No layoffs coming after $20M gov’t blunder — Premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has assured residents that no jobs will be lost due to the government’s $20 million budget miscalculation.
Last month, Dr Wheatley explained that the House of Assembly approved a budget that included $11.7 million for a new salary structure for public workers. However, upon further analysis by the Ministry of Finance, it was discovered that the actual amount needed was significantly higher, at $25,056,518.
When he first announced the budget miscalculation, Premier Wheatley said the government would introduce hiring freezes and other measures to curb spending in the public service.
During a recent press conference, Dr Wheatley addressed concerns about the financial blunder, emphasising that the government is taking steps to rectify the issue without impacting public service jobs. “We won’t have any layoffs as a result of it,” the Premier assured.
“We went to the House of Assembly a few weeks ago, and we were able at that time to ensure that we’re able to meet our obligations until the end of the year,” Dr Wheatley added.
Tightened budget
The miscalculation has tightened the government’s budget and prompted discussions about the need for more effective revenue-raising measures. Dr Wheatley indicated that these measures would be designed to avoid placing additional burdens on society’s most vulnerable members.
Despite the challenges, the Premier stressed that the government is focused on finding a balanced approach to financial management. He stated that they are also exploring ways to improve efficiency in public spending. “We have to speak about a more efficient means of spending,” Dr Wheatley said, adding that these considerations would help the government manage its financial situation.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the Premier revealed that an investigation has been launched to identify the root cause of the budget miscalculation. He told reporters that the internal audit team is investigating the matter to determine who was responsible for the error.
Premier Wheatley refrained from assigning blame, insisting that he would not preempt the outcome of the internal audit. However, he acknowledged the importance of accountability in government operations. “We are clear that there has to be accountability for the matter of the miscalculation of the monies that needed to be appropriated at the beginning of the year,” he affirmed.
He urged the public to remain patient as the government works through the issue while stressing that the primary goal is to ensure the continued delivery of public services without resorting to layoffs or salary cuts.
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Thank your lucky stars you’re not in the private sector, Sir! Because both you, and your employees would not have survived such a blunder.
But because you work for the people, and spend the people’s money, all is good, and all are safe, because none of your elected fools care!
For some reason you think money is there just always waiting for you! As the Private Sector crumbles under your watch, the Government will be next to feel the pain, and then the people – we as a Country have yet to see the worse to come!
Let the Greedy Bill live on, and you all are good!
Hmmm, I don’t believe S!0wW@nde. He and his A$$C!0wn Brigade will layoff people. Just look at Barbados and the move towards now contracting their employees for up to 3 to 5 years rather than having them as permanent. The government can decide at the end of the contract whether to either let them go or re-contract. I expect the same for BVI
You are late, it’s already here. However, in Barbados it’s for work permit holders. Here, it’s their own local BVIslanders targeted, SMDH.
No lay-off but less money to fix all the other problems.
I don’t know why they even bother with an investigation of the debacle. No one will be brought to accounts, and nothing will be done to change anything.
MAKE SURE AYO VOTE OUT THESE MISTAKE MAKERS
Yall need to retire them old heads in positions that 30 plus years going and disgruntle but refuse to leave bcuz them like making other people miserable like them.
remove those leech that have nothing to contribute
he right no lay off but best believe the public and government workers will be getting some heavy tax to make it back
and our tax done crazy high alrdy with no returns
no tax money being used to make the country better
no tax returns for paying all that tax and seeing it only used for parties and flights to UK lmfaoo
import tax so high them pretty much forcing you to buy the expensive stuff in the country bcuz by time you package reach and tax touch it… you paying 2x or 3x the amount all to keep their friends and family in business rich while the rest suffer.. imagine Independence with that? crime skyrockets
crazyy
This man is not in a position to make this promise. His days in power will soon end …
just looking at his picture get me cross
No big deal guys just a lil 20 million dollar mistake.
A “Minister of Finance” should know that something has to give. They’ll have to cut expenditures or raise revenue. The private sector is already drowning. Adding tax won’t help things. The government should be twice as efficient and half the size. Ultimately, this means layoffs.
Then again, our last “Minister of Finance” needed a calculator to work out 10% on his drug deal (but at least he said a prayer first), so we don’t set the bar too high.
why don’t you just come out and say it ❓️ – it’s them island people’s fault that our infrastructure is in the state it is today ( looks Like ( xenophobia ) is in comtrol of your evil mind / becareful not to look in the mirror
“Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has assured residents that no jobs will be lost due to the government’s $20 million budget miscalculation”.
$20,000,000.00US Budget miscalculation.
How in the name of all accountants can a small island with a population less than 50,000 people make a 20-million-dollar budget mistake?
I say we fire this government and see what the UK can do.