Gov’t owes $22M in unpaid vendor vouchers
Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn has raised concerns about nearly twenty-two million dollars in unpaid government vouchers owed to vendors. He warned that the growing backlog is putting significant strain on small businesses and negatively impacting the wider economy.
Speaking during a recent House of Assembly sitting, Penn questioned the government’s fiscal management, noting the gap between revenue and expenditure.
“The open vouchers are in the range of $22 million that’s owed to struggling small businesses in this territory that need the money,” Penn stated. “We cannot be at this stage in May and owing $22 million to businesses, to persons who are struggling and need this money.”
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley confirmed that $21,896,677.73 in vendor vouchers remain open in the government’s accounting system for the period 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2025. However, he explained that not all open vouchers indicate completed work. “Some of those open vouchers represent contracts where works will be completed,” Dr Wheatley stated. “It shouldn’t be assumed just because we have open vouchers in the system, that it means that persons are owed money for works completed.”
Penn pressed further, asking if the Premier could guarantee that vendors would be paid before the end of the month. “Can you assure the people of the Virgin Islands who are owed this money that their payments could be settled by the end of this month?” he asked.
The Premier acknowledged the concern but stopped short of making a firm commitment. “We do take too long to pay vendors in many instances,” he conceded. “It has to be a reconciliation exercise to see actually which one of those open vouchers represents monies which need to be paid to vendors.”
As of April 2025, the government had collected $102.8 million in revenue and spent $119.2 million — a deficit not including the nearly $22 million in outstanding payments. When questioned about the shortfall, Dr Wheatley pointed to the seasonal nature of revenue, noting that large inflows typically occur in May and June from financial services.
Still, Penn was not convinced. “If it’s $10 million or $1 million, it’s too much money owed to vendors and struggling small businesses and individuals who need their money in a time like this,” he asserted. “We have to ensure that persons are paid.”
The government has not yet provided a timeline for clearing the unpaid vouchers.
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Vybz Kartel got paid or does a reconciliation exercise need to be done to see if this is a open voucher that need paying? Asking for a friend.
Not only Vybz Kartel..but every other entertainer gets paid except the hard working individuals on the ground.
So we can pay our vendors as the UK is taking all our money
How dumb can you really be to say something so silly?
I have to travel over bad roads to get to my house where there is no electricity, no water for the last few days and now no cct cellphone service. and yes roof leaks but that one’s on me
Who is the accountant for the government? Can they not control the government purse or they are being told what to do and do it blindly?
The question should be, who is the Financial Secretary; he is not a truth person.
The fact the S!0wW@nde proudly boast that 20 million is on cd whilst this 22 million is owed to small vendors is disturbing and sickening. These people have salaries, rent food water electricity children in school etc. and he boasts about hooding 20 million in a cd. This guy doesn’t love his people. Crying shame that Smurf didn’t advocate in this fashion for these people when told by S!0wW@nde where this money was allocated. We need new 13 elected officials
Once their salaries are paid they have no
Pity on others.
Hire more people to work in the Treasury,
have a swifter procurement process
How could Cartal procurement process of his entertainment money sailed through the treasury so swiftly
BS
The PS in the financial department needs more hired help
There is no red-tape when it comes to some people to
collect their cheque
Cartal was a typical example
Remember the $20Million in the account. Use that. Remember the $100,000,000 loan. Use that.
All the money being kept on one side for the SECRET airport project.
This airport cash grab is not going to be pretty.
Please pinch me. This Is not real my tax dollars paying for a criminal to come here money upfront and you owing millions un país. To be honest I’m tired of the UK having us suffer under the criminals as leaders.
The Nat says everything is just fine, from wherever he’s flown off to
Remember the Quote: We don’t need UK, We can take care of our Business or ourselves. Wasteful Energy.
Vybz Kartel was Paid up front though But Not our Local Vendors and 20 Mil still can’t be accounted for with the Salaries increase. And you trying to convince Me that BVI is a Real Place?
Yessssss, say it loud and transparent. I can tell that you are not one of the cronies, puppets nor an a.. kisser.
It look like $20mil is prophecy.
$20mil in bank
$20mil owed to vendors
$20mil shortfall on salaries.
Where is the next $20mil allocation?
They are doing exactly what they said they would and went in to do.
He could say how o down to the cent but he can’t say how much for the Kartel show he a clown he has to go
Hola, volia saber el seu preu.
Wow. Wow. If this is true its beyond careless and selfish, its insanity.
The big boss preemair never in his life had the privilege of handling and managing money more than his pay check.
Therefore checks and balances can be difficult. He’s like a kid in a candy store with (vee) VI money
that is OUTRAGEOUS. this is not a real place.