Let us never be ungrateful for our bountiful blessings — Premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has urged public servants and others employed by the government to be grateful, citing the fact that some employers elsewhere have been dismissing persons amid uncertain economic times.
While touting the territory’s ability to double its revenues over the past twenty years, the Premier noted that the BVI’s recurrent expenditure needs to be brought under control and may have doubled within that time as well.
But according to Dr Wheatley, the BVI’s revenues of roughly $400 million is something for residents to celebrate, particularly given the territory’s “enviable position” when compared to other nations.
“I hope that the Most High Creator finds none of us to be ungrateful for our blessings. Oh what a travesty that would be if we would frown in the face of the bountiful blessings that God has bestowed upon us,” the Premier said during the recent budget debate which resulted in an amended budget of $412,971,110 being passed in the House of Assembly. This is an increase from the $399 million budget announced weeks ago.
Dr Wheatley expressed that the BVI government has been able to keep many persons employed, allowing them to provide for their families, own homes and make other purchases due to this employment.
“Many persons are able to do that because they are employed by the government of the Virgin Islands, and let us never be ungrateful. There are many persons in places [where] they’re not afraid to send people home,” the Premier said. “But we understand how important it is to ensure that your persons have income [and] have a job to be able to support yourself.”
Premier Wheatley shared that a visit to many places around the world will show that there are people who are homeless and unemployed. “If you have a job, just give God thanks that you have a job,” the Premier said.
Premier Wheatley also noted that the territory has never defaulted on its loans and is well below its debt servicing ratio.
“Our economy is producing jobs upon jobs, upon jobs, upon jobs to the point where you have to import people to do work and you have lots of work permits that you issue each year. So, our economy is doing well,” the Premier declared.
The BVI government employs nearly three thousand public servants, and though this has put a strain on the territory’s recurrent expenditure over the years, Deputy Governor David Archer Jr recently dismissed rumours of public sector cuts.
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Is he grateful to dug?
Hear this joker who driving around in an Escalade, waiting on his payout from the Greedy Bill,’ getting his salary every month while we hear can’t even get assistance from social development.
I have been able to share my holiday perspectives of growing up VI- culturally it’s important that the many perspectives are not silenced from the past because it’s a community experience that’s unique on lived merits – Despite shared Caribbean song- Ma ma make the Johnny cake Christmas coming. Good morning Ah come for the Guavas Berry. Good Day Vino And Happy Holidays to all and thanks for allowing me to share my continued writing – I’m told that it’s a perspective that’s missed.
The BVI budget doubled in the last 20 years, it has never defaulted on a loan, and its debt to GDP ratio is within prudent limits. On the other sign of the ledger, recurrent expenditure is too high. It is an open secret that the civil service is bloated and public expenditure is exceedingly high some may argue by necessity. What the BVI effectively invested its double budget in 20 years. It surely was not on Roads, Sewage, Ports, Water, telecommunications, Health, Education, Sports, etc. The message would have been stronger and more widely embrace if the outcome on the listed items were more positive. Looking at the outcome it appears as if the investments vanish in thin air. Thinks need to turned around and quickly. Who is the the change agent?
God has given bountiful blessings to this country and still is . It is the indiscriminate spending , greedy politicians, bias locals, and the attitude of some expatriates people each group feels they have no obligation towards each other . That is why ….
You can see from your remark that you envy this man to the bone yet you declaring assistance from social development. Something you are not doing right to be in that position but to hate on the leader shows why you not progressing.
I agree Premier. We in BVI have a lot to be thankful for.
The people of the BVI has build this country to the success it is now. We need to recognize that and than God and do not let anyone make us believe otherwise.
You are so correct Premier, and many of us take it for granted. Never mind the noise, the BVI is still one of the best places in the world to live.
Bunch ah crooks. Showing one face to camera for public comsumption to fool public while their motivation is to rob the country dry.
We the retired folk are asking for our wages we already worked for, our INCREMENTS.
IT IS UNETHICAL, IMMORAL AND INHUMANE TO WORK HUMANS AND NOT PAY THE FOR YEARS,BUT TURN AROUND AND YOURSELF HEFTY SALARIES, ALLOWANCES AND MORE.
PLEASE PAY US OUR INCREMENTS. NO INCREMENTS,NOVOTES AND MUCH AGITATION AND UPHEAVAL TO BE EXPECTED.. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
This attitude that public service is expendable and over bloated is not based on any substance. Countries need public servants and frankly the BVI don’t have enough. Private sector will not regulate and will avoid enforcing rules if it is not going to maximize their profits.Most of the deterioration in the BVI over the past twenty years is as a result of the slow destruction and weakening of the public service by the work of leaders who don’t understand governance in democracies.