Gov’t under fire over $1.3M SAP for parties, CARIFESTA
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has accused the Virgin Islands Party-led government of wasting $1.3 million of public money on parties, overseas trips and entertainment while failing to support the most vulnerable residents.
Speaking during a recent press conference, Walwyn said the allocation was part of the first Supplementary Appropriation Provision (SAP) for 2025, which he described as “another $1.3 million for party and other non-essential indulgences.”
“This includes $300,000 for the Uber Soca Cruise Party, $219,000 for a trip to CARIFESTA in Barbados this month. This is in addition to the $250,000 spent on a non-stop party with American Airlines, the over $300,000 given to Vybz Kartel, the over $1 million spent on its failed music fest, and all the other things that are being done unbeknownst to the public,” Walwyn stated.
He criticised Premier Natalio Wheatley for consistently refusing, despite being asked repeatedly by members of the opposition, “to allocate adequate resources towards programmes that truly matter, such as the development of a seniors programme across all districts and the creation of job opportunities for the differently abled adult population.”
Walwyn argued that the government’s actions were not only poor budgeting but revealed “a reflection of misplaced priorities and a lack of compassion for some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”
He added, “Life is hard in these Virgin Islands. Families are struggling to make ends meet, to put food on the table, to hold on to hope as our once buoyant middle class is disappearing before our very eyes.”
In recent years, public funds have been used for concerts, festivals and promotional events, including the BVI Music Fest and contracts linked to international performers. Critics argue that these costs overshadow investment in essential services. The debate continues to place government spending on similar entertainment events under the proverbial microscope.
Government ministers have defended spending on cultural promotion and tourism, saying events bring visibility and revenue to the territory. However, opposition members, led by Walwyn, have maintained that scarce resources should be prioritised for social welfare, infrastructure and economic support.
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He is wasting our limited resources for parties while our people suffer with all the daily problems we face. Why do we have to give a whole $300,000 to a soca cruise? Why? Do you know all the things we could do that money. Why do we have to spend $219,000 on a trip to Barbados for a festival with all the problems we face here? All of the government members need to go and go now!
Our Premier is taking the name of his political affiliation literally Virgin Island PARTY 🙂
showande priorities are all screwed up, we need our water, power, roads and schools fixed, we don’t need parties. We need cheaper rent and food price we don’t need more parties.
The vast majority of those that rent are outsiders, while the vast majority of property owners are local voters.
Who do you think the politicians would prefer NOT to piss off?
Keep waiting for that lowered rent
This comment is ridiculous. A lot of local/belongers rent properties here too.
Lucifer will never be Premier no matter how hard he try….VIP and NDP will merge to avoid him becoming Premier
NDP and VIP done merge. A blind man could see Ronnie and Marlon working with Natalio. This shows you the kind of people they all are. It is not about country. It is about position and their emotions. That is why Ronnie refused to debate and abstain from voting and Marlon was out in his car hiding until the vote was taken. Both NDP and VIP need to go.
that is what you spewing in the population. you all like too much comess.
This is exactly why the BVI is not getting any better. Our minds are bad and we are selfish. Yes, it very obvious that Ronnie and Marlon are allies of the VIP. That is why it is only the alliance that is speaking out on behalf of the people. All these things are taking place in the country and the so called NDP is quiet because they value their fear of Myron more than their love for the people of the country. What a pity.
The “Alliance” speaking out on behalf of themselves not the people. Power by any means
Where is the sense in this statement? Show me please
I am getting pure jealousy vibes from this blog. The BVJ is a sick place mehson
When boys are tasked/put to do mens jobs, these ar the gauranteed results..
And in this our case, the UK is directly responsible for the feces that is all over the political wall.
But of course, they will never acknowledge or accept truths. Indeed, their only indication of acceptance to truth is with a TD response to a comment not highlighting them favorably.
All I will Say is: Poor BVI. A once Thriving Territory was handed to a set of Pelicans and has suddenly become a Third World, Shithole Territory.
Voting has Consequences.
Strutting across the Floor has Consequences.
High Science has Consequences.
We are now in the Heart of Hurricane Season.
Hon. Walwyn, Don’t give up the Fight. The Battle is Not Yours But The Lord’s. Time will tell for this BVI.
The Sad thing is, It seems like the Majority, Because of Greed and Thievery are satisfied with what is going on That is why No One is Crying out against it.
“voting has consequences”
No water, sewerage running in the streets if Road Town, the road infrastructure sinking by the day. This man priorites are f up. We need him out of here. He has a Doctorate Degree in stupidilty.
… guilty of criminal white collar crimes, e.g., fraudulent misappropriation of public funds, financial corruption, breach of trust, etc.
Please your Hon. Walwyn pleased present to the public the exact figures your government spent while you and your government were in office. I am sure I wouldn’t get an answer because you don’t want the public it’s the pot calling the kettle black. All bloggers find out facts before you write.
You sound soo stupid
But people can’t get increments smh….
If Hon. Walwyn knows that no one man is an island. He has now caused a serious rift in the Opposition, he and his two stooges. He said he will work alone if he has to, but super intense thirst for power causes you to fail sometimes. Sometimes it is not that you are not smart enough and an able speaker, but that you can’t work with anyone. That you are always ready to stab somebody in the back to get to where you want to go in this recent move showed no common sense. That will cost all of us as a Government needs five Ministers and now junior ministers. So alienating persons from around you makes things difficult when election day arrives because I wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole, neither Turnbull. Both of you were second in your respective parties but greedy for the top spot and destroyed the entire Opposition. Who will work with you if you don’t form an extremely strong Alliance Party and then win outright? Silly. Silly. You didn’t read the room. You and Turnbull just tunnel vision and thinking about yourselves. All this while we are suffering under this VIP Government. So let your followers get you in. You may very well win your seat and sit your backside down over in the Opposition again for four years.
The rift has been there since the Entitled Ronnie Skelton lost the NDP internal elections in 2019 and went to form his own party. The problem is the bad mind that Ronnie has. In 2023 The opposition was made up of Fraser, Myron, Marlon, Mitch, Mather and Ronnie. It was three different political parties. Each person cooperated with Skelton who was opposition leader because he had the Mitch and Mather with him. Myron and the others worked with Ronnie because they have discipline. Now that Myron is the leader this same Ronnie has a problem just like he had in 2019. The man just has a bad mind. Stop making excuses for it. He is ENTITLED and he cannot do the job. Natalio had him like a toy when he was leader of the opposition. Myron has Natalio in his back foot everyday since. Ronnie was fast asleep.
All this Jealousy is because you all can’t Buy nor sell Hon. Skelton. That is why the least chance you all get that is all you can Blog about Entitlement.
So what, YES He Born here and what can anyone do about it? It is because he don’t have to Kiss anyone Back/Side that is why He is Hated? Well Guess what.. You have a serious Problem. Hon. Skelton was the Best Ever Finance Minister this BVI has ever had and you all know it. He didn’t had No need to Thief from the Treasury Because He had and Has much Generational Wealth. His Parents were hard working and so is He. Ronnie don’t need to be in Politics to survive. He is doing it for Love of Country which Most of the others are there for Love of Greed and Corruption for themselves and Families and Friends. Just Call a Spade A Spade. Speak Truth to Power and stop the Stupid Jealousy and Lies. Most of you can NEVER reach where Ronnie passed. You all need to STOP the S#it! Enough is Enough. And NO Ronnie and I are Not related. I call it as I see it.