee (SFC) proceedings and involves an unaccounted salary increase for public servants. Smith highlighted the fluctuating figures presented, ranging from $13 million to $26 million, ultimately leaving lawmakers with more questions than answers. “As we got deeper and deeper into it, the situation became murkier,” she said.
Smith, who previously defended the Premier on the matter, expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in clarifying the issue. She warned against allowing the matter to be swept under the proverbial rug, calling it an unacceptable approach to governance.
Growing financial strain
The revelation comes as the government grapples with a growing financial strain, with Smith and other legislators suggesting that the BVI’s expenditure had surpassed its revenue for the first time. Premier Wheatley later refuted the claim that this was the first time.
However, Smith cautioned that this imbalance poses significant risks to the territory’s fiscal health.
Smith also expressed frustration with how this financial mismanagement affects the BVI’s vulnerable populations, including pensioners and low-wage workers. “Our pensioners… are living on a mere pittance,” she remarked, urging the government to address their needs promptly.
Negligence
The $20 million budget error has been a contentious issue, with Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn previously demanding Premier Wheatley’s resignation over what he described as an “unforgivable” blunder. Walwyn accused the government of negligence, pointing out discrepancies in the initial $11.7 million budget allocation for salary increases compared to the actual figure of over $25 million.
Smith emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing the budget blunder, pointing out that lawmakers sought an answer and an understanding of what really went wrong from the beginning of SFC proceedings last month.
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Par for the course. No investigation, no opportunity to learn to avoid same error. Also par to say things are being “investigated” when in fact nothing is being done.
Politiciana done get them pay raise so them not studying that. Wym
The Financial Secretary is the executor of such actions he is the finance man this thing needs to be investigated.
Everyday he wants to put WALWYN up balo , WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF WRONG DOING , WELL LET US HEAR YOU HOLLER OUT ON THIS ONE WHICH IS 19 MILL MORE , THAN THE WALL / IF THE DREW DIDN’T STOP YOU WHEN YOU WERE THE OWNER OF THE HOA YOU WOULD OF WASTED MILLIONS
,AND IT TOOK NATALIO TO FIRE YOUR ASZ OUT OF THE HOA (and
for he deserve CREDIT ) THATS HIS GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS BESIDES HIS FREE JAMZ
Time to pass the matter over to the Police for a prosecution and the UK Government for invrestigation. If anyone else lost or had $20 stolen they would want to know when, why, how and who by. Unless they had taken the money for themselves. In which case they already know and are trying to not get caught.
Investigate the minister of finance and fire when necessary.
20 million?
twenty million dollars of the tax payers money is missing and there will be no investigation?
Vote of no confidence and a plea for a temporary UK takeover is justified.
Is the COI team still here? yall been quiet for awhile…
hopefully dpp dont mess up we cases mehson
lets be honest these people will still meet our weak bail conditions after making success off of we tax money
then they will be out and bout waiting for dpp no case submission smh
Thievery and pay off happening now, in plain sight, here i paradise.
indictment for the Premier and the UK takes over the BVI.
We wondering if people are still allowed to march inand take over a country because of the horrific policy of colonial and neocolonialism?
Many of you do not know/realize yet that the BVI leader is first and foremost a at heart PanAFRICANIST, When it suits him.