More spent on one-night party than on needed water pipes — Walwyn

Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn has rebuked the government for its misplaced priorities as it sought to make adjustments to the budget with the passage of yet another Schedule of Additional Provisions (SAP).

The SAP — which is the third in six months brought by the government — amounted to more than $15 million in additional funds for the budget, bringing the total past $400 million. It included provisions for pipe fixtures for damaged water lines in the territory, among other things.

But Walwyn said the amount allotted for these fixtures was insufficient and was even less than the government was willing to spend on the free celebration concert held late last month.

That concert celebrated the arrival of direct flights to the territory from Miami by American Airlines and Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley announced last month that the government issued a grant of $250,000 to the BVI Tourist Board for hosting the concert.

Walwyn said there was $500,000 in the SAP for water meters and expressed that he was grateful for this.

“But it’s only $100,000 for pipes,” Walwyn added. “We spend more money on a one night party than what we put in [the SAP] to put pipes throughout the entire country. That, to me, does not sound right,” Walwyn said.

He continued: “That $100,000 for pipes — from the time you come out of District 6, that money’s done. So what about the other communities? I’m speaking about, of course, priorities. Doing things that are important to the people coming off of the heels of an election where people have said to us how they feel.”

Walwyn said he constantly receives calls about broken pipes from his constituents and noted that there are also many complaints that their water is constantly off.

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