Budget debate moves online amid reports of positive COVID case

The House of Assembly’s (HOA) debate on the 2022 budget scheduled for tomorrow, December 14, has been changed to a virtual event.

Information reaching BVI News is that budget proceedings have shifted online because a member of the House has tested positive for COVID-19.

When contacted last evening, Speaker of the House Julian Willock did not fully address the matter.

“Speaker of the House of A[ssembly] Hon J.W. declined to comment on the COVID matter but confirmed the budget debate will be held virtually,” Willock said in a WhatsApp message to BVI News.

Our news centre also tried contacting Premier Andrew Fahie and the Minister of Health Carvin Malone for a comment but neither responded to our questions up to publication time.

Efforts to reach Opposition Leader Marlon Penn for comment were also futile.

Meanwhile, reports that a legislator tested positive come as the number of active cases in the territory surges to 40 and the COVID-19 death toll, as of December 10, now stands at 39; up from 38 reported a week earlier.

As for the budget and upcoming debate, Premier Andrew Fahie had announced the estimated fiscal budget for next year to be $397.17 million. Premier Fahie said $337 million will go towards recurrent expenditure, $39.4 million for capital expenditure, $5.85 million is for contributions to various statutory funds, and $14.96 million will go towards the repayment of the principal on the BVI’s debts.

Estimated revenues for 2022 is $356.7 million. Some $323.2 million of this amount will come from taxes while $33.5 million will come from other revenue sources.