Premier dismisses opposition budget critics
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has dismissed criticism from the opposition over the government’s 2026 budget, saying his administration has addressed key social and economic needs across the Virgin Islands.
The Premier made the comments during a government press briefing following his presentation of the territory’s largest-ever budget of more than $550 million, which includes projected revenue collections of over $446 million.
Dr Wheatley rejected claims by Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn that the budget was “all froth and no maubi” and lacked focus on “bread-and-butter” issues.
“While the leader of the opposition’s response does not surprise me, as it is a continuation of his politically motivated, opportunistic behaviours, I am obligated to the people of the Virgin Islands to set the record straight with facts, not emotions,” Dr Wheatley stated.
He outlined several areas where the government has provided funding to address social needs. “Provision has been made for a transitional home to be built in Long Look at a cost of $1.8 million, supporting the needs of vulnerable members of our population experiencing homelessness, among other challenges,” he explained.
The Premier added that assistance for the elderly, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups had been increased.
“We significantly increased the social assistance grants going to the elderly, the differently abled, and other vulnerable groups,” he said.
Addressing concerns over the cost of living, Dr Wheatley pointed to new measures including pension increases, a higher minimum wage, and plans for a regulated basket of goods.
“We are in the process of implementing a regulated basket of goods to ensure that affordable foods are available to the most vulnerable,” he said. “This mechanism was finalised last week, and the requirements for Customs clearance of the baskets of goods will begin December 1.”
He also defended the government’s efforts to tackle unemployment through the RATED programme, which he said had already provided jobs for close to 300 persons in 2025. “The programme will be expanded to include apprenticeships, training and skills development, and soft and life skills training to get people into the mainstream workforce,” he explained.
On agriculture, Dr Wheatley said $2 million has been allocated for new infrastructure and land purchases to support farmers, with additional funding for fisheries. “There is one million dollars to buy more land for farming,” he noted. “I also mentioned the agriculture grant policy to be passed this year to provide grants to farmers.”
Dr Wheatley said the government would continue to highlight key areas of the budget to ensure the public remains informed. “We will be highlighting many more areas of our budget in the coming weeks so that the public can be properly informed,” he stated.
The 2026 budget, themed Building a Sustainable Nation, follows months of fiscal reviews and comes after the government faced a $20 million shortfall in 2025 due to a miscalculation in salary allocations for public servants, which prompted an internal investigation.
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This guy is suffering from a serious lack of understanding numbers and financial acumen.
We are doomed financially.
Just borrowing without any idea of how to repay and without any meaningful improvements for the taxpayer.
I a sure the pockets of his friends will be lined with luxury following this madness.
All froth and no mauby. I nearly died laughing when Myron said it.
Of course he does.
Are you going to adress the rent CITUATION ? people are being taken advantage of by these greedy landlords with their HIGH PRICES it’s really unbelievable that such things is allowed to be the new norm in the territory ( those animals are worse than sharks / and thpse white elephants on the hillside can be put into good use as ‘ single / two bedroom APPARTMENTS or family APPARTMENTS and be making money in the meantime ,
The bvi seems to be insolvent with expenses consistently exceeding revenues. No vision. All are perishing. That is what the budget is saying.
PLEASE DONT MIND THOSE 3 BLIND MICE THAT ARE ON THE OTHERSIDE
That budget is GREED OVERLOAD… trying to facilitate the payment of these unjust salary increases for legislators. God forgive them!
Tricks are for kids!
What I’d like to know is:
How many planned trips between now and 2027 when elections are constitutionally due?
How many fetes/parties/sponsorships are budgeted for?
Will the RTO Admin Complex house any government offices that are currently in rentals?
How will the roads be paved (in 12 months) in time when Pari road took over a year and is poorly designed and constructed?
When will the Incinerator be sorted out?
All froth; no substance! VIPers to suck th e blood of the Virgin Islands people!
What’s next in taxes? A road tax to help ayo with the brutal criminal offense of daily driving these Afghanistan bombed pit roads?!?! Can’t get my vote any of you VIPers for that derelict TAX!
But he can’t dismiss the valid criticisms of the VI people.
Everything requested and put forward by the public in the constitutional review was “dismissed” by the premier and his other HOA colleagues, including the opposition.
This guy operates as if everything he says is golden and should be agreed with.