VIP accused of using $100M loan funds as election bait
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has accused the government of diverting funds from a $100 million loan facility into politically motivated projects instead of solving the territory’s most urgent infrastructure issue — the lack of a consistent supply of potable water.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Opposition members Melvin Turnbull and Stacy Mather, Walwyn said the government had earmarked only about $8 million of the loan for water infrastructure, an amount he called “woefully insufficient” to address the problem.
“The biggest problem facing this country now is access to a supply of portable running water,” Walwyn stated. “You can’t borrow $100 million and then after all of that, you still don’t have the problem fixed. Because you earmarked some of the money for pork projects, hoping to use the $100 million to win an election, and people can’t get water to bathe. That is unacceptable,” he said.
The Virgin Islands has faced chronic water shortages for years, with frequent supply interruptions reported across multiple districts. Earlier this year, government officials said repairs and upgrades were underway, but admitted that a complete overhaul of the water distribution system would require extensive funding and time.
Walwyn’s comments echo earlier criticism from the Opposition when the loan was first debated in the House of Assembly. They argued that the resolution lacked detailed project breakdowns and prioritised expenditure in areas that could deliver political gain rather than public necessity.
He stressed that the role of the Opposition was to ensure the public is aware of how their money is being spent.
“Our job as the opposition is being done to bring the information to the public about things that are happening in the country. And once people are armed with the information, then they access their representatives to say this cannot happen,” he said.
The $100 million loan, secured to fund infrastructure works, has been positioned by the government as a major investment in the territory’s development. However, the Opposition contends that without a greater share of the funds allocated to essential services such as water, residents will see little improvement in their daily lives.
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You can’t pave potholes and solve the water woes with excuses. The VIP sits on $100 million while the country sits in gridlock. If this is fiscal stewardship, then the people are being shortchanged twice. First by neglect, then by spin. Sitting on public funds to pad an election war chest is not strategy. It is sabotage. Infrastructure isn’t a campaign prop, it’s a public right.
he did say he was in no rush to spend it. that is election bait. tek it and vote them out. it is not their money.
“Portable” or “potable”…
The correct term is ” Potable ” which means water that is safe for drinking and other human uses.
More yuh open yuh mouth, more the story jump out! smh
Sorry, the visual of the pot calling the kettle black not withstanding, what about the Hon. Mr. Walwyn’s accusations would surprise anyone who is familiar with the role of government in the BVI?
Have caused all the potholes, bad education & borrowing. We need to free ourselves from the colonials oppressor and get access to more money
@Slave master: you is a real blunt tool mehson. Why don’t you run in the 3rd? Why you look like a blown up reject fantasy doll? Dude gtfoh and slither back to your hole.
What Wally saying is FACTS! Kye is a fraaking waste of time and another failure at MANAGING a ministry!
Huntumn’s Ghut ain’t had no water yesterday afternoon/evening – yet some ayo fudge-packing clowns want to re-elect this m**-m**?
BVI people – ask ayo selves this: Is this what we want for another 4 years? Failure after failure and hardship for the country?
VOTE VIP OUT!!!!
Now that you have “exposed” all of the corruption which has always existed what is your plan?? You all are sickening bad.
So, with all the consultants on $10k monthly, with the premier having more than 5 to his name, the most degree workers per capita (the head coach used to say this). You still want the opposition to do governments work?
So what the rest of them in there doing? Just drawing a salary? Counting down to 25 or 33-1/3?
That $100M going to backfire on them because it will be chaos when they try to spend it and it won’t be enough. When election approaches, they will sign election contracts without even starting them.
Take care with talking too much. We know you aint able with lawsuit.
When is election cause this dude is ah waste
You can’t please everyone. He got the loan to help with the infrastructure of the country . Now he is trying to do his job and being accused of using the funds for election bait. Guess that’s what Myron did with the high school wall money.
They are holding this money until its distribution to family and friends and be hidden in the great Airport share the cash bonanza.
All money being reserved on one side for the airport, you can be sure of that.
Even though the people will see no report, no accounts, no information. And this will be done under the nose of the UK and supposedly with all of the recommendations of the COI in place (Ha ha ha ha ha the Governor completely blind to what has not been done and what will never be actioned.) With Independence we won’t even get hear about the money the Dictator shares out to the chosen few.
Northam so far a walked away with a few million. You have to question why the Ministers are not embarassed by the lack of progress and what look like the complete disaster of Northam. AND you watch Northam will be lined up for contract after contract. You can only imagine why that happems and why our money keeps disappearing while we drive around in mud and have no water to wash with.
$25 Million of the $100 Million also gone on the $20Million we don’t know where it went and the $5Million Lorna and the BOA have to share around.
What with Northam getting a few million for no return that leaves about $70 Million for the airport handouts.
And we of course will be paying the loan back for some number of years so our pockets can fill their pockets.
Don’t forget these other projects;
– The admin building (8th year anniversary of Irma; no end date)
– The DDM building (no end date)
– Althea Scatliffe Primary (no start or end date)
– Isabella Morris Primary (no start or end date)
– Paraquita Bay road still to be finished (no end date)
– All roads within the BVI (no start or end date)
– Water situation (distribution/infrastructure; no start or end date)
– West End Ferry Terminal (destined to become the worlds most expensive; no start or end date; VIP already has the record for one of, or the worlds most expensive bridge under 200′; they going for another)
$100M? I wonder how much interest has been accumulated to date.
Master weatie , is saying )> dah Walwyn dude duh really amuse me, leh meh finish signing these papers an geh outa here before I die laughing