Premier says he was unaware $20M budget error was not being probed
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley has revealed that he only learned during recent Standing Finance Committee meetings that the $20 million budget underestimation was not being investigated as previously indicated.
During a House of Assembly debate, Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn pressed the Premier on when he became aware that the investigation had not begun.
“On October 17, 2024, Governor Daniel Pruce sent a memo to Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett confirming that he had discussions with internal audit and that the investigation had commenced,” Dr. Wheatley said.
However, he later discovered this was not the case.
“I was surprised to hear information contradicting what the Governor wrote during Standing Finance,” he said.
“This was the first time I understood that the investigations had not commenced, as the Governor had confirmed by memo.”
Despite the delay, the Premier confirmed that the investigation is now underway and that findings will be presented in due course.
“I can confirm that I was informed by the Governor that the Auditor General has taken on this task and started an investigation,” he stated.
“As is customary, the report of the Auditor General [will] be made available to this honourable House at the appropriate time.”
Walwyn also questioned why the public had not been informed of these developments. The Premier responded that his primary concern was ensuring that the investigation moved forward.
The budget miscalculation, first disclosed in 2024, initially projected that the salary adjustments would require $11.7 million. However, a later assessment revealed the actual cost exceeded $25 million, leading to a shortfall of approximately $13.3 million.
The government has since taken steps to address the financial gap, including a freeze on non-essential government hiring, reduced travel for officials, and restrictions on discretionary spending.
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He is not aware of very much. Who is the premier of the VI? Who is leading?
Sowande,Sowande, Sowande.
This premier is so out of touch. What does he really know?
He knows how to deflect. He knows how to spend money for fun stuff. He knows how to book flights out of here.
Here is the procedure: “On October 17, 2024, Governor Daniel Pruce sent a memo to Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett confirming that he had discussions with internal audit and that the investigation had commenced,” Obviously, the Premier was copied on the email and he acknoledged it. So, if the auditor General has not commenced the investigation, how does that amount to lackadaisical attitude on the part of the Premier?
Oops! I was hoping the public forget I paid quarter million USD to Vybz Kartel and other parties and now this budget error, maybe it’s because I am not a qualify account to understand this finance thing.
OUR MASTER ,IS SAYING )> HEY IT AIN’T NO BIG DEAL , WE USUALLY BLAME THE UK OR THE GOVERNOR , DO A LIL BIT AH HOLLYWOOD AND SAY IT WAS AN HONEST MISTAKE , AND PROMISE NOT TO LET IT HSPPEN AGAIN
Coming from the minister of finance. Struupes. Nonsense
I don’t doubt him that he didn’t know. You have to be checking for work to be up to date and in the know.
HE and the ministers done get them pay raise for the salaries which was alrdy well off. so they not studying that
life sweet while minimum wage still no raise
no price control
cost of living never went down for bvi since covid they saw those extra extraaa profits and love it
Pal, you always claim ignorance and accountability for everything. You seem to be in the DARK with everything!!!!
Well not everything, you know whenever there a party and travel to get sorted out every time. Such a loser…
people have long since forgotten about the “Greedy Bill, excessive salary pay hikes and other high costing perks.
It would be a huge revelation if all of the private pre-election plans were to come to light.
Concurently, the master mind was removed and his once hinch men may be secretly doing what they had planned all along.
Could the Gus man, his mind set, who he represented and his colonial position here, it is thought that he might have saved these islands from much greater caastrophy down the road.
Sorry? Isn’t he the Minister of Finance?
If such a humongous error in made with taxpayers money and you ate unaware that an investigation is not done, then why are you fit to lead this country .
To begin with
– You did not know this oversight was done
-Now not aware that nothing was done
You are sleeping on guard and does not care aboit the government purse
Then you CANNOT be trusted to
Lead or you are a blatant l**r