Gov’t slashes funding for youth beautification programme
Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn has bemoaned the reduced allocation that the government has given for the yearly Summer Beautification Programme that employs many youth across the territory during the summer months.
The yearly programme usually employs young people who assist with beautification projects such as painting murals, tree planting exercises and others that enhance the aesthetics of community spaces. The youth are usually given a stipend for their participation in the programme.
In the recent supplementary budget approved by elected leaders, the Summer Beautification Programme received $20,000. Penn said he is disappointed the programme is no longer adequately funded and called for the government to invest more in the initiative.
“I myself was a recipient of that programme when I was younger. I worked at the Public Works Department and got an opportunity to work money in the summer that took the burden from my parents. I could have bought my school clothes and clothes for the festival,” Penn stated.
“We need to make these programmes work, Premier. We have to find the money to put in programmes like this that impact the lives of people. We have a $400 million budget and we could only find $20,000 for children across this territory? We have hundreds of thousands of young people who fall in this category. These are programmes we need to fund adequately so that persons can benefit from the financial resources of this territory,” Penn added.
In the past, scores of youths were allowed to participate in the summer beautification programme. Because of the numbers, the programme used to accommodate cohorts of teens to complete different projects throughout the summer.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Our youth are no longer considered beautiful
But $250,000.00 for a free jump up a few weeks before Festival?
This government hates their people, period.
He will never be the premier
Things are that bad!
The program was first slashed under the NDP Health Minister because he did notlike the fact of having children on the streets cleaning. He also advised it is the job for the Department of Solid Waste.
Man can’t count? Or BVIN can’t report?
“We have hundreds of thousands of young people …”
youth
Or children..?
Its fine to complain about the Government cutting funds, but can the Districts Reps verify that they participate to help the children in their district each year??? No, they don’t. Its a selected few who does, and thats why the funds get cut.
Its all good to complain about the Government slashing funds. The question to ask is…Are all the District Reps participating in the program to assist the youths/children? I don’t think so, and thats why the funds are cut..
When and where were these programs being advertised? It seems like this program was only available to the selected few. I do agree that government and the private sector should provide work opportunities for youth’s during the summer. It gives the youth a chance to learn new skills, put learnt skills into practice and to gain an appreciation for earning their own money.