Deficit funds for ESHS project now coming from $31M SAP
The government has now determined that additional monies needed to complete the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) redevelopment project will come from the public purse instead of the previously-announced donor funding.
A Schedule of Additional Provisions (SAP) totalling more than $31 million and offering funding for a wide range of projects was passed unanimously in the House of Assembly (HOA) last evening.
That sum was largely drawn from the Reserve Fund and the Consolidated Fund of the territory.
“Of course, I think a real victory for us in this SAP is that we have provided the funding to complete the Elmore Stoutt High School project,“ Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said.
Education Minister Sharie de Castro said the move to provide funding to finalise the project and to pay for school supplies at the ESHS was very important and speaks to the government’s commitment to ensuring that students are able to learn in an environment that is conducive and safe.
Former Premier Andrew Fahie previously stated that donor funding was urgently needed for the project — estimated to cost more than $11 million — to be completed ahead of the new school year in September.
At the time, some $4.2 million was requested of business owners, purportedly representing the deficit from previous estimates for the project years ago.
Some of the SAP funds are also expected to be directed towards the Jost Van Dyke school project.
As he announced the details of the SAP, Premier Wheatley said the territory had reached a turning point in its history, particularly with regard to its financial model.
While noting challenges experienced by the territory’s two main financial pillars – tourism and financial services, the Premier said it was important to closely examine how the territory will still be able to bring in much-needed revenue to meet its many obligations.
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Why did they start the buildings, and so many of them at once, if the government did not have the money to complete it. 31M is a lot of money in these times. Yes, I agree the school is needed but did we have to build ALL the buildings at ONCE…
Whether rhe school was built now or later what difference would it have made? Either way it’s an expensive proposition but a needed entity beneficial to the entire population.
you have to thank the brown bummer….now just a brown bum…for dat….wat a mistake we mek with dis last guverment…ask for coi, get it but lying to bvi in our face…premier get lockup for drugs… everrbody sucking up to him but now denying like judas deny jesus…i dont want no uk rule but i want to get rid of showande, kye, sharie, sheep, alveria, shreen, wincent, carwin all of dem andrew @$$lickers who get us in all of dis trubble …man all you get outta we council meetings get out…GET OUT.
You done get your three floors of house, but you Don’t want the children come from up CTL Building? The investment got to be funded today or tomorrow. Why delay any longer?
Build the school and move on to next project, another Complex for Administration Offices and stop paying $50k a month for one office.
Don’t dip in the reserve !!
Taking money from the reserves?
is a better solution for the BVI government revenue problem than increased money gouging of tourists and financial services.
If I go to a supermarket, put my groceries in cart, head to til and don’t have the money, will they let me take my groceries, NO SIR!
Why in the h**l was such an ambitious project started without funding.
Seee those same builidng on the hillside looking so pretty.. That should of been kept on hold then maybe the school would of had sufficient money for the reconstruction.
Those building on the hillside was not built with GVT. money, the money came from S S B.
Is THE SSB NOT GOVERNMENT?
LAST TIME I CHECKED IT IS!!!!!!!
Plus 40 million giving in grants jesus im sure that could of build a school and pay the teachers they 5 years of increments owed….sick of all the BSs
But those pretty buildings on the hillside are a social security project
Those buildings on hill not built with Government’s money. Wha wrong wid your knowledge.
Emptying the jar so they can hobble the Governor
Maybe you have a point. Since Social Security Board saw it fit to throw away $40 million to non-fisher folks and non-farmers, maybe they might be interested in donating from the Fund, Our Fund, to assist with the High School. Even if it is a small amount, every little will help. Andrew saw there was a lot of money there and targeted it. So let’s help the Hospital and the High School, please with just a little of it.
And oh, while I am addressing Social Security funds, please someone tell Ms. Patsy Lake she is no longer welcomed on the Board to oversee our money. We do not trust her. Dismantle that Board, please, and quickly.
At “resident” .And when they continue to empty social security,you will still expect to collect your pension at 65 ?
well, at least they find a smart way to wash their drug money.
Yes, the BVI’s needs this, but do we have to watch them steal more money? This is not how construction works! There was an estimate – make them stick to it or put them in jail!!
Were there change orders to make this price go up? Who in government signed off on this?? Put them in jail!
All talk of reform, and this is happening in plain sight!
It was signed off by the same persons you always see upfront smiling at the signing parties and the photo-op.
As a retired teacher, the school and government hav allowed vandalism and the stealing of government properties through that high school in particular. More legal actions should be taken on students for defacing and vandalism of schools property on the public side, government properties found on private places should be charged. Parents should be given the school hand book and a contract signed when enrolling students at the beginning of the school year
If NDP had made education a priority after Irma ESHS would have been rebuilt for less than half of this absurd amount of money long before the pandemic price gouging and WW3 began. Instead they rented a vacant warehouse and wasted millions of dollars on rent and renovations to provide a sub standard ‘high school.’
Complainers will complain but I say BUILD THE F**KING SCHOOL and repair the other schools NOW!!!! If we need another $50 Mil, find it! Education is key and has been neglected for an entire generation. Get the buildings built properly and with value for money and I could care less. Fix all the schools from JVD to Anegada, INVEST IN OUR YOUTH and stop the senseless back and forth over bulls**t.
The secret donor remains secret, even though the people of the BVI do no want a secret donor who will be owed favors by this government. What a complete mess?
Is THE SSB NOT GOVERNMENT?
LAST TIME I CHECKED IT IS!!!!!!!
Are you serious? Is an apple an orange? How can SSB be Government? SMFH!!!
So we getting a copy of those receipts and pictures of all that are purchased? Stewps!
Now is the best time we will have our tax payers money invested wisely.
ESHS Should have been a done and completed protect by now.
And with all this money them ain’t paying social security tax and N.H.I and besides that they paying the workers $80 a day and trade man 120 lol slavery won’t finish government need to look in to this
Why don’t we try as the government as the contractor to lower their price , alone with trying to get duty free material ONLY for the school project …??? This should bring the cost down a Little
Why
These set of jokers. Why did you start all those buildings one time without all the money. Everything for them is political. No practical business experience in anything.
What kind of business sense is this ?? Taking from the reserved fund !! Crazy !!
Look at the millions unaccounted for . Those millions could have gone towards the project .
Who is the financial secretary of this new government?
You all better bring back Smith . He knew how to save and build the reserve .
A country that boast Billion GRoss this is what we come too ?
Shame and the New leader does not see anything wrong with this ?
Bring back Neil
Smith from the RDA he is better placed as FS
Governments have been stupid (yes, I said it) to fail to insure their buildings and then fail to take UK’s money to rebuild the school. It shows their ignorance and lack of care for the future of their people.