Budget won’t have impact on residents in need — Smith
Territorial At-Large Representative Neville ‘Sheep’ Smith has said the 2023 budget for the BVI does not have any plans or measures that will have any significant impact on the lives of ordinary people.
Smith gave his opinion while making his contribution to the budget debate in the House of Assembly on December 20.
“I don’t think there is enough in there (budget) for the people. I’m not saying we haven’t done anything but to me there’s nothing in there that will really touch the life of the people. We have to find ways to assist the people who are in need,” Smith stated emphatically.
He said the government needs to find ways to empower representatives to help residents as this is the reason they were elected. And while admitting that his hands are often “tied” as an elected leader, Smith said he is often unable to help people in need because of the current measures in place.
As an example, Smith said the Public Works Department refuses to repair some retaining walls on private property even though residents have asked for help. He said the government should fix these walls although they are on private property because private residents are still taxpayers.
“These people pay tax. So we have to find some ways to help the people. It just has to be accountable, transparent so everybody can see what is being done. But for somebody to come and ask for help and I have to say ‘I cannot help you’, I don’t want to do that. I don’t believe that’s how it should be as a representative of the people of the Virgin Islands,” Smith stated.
Smith is not the only leader who has bemoaned the difficulty leaders face when trying to assist residents. In recent times, other elected representatives have expressed that the good governance measures that are now being implemented in government have made it difficult for leaders to access much needed funds to assist their constituents.
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does he think about residents cost of living when he gets his million dollar contracts every summer for festival lighting and stage?
I doubt this man has any original or meaningful thoughts in his head…
Is he saying his government budget has failed?
A bunch of jokers. The BVI has the most experienced and incompetent government at a time of its greatest challenge. I hope we learn how important it is to elect people who could do the job and not just who we like or what we think we could get for ourselves by electing some of them. The country is a mess in an every single area.
Am I missing something here? The whole purpose of a government is to do the people’s work. This representative doesn’t know this or has this misconception that politicians and cronies handing out tax payers money is the way to “help the people “. Hon. Public service and government is is to be all about the “people “. Doye!!!!
Isn’t your job as an elected official in the house of assembly to make laws?
Help me to understand now as a minister you calling the people who elected you ordinary people.
YES YOUR HIGHNESS KING SHEEP!!!!
Isn’t he the one who said that “there’s no poor people in the BVI”?
So why pass the budget then? Send it back!
Sleep, I mean Sheep, need to go sit down and go back to sleep. What a waste of time
He just makes me sick. He officially asking to get money to assist his cronies with their bills!!!
Mr. Sheep, you will not see no such funds to help ordinary, low and needy people, because the people who now controls the budget, the government vault, money and pocket book are the people who said before they got elected said the fillowing:
“those that came before did the same so i going in to do the same, so shut your mouth.”
Those were the words written during a cyber space discussion on corruption between two local individuals, on corrupt elected officials raiding government coffers.
One of the individuals was quite unapologetic about it. It is scary that he was elected and are now next to the money.
Wondering if they are being watched. But worst than than that, us here in general public/population are aware of such and are helpless even as we see them daily as elected officials and minister of finance and other…
It is very scary and sad all at once..
And this is how y’all want to go independent? Y’all are so lost.
Read to understand and comprehend.
Taxes from all. benefits to constituents. The Belonger socialist system.
Taxes from all. benefits to constituents. The Belonger socialist system.
From these Comments all I detect is a bunch of Haters with a whole bunch of Grudges. No matter how you may feel or think, Hon. Smith is doing his Job. Darm if he does and darm if he doesn’t. The haters going try try try, but it’s them hurting.