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Money was there for public service increments, Walwyn insists

Walwyn

Nearly four years after his National Democratic Party (NDP) was swept out of office after assuring public servants that they would be paid promised salary increments within one month of the 2019 general elections ending, former Education Minister Myron Walwyn has doubled down on the idea that he could have gotten it done.

Walwyn referred to his assurance at the time and said there was a reason he made the promise in the way he did on the campaign trail, suggesting that there was a need to follow established election protocols at the time.

“When it’s coming close to elections, there are certain things — because of the closeness of the time — that you can’t do in the Westminster system,” Walwyn stated during an appearance on the Talking Points show aired on ZBVI radio recently. 

“[There are] certain things that you do [that] may look as if you’re using tactics to influence the outcome of the elections. That’s why I said it the way I said it.”

Walwyn had stated at the time that the nearly $9 million in payments was available to be paid out based on the more than-$60 million in excess revenue the territory reportedly raked in at the end of 2018.

The information regarding the NDP government’s assurance and support for paying those increments, Walwyn said, was put to them in “a particular sacred place”, where the government couldn’t divulge what had happened ‘in the room’ at the time.

“The point I am making is this: the money was there,” Walwyn said.

Walwyn said questions related to why the public service increments have still not been paid nearly four years later should best be put to the current government. 

“The reason why I made that promise is because I knew the amount and I knew the funding was there to pay the entire amount of outstanding increments to the civil servants,” he added.

During his time in office, Walwyn said his government had paid a portion of the increments before leaving office but was particularly concerned about keeping everyone employed following the two devastating 2017 hurricanes of Irma and Maria and had to take this into account as they sought to respond to the situation.

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20 Comments

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  1. Sweet Talker says:

    The money when to the catering food for the HOA

    Like 14
    Dislike 3
  2. The oppresor says:

    The wall the wall

    Like 9
    Dislike 6
  3. The man says:

    Fu**y man go from here

    Like 6
    Dislike 7
  4. stfu says:

    So why the h**l your Government didn’t pay them when you were in there. stfu.

    Like 10
    Dislike 6
  5. Triple says:

    I understand what you are saying. The VIP used the money and buy new vehicles, pay for barges on the water, give out to people who don’t farm or fish, pay to rent spaces from cronies, increase board stipends for their cronies they appointed; give CSC big contracts to do nothing and did not oh the civil servants.

    Like 21
    Dislike 1
  6. @stfu says:

    Well maybe if you take the time to read what he said you would not ask this question. Our problem here is that we don’t read anything. We just open the hole in our faces because we can and half the time it’s pure stupidness coming out.

  7. Rhine says:

    Myron leave these people in their ignorance. They insist on being this way. Let them be

    Like 10
  8. Makes sense says:

    What Myron is trying to say without saying it out is that they were stopped by the governor from giving the increments because it was close to election period and they looked at it as if the NDP was trying to influence the outcome of the election. That is why he gave a date for payment of the increments after election. I believe that things that ministers discuss in cabinet cannot be made public so he couldn’t tell us that.

    Like 7
    Dislike 1
  9. Salty Fish says:

    Only now you’re talking? If you had any spine you’d have been talking from the day you lost!

    Like 6
    Dislike 6
  10. You STFU says:

    When they got the money and announced that they would pay you all thought it was a political gimmick and kicked them out. Almost 4 years and you all got nothing! Nothing but a destroyed education system, almost nonexistent tourism sector. Less 40 million from SSI, affordable housing that starts at $350k, built from our SSI and not included in the 40 mil. Head of state sitting in federal prison. Crimes at an all time high! Gun violence like we have never seen it, time of day no longer matters. Taxes being imposed left, right and center, cost of living increasing, we can no longer afford electricity (a necessity) even with the cost of fuel being down. Water woos continue, the most embarrassing roads ever and the list can go on and on! The worse this territory has ever been!!! Myron and his government have NOTHING on the VIP!!!

  11. East Man says:

    Lol ? ? he found his voice since Drew gone. Somebody call them white boys back.

    Like 3
    Dislike 4
  12. citizen says:

    Anyone who cannot hold a ministry should not run

  13. Tales from the crypt says:

    So he would have us believe that 60mil in “extra revenue” just ‘poof’ appeared at the end of 2018?

    Like 1
    Dislike 4
  14. @tales from the crypt says:

    The way the wee-eye-pee was spending money in the first two years of their term? That easy to believe. Big dog private security alone!

  15. Rubber Duck says:

    Civil servants salaries should be set by a nongovernment commission appointed for the task. That way governments cannot use salaries as a vote buyer or for intimidation.

  16. Road Town Rebel says:

    Just like Fahie…etal… You Walwyn have a tenuous relationships with the darn truth. You still have a problem keeping it real. Go siddung man and have “many several” seats.

  17. BviBuz says:

    after his 8 years of killing education, vi***mization and h**ing on locals he should never see the light of day in elective office again, let a lone his hands near our treasury

  18. Yes @tales from the crypt says:

    It did from the increase of incorporations. But you all don’t pay attention or read.

  19. From here. says:

    Wall=wig go please sit down.

  20. Concerned Citizen says:

    If the money was there when your Government was in, why was it not paid out then?

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