Scatliffe-Leonard Warns of Depleted Government Finances
Perline Scatliffe-Leonard The National Democratic Party’s (NDP) candidate for the Seventh District, Perline Scatliffe-Leonard has expressed concern that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government’s spending habits could leave little money available for the next administration.
Perline Scatliffe-Leonard The National Democratic Party’s (NDP) candidate for the Seventh District, Perline Scatliffe-Leonard has expressed concern that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government’s spending habits could leave little money available for the next administration. Scatliffe-Leonard, a former Director of the Water & Sewerage Department, questioned whether the government has a proper financial plan, describing its spending as haphazard. “I know in years back when I was in the service there were plans,” she stated on the NDP radio show recently. “Even with our budgets, you had to submit a plan with figures.” She warned that the NDP could inherit serious financial challenges if the current administration continues along its present spending path. “I’m actually concerned how they’re doing it, because when the NDP gets in there, we want to make sure we have some funds there to do what we have to do.
But I’m actually concerned that there won’t be much funds,” Scatliffe-Leonard said. She, however, expressed confidence in NDP At-Large Representative Ronnie Skelton’s financial management experience. “I know we have our financial guru here, so I know he’ll find some money for us,” she remarked.
Skelton responded by assuring that the government could realistically exhaust the funds available. “There’s no way they could spend $81 million. And if they spend it, you will have another commission of inquiry because they’d have to be giving away some of it,” he declared. Scatliffe-Leonard’s concerns come amid scrutiny of the government’s $100 million infrastructure loan.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley previously promised to spend “every cent” of the financing, while residents and opposition figures have stated that the spending isn’t addressing deteriorating roads, water shortages and sewerage problems. The Premier has defended the spending, explaining that projects require extensive planning and contractors are paid as work progresses.
He has also indicated that additional borrowing may be necessary to address other critical priorities.
Primary source: BVI News