Wheatley: I take ultimate responsibility for government’s mistakes
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said he accepts ultimate responsibility for financial missteps under his government, including a $20 million budget shortfall discovered last year after his government implemented a new salary structure for public servants.
“When there are mistakes anywhere in the public service, whether I made a mistake or somebody else made it, ultimately I take responsibility for correcting it and for getting it right,” Dr Wheatley said during a recent press conference.
The budget discrepancy emerged after the government approved an $11.7 million allocation for a revised salary structure. However, a subsequent analysis revealed that the actual cost was more than $25 million, leaving a $13.3 million deficit.
Dr Wheatley attributed the discrepancy to ”problematic assumptions” which he said were made during the compensation review process. He announced that an investigation would be conducted into the “circumstances which led to this wide variance.”
To address the shortfall, the government initiated measures, including a hiring freeze and restrictions on non-essential travel. The Premier also advised that he would establish a committee to develop and consider proposals for revenue-raising initiatives and cost-saving measures.
Beyond the budget shortfall, Dr Wheatley was pressed about other financial issues, including the government’s underestimation of the cost of the West End Ferry Terminal project. The government’s initial budget was $15.5 million, yet the lowest of two bids received for the project was $63 million.
Dr Wheatley insisted that while errors had been made, corrective actions were being taken. “Certainly, something went wrong,” the Premier admitted. “So we’re going to have to examine and see exactly what went wrong with that particular project.”
The Premier also addressed broader concerns about his government’s ability to manage public funds efficiently. “Persons can come to whatever conclusions they can at the appropriate time,” he said while reiterating that the responsibility for governance ultimately rested with him.
Despite the challenges, Premier Wheatley reaffirmed his commitment to leading the territory responsibly. The investigation is underway to determine the causes of the financial miscalculations related to the budget shortfall. Governor Daniel Pruce was asked to oversee the probe to ensure accountability.
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did he ever find that missing 20 million
S!0wW@nde need to set down as Finance Minister and give it to anyone on his cabinet that has finance skills. Wait a minute, do any of the A$$C!0wn Brigade have such skills…let’s take a commercial break and find out
reading and comprehension is vital , there is no missing $20 Million – there is a budgetary short fall. Money was allocated but the actual cost was more than anticipated.
Resign.
How much longer must we endure this madness?!?! Can this guy get anything right apart from throwing a fete? Does his inner circle not advise him of his numerous failures? Is he so out of touch with reality here in these islands; or he just DGAF? This has to be one of the weakest governments that the BVI voters ever elected to the HOA.
Th e Aliiance needs to hurry up and get on without the dead woods that just jockeying for power and position. This VIP remix is degrading the quality of life for us all daily, weekly and monthly by their amateur standards.
you to entrust our nation’s future to a party that, after nearly three years, remains unable to select its own leader? Are we to believe that, upon assuming power, a leader will miraculously emerge around whom the team can coalesce? This very inability to reach a consensus on leadership is the reason they SHOULDNT be elected to govern. You need to remove your partisan lenses and direct your concerns towards the party that struggles to unify even on this fundamental issue. The Premier had a learning curve that he has navigated and understands his leadership role. The fact that he is willing to be accountable for any opportunities makes him more suited for office than the other side ,
‘had a learning curve’…wtf nonsense are you on about pal! Dude mistakes are glaringly obvious and you chatting cat p!$$!
The other guys more experienced and can’t do worst than this ilk!
What I am going on about PAL … is that you side is unable to even have a LEADER. Do you know how dumb it sounds that you want to put someone in charge but you dont know who? So tell me which of them will run the party because as soon as you chooose one the others will abandon ship . Thats the cat pi@@ i am going on about.
Why are you taking responsibility for the 20 million it was not your fault.
It’s called vicarious responsibility. He is responsible, and he should resign!
The bvi airways project only cost the taxpayers 7.2 million. At least we can see what the money was trying to do. There was an actual plane. HOWEVER, the sudden disappearance of 20million just so??? The money itself have wings. We never see it fly. So which one is worse my people??? Answer me that question! That is 3X the cost to the taxpayer and we know not what it was for, where it went, when it went, how it went? I watching to see who aligning themselves with this bunch.
Think most of us have a good idea where it went and who got a share.
Words are useless. We want to know WHAT action the Premier is going to implement to resolve this 20 million dollar problem!
WELL THE WANNABE JUDGE WIGGIE WAS HOLLERING MOUT EVERYDAY ON WSL ON THE WAL AND IN MR SMITH AS IF YHE STOLE THE TAXPAYERS MONEY / BUT SEEMS TO HAVE LOST HIS DUPLICITOUS VOICE ON THIS ONE , WE GUESSING HE IS MEMRE BUSY FOCUSING NON HIS RACIST NARRATIVES THAT HE LOVES TO CREATE , AND THINKS HE IS A GENIUS