We did not know about budget miscalculation — Premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has strongly refuted claims that Cabinet members were aware of a significant miscalculation in this year’s public service salary budget.
Speaking in the House of Assembly last Friday, Dr. Wheatley emphasised that neither he nor any Cabinet member knew of the budget error when it was passed last December.
“I want to be very clear… when we passed this budget in December, I had no knowledge, and no member of the Cabinet or the House had any knowledge that what was appropriated was not the correct figure,” Dr. Wheatley said in response to claims from Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn.
The controversy arose when it was revealed that the House of Assembly had approved a budget with $11.7 million allocated for a new salary structure for public workers. However, further analysis by the Ministry of Finance uncovered that the actual amount needed was significantly higher, at $25,056,518.
Dr. Wheatley explained that the responsibility for the compensation review, which led to the miscalculation, fell under the Deputy Governor’s Office—a duty delegated by the Governor. The review was conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which provided several options. The government selected an option projected to cost around $10 million, but it was later discovered that this figure was inaccurate.
“The members of this House know very well that the compensation review falls under the Governor’s responsibilities, which the Governor delegated to the Deputy Governor’s Office… We came to learn afterward, when the Ministry of Finance examined the figures more closely, that the $10 plus million was not the correct figure,” Dr. Wheatley explained.
Opposition criticism
The Premier also expressed disappointment with the Opposition’s response, accusing them of using the budget error for political gain instead of working together to resolve the issue.
“It’s sad that the information I provided to be fully transparent with members of the Opposition—they were just taking notes for when the lights turned on so they could perform these theatrics and try to damage the government,” Dr. Wheatley lamented.
Premier Wheatley assured the public that steps are being taken to ensure accountability and prevent similar issues in the future. He acknowledged that leadership involves addressing problems directly and ensuring that mistakes are not repeated.
“As a leader, we had to address the problem and find out how it happened so it wouldn’t happen again. Leadership also means accountability,” he stated.
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He only knows how to travel and spree
There needs to be a more educated conversation about the budget. Budgeting is a science that if you cannot explain you should t be minister
with opposition. The VIP is a disgrace. Time for a vote of no confidence in the HOA.
The 5 of ayo blind
Bunch of fools
The essence of cabinet government is ministerial responsibility. If something big goes wrong in your department you resign.
What a joke government. The BVI is in a state of rapid decay. Nothing got fixed after Irma and the CoI and here we are.
Ayo should be shamed to be saying this. The Premier in his budget speech said that he was appropriating 10M to cover the salary increases. Those were his words. Where did he get that figure from then????
Where??? You all taking the public for fools now.
If incompetence were persons this is exactly what it would look like.
FIVE BLINED MICE
yall forget the ministers gave themselves a raise too
i sure they were happy and didnt bat and eye
they alrdy living good with their previous pay but wanted to add more strain on tax money with a bigger fam for them smh
Now it’s “WE” didn’t know. He wants others to step forward to share the blame.
Now check out how their hands are placed * LEFT HAND ON RIGHT HAND * on the street it is said that’s a sign of a ( secret society ) what’s in darkness will come to light ( KARMA ) IS the great EQUALIZER
But you know what the balance is when you and your minister of education booking your next first class ticket?!?!?!?!?!??! What de A** I hearing??????????
It is your job to know. Plain and simple. The buck stops with you? Resign.
We know how to add and subtract. Why didn’t yall ask one of us? Do you guys know what is a budget? All these folks qre blind men and women. None can check the other to ensure there’s accountability in VI Government. Dude always placing blame on others. Hey, don’t know if you weren’t told that no matter what happens the leader being in charge has to always take responsibility for what happens under their leadership or control. You people are so well lettered yet has no ounce of sense…not one of you. Now, y’all expect us to believe that nobody recognised the amount $ required for civil servants’ salaries, increments, etc wasn’t the correct dollar amount tabulated on your computer system? Is what type of accounts personnel, financial gurus, financial secretaries alu hired? The entire accounting team and Min. of Finance/Premier should be FIRED and/or not paid any severance, their future earnings should be paid into the Government coffers until the shortfall plus interest is paid in full. We, the taxpayers has no intention of paying for y’all faux paux. Yo, this Government has neen proven to be a set of nincompoops. Why is it always the fault of the Governor? Infrasture falling apart. Its the Governor’s fault! The V.I. filthy with overgrown weeds, shrubs, abandoned vehicles. Its the Governor’s fault! Therr’s no water in Sea Cows Bay or Road Town. Its the Governor’s fault! Electricity keeps switching off every day for 6 hours. Its the Governor’s fault! The Pelican shit on the HOA fence. Its the Governor’s fault. You wake up late, got caught in traffic and wasn’t able to get Johnny Cake from Cra*****s. Its the Governor’s fault! You wife ask you to tie Govence the donkey
over in your neighbour’s pasture. Its
the Governor’s fault! You forgot its your father inlaw’s 80th birthday and got home late to say surprise. Its the Governor’s fault! What will be the Governor’s fault next? Lack of intimacy in your relationship? Bad medical lab
results? Missing Church? Toilet
overflowing? Exorbitant bank fees? Hike
in grocery prices? Didn’t get to pray before going to bed? Oh, dear thats the Governor’s fault as well. Unable to flout another Farmers and Fishers money grab bag. That too is the Goverbor’s fault! Getting caught in a drugs dragnet. Lets just say, Gov that too is your fault. Dropping to our knees praying to God Almighty whilst playing with a fake deity about nonsense and paying an African conman because we stupid like that. Mehn, even this ridicilous frig is the Governor’s fault! Governor, please be mindful and change your name to its my fault. As i write this, perhaps those asinines will say its your fault as well. All i can say, there comes a day when each of us has to take accountability for where we have fallen short and stop with its this or that fault. God please continue to bless these Virgin Islands and all those who love and call it home. Peace, love and Joy to all. Keep your focus on Jehovah and this too shall pass. Love y’all!
… Watch the sly smile. They can’t even smile straight for their cr**ked deals.
you has said all , and sadly there are people out there who is going to get mad at your message which bis the truth , but we know they are hypocrites and refuse to acknowledge the facts / I wish you can enlighten us onthose so-called holy men of the cloth from CGB , that will be very interesting to know who are they really worshiping / these actors needs to be exposed
Larry the Lobster, Suzy the Snake, Rowboat shoes, no longer in our corner and Slowwanzit was not aware or had knowledge of this?
He never know and its never his fault. Ever! Nothing not going to happen nobody getting fired mediocracy and slackness shall prevail. I keep saying this you cant expect the problem to fix the problem.
They knew. They were told but chose to ignore the information the MOF gave them. They should ALL be fired
Mr. Bean! Boi go lay down. Yuh nah ready fah dis ting. Go back to being the poet/musician. Better career path inno…
They lack the courage to stand up
And call out blunders
I have lost all respect for these people. They are spineless and protecting their job . They only care about themselves and not the people of the BVI shame on all of you
@what a set of people
I concur with your comment. I can’t believe grown folks can be so darn delusional.
So you just accept it and signed off? Then why is the port folio under you? We in trouble..
As the minister of finance, if you did not know you are incompetent,
If you knew and did nothing , you are just plain wicked