Deputy Premier defends budget, says plenty in it for residents
Deputy Premier Lorna Smith has firmly rejected claims from the Opposition that the government’s supplementary budget offered nothing to the people, emphasising that several allocations were aimed at supporting residents, particularly in the aftermath of unexpected severe weather events.
Sixth District representative Myron Walwyn argued that the budget provided nothing for the people and criticized the government for focusing on non-essential spending, such as parties, which he claimed offered no actual returns for the territory.
However, Smith dismissed Walwyn’s suggestion, stating, “There are provisions for the Attorney General’s office, the DPP, and so on to assist us with meeting our requirements for the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.” She explained that this provision was crucial since $250 million, or more than 60% of the territory’s budget, traditionally comes from the BVI’s financial services sector.
“We cannot say that there is nothing in the SAP (Schedule of Additional Provisions) for the people of this country because that $250 million goes towards every aspect of living in this territory,” Smith argued.
Meanwhile, Smith praised the $2.3 million allocation for the RATED programme, a government initiative designed to beautify the territory and provide temporary employment.
However, Smith acknowledged that the programme was not functioning as intended and suggested that the Fourth District, where she resides, resembled a wilderness. She described it as the worst she had seen since moving there over four decades ago.
She also addressed the proverbial elephant in the room—a $20 million discrepancy in budgeted salary funds that sparked calls for the Premier’s resignation and suggestions that Smith replace him.
“I have full confidence in the Premier and the way in which he has handled this matter once it came to his attention,” Smith said. “Should this matter not be dealt with in the way in which I expect it to be dealt with, I certainly would see it—as I said to one of my colleagues—as the quintessential absence of accountability.”
“I was present when the Premier himself said to the Governor, who is responsible for the public service, that an investigation must be carried out,” the Deputy Premier added.
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$1.4M for INFRASTRUCTURE AND ROADS, knowing that we require at least $100M or more to fix them (AFTER IRMA – 7 years later)
This is RIDICULOUS
This official just wants to get a photo op. She needs to STFU and sit down
to seek the lord while he may be found ( or have her changed . Becareful who you eating & drinking from , there is a lot of evilness and evil people out here , and you already vex with you for crossing the floor / but won’t admit their lack ofunity & integrity was the real cause of them not putting The BEST interest of the country FIRST / instead of the GREED FOR POWER
Just pathetic and now we have another $20,000,000 missing and begging to the UK. What happened to all the talk of independence. Need to invite the UK for the next 2 years to sort these jokers out and find some proper leaders.
Remove the ministerial rule of government; get some of our senior retired and some young officials in place to run this place aimed at fixing it over the next 2 years and then call us a fresh elections. We have had enough of this bull crap. And those of who who are benefitting heavy from this messiness need to fall back and way way back. You all getting mash up too because if the place sink we all will sink. Set of Jack-bottoms.
TEK DAT NDP
Jane. She went in the HOA with her own personal Agenda and now come here talking S#!T? ALL 13 of them gave themselves 100% Salary increase and don’t want the Fools to know. They are all in it for self-gain. Not one of them had the decency to say Not Now. All 13 are playing the people of this Territory for Fools But time will tell. All of them are in for a Rude awakening Jaspert said “You will Hear”. And then the Child there talking about using the Word Transparency when Integrity when they took the Taypayers Money and gave to their Partner to pay their Credit Card Bills. Where is the Integrity and Transparency in dat? and telling Story about they Dived… Isn’t it Dove? Ting te talk!!!
Look what people voted for in the BVI.
wee eye pee should k1|| ayo.
With a $20 million blunder?
$20,000.00 to spread around in dempockets.
And these stupid people will vote all ah them back in to thief them eys out agaain. Watch and see,